# Review: Ride-On Lawn Mowers
If you’ve got a large lawn and don’t fancy pushing around a heavy mower, a ride-on mower could be a sensible option. But before you part with your money, it’s important to know which key features to look out for, plus how much you should expect to spend. In this review, we will take a closer look at the various types of ride-on lawn mowers and what they offer.
## Do I need a ride-on lawn mower?
Whether or not you need a ride-on mower ultimately depends on your property and your budget. If you have a medium lawn and don’t want to spend more than £500, a ride-on lawn mower probably isn’t a priority. Instead, you might want to consider buying a petrol lawn mower or a powerful cordless mower instead, as these will tackle lawns over 150 sq m. Assuming reducing the work of cutting the lawn is your priority, a robotic mower (also known as a robot lawn mower) is a good option as it will look after the lawn by itself. Alternatively, you could opt to pay for someone to cut the lawn and get rid of your mower entirely.
## What is the best ride-on mower brand?
### Honda ride-on lawn mowers
A popular name for ride-on mowers. As a brand, Honda is well known for its engines, which have a reputation for reliability. It has a modest range of machines that are mid-priced, ranging from small ride-on mowers for around £2,000, to garden tractors costing more than £4,000.
### Husqvarna ride-on lawn mowers
Husqvarna, which owns Flymo, has a very large range of ride-on mowers with the cutting blades at the front, as well as lawn and garden tractors. The Swedish brand has a reputation for making easy-to-use lawnmowers. Models range from domestic mowers for around £2,000 to commercial ones for parks for £12,000.
### John Deere ride-on lawn mowers
A well-known name for large garden equipment. It’s a premium brand, associated with farm equipment. The smallest lawn tractors cost over £2,000 and tend to be heavy machines that can deal with a large range of attachments.
### Kubota ride-on lawn mowers
Kubota manufactures a huge range of garden tractors and ride-on mowers, many of which are aimed at amenity use, such as on golf courses or sports pitches, and have price tags to match. The brand is well known for zero-turn mowers. You can expect to pay around £4,000 for the smallest Kubota lawn tractor, but if you’re looking for a professional-quality machine, the brand is worth considering.
### Mountfield ride-on lawn mowers
Owned by Global Garden Products, Mountfield is the second most popular brand of lawn tractor with members. Mountfield mowers are widely available, so getting them serviced is easy. The small range of ride-on lawnmowers and lawn tractors are a lot less expensive than other brands, and cost just over £1,000 for the entry-level ride-on mower, and £5,000 for the most expensive lawn tractor.
### Stiga ride-on lawn mowers
Stiga is also owned by Global Garden Products, but the range of ride-on mowers is wider and focused on larger gardens. There are zero-turn models and a large range of mowers with front-mounted cutters to cut close around obstacles. Although you can buy a small ride-on mower from Stiga for around £1,000, it has models that cost up to £25,000.
### Westwood ride-on lawn mowers
This British firm makes garden tractors and is the second most popular brand of garden tractor with our members. Its models have some features specifically designed to appeal to a British market. For example, if you buy a machine that collects the grass clippings, it comes with a heavy rear roller to add stripes to your lawn. Prices start at £3,400 for the smallest garden tractor.
## How much does a ride-on lawn mower cost?
If you’re shopping for a ride-on lawn mower, be prepared to spend at least £1,000, with prices varying depending on engine size and the machine’s ability to tackle tricky terrain. Here’s an overview of the different ride-on lawn mower types and expected costs:
– Ride-on mowers cost around £1,200.
– Lawn tractors cost around £1,500.
– Garden tractors cost between £2,000 and £5,000+.
## Which type of ride-on lawn mower is best?
### Ride-on mowers
If you have less than an acre of lawn to cut, a ride-on mower with the cutting deck towards the front (or even ahead of the front wheels) is a good bet. The engine sits at the back and they’re small, manoeuvrable machines, ideal for cutting around flower beds, trees and under furniture.
**Ride-on mower features to look for:**
– Mulching function
– Twin blades
– Zero-turn mowers
### Lawn tractors
Generally, lawn tractors are larger than ride-on mowers. They have the engine in front and the seat behind, and rotary cutting blades under the seat. They have more powerful engines than ride-on mowers, which makes them suitable for large areas and tough terrain.
**Lawn tractor features to look for:**
– Hydrostatic transmission
– Four-wheel drive
– Deck height
### Garden tractors
If you want to do more than mow, a heavy-duty garden tractor capable of handling over five acres might be what you’re looking for.
**Garden tractor features to look for:**
– Unnecessary extras
– Engine size
## Mulching mower vs a mower that collects the lawn clippings
### Mulching mowers
Dedicated mulching mowers give the best result – the blade cuts the clippings until they are very fine, and then blows them into the lawn, where they decompose and help feed the turf.
### Rear-collection mowers
The cheaper systems rely on airflow to push clippings into a collection bag. More expensive ones use a powered sweeper to brush them up, or an integrated rear-collection system.
### Side-discharge mowers
Lawn tractors that have mid-mount cutting decks with side ejection give you the option of spraying the clippings from the side of the deck when you don’t want to collect them.
## Tips for buying a ride-on mower
– It’s worth haggling to get the best deal, especially if you’re paying with cash.
– Find a reliable dealer that can offer good advice and sort out any problems quickly.
– Always check how easy it is to clean underneath the deck of your machine.
– Look for a mower with clutch control, rather than a push-button control, so you can reverse easily.
– Buy a mower with a hitch for towing trailers and other lawn attachments.
## Ride-on mower features to consider
### Manual vs hydrostatic transmission
Manual is the most common option; this system uses a clutch to change gears and will be familiar to most car drivers. However, the hydrostatic system is easier to use and good for going around obstacles, but it’s more expensive.
### Cutting width
The wider the cutting width, the quicker the mower will get through large areas of well-maintained grass. However, don’t buy a mower that’s wider than the narrowest gap that it will have to fit through (gates, for example).
### Engine size
When considering how powerful an engine to go for, think about what sort of additional tasks you’ll want to perform (such as pulling a trailer). Also, what sort of terrain will you be working on? Going up steep ground takes more power.
## Where to buy a ride-on lawn mower
Whether you decide to shop online or in-store, make sure you pay attention to the shop’s returns policy. Popular online retailers that sell ride-on lawn mowers include:
– B&Q
– JustLawnmowers
– MowDirect
– Toolstation
## Servicing and maintenance
Some manufacturers offer extended warranties and others, such as Honda, offer a five-year warranty, conditional on an annual service. Most are subject to normal maintenance, which is often outlined in the operator’s or owner’s manual. Servicing can cost up to £200, depending on the model. Punctures are usually only a problem where there are thorny hedges, but tyres can be protected by puncture-proofing products.
In conclusion, a ride-on lawn mower can be a valuable addition to your gardening toolkit, especially if you have a large lawn to maintain. By considering the key features and brands mentioned in this review, you can make an informed decision on which ride-on mower is best suited to your needs and budget. Happy mowing!