There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to riding lawn mowers. Your unique property size and terrain conditions, as well as preferences and budget, all play a role in your decision. If you're unsure where to start, consider these tips from Tractor Supply, and check out our selection of riding lawn mowers and zero-turn riding mowers for sale.
Brush Up on Mower Terminology
There are several terms to become familiar with while shopping for a new riding mower, including:
- Cutting deck: This part of the mower is under the operator's seat, where the blades are housed. The cutting deck measurement determines how many passes it will take to cut an area of grass. Wider cutting decks can cut more grass on a single pass than narrower cutting decks.
- Cutting height: This indicates the height of the grass after mowing. Generally, cutting heights should be set to 3” to 4” during the cooler months or 2” to 2.5” in the warmer months. If your location requires year-round mowing, consider adjustable-cutting-height riding mowers, as well as adjustable-cutting-height zero-turn mowers.
- Cutting width: Also called the mower deck size, this metric indicates how wide or narrow the cutting deck is. In other words, the cutting width tells you how many passes it will take to mow your lawn.
- Drive type: This determines whether the model is a front-wheel-drive (FWD) riding mower, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) riding mower or all-wheel-drive (AWD) riding mower. Which drive type is best for your yard depends on your property size, terrain type and the difficulty of your grass conditions.
- Power source: The majority of riding mowers operate on gas, but electric models are becoming more widely available. Tractor Supply offers both power source options, so you can choose the best mower for your lifestyle.
- Terrain type: This refers to the type of terrain the riding mower is intended for. At Tractor Supply, our terrain types include sloped, uneven and flat, and we also offer options suitable for most terrains.
Learn more about what these terms mean in Tractor Supply's riding mower buying guide.
Shop within Your Yard Size Range
Depending on your terrain type and other unique needs, you'll have many riding and zero-turn mower options, especially when shopping at Tractor Supply. To help you narrow down your search, consider riding or zero-turn mowers with cut widths ideal for your acreage. We recommend the following mower deck sizes:
- 21” to 52” cut width: For properties up to 2 acres
- 52” to 54” cut width: For properties 2 to 3 acres
- 54” to 60” cut width: For properties 3 to 4 acres
- 60”+ cut width: For properties 4+ acres
Remember – the wider the cutting deck, the more grass can be mowed in a single pass. Narrower cutting decks result in longer mowing times. In most cases, riding mowers have wider cutting widths than push mowers.
Equip Yourself with the Right Mower Power Source
When looking for your next riding mower, you're often choosing between electric and gas models. Here are a few of the biggest considerations for each power type:
Gas Mower Considerations
- Efficiency: Gas riding mowers offer faster operating speeds and can cover more ground on one tank of gas, compared to one battery charge of an electric mower.
- Engine type: Gas riding mowers come typically come with V-twin engines or single-cylinder engines. V-twin engines have more longevity, better gas mileage, faster speeds and more horsepower. Single-cylinder engines are typically less expensive, as they are less powerful but may be sufficient for thinner grass on flatter, smaller lawns. Tractor Supply offers riding mowers with engines from leading brands, including Briggs & Stratton, Cub Cadet, Greenworks, Kawasaki and Kohler.
- Maintenance: Gas mowers tend to have more long-term maintenance than electric mowers, mostly due to their fuel systems and other components. There are various common gas mower issues to be aware of, as well as extra steps to take when winterizing a gas mower.
- Short-term vs. long-term costs: Gas mowers are typically more affordable upfront, but they come with various long-term costs for maintenance and fuel.
Electric Mower Considerations
- Battery performance: Electric models aren't as powerful as gas-powered mowers, with shorter run times and not as much torque. If you have difficult terrain, an electric mower may not perform well in all areas of your yard.
- Maintenance: Most of the time, only simple maintenance is required to keep an electric mower running at its best. This includes cleaning the mower and blades, as well as following the manufacturer's recommendations when recharging batteries. Improperly charging batteries (i.e. leaving them plugged in too long) may affect the lifespan of the battery.
- Short-term vs. long-term costs: While electric mowers are more expensive upfront and require costly battery replacements every few years, there aren't many long-term costs of upkeep. There are no costs associated with fuel, oil changes or gas-related maintenance.
- Sustainability: Because they are rechargeable and emit zero emissions, electric riding mowers are an eco-friendly lawn maintenance tool. Electric mowers have an average lifespan of 10 years or more, making them ideal for those who prioritize sustainability.
Decide on Mower Capabilities and Features
Do you want a standard riding lawn mower or a zero-turn riding mower with more capabilities? What features, attachments and accessories do you need for your mower? Here are some more considerations you'll need to make when shopping for your next riding or zero-turn mower:
Traditional vs. Zero-Turn Riding Mowers
A traditional riding mower operates similarly to a standard vehicle, with a steering wheel and pedals making for an intuitive mowing experience. Traditional riding mowers are usually ideal for those with average yard maintenance needs, and there are options available to handle various types of terrain. Tractor Supply proudly offers Husqvarna riding lawn mowers, Greenworks riding mowers and Cub Cadet riding mowers.
In comparison, a zero-turn model is a specialized type of riding mower with more capabilities. Zero-turn riding mowers are operated with levers and provide 180-degree turning abilities, allowing users to mow around obstacles with ease while leaving no uncut grass behind. At Tractor Supply, you can find Bad Boy zero-turn riding mowers, Cub Cadet zero-turn mowers, Greenworks zero-turn mowers, Husqvarna zero-turn mowers and Toro zero-turn riding mowers.
Features, Attachments and Accessories
Whether you're leaning toward a traditional riding mower or zero-turn model, consider the features you'll need to help you efficiently and comfortably get the job done. Many riding and zero-turn mowers come with cruise control, cup holders and headlights, among other popular features. You may also need mower attachments or mower accessories, like dump carts, mulching kits or snow plows.
Shop Riding and Zero-Turn Mowers at Tractor Supply
As America's largest rural lifestyle retailer, Tractor Supply is dedicated to bringing only the best lawn mowers, tools and other products for those living Life Out Here. For assistance with picking the right lawn mower, visit your local Tractor Supply store today. You can also shop our extensive mower inventory online.