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Lawn Mower Speed
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Lawn Mowers Features (continued)
Lawn Mower Speed and Transmission.
You'll never win a race with a tractor lawn mower or lawn riding mower, but these practical machines do move along at a good clip.Depending on the type of transmission in your cheap riding mower, you'll have more or less control over the speed. Cheap tractor lawn mowers with manual transmission, like the John Deere D100 and Yard Machines 28604, have pre-set speeds (five in the former, six in the latter) and you have to manually shift the gears to change the speed. An automatic hydrostatic transmission, featured on the Craftsman YT 3000 28924 and Ariens 42-inch 960460024, enables a continuum of speeds up to the maximum; the Craftsman YT 3000 even offers cruise control (as does the Weed Eater One WE261) for long, uninterrupted stretches of mowing. Note, however, that hydrostatic transmission eats up more fuel and requires more maintenance than a manual transmission, although it does give you more control and makes turning easier.
All cheap tractor lawn mowers move in reverse and for safety reasons require more than the mere flick of a switch (e.g., a key to lock into a special setting). Among the models on our list, reverse speeds vary from 1 mph (Weed Eater One WE261) to 2.8 mph (Yard Machines 28604). If sections of your lawn are too narrow for turning around but wider than the cutting deck, you'll probably want a lawn tractor that mows in reverse. Among the models we researched, the Ariens 42" 960460024, John Deere D100, and Weed Eater One satisfy this requirement.
Electric start is standard on these lawn tractors. Even the Weed Eater One, a cheap lawn riding mower, features electric start but also includes a pull-start as insurance in case the battery isn't sufficiently charged.
Lawn Riding Mowers Turning Radius.
The turning radius is the minimum size U-turn that a riding mower can make; the tighter the radius, the easier it is to maneuver the machine and the less grass that's left uncut. A typical turning radius for a cheap tractor lawn mower is 16 or 18 inches; the Weed Eater One WE261, the only cheap riding mower on our list, features a wide 31-inch turning radius. If you need a lawn tractor that essentially turns circles in place, you'll have to climb way up the price ladder to a ZTR model like the Toro TimeCutter Z4200 (starting at $2,449, Amazon
). Or, you could take a half step up to the newest Craftsman lawn tractors with the Turn Tight technology, which TodaysMower.com notes cuts the turning radius to eight inches.
Tractor Lawn Mowers Warranty.
The warranty on cheap lawn riding mowers is usually a limited two-year warranty; the Craftsman YT 3000 28924 features a full two-year warranty. Cheap lawn tractor mowers last longer with regular maintenance, which is why you should service the unit regularly (according to the owner's manual) and make sure replacement parts are readily available, either online or at a nearby retailer. Ariens offers buyers one set of blades a year at no cost for the life of the lawn tractor, a bonus that appeals to many consumers, according to consumer reviewers.
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Best Cheap Riding Mowers
Craftsman YT 3000
The Craftsman YT 3000 features a 21hp engine with hydrostatic automatic transmission, two cutting blades, a 46-inch cutting deck, spring- loaded deck-lift system, and 16-inch turning radius. Users like the even cut, powerful engine, and all-around nimble performance. Read more »Riding Mowers Deals
Ariens 42 in. Riding Lawn Mower
An expert reviewer prefers this new 42-inch Ariens, with its 19 HP single-cylinder Kohler engine, automatic transmission, 16-inch turning radius, and wash-out port over the highly-rated model it replaces. This is a basic riding mower that does its best work on grass that's not too dense or long and in yards without many obstacles; at 483 pounds, it's fine for light hauling. Read more »Riding Mowers Deals
Good Cheap Riding Mowers
Weed Eater One
The Weed Eater One is about the cheapest riding mower on the market and appeals to users with small-ish, flat yards who prefer sitting to walking as they mow. This compact, lightweight mower features a 190CC engine, 26-inch cutting deck, a 3-in-1 single blade system that mulches or side discharges, and a relatively wide 31-inch turning radius; many users are satisfied but a few report mediocre performance. Read more »Riding Mowers Deals
John Deere D100
The new D100, an entry-level lawn tractor from John Deere, features a gear-driven manual transmission with a 17.5 HP engine, two blades, 42-inch cutting deck, and what the company claims is superior fuel economy and ergonomics compared to the previous model. Users like the quick and easy cut and comfortable ride; a few report flaking paint on the deck but it's unclear from the reviews whether this problem affects the older or newer model. Read more »Riding Mowers Deals
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Don't Bother Cheap Riding Mowers
Troy-Bilt 20 HP Automatic 42 in. Riding Mower
A strong 20 HP engine, 42-inch cutting width, two blades, and top forward speed of 5.5 mph would seem to mark this Troy-Bilt as a good buy, but users complain about parts that give out within a season or two, maintenance headaches, and a chronic need for servicing. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Yard Machines 38 in. Riding Lawn MowerTroy-Bilt 20 HP Automatic 42 in. Riding Mower
Weed Eater One
John Deere D100
Craftsman YT 3000
Ariens 42 in. Riding Lawn Mower
Archived Products
Ariens 42 In. Deck 19.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Troy-Bilt 22 HP Hydrostatic 46
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