How to Choose a Good Riding Lawn Mower for Your Yard

Unless your yard is a compact lot without much grass to cut, it can be good to invest in a riding lawnmower, versus a push model. Riding mowers maker quicker work of cutting the grass, and typically offer more cutting power than a push mower, so they can easily work through rough and tall grass, weeds, and brush. Before you start shopping for a mower, however, note a few quick but important tips to remember, so you know you get the right choice for your lot in particular.

Cutting deck

The width of the lawnmower itself is not indicative of how much grass it will cut; instead, you want to note the measurement of the cutting deck. This refers to the width of the mower's blades. For larger lots, of course you'll want a wide cutting deck, but keep in mind any obstacles on your lot you'll need to work around as well. If you have landscaping trees, a shed, or other such obstructions, that wide cutting deck may not actually fit between them. You might do well to actually measure the area between trees and other obstructions, so you know the best cutting deck to choose when selecting a new mower.

Speed

Don't assume that a mower with a faster speed is necessarily going to be the best option, even for cutting a large lot, as running a mower too quickly over thick grass can mean simply tamping it down, rather than cutting it. If your lot has soft grass without weeds or thatch, a faster mower can be good, but otherwise, don't waste money on a mower that can reach speeds you never actually use!

Deck

Note the height of the riding deck, meaning the area where you will sit. If your lawn has lots of obstructions or is very rocky, you'll need to sit high up so that you can see in front of the mower more easily. On the other hand, if your lot has lots of hills and dips, you need a low-riding deck, to keep you closer to the ground and less likely to tip.

Tractor

If you want to pull a seed spreader or any type of wagon behind your mower, invest in an actual lawn tractor. These will have larger and more powerful engines and drive trains, and larger tyres that offer better traction on soft ground. They may also have more weight at the front of the tractor, to balance out the weight you'll be towing behind you.

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