The Best Features to Look for When Buying a Lawn Tractor
Updated: Mar. 23, 2021Lawn tractors come in a wide price range. Even the lowest-priced models can cut your mowing time in half compared with a walk-behind mower. So how do you choose the best machine for your yard? We talked to experts at the four largest manufacturers to get their take on which features are most important.
Easy Deck Engagement
For safety reasons, the cutting blades don’t automatically spin at start-up; you have to engage them with a mechanical lever or an easy electric push-button. Some of the lever mechanisms are awkward or stubborn, so try before you buy.
And if your lawn tractor blades are dull, be sure to sharpen them twice a season to get the best cut.
Bumper
Trust us on this: You’re going to smack a tree someday, and that impact can destroy the hood. So buy a machine with a bumper or set aside some dough to buy an add-on bumper from the manufacturer. And if you’re little collision with the tree made your lawn mower not start, here’s how to fix it.
Hour Meter
All lawn tractors require maintenance based on hourly usage. A built-in hour meter takes all the guesswork out of maintaining your tractor. You can always add an hour meter later ($50), but the built-in models eliminate that hassle.
Convient Gas Gauge
Some models have a gas gauge you can check while driving, while others offer a see-through tank. The less expensive models require you to stop and lift the hood to check the fuel level. You’ll also want to be sure to empty out the gas in your lawn tractor before winter.
Engine Size and Features
Lawn tractor engines are sized to match the mower deck and climb the grade listed in the manufacturer’s specs. Buying a machine with a larger engine won’t get you a higher top-end speed, but the larger engine is important if you plan to haul a cart or add a snow blade or a snow thrower accessory.
Most tractor engines have traditional carburetors. However, the Cub Cadet model shown above, has electronic fuel injection (EFI), which dramatically reduces the starting problems associated with carbureted engines and ethanol fuel. Plus, Cub Cadet claims its EFI system boosts fuel efficiency by 25 percent. Check out these lawn tractor maintenance tips to prevent expensive repairs in the future.
Mow-in-Reverse Mechanisms
Lawn tractors automatically stop blade movement the instant you shift into reverse. To mow in reverse, you have to hold in a button the entire time you’re mowing in reverse or turn the key to the reverse position and then reposition the key when you want to move forward. We slightly prefer the button system, but both are inconvenient.
Gear-Style Transmission
Gear-style transmissions are common on the least expensive lawn tractors. They require you to manually move a lever to change speeds and to switch from forward to reverse.
Continuously Variable Transmissions
Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) are a step up from geared transmissions and are available in two styles. The less expensive designs have a foot pedal to vary speed and a manual shift lever to change from forward to reverse. The higher-priced CVT models don’t use a shifter. Instead they have forward and reverse pedals. CVT transmissions provide great value and the same top-end speed as a hydrostatic lawn mower transmission, but they can jerk a bit when you’re starting out or maneuvering at slow speeds.
Hydrostatic Lawn Mower
A hydrostatic transmission is the best choice but also the costliest. It works like an automatic transmission in a car and provides the smoothest operation, especially when you’re maneuvering around gardens and trees at slow speeds. Check out this video which explains the features you should look for in your next lawn tractor