Lawn Tractor Brands and Links

Updated May 2011

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Page: 7 of 8

In this report

Introduction{1 mention}
Best Lawn Tractors{6 mentions}{1 mention}
Budget Lawn Tractors{2 mentions}{7 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}{2 mentions}{2 mentions}
Riding Mowers{5 mentions}
Zero-Turn Mowers{2 mentions}{1 mention}
Electric Lawn Tractors{3 mentions}{1 mention}
Useful Links
Our Sources

Lawn tractor alternatives

Reviewers say consumers on a budget should consider a quality used tractor, rather than purchase a new one. Most lawn tractors have an hour meter that records the number of hours used, just as cars have mileage gauges. Expert reviewers say the average life of a lawn tractor is 250 hours, and the hour meter gives you an idea of the expected life remaining.

If you have a lawn of less than half an acre, you might not need a lawn tractor at all. You can save money (and get a little exercise) by going with a walk-behind mower. See our separate report on self-propelled and push lawn mowers. Or see our separate report on robotic lawn mowers, which you can sit and watch as they do the work for you.

For larger areas and heavier-duty attachments, consider a subcompact tractor, sometimes called a garden tractor. Grit.com, a site devoted to "rural American know-how," offers a buyer's guide to subcompact tractors, along with several other relevant articles.

Another alternative is the standing mower. These are small, light lawn tractors on which the driver stands rather than sits. An April 2008 article by Jack Roberts in Total Landscape Care magazine, "Equipment Management: Stand-on, Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers," says many users find them more comfortable than sitting for long hours because they reduce stress on the user's lower back.

John Deere makes standing mowers, but Wright seems to be the most well-known manufacturer of these. A review of the Wright Stander Mower is available at The-Lawn-Advisor.com.

Lawn tractor information

One of the best guides to riding mowers and lawn tractors is at the National Gardening Association website. Michael MacCaskey's article "Lawn and Garden Tractors" gives a rundown of lawn tractor types, describes which types are best for which uses and explains the most important factors to consider.

A series of videos at eHow.com on "How to Drive & Operate a Tractor" starts with how to do a safety inspection and goes on to explain and demonstrate many aspects of using a lawn tractor.

The iVillage GardenWeb forum on lawn and garden tractors is a good place to ask questions, particularly about maintenance and repair problems. A number of contributors to the forum are knowledgeable about specific engines as well as lawn tractor brands and models.