Lawn Tractors

In addition to reliability, other considerations in selecting a lawn tractor are the size of your lawn, its slope and the obstacles you need to mow around. Keep in mind that although the names are similar, there's a big distinction between small lawn tractors and heavy-duty garden tractors -- the latter have sturdier construction for using attachments. The first step is to calculate your lawn size in acres (43,580 square feet per acre).

Small lawns with few obstacles (1/2 to 1 acre). An inexpensive gear-driven lawn tractor works fine, with a single-cylinder engine of at least 14.5 horsepower, though pedal-operated automatic transmissions can speed mowing even at this size lawn. (Note that both self-propelled walk-behind lawn mowers and robotic lawn mowers are recommended for lawns smaller than half an acre. See our separate reports on these.)

Medium-sized lawns with few obstacles (1 or 2 acres). A lawn tractor with an automatic transmission, cruise control and a twin-cylinder engine of 17 hp or more will be most convenient.

Large lawns or garden plowing (3 or more acres). A garden tractor with an 18- to 24-hp engine and 46-inch to 54-inch mowing deck will be more durable than a lawn tractor. Garden tractors cost more, but expert reviews say that well-maintained garden tractors can outlast lawn tractors by years. (For that reason, a secondhand garden tractor may be a better buy than a new lawn tractor.)

Lawns with lots of obstacles. If your lawn is flat, a zero-turn mower (ZTR) is fastest and most convenient, but reviews say they tend to slide on slopes. For hills, a lawn tractor with a wider deck, large tires and an automatic transmission will be safer and faster. The Cub Cadet iSeries zero-turn lawn tractors combine the best of both.

Many lawn and garden tractors give you a choice of cutting-deck size -- the swath the mower will cut in one pass. For lawns under three acres, reviews say a 42-inch cutting deck is ideal; the two blades give an even cut and are easier to maintain than wider three-bladed decks. However, if you need to mow slopes, reviews recommend a 54-inch deck for more stability. For small lawns, a 38-inch deck is fine, while those with lawns over three acres should consider a 54-inch deck to save time.

Few lawn tractors handle clippings well in all three modes (side-discharging, mulching or bagging). So your best bet is to choose a lawn tractor that handles clippings in the mode you intend to use most often. With rare exceptions, lawn tractors come set up to side-discharge the clippings, and they mow more slowly when set up to mulch or bag. While bags are often included with walk-behind lawn mowers, bagging kits are a fairly expensive extra-cost option on lawn tractors, and not every lawn tractor can use them.

Mulching kits usually cost about $100 more, and they work well only on dry grass. However, lawn experts don't recommend mowing wet grass anyway, and lawn tractor expert Michael MacCaskey notes that side-discharge mowing "can throw rocks like bullets." He recommends using a mulching deck, which also fertilizes the lawn. In fact, experts say mulching cuts fertilizer needs by about a third.

If you want to switch between modes, be sure to pick a lawn tractor that makes this easy. One of the most common complaints from owners is that attaching a bag or changing to mulching mode takes far longer than they'd like.

Best lawn tractors

The John Deere X304 lawn tractor (*est. $3,500) continues to earn top marks for performance and maneuverability (with four-wheel steering), but the less expensive Cub Cadet iSeries zero-turn lawn tractors are giving it close competition. The 15-inch turning radius on the John Deere X304 is unusually small for a lawn tractor, leaving a circle of uncut grass (at the end of a row) with a radius of about 16 inches. However, the Cub Cadet iSeries lawn tractors perform like zero-turn mowers, leaving no circle of uncut grass at all.

Both lawn tractors have separate models for California's new emission standards. We were unable to reach anyone at Cub Cadet for more specific information on how they meet the standards, but Greg Weekes at John Deere told us that all the CARB-certified John Deere models do actually meet the evaporative fuel standards (with nonpermeable fuel tanks and lines). He explained that like most manufacturers, John Deere sells few enough units of the X300 series and other high-end lawn tractors in California that the engines can be exactly the same as those sold in other states. In other words, the engines don't have to meet the CARB requirements, which would require carbon canisters like those used on automobiles to minimize air pollution.

Comparison tests find the less expensive 42-inch Cub Cadet iSeries ZTT 42 (*est. $2,700) cuts as evenly as the John Deere X304 and actually side-discharges clippings better. However, the Cub Cadet lawn tractor doesn't mulch clippings as well – and lawn experts say mulching clippings is the best way to handle them. Reviews say both lawn tractors handle slopes well and give you the ability to mount various attachments. The Cub Cadet offers a lot of features for the price, including an 18-hp Kohler Courage OHV engine, headlights, electronic PTO (a power take-off connection), spring-assisted deck lift, cast iron front axle and deck washout port. In addition to a warranty for three years or 120 hours, Cub Cadet offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.

The John Deere X304 doesn't have the washout port, but does have cruise control plus the ability to adjust the cutting height from the driver's seat with a rotary dial. The 17-hp V-twin Kawasaki engine (OHV) is one of the engines that gets the most praise in reviews, and its electronic ignition and separate choke control aid starting. The warranty is for four years or 300 hours, whichever comes first. Although we've found quite a few complaints from owners about both brands, John Deere lawn tractors have a better repair record overall than Cub Cadet lawn tractors, and the warranty is one year longer and for over twice as many hours of use.

Despite this, the 2008 lawn tractor review at Consumers Digest recommends the entire Cub Cadet iSeries as best buys, and editors at Popular Mechanics also praise the innovative design. Oddly, comparison tests elsewhere rank the 42-inch Cub Cadet ZTT 42 higher than the 46-inch model in the series, the Cub Cadet ZTT 46 (*est. $3,000). The bigger lawn tractor has a slightly more powerful Kohler Courage OHV engine, but doesn't fare as well in tests of cutting evenness – which is typical of lawn tractors with bigger decks. However, at the time of our report, the four owners reviewing the Cub Cadet ZTT 46 at Home Depot (where it's sold as the 17RF9BKH756) give it a perfect five-star rating, praising its ability to trim very close (eliminating the need for a walk-behind mower for edges).

If your lawn doesn't have a lot of obstacles to mow around, you can get most of the benefits of the John Deere X304 by stepping down to the John Deere X300 (*est. $2,900), the base model in the same series. This lawn tractor uses the same Kawasaki engine and durable body as the more expensive John Deere X304 and carries the same warranty, but it's slightly less maneuverable. The 16-inch turning radius is only an inch wider, but the two-wheel steering (instead of four-wheel) means you leave a 27- to 28-inch radius of uncut grass whenever you turn around.

You can choose between 38-inch and 42-inch mowing decks at the same price. Switching between side discharging, mulching and bagging is as quick and easy as on the John Deere X304. If you don't want to switch between modes and just want to mulch the clippings every time, you can also get the John Deere X300 with a dedicated 42-inch mulching deck (*est. $3,000). Once you choose this lawn tractor, though, you're stuck -- this model can't be adapted later to side-discharge or bag clippings.

Both the John Deere X300 and X304 are recommended for mowing lawns up to about 1.5 acres in size. For mowing larger areas, the manufacturer recommends other lawn tractors with larger engines in the same series. For example, to mow four acres, Deere recommends the X340 (*est. $4,650), which is essentially a garden tractor.

We found some owner-written reviews complaining that John Deere discontinues parts for their tractors too early. Some users have had to buy a new lawn tractor just because they could no longer get one part they needed. You can interpret this as verification that Deere tractors are durable, but it's also a drawback worth noting.

The less expensive 54-inch Craftsman DGS 6500 28746 Garden Tractor (*est. $2,500) earns high praise from owners reviewing it at Sears.com, but we didn't find any comparison tests of this model. Compared with the John Deere X304, the Craftsman 28746 has a larger 18-inch turning radius and makes the mulching kit (*est. $70) an extra-cost option. However, the Craftsman comes equipped with a spring-loaded deck lift system – an option at extra cost on the John Deere X304. As noted earlier, John Deere lawn tractors have a better repair record, and the two-year Craftsman warranty is just half as long.

Best budget lawn tractors

In the $1,000 to $2,000 price range, you can get an entry-level automatic transmission lawn tractor. These can mow lawns up to about two acres at most, and durability may be a problem down the road. It can be tempting to overload these lawn tractors, either by pushing them to mow a larger area or by using attachments that wear them out faster. In this price range, reviews recommend John Deere, Craftsman and Husqvarna lawn tractors.

The relatively low prices are tempting, but there's just no way that lawn tractors in this price range can be built as sturdily as the models discussed above – which in turn aren't as durable as heavy-duty garden tractors. Hence the less expensive lawn tractors may actually cost more in the long run. Aside from this issue, however, you can find lawn tractors that perform very well, as long as they're not pushed beyond their limits. Good maintenance and proper storage will also help prolong their life.

We found the most recommendations for the John Deere 100 series, now the LA100 series. These are light-duty lawn tractors with an 18-inch turning radius. Reviews say that John Deere lawn tractors in this lightweight series aren't made to be as durable as the John Deere X300 series, and they use Briggs and Stratton OHV engines rather than engines by Kawasaki or Kohler. But since they sell for half the price of the John Deere X304 lawn tractor, reviews recommend them as good buys for smaller lawns. An older Popular Mechanics review finds that John Deere lawn tractors in this series have the best build quality in their price range.

Greg Weekes of John Deere tells us that all the CARB-certified versions of the LA series are fully compliant, not just achieving certification under the "400 rule." They have engines that meet the new emissions requirements, as well as fuel lines and tanks that meet the new evaporative limits. Prices are about $150 higher for the CARB-compliant versions of the LA-series lawn tractors, but they're significantly better for the environment as well as for the health of the user and anyone else nearby. They're also available in the bordering states of Nevada, Oregon and Arizona, but can't be ordered elsewhere.

The John Deere warranty for this less expensive LA series is for two years. A review at HowStuffWorks.com notes that while independent John Deere dealers register the warranty for you, you must register it yourself if you buy from Lowe's or The Home Depot. The warranty is also specific to a certain geographic area. At ConsumerAffairs.com, we found quite a few complaints from owners about difficulty with warranty service.

Reviews recommend the 42-inch John Deere LA110, now the LA115 (*est. $1,650), as an excellent buy. This lawn tractor earns praise for handling and bagging (with an optional bagging kit, *est. $320). Powered by a 19.5-hp Briggs & Stratton engine, this model can also mulch clippings well with the addition of an inexpensive mulching plug (*est. $25). (Quite a few lawn tractors, including the more expensive John Deere X304 discussed above, require changing blades when you change the mode of handling clippings.) Even at this price, you get a cast-iron front axle (better than steel), a high-back seat and a translucent fuel tank.

Moving up to the John Deere LA125 (*est. $1,800) adds cruise control and a 21-hp engine with full-pressure lubrication. Experts say full-pressure lube adds to an engine's life, especially if you mow on slopes. The John Deere LA135 (*est. $1,900) uses a 22-hp V-twin engine, but we didn't find any reviews of either model. Oddly enough, comparison tests show the more expensive John Deere LA145 (*est. 2,000), also powered by a 22-hp V-twin engine, is comfortable and handles well, but doesn't cut as evenly or deal with clippings as well as the cheaper John Deere LA115.

Often, increasing the size of the mowing deck speeds the job but decreases the evenness of the cut. However, tests show the 46-inch Craftsman 28828 (*est. $1,600) cuts as evenly as the 42-inch John Deere LA115, and performs as well overall. This makes the Craftsman lawn tractor a good buy if you need the larger cutting deck. The Craftsman is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 24-hp Intek V-Twin engine with full-pressure lubrication. At the time of our report, only one owner had reviewed this model at Sears.com, but the reviewer (who uses it to mow 2.5 acres) praises its even cutting.

For use with heavy-duty attachments, reviews recommend the 54-inch Craftsman 27690 DYS 4500 Yard Tractor (*est. $2,000). Tests show that it bags better than the John Deere LA145, but doesn't cut as evenly as the less expensive John Deere LA115 and Craftsman 28828 lawn tractors. The Craftsman has a tighter 16-inch turning radius, and its large 54-inch deck and 26-hp Kohler Pro Courage Twin engine equip it for handling slopes (up to 15 degrees) as well as attachments.

Editors at Popular Mechanics compare the Craftsman 27690 favorably with more expensive garden tractors, testing it with some heavy-duty attachments -- hauling firewood and concrete blocks, plus doing light grading, de-thatching and aeration. The spring-loaded deck adjustment is fender-mounted to ease lifting the deck. On the downside, editors say it's noisy -- but the main drawback is that several owners reviewing the Craftsman 27690 lawn tractor at Sears.com complain of belt problems, backfiring and repair delays. (The Craftsman 28746 Garden Tractor (*est. $2,500) discussed earlier gets higher average ratings from owners.)

Craftsman lawn tractors are actually made by Husqvarna, which also makes lawn tractors under its own name. In owner-written reviews at Sears.com, two Husqvarna lawn tractors had earned perfect five-star ratings at the time of our report. The 54-inch Husqvarna YTH2454 (*est. $2,000) , 28758 at Sears, is powered by the same 24-hp Briggs & Stratton Intek V-Twin engine as the Craftsman 28828 above. Powered by the same engine at 23-hp, the 46-inch Husqvarna 28754 (*est. $1,600) seems to be a Sears exclusive.

Editors at Popular Mechanics like the 48-inch Husqvarna YTH2348 (*est. $1,800) powered by the same 23-hp engine. This lawn tractor also earns high ratings from owners at Lowes.com, and the only review of it we found at Amazon.com gives it high praise as well. However, comparison tests rank it below the Craftsman 28828 for evenness of cutting.

Consumers Digest recommends the entire Cub Cadet LT1000 series as best buys, partly because of the unusually long five-year warranty on the frame, chassis and cast-iron front axle. (Everything else falls under a three-year warranty.) The review also praises the 15-amp charging system on the 42-inch Cub Cadet LT1042 (*est. $1,600), noting that most lawn tractors in this price range use 9-amp alternators. Comparison tests elsewhere find the Cub Cadet LT1042 mulches reasonably well, but with only moderate cutting evenness. This lawn tractor gets some positive reviews from users, but owners also note that getting it into reverse can be tricky.

The Cub Cadet LT1042 does offer some features missing on the John Deere LA-series lawn tractors, including electric PTO, the five-year warranty and a deck washout port. As on the John Deere lawn tractors, lots of attachments are available, including a dozer blade, dump cart, aerator, etc. (A snow thrower is also available, but reviews don't recommend using snow-blower attachments with lawn tractors.)

In comparison tests, the 50-inch Cub Cadet LT1050 (*est. $2,000) loses points for poor bagging, while the 46-inch Cub Cadet LT1045 (*est. $1,650) neither bags nor side-discharges well. However, tests show that both lawn tractors mulch reasonably well, and a review of the Cub Cadet LT1045 likes the fact that it comes equipped with a mulching kit. This review finds the LT1045 adequate for mowing moderate slopes, but notes that checking the fuel level is inconvenient.

Also, despite the five-year warranty, the reviewer notes that the metal is relatively thin. Though this Cub Cadet series is a reasonably good value, this brand – like other brands made by MTD -- has a poor repair record compared with John Deere, Husqvarna and Craftsman lawn tractors.

Light-duty lawn tractors

Although you can buy a lawn tractor for $1,500 or less, experts caution that these models are built for very light-duty mowing and that durability could be an issue. The Craftsman YS 4500 28724 (*est. $1,500), for example, performs well for its price but gets mixed reviews from owners at Sears.com. (Some owners complain of poor-quality blades and a jerky clutch.) It does have nice features for the price, including a 16-inch turning radius and spring-loaded deck lifting. It's powered by a Briggs & Stratton 21-hp Intek Plus engine.

The 42-inch Toro LX 425 (*est. $1,700) offers cruise control, but tests show it doesn't cut as evenly as the Craftsman 28724. The Toro LX 425 is part of a series designed by Toro but manufactured by MTD, which makes its durability less predictable. It's powered by a 20-hp Kohler Courage OHV twin cam engine. Based partly on this engine, a review at HowStuffWorks.com calls the Toro LX 425 a good value. As usual in this price range, the PTO is manual, not electric. A deck washout port is standard.

The least expensive model in the John Deere LA100 series is the 42-inch John Deere LA105 (*est. $1,500), which has a 5-speed manual transmission. Reviews say it's worth moving up to the John Deere LA115 (*est. $1,650) discussed above in order to get an automatic transmission. However, even the John Deere LA105 comes with headlights, moves forward as fast as 5 mph and lets you switch from side-discharge to mulching mode without using any tools. Last year, owners reviewing it at Lowes.com gave it reasonably positive ratings. (At the time of this report, Lowes.com is starting over with owner-written reviews and has removed last year's ratings.)

Most brands made by MTD usually rank lower in tests of handling and performance, with a reputation for questionable build quality and durability. However, owners review several MTD-made Troy-Bilt lawn tractors at Lowes.com, giving most of them positive ratings. The 42-inch Troy-Bilt 13AV60KG011 (*est. $1,200), for example, offers an automatic transmission even at this price. It's powered by an 18-hp Kohler Courage engine. Owners give this lawn tractor unusually high ratings, especially for ease of use, but California buyers seem to be out of luck since there doesn't seem to be a CARB-certified version.

The MTD-made Bolens M762F (*est. $900) is a gear-shift lawn tractor that stands out for its low price and relatively high ratings from owners. (At Lowes.com it's the 13AM762F065.) It has a steel front axle, and the 38-inch cutting deck is narrow for a lawn tractor. Owners rate it below average for quality, but say it's still a good value and easy to use. If price is your main concern, the Bolens lawn tractor is a reasonable choice. The CARB-certified version, the Bolens 13AM762F265, is available in California at the same price.

Zero-turn lawn mowers

As noted earlier, zero-turn lawn mowers (or "ZTR mowers") are getting more and more popular because they save so much mowing time -- cutting it roughly in half. Most owners say these mowers are also a lot of fun to drive. They're just for mowing, not for towing a cart or mounting other attachments, though some can push a snow blade. Bagging is not their strong point either, since it's not easy to attach or remove the bag. Unlike regular lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers have the engine mounted in the back. Some owners prefer the rear-mounted engine since exhaust is blown away from the driver, and visibility is also improved.

Reviews caution that zero-turn mowers tend to slide around on slopes, however, so they're recommended only for relatively flat lawns. They're steered with two levers called tillers; each lever controls a wheel. Also, one pedal drives forward and another in reverse, so driving them takes some practice. However, owner-written reviews say it only takes about half an hour to get the hang of it.

The Cub Cadet iSeries mowers above are somewhere in between a lawn tractor and a true zero-turn mower. The advantage of the iSeries is that they are controlled with a steering wheel as opposed to other zero-turn models, which use two levers for steering. Reviews say the steering wheel is easier to use, and certainly requires less of a learning curve. Cub Cadet, however, doesn't have the best reputation for reliability.

Other than Cub Cadet, the Toro TimeCutter zero-turn mowers get top ranking in reviews. Comparison tests rank the 44-inch Toro TimeCutter ZX440 (*est. $4,400) at the top for mowing slopes without sliding, and for mulching clippings. For bagging or side-discharging clippings on flatter lawns, reviews say the less expensive 42-inch Toro Z4200 (*est. $2,700) is a better buy. Tests show that the Z4200 zero-turn lawn mower cuts more evenly (since it has two blades rather than three), and owners reviewing it at HomeDepot.com give it a perfect five-star rating (at the time of our report). The 50-inch Toro Z5000 (*est. $3,000) also gets good ratings from owners, but its three blades don't cut as evenly. All three of these Toro zero-turn mowers can mow forward as fast as 7 mph, have deck washout ports and can cut as high as 4.5 inches – higher than most zero-turn lawn mowers. They carry three-year warranties.

The larger, more expensive Toro ZX440 is built for heavier duty, with an 18-hp Kohler Command OHV engine. As another plus, the side-discharge chute is made of rubber, which means you can trim close to shrubs without damaging them. Reviews say the mulch kit (*est. $130) is difficult to install, so it's a good idea to stay with one mode as long as possible. The bagging kit on the Toro ZX440 zero-turn mower also bags clippings very well, but it is quite expensive (*est. $910) – much more so than the Toro Z4200 bagging kit (*est. $500). An hour meter also costs extra, available from Toro dealers.

The 52-inch Craftsman Pro 28875 (*est. $5,000) mows faster at speeds up to 8.5 mph. It's powered by a 26-hp Briggs & Stratton ELS V-twin OHV engine, and features electronic ignition. Owners reviewing zero-turn mowers give high marks to this model, but all the reviews are quite recent, so the jury is still out regarding its long-term reliability.

The less expensive 42-inch John Deere Z225 (*est. $2,900) doesn't bag as well as the Toro zero-turn mowers, but ironically, Deere charges less for its bagging kit (*est. $350). Owners like its 7-mph speed but say it could be more comfortable to ride.

Consumers Digest recommends the 50-inch Gravely ZT2450 (*est. $3,000), especially for its 24-hp Briggs & Stratton V-Twin engine. However, its maximum speed is 6 mph compared with 7 mph for the Toro zero-turn mowers. Snapper and Swisher make zero-turn lawn mowers that fare reasonably well in reviews, but it's hard to beat the Toro models for features, performance and price.

Important Features: Lawn tractors

Michael MacCaskey, in his "Lawn and Garden Tractors" article for the National Gardening Association, advises test-driving every tractor you're considering. That's the only way to really judge comfort, steering, ease of using attachments and making adjustments, noise level and how easy it is to get on and off the machine. Ask the dealer to demonstrate all the things you want to do.

Here's what experts say to look for when shopping for a riding mower, lawn tractor, garden tractor or zero-turn mower:

• Don't buy more mower than you need. Experts suggest using a lawn tractor only for lawns larger than half an acre. If you have less lawn to mow than that, you can accomplish the job just as well, at lower cost, with a walk-behind mower -- or have fun with a robotic mower. Lawn tractors and garden tractors offer bigger engines and useful attachments, but they cost more and require more storage space. Also, even if you need a lawn tractor, you're still likely to need a walk-behind mower for trimming.

• The engine makes a difference, but don't judge it by horsepower. Experts at Popular Mechanics and Consumer Reports don't find much difference in mowing performance based on horsepower. Single-cylinder engines are fine for mowing lawns smaller than an acre, while twin-cylinder engines are better for larger areas. Michael MacCaskey warns that manufacturers sometimes add higher horsepower engines to tractors without increasing the strength of the frame or other parts. This can actually make a lawn tractor with a higher horsepower engine weaker in the long run than a similar model with a smaller engine. Higher horsepower does improve performance with heavy-duty attachments like tillers, plows and grading blades, however.

• Look for a Kohler or Kawasaki OHV engine. Testers at Popular Mechanics prefer lawn tractors with Kohler or Kawasaki engines to those with Briggs & Stratton engines, and a diesel engine can save fuel costs for a garden tractor. An oil pump also increases engine life. Engines with overhead valves (getting more common even in lower price ranges) are quieter and less polluting.

• A larger deck isn't always better. For mowing up to about two acres, reviews say a 38-inch to 42-inch two-bladed deck makes for the smoothest, most even cutting. A wider deck can add stability on slopes, however, and shortens mowing time when you have three acres or more to mow.

• Anti-scalping wheels make for more even cutting. These wheels help keep the mower level on uneven ground.

• The turning radius affects maneuverability and speed. ZTR mowers pivot, with a zero turning radius, but other lawn tractors (except for the new Cub Cadet iSeries) leave a circle of uncut grass when they turn. You have to go back and cut this on another pass. This circle is smallest on all-wheel steering lawn tractors. If you have a lot of obstacles to mow around, getting a zero-turn mower (for flat land) or a lawn tractor with a small turning radius will speed the mowing task quite a bit.

• Automatic hydrostatic transmission with cruise control is most convenient. But reviews also say a tractor with gear-drive transmission will be fine if you're mowing a fairly flat lawn with few obstacles, since you won't need to change gears often anyway.

• Pedals make driving easiest. With pedals, driving the tractor is a lot like driving a car, but reviews say some pedals are harder to reach than others. Controlling a zero-turn mower with levers is trickier, though users say it only takes about half an hour to learn.

• Consider the setup and repair services available. Often the price is the same from a big-box store or from a local dealer, but the dealer will usually make sure the battery is fully charged (extremely important), assemble the tractor and let you test-drive it. Customer service may also be better. If you do buy from a big-box store, be sure to register the warranty with the manufacturer.

• Attachments are usually extra options. Even mulching and bagging kits are extra options on lawn tractors.
  

Safety features:

• Plan to use hearing protection. All lawn tractors are noisy enough to require protection for your ears.

• Mulching or bagging is safer than side-discharge mowing. That's because objects like rocks can be propelled.

• Cutting in reverse is a bit controversial. Cutting in reverse can be dangerous because you can't see rear obstructions. But cutting in reverse can also be convenient. Most lawn tractors permit cutting in reverse, but require a safety override of some kind. ZTR mowers usually cut in reverse without an override.

• Blades should stop turning when you leave the seat. The "seat shut-off switch" is a safety factor currently built into most lawn tractors. Quite a few users report they find it annoying.

• Step-through designs are safer. If there's not much space for getting on and off the lawn tractor, you might accidentally knock it into gear. Most lawn tractors now advertise "step through" designs that make it easy to get off in a hurry.

• Traction can be an important safety consideration, especially on hilly ground. Some lawn tractors have significantly better traction than others.

• Front-end lift is a serious safety concern, especially when using a bagging kit that adds weight in the rear. For some models, including the John Deere models, you can buy front weights to increase traction and safety. (Rear end weight kits are also available, to balance front attachments like blades and buckets.) Additionally, lighter individuals and women may also want to consider adding weights for increased stability.

• Seatbelts and a roll bar are available for some lawn and garden tractors to protect you in case the tractor turns over.

• A fire extinguisher is good to keep onboard. Most safety recalls have involved fire hazards: leaking fuel, mufflers that catch grass on fire or faulty wiring. Experts recommend keeping a fire extinguisher handy.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	John Deere X304 (*est. $3,500)	-
3	John Deere LA115 (*est. $1,650)	-
2	Cub Cadet zero-turn tractor iSeries ZTT 46 (*est. $3,000)	-
2	Toro Z4200 zero-turn mower (*est. $2,700)	-
2	Husqvarna YTH2348 (*est. $1,800)	details
1 each	Craftsman 276380 (now the Craftsman 27690 ), Craftsman 28745 garden tractor, Craftsman 28746 , Craftsman 28828, Cub Cadet 1000 Series , Cub Cadet LT 1042, Cub Cadet i1000 Series or i1042 now ZTT 42 , Cub Cadet i1050 – now ZTT50 , Cub Cadet 13RX11CH756 - LT1045, Cub Cadet LT1050, Gravely ZT2450, Husqvarna YTH20K46, Husqvarna YTH2454 , Husqvarna 2348 LS , Husqvarna LGT2654 , Husqvarna 28754 , John Deere GT225, John Deere GT series, John Deere LA125, John Deere X300 series, Kubota GR2100, Murray 42560X5, Poulan Pro PK185H42ST now the PB195H42LT , Snapper 150Z zero-turn, Toro LX 425, Toro TimeCutter ZX zero-turn mowers

Note that the same manufacturer makes Craftsman, Husqvarna and Poulan lawn tractors, which usually rank in the middle both for performance and reliability. The 46-inch Cub Cadet iSeries ZTT 46 is recommended in two reviews, but the 42-inch model performs better in comparison tests. Both the John Deere X304 and LA115 are included in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers as best in their price and class ranges. The Toro TimeCutter zero-turn mowers are better rated than others.

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