Lawn Tractor Buying Guide | Consumer Reports

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If you have an acre or more to mow you might need a lawn tractor. These front-engine machines often cost less than the older and smaller rear-engine riders. Most mow a 42- to 48-inch swath and can bag, mulch, and side-discharge clippings. Some cut an even wider swath and offer four-wheel steering for tighter turns.

Comments

Helpful video. FYI, one of the best places to get a deal on a new lawn tractor is actually Amazon. They have a wide selection--Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, JD, etc. You can read reviews before buying. And most lawn tractors come with free delivery.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?fst=as:off&rh=n:3753701,k:lawn+tractors&keywords=lawn+tractors&ie=UTF8&qid=1487087088&rnid=2941120011&linkCode=ll2&tag=ytaj-20&linkId=010dcb4e9a73edb155d9f904f4329133
This video doesn't give a hyperlink to show you whats a good ride on to buy with their information
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I'll just get a exmark or a scag boom mower for life
Uhm the zero turns are good for hills also I mow a 50% incline hill with a husqvarna zero turn and zero turns are easier to use than lawn tractors now
What kind of mower was that at 2:13 ??
I watched this video to find out what brand/model I should buy. I have gone through 3 mowers in 7 years and I just want something that will last.
Signed: Sick and tired and broke
Jeeeezz, these guys have no business operating a zero turn. They missed the basic ZT Mower 101 operating class. And ZT mowers are more suited for flat areas? ….what? My Hustler Raptor does MUCH better on my hilly property than my two year old Craftsman YT3000 tractor with a blown motor that CU reported as a Best Buy in 2013. Again, demonstrates the downward turn in quality of responsible reporting CU has under taken over the past several years. No longer trust worthy.
Ha 42in I have a 72 inch
Notice how the operator on the yellow ZTR tries to turn downhill by goosing one lever forward. This is NOT how it's done. You pull back slightly on the side you want to turn into while only lightly pushing forward the opposite stick. And you don't try to turn at high speed!
These nitwits dont understand how to drive a ZTR. You do NOT drive down steeper hills with a ZTR. You mow accross or up and back down. Commercial units are like goats and can handle most hills. Tractors are far more top heavy and dangerous on hills. They can also be flipped over when climbing hills, unlike a well designed ZTR. ZTR's in general are safer to operate if you use some sense and practice before hopping on a hill.
A mower that won't "Jump" when you goose it will be heavily front-weighted and may have serious traction problems, which can be more unsafe than the front end rising. Typically designs have a "tail" on the rear of a ZTR to prevent it flipping over if you do get the front end up. Also heavy front ends can have issues with grass matting down from the front wheels too much to be stood back up before cutting. And finally reversing with heavy front load on the casters can cause turf damage as the casters pivot with too much weight on them.
Good lord look at that guy butcher the tree ring with that ZTR!
is a Cub Cadet 2155 hds rare
We've got a mind 1990's cub cadet zero turn (Z54) with several hundred hours on it and it still runs as smooth as when it was new. Never cheap out on a lawn tractor, paying more initially will save you in the end. Also, cheap tractors mostly use foreign made engines, where as more expensive ones are often made in the US.
what's the record for 0-60? 20years?
Just buy used higher-grade brands and you won't regret it. We've had our little Kubota tractor for several years and it has cut the grass smoothly and quickly even with a rather unimpressive 12.5hp engine. It's reliable, quiet, easy to maneuver and easy on gas. Stick to older John Deeres, Cub Cadets, Kubotas and such and you will not regret it.