3 Best garden tractors & riding lawn mowers

A garden tractor is a heavy machine designed to mow lawns and haul materials. They can also till gardens and plow snow. And then there are the many other tasks they can handle, too.

These machines usually have 20 to 30 horsepower. These are worthwhile investments at home, like an engine-driven welder and an extension cord. They’re up there with your leaf mulcher, too.

Summary

We tested various products and found that the best riding lawn riding mower was Husqvarna Z254. In turn, the best garden tractor was the Husqvarna TS 354XD. The most popular brands that produce lawn & garden tractors & riding mowers are Husqvarna, John Deere, Cub Cadet, & Craftsman.

Table of Contents

Why you can trust us & how we picked

We spend a lot of our spare time in the garden and have tried a piece of equipment or two. The reason you can trust us is that we tried out all the riding lawnmowers and garden tractors on this page. We also picked products at different price points so you can get your grass mowed easily regardless of your budget!

lawn mower

They do not always come cheap. This article will give you tips on deciding which is the best for you and some household brands that you could consider buying. We’ll make sure you get not just a top-rated one but the best lawn or garden tractor for your purpose!

Best garden tractors & riding lawnmowers

Here’s a list of the best garden tractors & riding lawnmowers that we recommend.

1. Husqvarna Z254

The Z254 is a serious machine to consider. Here are some of our thoughts about the machine.

Pros

  • The seat is very comfortable.
  • Easy to maneuver.
  • The assembly was easy.
  • We love the headlights it comes with.

Cons

  • It’s not a cheap machine.
  • It did not come with a headlight.

2. Husqvarna Z242F

If you’re willing to spend the extra money, we’d definitely recommend the Z242F over the Z254. Here is some more information.

Pros

  • It arrives early.
  • It makes mowing fun.
  • It’s easy to use.
  • It feels very sturdy.
  • It’s a step up from the Z254.
  • Very smooth operations

Cons

  • It’s pretty pricey and even more expensive than the Z254.
  • We wish the instruction pamphlet was a bit better.

3. Husqvarna TS 354XD

If you need a garden tractor, the 354XD is a great option. It can do more than a lawnmower can, but it also comes at a cost.

NameTS 354XD
BrandHusqvarna
Cutting blade54″
Engine24 Hp
FuelGas

Pros

  • It’s the Lamborghini of mowing.
  • It is the best lawn tractor we have tried.
  • The 354XD is built very well.
  • It works on a hilly yard

Cons

  • The 354XD has a very steep price.
  • It might take a while to ship it.
  • Getting it off the skid it arrived on was hard.

Which to avoid

Husqvarna TS 242XD

It’s not a bad option, but we don’t think it’s the best either. The 354XD makes this one feel like it belongs in the children’s league.

NameTS 242XD
BrandHusqvarna
Cutting blade42″
Engine21.5HP
FuelGas

Pros

  • It has a better price than the 242XD.
  • It comes with a fabricated deck.
  • It has a good motor.

Cons

  • It has far fewer reviews than the 354XD.
  • The front axle broke.
  • The seat on the TS 242XD does not feel durable.

Ryobi RY48111

While we were hoping the Ryobi would be a winner, it wasn’t. It doesn’t feel like electric powering and lawn mowers are really the ways to go yet.

NameRY48111
Battery size100 aH
BrandRyobi
Cutting blade38 inches
Item Weight595 Pounds
Product Dimensions63″D x 38.5″W x 46″H

Pros

  • No oil to mess with

Cons

  • It was missing pieces as it arrived.
  • We were told replacement parts would take months.
  • Late delivery
  • It doesn’t have enough power for wet grass.

Factors to consider

There are different factors to consider when buying a riding lawn mower or garden tractor, similar to searching for the best mini wood lathes. The equipment should not only meet your needs, but it must also have the functions that suit your property’s features. Here are five factors to think about before buying one.

Size

The size of your property is a big factor in deciding which to buy. It comes in different sizes, specifically its deck like an amp wire. If your property spans less than an acre, one with a 42-inch to 48-inch mower deck should suffice.

A mower deck determines how wide the machine can cut. A small yard spanning less than half an acre can be enough for a tracker with a mower deck of 30-inch to 36-inch. But if your property is more than three acres, consider getting one with a 50-inch to 60-inch cut.

Terrain

It is also important to consider the terrain of your property before buying. An option with automatic transmission and a deck height that can be adjusted is perfect for rough and uneven terrain. A zero-turn mower is perfect if your property has various obstacles and hilly areas. You also have to consider a tractor’s built-in stabilizing features if your property has banks.

powerful lawn mower

Usage

Do you intend to use it for basic tasks such as mowing the lawn? Or do you need to perform added work such as plowing and blowing snow? Determine how you plan to use it. Before purchasing, it is important as not all models are suited to a specific type of activity.

Transmission

There are three types of transmission systems used:

  • manual
  • automatic
  • and hydrostatic.

Manual transmission requires you to alter the gears while operating the vehicle. This means you can control the speed and power more easily. However, maneuvering using this transmission can be more difficult than other types. If you have heavy-duty plowing or tilling requirements, one with manual transmission is recommended.

In an automatic transmission, the tractor shifts the gears through a belt. As a result, you can focus more on operating it. It’s great when avoiding obstacles and controlling the vehicle. Meanwhile, the hydrostatic transmission uses fluid to power the wheels. It is simple to operate and does not require you to depress any clutch. This type allows you to alter the speed using a lever and compact. It is perfect for landscape work.

Engine

4-cycle engine oil for lawnmowers

They are generally powered by either gasoline or diesel. Many of them are considered the best of all-time run on diesel for fuel-efficiency. This type also has more torque than its gas-powered counterpart. The main drawback of diesel engines is their tendency to get noisy during operation. You may want to check out our article on the pros and cons of gasless MIG welding. We also have articles on welding glasses or using an oxy-acetylene torch.

How much does a garden tractor cost?

Garden tractors differ from lawnmowers in that they can perform multiple tasks, while lawnmowers specialize in only lawn mowing. Due to this, a garden tractor has more horsepower, and this causes them to be more on the pricier side. The price depends on the size of the tractor. As we tested the various products, we found that garden tractors usually cost between $2,200 and $6,000. However, the larger tractors with 100 horsepower can range from $25000 to $50000.

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