Welcome to the one and only riding lawn mower buying guide you need to look at, before you bite the bullet and buy one yourself.
Here's what I did to make this the most thorough guide out on the internet. Believe me most websites want to sell one of these instead of simply reviewing it, so there are very few unbiased opinions out there.
I researched all the best selling riding lawn mowers on Lowes, Home Depot, and Sears websites for this comparison guide. Each mower is listed below with the data you need to make a proper buying decision. I actually used this data to buy my own riding mower, wait till you hear about how my purchase went from really good to really bad, and what I did to fix the situation.
The Only Data Really Worth Mowing Over:
1. Pros and Cons by Model # (Discover cool features and reliability problems.)Currently I'm still sifting through hundreds of reviews, but I will be posting the pros and cons very soon. Remember you will still have access to the most popular data people use to choose a lawn tractor, such as deck size, horsepower, brand, total reviews, average review rating, and of course price. My pros and cons section will be very insightful and loaded with info you can only learn by reading a ton of customer reviews.
2. Total Customer Reviews (Top sellers usually indicate a good product.)
3. Average Review Ratings (A good riding mower should rate well.)
4. Cost & Where to Buy (Click on the model and go right to the retailer who sells it the most).
So these are the basics I used to create this buying guide. I suggest to any serious buyers that they read the latest customer reviews on the mower they're considering. This is easily done by simply clicking on the hyperlinked model name above each tractor photo. Once clicked, a new page or tab will open where you can finalize your opinion by reading what others have complained or praised about. If you want to continue shopping simply close that window to go back to this buying guide.
Without further waiting I present to you that 2015 list of the best selling riding lawn mowers at Home Depot, Lowes, & Sears retailers.
The Line Up
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Ariens A19A42 42 Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower Model # 960460061 |
19 Horsepower |
42" Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 602 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $1,199.00 |
A19A42 42 in. 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Ariens A20VA46 46 in. 20 HP V-Twin Briggs & Stratton Riding Mower Model # 960460063 |
20 Horsepower |
46" Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 249 4.4 out of 5 |
Price $1,399.00 |
Ariens A20VA46 46 in. 20 HP V-Twin Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Model # BG20709 |
20 Horsepower |
42" Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 111 4.6 out of 5 |
Price $1,799.00 |
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Model # BG20699 |
17.5 Horsepower |
42" Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 143 4.2 out of 5 |
Price $1,499.00 |
John Deere D105 42 in. 17.5 HP Automatic Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Model # BG20730 |
22 Horsepower |
48" Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 189 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $1,999.00 |
John Deere D140 48 in. 22 HP V-Twin Hydrostatic Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Cub Cadet 42 in. 19-HP Front-Engine Automatic Drive Riding Mower Model # LTX1040 |
19 Horsepower |
42" Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 99 3.5 out of 5 |
Price $1,499.00 |
Cub Cadet LTX1040 42 in. 19-HP Front-Engine Automatic Drive Riding Mower
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John Deere Model # D110 42 in. 19 HP Hydrostatic Front-Engine Riding Mower Model # BG20708 |
19 Horsepower |
42" Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 211 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $1,699.00 |
John Deere Model # D110 42 in. 19 HP Hydrostatic Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Model # BG20732 |
25 Horsepower |
54" Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 86 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $2,799.00 |
John Deere D170 54 in. 25-HP V-Twin Hydrostatic Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Ariens A19A42 42 in. 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower Model # 960460062 |
19 Horsepower |
42" Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 602 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $1,299.00 |
Ariens A19A42 42 in. 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Model # 960460056 |
20 Horsepower |
46" Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 240 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $1,399.00 |
Ariens 46 in. 20 HP V-Twin Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower
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Husqvarna YTH24V48 V-Twin 48-in Riding Lawn Mower (Mulching Capable) Model # 960450046 |
24 Horsepower |
48" Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 350 4.5 out of 5 |
Price $1,899.00 |
Husqvarna YTH24V48 V-Twin Hydrostatic 48-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine and Mulching Capable
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John Deere D130 V-Twin Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine (Mulching Capable) Model # BG20710 |
22 Horsepower |
42" Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 150 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $1,899.00 |
John Deere D130 V-Twin Hydrostatic 42-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine and (Mulching Capable)
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Husqvarna YTH22V46 V-Twin Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine Model # 960450045 |
22 Horsepower |
46" Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 192 4.3 out of 5 |
Price $1,599.00 |
Husqvarna YTH22V46 V-Twin Hydrostatic 46-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine and Mulching Capable
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Troy-Bilt Pony Shift-on-the-Go 42-in Riding Lawn Mower (Mulching Capable) Model # 13WM77KS011 |
15.5 Horsepower |
42" Deck Hydroc Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 683 3.8 out of 5
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Price $999.00 |
Troy-Bilt Pony Shift-on-the-Go 42-in Riding Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine and Mulching Capable
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Troy-Bilt Bronco Automatic 42-in Riding Lawn Mower with Kohler Engine Model # 13WV78KS011 |
17 Horsepower |
42 " Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 306 3.7 out of 5 |
Price $1,199.00 |
Troy-Bilt Bronco Automatic 42-in Riding Lawn Mower with Kohler Engine and Mulching Capable
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Craftsman 19HP Briggs & Stratton 46" Riding Mower Model # 13AL78XT099 |
19 Horsepower |
46 " Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 40 4.0 out of 5 |
Price $1,369.00 |
Craftsman 19HP Briggs & Stratton 46” Riding Mower
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Craftsman 420cc 42" Riding Mower Model # 13A277XS099 |
420cc ? Horsepower |
42 " Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 79 3.5 out of 5 |
Price $1,069.00 |
Craftsman 420cc 42" Riding Mower Front Engine
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Craftsman 19HP 42” Turn Tight® Riding Mower Model # 20381 |
19 Horsepower |
42 " Deck Hydrostatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 118 4.5 out of 5 |
Price $1,499.88 |
Craftsman 19HP 42” Turn Tight® Riding Mower
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Craftsman 22HP 42” Turn Tight® Fast Riding Mower Model # 20390 |
22 Horsepower |
42 " Deck Automatic Transmission |
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Customer Reviews 83 4.0 out of 5 |
Price $1,712.37 |
Craftsman 22HP 42” Turn Tight® Fast Riding Mower
Comparing Riding Mower Features and Options List
Hours Meter - A analog or digital counter that logs total amount of hours on machine.
Deck Size: Typical residential deck sizes range from 42" to 46". A larger deck will allow you to save time. This is especially useful for people that have to mow lawns of 1 acre and above.
Transmission Types:
6 Speed - Just like a manual transmission on a car, a lawn tractor can be outfitted with a manual transmission. Typical usage requires the engagement of a clutch to change gearing. Riding the clutch to assist in braking will wear down the clutch as in a regular car. I've noticed several complaints throughout the years about clutches wearing out prematurely, and based on the other reviewers, I have concluded that most of the clutch problems stated in reviews are most likely user error generated.
To Clutch or not To Clutch Ride is the Question and a reoccurring topic on Car Talk with Click and Clack, The Tapport Borthers. If you're a car nut like I am, you need to check out the NPR Peabody Award winning radio talk show online. I routinely download episodes using a tunein.com app onto my Samsung Galaxy (soon to be replaced S4. I'll be doing a Smartphone Consideration article soon. I'm mostly looking to acquire the best virtual assistant in my next Smartphone and Cortana from Microsoft Windows 10 is looking really promising. BTW: Sign up for a Microsoft Windows 10 Technical Preview and download the new beta version operating system for free.). http://www.cartalk.com/
Automatic Transmission - Automatic transmissions work similarly to what you will find in a Ford Explorer 6-speed SelectShift Automatic or a Hyundai Elantra 6 speed automatic.
Variable or CVT Transmission - A gear-less transmission, single speed transmission, or one speed automatic are all part of the nomenclature a constant variable transmission (CVT ) is known for.
Hydrostatic Transmission - An internal pump and motor drive system where hydraulic oil pushes out pistons and it's those pushed out pistons that cause the motor to turn. With this type of transmission there are only 2 pedals on the floor board and no gear lever. Pressing the go pedal firmly causes the mower to reach full speed, pressing it lightly causes the mower to move slowly, kind of like a car. The reverse pedal works the same way, the only thing that changes is that pressing it causes an opposite set of pistons to turn the motor in reverse. This is typically a sealed system that is not meant to be serviced.
Checkout thisYouTube Video on Hydrostatic Transmissions for Lawn Tractors
Why Buy A Front Engine Riding Mower Instead of a Self-propelled Lawn Mower?
Once again I did my over the top OCD research, because we just bought a house with too much land for a typical self-propelled lawn mower to handle.
Our property is only a half acre but it's not perfectly flat, and it takes hours to mow with a standard lawn mower. Since I can't waste time, because I'm always working on making videos and articles for you guys, I simply had no choice but to abandon the self-propelled Honda mower I picked from my other guide, and decided to allocate 4 x more money for a lawn tractor.
At first I hated the idea of spending $2,000 on a lawn mower, but after I used it to cleanup an entire yard full of leaves with minimal effort and actual fun, the money factor became less of an issue for me. I actually can't wait to mow my lawn this year, and clean up the leaves using the riding mower I found by doing this OCD research. I hope you guys like it, and share it in your social sphere because if it wasn't for you guys doing that for me, I wouldn't be making these in-depth buying guides and how-to videos.
Want to hear a duzzi?
This fall I went to Glastonbury Home Depot to buy one of the last tractors that was still in a crate in Connecticut. The guy helping me knew very well why I drove 30 minutes to his store when I have one 5 minutes away from my house. It was because I wanted a brand new untouched machine.
What happened was that a few days later a guy comes to my house and delivers a machine that's been sitting outside at Bristol Home Depot for months. They did not even bother cleaning any dirt or leaves off the machine. I was pissed off, because I didn't originally have plans to spend two grand on a lawn tractor and I can't imagine what putz would deliver something so expensive in such bad shape. When you spend $100 on a brand new product, you expect that product to be clean and in it's original packaging right,. then what the heck were these morons doing that day?
But the icing on the cake was that they gave me someone's returned bagger that was missing parts, a manual, and it was disgustingly dirty; it looked like it was used for years prior to the return. Well, after my wife calmed me down, I called Glastonbury HD, spoke to a manager, they apologized, then scheduled a pickup and a delivery of the crated tractor, and a brand new bagger from Glastonbury, which was hand delivered by the store manager. They wanted to cheap out on the delivery cost at Glastonbury, and Bristol HD just had a careless manager and employees working that day.
Most of the time they get it right, but when they don't you have to talk to someone that can do something about it. This year I literally spent a small fortune at these stores remodeling our house, and dealt with more than one headache. But one time, I made a mistake in ordering the wrong whirlpool tub, and it sat at my house for months before I opened the box. I called HD up, and they had that thing on a truck the very next day to process the return. I ended up upgrading that tub to something better at a different store instead. I'm not so sure it would go this smoothly at a small mom and pop shop who already spent your money on their overhead costs the month you bought it.
