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Riding Mower Reviews

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In this review:
  1. Cheap Riding Mowers, Best Lawn Tractors
  2. Riding Lawn Mowers, Lawn Tractors
  3. Lawn Mower Speed
  4. Riding Mower Reviews
  5. Lawn Tractor Reviews
  6. Discount Riding Mowers Features Comparison Table
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Related Guides: Lawn Mowers, Leaf Blowers and Weed Eaters

Riding Mowers Performance

According to the riding mower reviews we read, consumers put great weight on the value-to-performance ratio. Quite a few users comment in riding mower reviews that these cheap models do what they're meant to -- that is, mow moderate-sized expanses of lawn unmarred by too many boulders and stumps or steeply sloped terrain, make clean edges and give a level cut, climb up and move down small hills with relative ease, haul a cart or snow thrower, and start up without balking.
Consumers recognize they're not paying top dollar (and thankfully so), and indicate their willingness to tolerate some slippage here and loose belts there because at budget prices, who can complain? They get cranky, however, when assaulted by major problems like brand-new mowers that won't start or parts that constantly fail and replacement parts that cost near as much as the cheap lawn tractor. Here's a summary of what we found.

Note: Reviews for the newest models we researched are sparse. We made our calls based on the strength of reviews for the predecessor models and whatever information we could find for the latest market entrants.

Riding Mowers Handling.

The ease of handling a cheap lawn tractor depends in part on the right match between machine and lawn, according to riding mower reviews by experts on sites like About.com and Garden.org. Consumers seem to agree. In riding mower reviews of the Weed Eater One on Walmart, for example, users report this lightweight riding mower is the right size for yards up to an acre and most say it manages slight inclines, bumps, and dips. Some riding mower reviews caution, however, that the Weed Eater One struggles on hills, especially when the grass is wet, and others note it's not the best buy for yards with lots of rough spots.

For larger yards and/or terrain with steeper slopes, lawn tractors reviews by consumers lean towards models like the Craftsman YT 3000 28924, John Deere D100, and Ariens 42-inch 960460024. These bigger, heavier, and more powerful lawn tractors with front-mounted engines are more stable than the riding mowers with rear-mounted engines. Moreover, they hold at least 1.5 gallons of gasoline (tank capacity on the new John Deere D100 was increased to 2.4 gallons) compared to the Weed Eater One WE261, whose tank holds only about onethird of a gallon, and can cover more territory before needing a refill..

Review continues below

Users like these models for a variety of operational reasons. In lawn tractors reviews on Sears, nearly half the user reviewers praise the hydrostatic automatic transmission on the Craftsman YT 3000 28924, which helps move it up and down small hills; one user comments that it doesn't lag on the ascent nor lose control on the descent. The manual shift on the John Deere D100 takes some getting used to, say user reviews of the older LA105,which also featured a manual transmission; that said one user notes he purposefully chose this model because the manual shift affords him more control on steep slopes. Although a few users critique its performance on hills, the new John Deere D100 wins kudos in reviews on Lowe's for an easy and quick cut. The Ariens 42-inch 960460024 is another new riding mower that's right-sized and right-powered for yards up to two acres. Commenting on TodaysMower.com, an expert expresses a preference for this model over an earlier version, and says its power is sufficient for weekly yard chores and light hauling. Users are less enthusiastic about the Troy-Bilt 13AX78KS011 lawn tractor. A few users talk up the large 20 HP motor, tight turning, and smooth ride of the Troy-Bilt 13AX78KS011 in lawn tractors reviews on Lowe's, while the majority grouse about excessive maintenance and servicing requirements and the frequent need to replace parts.

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Best Cheap Riding Mowers

Craftsman YT 3000
Gold Medal

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
Gold Medal

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
Gold Medal

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
Gold Medal

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 »

 
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