A buyer's guide to tractor mowers

Tractor mowers, commonly known as ride-on lawn mowers, are designed for rapid cutting of large lawns and grassy areas. Larger versions are primarily used by commercial turf maintenance companies, golf courses, municipalities and so on. Smaller versions, however, are manufactured for easy use by homeowners. Zero-turn radius mowers and tractor mowers are the two types that are commonly used for residential applications.

Zero-turn radius mowers

For lawns that are relatively flat and have a lot of trees, bushes and other landscaping elements, choose a zero-turn radius mower. Mowing lawn around these obstacles is easier because the motor is placed towards the rear of the machine. These lawn tractors are similar to those used by landscapers and have high manoeuvrability. Zero-turn units Some have steering wheels, but most have steering levers that allow operators to power the rear wheels individually. Zero-turn units can mow a 42-inch to 48-inch wide swath and have options for side-discharge, bag and mulch clippings. However, they don’t cut grass as lawn tractors can be difficult to steer and control on hills. Moreover, they often lose traction and are ideal for lawn garden applications.

Tractor mowers

These types of ride-on mowers take wider turns than zero-turn radius mowers, so they have less manoeuvrability. However, since they have engines upfront, they are more powerful and are able to transverse a variety of terrains. A series of levers and controls engage the cutting mechanism and control the blade height. Using a wide variety of appliances Tractor mowers have the ability to use a wide variety of appliances, so they can do more than simply mow new lawn. Among the attachments that can be used by tractor mowers include aerators, tillers, levelling devices, scoping attachments and ploughs, among others. These mowers generally have wide, pneumatic tires, which allow them to easily transverse a wide variety of terrains.

The benefits of tractor mowers

Ride-on tractor mowers provide a more productive and enjoyable lawn maintenance experience for homeowners with larger lawns. Tractor mowers have automatic transmission with a maximum speed of about 15 mph. They also have extra stability because of a low gravity centre. Commonly, a cargo box placed over the rear wheels also contributes to stability. Tractor mowers also offers a relatively compact size, high-quality tire to prevent bogging in soft soils, and offer relatively smooth driving.

Manufacturers

Popular manufacturers of new tractors are John Deere, MTD, Toro and Snapper. Although Honda is well-known for its engines, the company does not make riding mowers, but does manufacture other types of lawn equipment. Deere is widely considered to have the most reliable tractors for mowing grass while Toro is known for its zero-turn radius models.