What to Consider when buying a Ride-On Mower

There are a lot of questions that come to mind when thinking about buying a ride-on mower and this blog looks into some of the frequently asked questions customers have when looking to buy a ride on lawn mower, helping to make your decision simple and stress free.

The Difference between a Ride-on Mower and Lawn Tractor

Firstly, lets explain the difference between a Ride on Lawn Mower and a Lawn tractor, which lies in the location of the cutting deck. Lawn tractors have a mid-mounted cutting deck, while for ride-on lawn mowers, the cutting deck is located under the front of the vehicle. The front-end location of the cutting deck on riding lawn mowers makes these machines more manoeuvrable. Manoeuvrability becomes an issue when, for instance when a lawn is dotted with shrubs and trees.

With both ride-on lawn mowers and lawn tractors, you can make use of accessories ranging from brushes for spring cleaning to snow-removal attachments. As with all lawn mowers, caution must be exercised when operating ride-on lawn mowers and lawn tractors. While providing them with a “vehicle” may seem like a great way to get the kids to mow the lawn without complaining, only those mature enough to handle heavy equipment should be allowed to operate such machinery.

Try before you buy – ask for a Demonstration!

Hop on and get your bearings. Is the seat cushioned for comfort with a back support? Are the controls easy to use? Can the controls and any foot pedals be reached without stretching? Is the steering wheel or levers at a comfortable height and angle for you? Check how easy it is to remove, empty, and reattach the mulch-plug or catcher. The best way to ensure it’s the right machine for you is ask for a demo.

Zero Turn Mower

Ride-on’s with a steering wheel are popular options, but owners of comparatively smaller lawns and those with trees or awkward-shaped garden beds should consider a zero-turn model. Zero-turn mowers have a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel-brake steering, delivering a very tight turning circle. You’ll need a bit of practise to get the feel of using lever steering controls but once you are used to it a zero-turn is a great machine.

There are also smaller rear-engine ride-on mowers that are not zero-turn but still have a tight turning circle. They have a steering wheel, and are often less expensive to buy.

Mowing, mulching / catching options

Mulching is an option on many models, including both side discharge and rear-catcher mowers. They can quite easily be converted to mulching mowers using a mulch-plug that holds the clippings inside the mowing deck, chopping them up more finely before blowing them into the lawn.

Side discharge works better on longer, rougher grass, and on models with wider mowing decks. For finer lawns, rear-catcher models will collect the grass as you go.

Watch the weight and watch the slope

Ride-on mowers are heavy, typically weighing in at 150kg or more. When the rider’s weight is on top of the mower (particularly with tractor-style models) it raises the centre of gravity. It’s not advisable to mow sideways across slopes greater than 10 degrees. Zero-turn models designed for commercial use are wider and the driver sits lower, allowing them to handle greater slopes, but are still not recommended beyond slopes of 10 degrees. Anything beyond this is more safely done with a mower you can walk behind.

Drive safe

While manual transmission is a solid budget choice, an automatic/hydrostatic transmission model will allow you to speed up, slow down and reverse without changing gears. You can even get cruise control on some models, to make long mowing sessions more comfortable.

If you have to back up, look for models that either automatically stop the blades when you select reverse or have a reverse override switch. A seat shut-off switch that stops the blades if you get off.

One of the best ride on mowers UK on the market pound for pound is the Kubota ZD1211 –  it provides comfort and fast working, with a powerful 26 HP diesel engine and high capacity HST transmission, it answers all the needs of professional users.

The transmission system with one hydraulic motor per wheel ensures easy driving. The flat deck platform with its ergonomically adjustable seat is extremely comfortable and offers easy to operate controls for the operator. It is approved for road use it has an optional kit that facilitates movement between work sites, it is highly visible and reassuring, you can drive with serenity while travelling between sites. And finally it has a robust design, the ZD series is intended for intense workloads. The transmission of rotary power to the mower deck is via a cardan shaft ensuring mechanical reliability.

A typical mower that’s well maintained will last 1500 hours plus. A riding mower that’s meticulously maintained will last 20 plus years – which shows the importance of daily maintenance checks and annual services using your local dealer.

Read more on the GGM Blog:

Ride-On Mower or Automower