Lawn Tractor (Riding Mower) Advice

When I moved into my house two years ago, the grass needed to be cut. My new neighbor offered to cut it for me, and did so. But after two passes on the deep grass, he said, "I hope you're getting a mower." And after two more passes, he commented, "I hope you're getting a mower soon." Later that week, he asked if I had gotten a mower yet. Although it hadn't even been on my to-buy list when I first moved in, I had in fact ordered a lawn tractor (a.k.a. riding mower).

Seduced by the images of idyllic suburbia, I had gone out and ordered a John Deere lawn tractor. Looking back, two years hence, I still love my John Deere (which has a cult following to rival Apple iPods), but I would have done a few things differently:

First of all, I wouldn't necessarily have invested in the bagger. I've since learned that it is better for the lawn to leave the clippings in place. Plus, you don't need to stop to empty the bag, and you don't need to worry about clogged chutes when the grass is too deep or too wet.

Secondly, I probably should have hired a lawn service instead of investing in a tractor right away. That would have given me time to research it further. There are models that are considerably less (and also more) expensive than John Deere.

Lastly, I might have opted for a walk-behind mower instead of a riding mower. Don't get me wrong, I love my John Deere, and have even used it to push a disabled car out of my driveway. But my yard is only 1 acre (less once you count the area taken up by the house and driveway. And there are lots of trees,obstacles, and edges. And my lawn tends to stay wet due to poor drainage. The smaller size and better maneuverability of a walking mower (not to mention much mower cost) might have been preferable. I know people who own both, in fact. I also had to invest in a string trimmer, although I borrowed my neighbors for the first year. (Tip: For a big yard, I strongly recommend a gas-powered trimmer. The electric ones are underpowered, and being tethered to an electric cord is impractical for a 1-acre property.

Additionally, I bought an extra seat when I bought my mower. The seat has a higher back for better spport. I probably could have gotten that later if the standard seat proved inadequate.

Of course, there are some things I did right and would do again. I'm happy with the John Deere, opting for a solid brand with local service. Next time, I'll consult Consumer Reports to see their views, however.

I'm also happy I got a new mower, rather than a used one. If you want the mower long term, it is worth investing in a good one rather than taking someone else's which might not have been well maintained.

I'm also glad I got the lowest-end model with an automatic transmission (the L110). The automatic makes it easy and fun to drive (my wife even tried it).

There is no need for the larger models (the johndeere.com really oversells you, offering a $5000 model when you can get an adequate one for under $2000). When I asked the dealer, he said mine was designed to last 10 years, whereas the pricier model was designed to last 20. There is no sense in paying 2.5 times more for a model that lasts only twice as long. I'll just buy another one in 10 years.

I'm also glad I didn't invest in the snowplow attachments (chains and a plow). They wouldn't work well on my gravel driveway, and I'm happy shoveling for now. In the meantime, I've removed the bagger and can add the snowplow if I change my mind.

My neighborhood is the kind where everyone mows their own lawn. Yours may be the type where everyone hires a lawn service. I love spending time outdoors and the mower is a lot of fun to ride. I'd recommend one for people who enjoy working in their yard, but cheaper options exist to be sure.

posted on Thu, 24 Mar 2005 at 16:35 | path: /purchases | perma link