May 2008
Best yard gear: Lawn tractor review
Even if mowing isn't your idea of a relaxing afternoon, take heart: Some of the latest tractors cut time and effort as well
as the grass without breaking the bank.
More wide-cutting tractors are hitting stores, as are models that steer with their rear wheels like pro-style, zero-turn-radius mowers. One tight-turning tractor, Cub Cadet's $2,700 i1042, has a redesigned deck that helped it get our top score in the side-discharge mode tractor owners use most. And the Cub Cadet uses a familiar, intuitive steering wheel instead of a zero-turn-radius mower's twin steering levers.
Here are some details from our testing:
Bigger isn't better. With their ultrawide, 50-inch mowing, the $2,000 Cub Cadet LT1050 and White Outdoor LT54 tractors seem like good buys. Yet both were mediocre at smooth cutting and only fair at bagging clippings. You might also be tempted by Ariens' 34-inch-wide Zoom zero-turn-radius mower for tighter spaces. But unimpressive mowing and a jerky drive system at all but the fastest speeds zoomed it to the bottom of its category.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Even if you don't plan on shopping for a tractor, you could be if you own an older model and it breaks. The latest data from the Consumer Reports National Research Center show that push mowers usually aren't worth fixing after four years and self-propelled mowers after six years. Tractors might be worth repairing for longer, but getting them to and from the shop can add expense.
Refer to our Ratings of tractors and use these shopping tips.
Determine the mowing you'll do. All tractors can side-discharge clippings, the mode most people use. Many include a mulching plate that seals the deck so clippings are cut finely and deposited into the lawn rather than on it. But a kit for bagging clippings typically costs hundreds of dollars extra. Before paying more for that bagging, be sure that the model you're considering did well in that mode and that you will use it.
Pick your retailer. Most of the brands we tested are now at major retailers as well as dealers. Big-box stores tend to have the lowest prices. But dealers typically offer more personalized service, setup, and instruction. Cub Cadet, John Deere, Poulan, Toro, and Yard Machines are at Home Depot. John Deere, Husqvarna, and Troy-Bilt are sold at Lowe's. Sears sells Craftsman and Husqvarna, and Wal-Mart has Yard Machines and Yard-Man.
Don't pay extra for big names. You'll find a Honda engine in lawn mowers from Craftsman, Lawn-Boy, Yard-Man, and other brands that use Honda's premium image to gain added cachet. These newer engines aren't the commercial-grade versions that made Honda's reputation for durability, however. Those we tested performed well, but so did more-plebeian brands.
Think twice about zero-turn mowers. They're difficult to steer and can lose traction on slopes, and tend to tear up grass during U-turns. Consider a tight-turning tractor for lots of obstacles.
Don't count horses. Higher horsepower doesn't necessarily mean higher-quality mowing. Some manufacturers have swapped horsepower numbers for engine-size and torque specifications, but even those don't guarantee better results. Our advice: Check our Ratings for top performers.
Play it safe. Use common sense when mowing. Wear ear plugs or muffs; all of the machines we tested emitted more than the 85 decibels at which we recommend hearing protection. Don't mow on grades steeper than 15 percent. Look behind you when you mow in reverse. Some respondents to our recent lawn survey drank and listened to music as they mowed. We suggest you save both for after you're done. See more results from our survey in Americans & Lawn Care.
More wide-cutting tractors are hitting stores, as are models that steer with their rear wheels like pro-style, zero-turn-radius mowers. One tight-turning tractor, Cub Cadet's $2,700 i1042, has a redesigned deck that helped it get our top score in the side-discharge mode tractor owners use most. And the Cub Cadet uses a familiar, intuitive steering wheel instead of a zero-turn-radius mower's twin steering levers.
Here are some details from our testing:
Bigger isn't better. With their ultrawide, 50-inch mowing, the $2,000 Cub Cadet LT1050 and White Outdoor LT54 tractors seem like good buys. Yet both were mediocre at smooth cutting and only fair at bagging clippings. You might also be tempted by Ariens' 34-inch-wide Zoom zero-turn-radius mower for tighter spaces. But unimpressive mowing and a jerky drive system at all but the fastest speeds zoomed it to the bottom of its category.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Even if you don't plan on shopping for a tractor, you could be if you own an older model and it breaks. The latest data from the Consumer Reports National Research Center show that push mowers usually aren't worth fixing after four years and self-propelled mowers after six years. Tractors might be worth repairing for longer, but getting them to and from the shop can add expense.
Refer to our Ratings of tractors and use these shopping tips.
Determine the mowing you'll do. All tractors can side-discharge clippings, the mode most people use. Many include a mulching plate that seals the deck so clippings are cut finely and deposited into the lawn rather than on it. But a kit for bagging clippings typically costs hundreds of dollars extra. Before paying more for that bagging, be sure that the model you're considering did well in that mode and that you will use it.
Pick your retailer. Most of the brands we tested are now at major retailers as well as dealers. Big-box stores tend to have the lowest prices. But dealers typically offer more personalized service, setup, and instruction. Cub Cadet, John Deere, Poulan, Toro, and Yard Machines are at Home Depot. John Deere, Husqvarna, and Troy-Bilt are sold at Lowe's. Sears sells Craftsman and Husqvarna, and Wal-Mart has Yard Machines and Yard-Man.
Don't pay extra for big names. You'll find a Honda engine in lawn mowers from Craftsman, Lawn-Boy, Yard-Man, and other brands that use Honda's premium image to gain added cachet. These newer engines aren't the commercial-grade versions that made Honda's reputation for durability, however. Those we tested performed well, but so did more-plebeian brands.
Think twice about zero-turn mowers. They're difficult to steer and can lose traction on slopes, and tend to tear up grass during U-turns. Consider a tight-turning tractor for lots of obstacles.
Don't count horses. Higher horsepower doesn't necessarily mean higher-quality mowing. Some manufacturers have swapped horsepower numbers for engine-size and torque specifications, but even those don't guarantee better results. Our advice: Check our Ratings for top performers.
Play it safe. Use common sense when mowing. Wear ear plugs or muffs; all of the machines we tested emitted more than the 85 decibels at which we recommend hearing protection. Don't mow on grades steeper than 15 percent. Look behind you when you mow in reverse. Some respondents to our recent lawn survey drank and listened to music as they mowed. We suggest you save both for after you're done. See more results from our survey in Americans & Lawn Care.
