Lawn Tractors Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best Lawn Tractors. See our ratings criteria

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Lawn Tractors Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Tractors Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Best Yard Gear: Lawn Tractor Review Editors of Consumer Reports May 2008		This review compares ten zero-turn mowers this year -- plus one gear-drive and 16 automatic-drive lawn tractors and riding lawn mowers (including three that compete with zero-turn mowers by making extra-tight turns). Based on objective tests over weeks of mowing, the review rates each lawn tractor in handling grass clippings (side-discharging, mulching or bagging), as well as rating each for evenness of cut, overall handling and ease of use. The tests show that horsepower and price don't determine performance, as some inexpensive lawn tractors perform better than more expensive models from the same brand. Also included are repair records culled from reader surveys.

Lawn Tractors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Tractors Ratings Comments on Reviews

2. UK Telegraph	Best ride-on mowers (to help the llama) Jean Vernon Apr. 2007		This review compares five lawn tractors, all of which meet stringent new EU requirements for low emissions, based on tests on a four-acre lawn. In addition to pros and cons for each lawn tractor, the review rates each one for performance, convenience and value. It's the first review we've found that also evaluates each model for its "green credentials." While three of the brands (Toro, Cub Cadet and John Deere) are also available in the United States, only one exact model, the John Deere X304, is available here. The review notes that this lawn tractor meets "the latest worldwide noise and emission regulations" and that the tractor hoods are made from recycled materials.
3. How Stuff Works.com	Garden Tractor Reviews Editors of HowStuffWorks.com As of May 2008		This review site covers more models than Consumer Reports, providing detailed single-product reviews and ratings that clearly show the advantages and disadvantages of each model. It's an especially good site to check if you're interested in a rear-engine riding lawn mower or, at the other extreme, a powerful garden tractor that can handle a big area plus a lot of attachments – types not reviewed much elsewhere. The site has come way up in our rankings because the reviews and ratings now show some analysis based on actual usage. Reviews are categorized into four useful categories: rear-engine riding mowers, zero-turn lawn mowers, lawn tractors and garden tractors. Within each category, several models are identified as best buys, and in some categories a budget buy is also selected. The only drawbacks to this review site are that some reviews are a year or two old and need updating.
4. Popular Mechanics >> Details/Subscribe	Backyard Power - Comparison Test: 5 Garden Tractors Roy Berendsohn Oct. 2005		This comparison review is becoming outdated; we'd rank it higher if it were more recent. The review compares five garden tractors, all more powerful than ordinary lawn tractors and thus capable of a wider range of tasks. All five are rated on cutting grass, hauling firewood, grading, dethatching and aerating a lawn, using four different attachments. The review also gives an overview of what you can expect from lawn and garden tractors in four basic engine and price ranges. An earlier comparison review from March 2005 tests eight lawn tractors, rating them for noise level and ease of starting as well as for performance on hills, in circles and in reverse.

Lawn Tractors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Tractors Ratings Comments on Reviews

5. Consumers Digest >> Details/Subscribe	Best Buys in Riding Mowers and Lawn Tractors Steve Trusty Mar./Apr. 2008		This review recommends four riding lawn mowers with electric power take off (PTO) for accessories. The recommendations are made in the context of an informative overview of lawn tractor features, with good coverage of environmental factors. However, the recommendations of specific lawn tractors seem to be based on features and price rather than testing. We'd rank this review higher if any usage was documented.
6. HomeDepot.com	Riding Mowers Contributors to HomeDepot.com As of May 2008		The Home Depot publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers sold here, but at the time of our report, quite a few models hadn't accumulated enough reviews to be convincing. The reviews that do exist here are often detailed and helpful, noting drawbacks as well as advantages. Owners recommend checking on price and availability of parts and attachments before buying.
7. Sears.com	Lawn Tractors Contributors to Sears.com As of May 2008		Sears publishes owner-written ratings and reviews of the Craftsman and Husqvarna lawn tractors sold here, along with Craftsman, Husqvarna and Swisher zero-turn lawn mowers. Not all the models have accumulated reviews, but three stand out with unusually high ratings. Overall, owners of both lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers give Sears mixed reviews for repair service. Some owners praise prompt warranty repairs, while others complain about delays and extra charges, even while the mower is under warranty.
8. Lowes.com	Lawn Mowers and Tractors Contributors to Lowes.com As of May 2008		Owners rate lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers sold here – by John Deere, Husqvarna, Bolens and Troy-Bilt -- but without a chance to add comments. Not all models have accumulated ratings; at the time of our report, for example, only one Troy-Bilt lawn tractor had been rated. The ratings published here are still useful, however, especially since the overall rating is further broken down by quality, features, ease of use, design and value.
9. Money Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Gardening Gear Charles Passy May 2006		In this brief article, West Palm Beach horticulturist Mike Page recommends one riding mower, the John Deere 125, for lawns half an acre or more in size. However, Page doesn't compare riding mowers or commend any others.
10. Popular Mechanics >> Details/Subscribe	PM Long-Term Test: John Deere X585 Garden Tractor Editors of Popular Mechanics June 2003		Popular Mechanics usually publishes comparison reviews of lawn and garden tractors based on brief testing. However, this review of the John Deere X585 garden tractor is based on a full nine months of usage on a variety of tasks, with an emphasis on mowing and snow-blowing. This model attracts the editors' attention because the X series, new at the time, introduced 4-wheel drive in this size range. We'd love to see more of these kinds of long-term tests.
11. eBay Guide	John Deere Garden Tractors Chris Aug. 14, 2006		This review is basically a buying guide to selecting a used garden tractor, but has clear implications for selecting new models too. This author says that engine horsepower isn't nearly as important for performance as other factors. The review covers features and average second-hand prices for seven different older series of John Deere garden tractors, and it includes tips on evaluating a used lawn tractor. This is a genuinely useful article if you're considering a used tractor, and several are evaluated.
12. ConsumerAffairs.com	Complaints -- Lawn Tractors and Riding Mowers Editors and Contributors to ConsumerAffairs.com As of May 2008		This site publishes complaints from users and is well organized by brand and manufacturer. Almost every manufacturer receives complaints here, but we were surprised to find so many recent complaints about John Deere lawn tractors. While these complaints don't necessarily represent the majority of consumers, there are some hair-raising incidents described here, worth exploring if you're interested in comparing brands for durability and customer service. Keep in mind that some of the complaints are dated several years back, and companies may have improved since then.

Lawn Tractors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Tractors Ratings Comments on Reviews

13. Popular Mechanics >> Details/Subscribe	Cadet i1050 Zero-Turn Tractor: Not Just for Lebron James Editors of Popular Mechanics Apr. 2007		This brief review of the Cub Cadet i1050 zero-turn lawn tractor makes special mention of its steering wheel, which makes it easier to steer than the dual-lever steering on most zero-turn mowers. The review notes that a smaller Cub Cadet model, the i1046 with a 46-inch deck, costs $500 less but uses the same "intuitive controls." Unfortunately, no testing or use is reported in this review -- it's all based on features – but several readers also report on their experiences with this series.
14. Consumer Democracy	Reviews & Ratings in Garden Tractors with Bests, Comparisons, Products, Reports Contributors to Consumer Democracy.com As of May 2008		This is one of the least convenient sites for checking owner-written reviews, as the list of lawn tractors isn't in any particular order and reviews of the same model are linked but not consolidated. However, if you're interested in an older lawn tractor, it's worth checking here.
15. TractorByNet.com	Reviews—Category List Contributors to TractorByNet.com As of May 2008		These owner-written reviews cover mostly larger garden tractors and older models. The reviews are categorized by manufacturer, with lots of coverage of John Deere and Kubota tractors as well as other major brands. Reviews are brief, but most ratings list both pros and cons.
16. Compact Tractor Review.com	Compact Tractors Editors and Contributors to CompactTractor Review.com As of May 2008		This extensive, well-organized site is geared more toward larger garden tractors. It organizes owner-written reviews by type and brand, and includes a message board, industry news and charts of most-viewed reviews and top-rated equipment. Not all the models have been reviewed, and many reviews cover discontinued tractors. In addition, the site includes many tractors larger than most homeowners need. However, a few smaller riding mowers and lawn tractors are included.
17. Amazon.com	Riding Mowers & Tractors Contributors to Amazon.com As of May 2008		Usually Amazon.com is a good source of owner-written reviews, but few current lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers have accumulated any ratings at all here.
18. Northerntool.com	Lawn Tractors Contributors to NorthernTool.com As of May 2008		This retailer publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of the Swisher zero-turn mowers sold here, but only a few reviews have been submitted.
19. Buzzillions	Lawn Tractors Contributors to Buzzillions.com As of May 2008		This site makes the owner-written ratings and reviews easy to see, listing the number of reviews right on the list beside the average rating. However, only a few lawn tractors have been reviewed.
20. 3Luxe.com	Lawn Tractors Editors and contributors to 3luxe.com As of May 2008		This site recommends three lawn tractors, but the reviews seem to be based on features rather than testing or even usage. Nor is it clear how many other lawn tractors were considered for comparison. At the time of our visit, ads covered parts of the text, with no obvious way to delete them, so it was difficult to read the reviews.

Lawn Tractors Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Lawn Tractors Ratings Comments on Reviews

21. GalTech.com	Lawn and Garden Tractors Editors of Galtech.com As of May 2008		This site recommends three lawn tractors plus a zero-turn mower and garden tractor, but the recommendations correspond to the exact models ConsumerSearch recommended two years ago in our 2006 report.