Categories: Gardening

Lawn and Garden Tractors: A Buyer’s Guide

Here is an overview of 12 different riding lawn mowers and lawn and garden tractors. Advantages and disadvantages of each model are noted, including price. There are two major categories of lawn and garden tractors. Riding lawn mowers are good for mowing lawns, hauling (with optional wagon), and for raking leaves, which is known as lawn sweeping. As well as mow lawns, haul, and sweep, lawn and garden tractors with ground-engaging transmissions can also tow accessories that dig into the earth. Such accessories are aerators, cultivators, harrows, dethatchers, scrapers, and graders. These earth-digging capabilities are known as cultivating activities. OK, on to the lawn and garden tractors!

Husqvarna 27-HP Hydrostatic Ground Engaging 54″ Cut Lawn and Garden Tractor – Model # 2754GLS – Available for as low as $2999.95 through your local Husqvarna Dealer. Find one at www.usa.husqvarna.com. Lowes, Sears, and Tractor Supply also carry a limited selection of Husqvarna tractors.

Cruise control on this model saves you cramps. 27 horsepower engine and a hydrostatic, ground engaging transmission make this mow, sweep, and haul effortlessly on hills. This machine is capable of cultivation activities, even uphill. The 54″ cut width gets the lawn mowed in fewer rows than narrower cut width models. Air induction mowing technology lifts grass and delivers a superior cut. Welded steel construction makes Husqvarna tractors among the most durable in the marketplace. This machine is also capable of mulching, with an attachment.

Husqvarna 27-HP Hydrostatic Ground Engaging 48″ Cut Lawn and Garden Tractor – Model # 2748GLS – Available for as low as $2899.95 through your local Husqvarna Dealer. Find one at www.usa.husqvarna.com. Lowes, Sears, and Tractor Supply also carry a limited selection of Husqvarna tractors.

Cruise control on this model saves you cramps. 27 horsepower engine and a hydrostatic, ground engaging transmission make this mow, sweep, and haul effortlessly on hills. this machine is capable of cultivation activities, even uphill. The 48″ cutting width is adequate for getting the job done fast. Air induction mowing technology lifts grass and delivers a superior cut. Welded steel construction makes Husqvarna tractors among the most durable in the marketplace. This machine is also capable of mulching, with an attachment.

Ariens Zoom Series 26-HP 60″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model 991040 – Available through Home Depot for $5,199.00.

Revolutionary raised frame wheel mount system reminds you of NASA’s planet rovers and makes for effortless maneuverability. Just the thing for hauling, sweeping, and mowing on hilly properties with many trees, planters, fountains, or other obstacles. The large 60″ cutting width means the mowing gets done in the shortest time. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

Husqvarna 23-HP Hydrostatic Rear Differential 46″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model # 2346XLS – Available for as low as $2699.95 through your local Husqvarna Dealer. Find one at www.usa.husqvarna.com. Lowes, Sears, and Tractor Supply also carry a limited selection of Husqvarna tractors and mowers.

Cruise control on this model saves you cramps. Rear locking differential senses when a rear wheel starts to spin such as in mud. It locks the rear wheel and thus gives it traction. Great for wet rainy properties, even with hills. 23 horsepower engine allows this to mow, sweep, and haul on hills. The 46″ cutting width is adequate for getting the job done fast. Air induction mowing technology lifts grass and delivers a superior cut. Welded steel construction makes Husqvarna tractors among the most durable in the marketplace. This machine is also capable of mulching, with an attachment. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

Husqvarna 23-HP Hydrostatic 48″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model # 2348LS – Available for as low as $2099.00 through your local Husqvarna Dealer. Find one at www.usa.husqvarna.com. Lowes, Sears, and Tractor Supply also carry a limited selection of Husqvarna tractors and mowers.

Cruise control on this model saves you cramps. 23 horsepower engine is great to mow, sweep, and haul on dry hills. The 48″ cutting width is adequate for getting the job done fast. Air induction mowing technology lifts grass and delivers a superior cut. Welded steel construction makes Husqvarna tractors among the most durable in the marketplace. This machine is also capable of mulching, with an attachment. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

Husqvarna 22-HP Hydrostatic 46″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model # 2246LS – Available for as low as $1999.00 through your local Husqvarna Dealer. Find one at www.usa.husqvarna.com. Lowes, Sears, and Tractor Supply also carry a limited selection of Husqvarna tractors.

Cruise control on this model saves you cramps. 23 horsepower engine allows this to mow, sweep, and haul on hills. The 48″ cutting width is adequate for getting the job done fast. Air induction mowing technology lifts grass and delivers a superior cut. Welded steel construction makes Husqvarna tractors among the most durable in the marketplace. This machine is also capable of mulching, with an attachment. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

Ariens Zoom Series 16-HP Manual 34″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model 915101 – Available through Home Depot for $2,499.00.

Revolutionary raised frame wheel mount system reminds you of NASA’s planet rovers and makes for effortless maneuverability on level ground. Just the thing for mowing level lawns with many trees, planters, fountains, or other obstacles. Reduced 34″ cutting width makes you make more rows when cutting or sweeping. Not recommended for hauling or sweeping on hills. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

John Deere 22-HP Hydrostatic 48″ Cut Lawn and Garden Tractor – Model # BG20447 – Available through Lowe’s for $1,999.00.

Cruise control on this model saves you cramps. The 22 horsepower engine allows for mowing, sweeping, and hauling up dry hills. The 48″ cutting width is adequate for getting the job done fast. The hydrostatic transmission means less to think about as you work. Capable of limited cultivating activities on level ground.

Husqvarna 20-HP Hydrostatic 42″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model # 2042LS – Available for as low as $1899.95 through your local Husqvarna Dealer. Find one at www.usa.husqvarna.com. Lowes, Sears, and Tractor Supply also carry a limited selection of Husqvarna tractors.

Cruise control on this model saves you cramps. 20 horsepower engine allows this to mow, sweep, and haul on hills that are not too steep. Air induction mowing technology lifts grass and delivers a superior cut. Welded steel construction makes Husqvarna tractors among the most durable in the marketplace. This machine is also capable of mulching, with an attachment. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

John Deere 19-HP Hydrostatic 42″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model # BG20445 – Available through Lowe’s for $1,649.00.

This still has the hydrostatic transmission instead of manual. The 19.5 horsepower engine still lets you mow, sweep, and haul, but hills will be a challenge. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

John Deere 19.5-HP Manual 42″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model # BG20444 – Available through Lowe’s for $1,499.00.

Manual transmission brings the price down a bit. Still has 19.5 horsepower for sweeping and hauling, but hills are challenging. Not recommended for cultivating activities.

Bolens by MTD 15.5-HP Manual 38″ Cut Riding Lawn Mower – Model # 13AM762F765 – Available through Lowe’s for $899.00.

Positives on this model are that it has mulching capability at this price! On the negative side, this has only 15.5 horsepower, a manual transmission, and manual blade engagement. Also, with the reduced 38″ cut width, you will need to make more rows as you cut or sweep. Not recommended for hills, nor for hauling nor for cultivating activities.

All these prices are for the lawn and garden tractors and riding mowers only. Accessories are sold separately and include wagons, grass baggers, seeders, spreaders, lawn rollers, aerators, cultivators, graders, harrows, dethatchers, rakes, scrapers, lawn sweepers, tractor covers, seat covers, awnings, tire chains, and more.