Riding lawn mowers change the game when it comes to maintaining large plots. If you have multiple acres you want to keep looking neat and trim, or if you are a gardener who caters to clients with such large properties, then you will need a riding lawn mower.
Not all lawn mowers – even the ones you can drive – are going to be made equal. The right one, of course, depends entirely on your needs and even your budget. To help you make the right decision of riding lawn mower for your needs, use this guide to help you understand the different specs and features:
1. Turning
One of the bigger downsides to most riding lawn mowers is their wide turning requirements. This means you’d often need to double back around and go over the same patches multiple times to get all the grass trimmed down.
If you want to make your mowing experience extremely efficient, or if you want to be able to easily get into odd corners and angles, then you’ll want to look for zero turn lawn mowers. These lawn mowers stand out with their four-wheel design and intuitive steering, giving you ample control over tight corners.
2. Range
Another consideration you’ll need to make is how far you need the riding mower to go per cut. If you’re a gardener, for example, you’ll likely want to opt for the full range (often up to 12 acres with one tank), so you have full flexibility in the size of property you can tackle.
If you want a riding mower for your own property, however, you’ll be able to save by sticking to a mower that just covers your acreage. For example, if you have a 1.75-acre lot, you could opt for an electric mower that covers 2 acres between charges.
3. Slopes
Slopes are where riding mowers often falter. If you need to be able to cover a wide range of terrain, opt for a lawn mower that can handle the highest slope range. Usually, this is around 15°, though you might occasionally find mowers that can tackle up to 20° slopes.
4. Fuel Efficiency
Another factor to consider is the fuel efficiency of your riding motor. Some are electric, yes, meaning they need to be charged between uses. If your riding motor is gas-powered, however, then how efficient it is at using that gas will change its ongoing costs (as well as air quality for you).
5. Steering Type
There are multiple types of steering available. You can opt for the standard wheel steering that’s most familiar to many since it mimics the steering mechanism used in cars. Alternatively, you can choose a handlebar steering.
If you are unsure, go into a showroom and ask to drive one of the mowers around, or just move the steering mechanism to see what feels most natural to you. Sometimes, it just boils down to what movements your body can make most comfortably.