As with any large purchase, buying a riding mower can be a daunting task. By answering some very specific questions before you make your first trip to the store we can alleviate some buyer’s anxiety while ensuring you get the right mower. Along with this Buyer’s Guide, be sure to review our list of Popular Brands to get a feel for the product lines before talking to a salesman. Additionally, the Knowledge Base will help you understand the industry jargon before you hit the stores.

1. Initial Considerations

Before you do anything, consider the following:

How big is your mowing area? The size of the mowing area will affect which mower you ultimately purchase because mowers with wider cutting decks do the job quicker.

How narrow is the smallest gap between obstacles like trees, rocks, and retaining walls? If possible, you want to avoid having to purchase a push mower in addition to a riding mower to get in the narrow spots.

Do you want the mower to bag the grass clippings? Raking grass clippings can be tiring and time-consuming.

Do you want a mower with zero turning radius? A yard with a lot of obstacles may require this feature. Zero turn radius mowers are also considerably more expensive than standard riding mowers.

How wide do you want the cutting deck to be? The width of the deck greatly affects how quickly you can mow your yard, but riding mowers with wider cutting decks tend to be more expensive.

How much do you want to spend? The approximate price range of riding mowers is $800 to $5,000. Wide cutting decks and a zero turning radius will increase the cost of the riding mower.

2. Your First Trip to the Store

When you go to the store to start looking at the riding mowers, here is a list of important criteria to consider while looking at different brands and models:

General Criteria

• Deck width. Generally riding mowers have cutting decks between 40” and 60”.
• Engine type. Common manufactuers are Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, and Kohler. Common are the v-twin engine with OHV.
• Engine power. Power isn’t a huge factor if your riding mower will just be used for cutting grass, but if you plan on getting additional attachments consider an engine with more horsepower.
• Transmission type. Hydrostatic transmissions tend to product more torque.

Nice-to-have Features

• Cruise control. A handy feature for the larger jobs.
• Power steering. This convenience may be a necessity for certain buyers as riding mowers without power steering may be hard to turn at low speeds.
• Cupholder. You should consider a cup holder if you live in a warmer climate and have a large mowing area.
• Seat. Seats vary in comfort and adjustment. Be sure that you get a comfortable seat if you have a large yard or if you have problems sitting for long periods of time.
• Attachments. Do you want to use your riding mower to accomplish other tasks? If you’re just looking to cut grass then this isn’t an issue. Depending on the brand and model, possibilities for attachments are: snow plow, snow blower, rototiller, cultivator, grader and many others.

We recommend you try to decide which additional features you want before you go to the store.

3. Finally, Before You Buy

Be sure to consider the following important points before making your decision to purchase.

Storage. Be sure you have a spot to park the riding mower when it’s not in use. Leaving a mower outdoors in direct sunlight and rain will cause additional wear-and-tear.

Warranty. Convenience is the main reason to own a riding mower but be aware that they require regular maintenance and break-down from time to time. A good warranty will also help protect you from future expenses.