Best Ride-On Lawnmowers Buyers Guide

Ride-on lawnmowers used to be gardeners’ dreams, but very rarely the reality. However, in recent years they have become more affordable and more practical for many garden lovers. Speaking from experience, many hours have been spent walking up and down the garden mowing the lawn, just to see that it needs doing again only a week or two weeks later. It can be a tedious, time consuming and tiring task.

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Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

If this sounds familiar, then it is likely you could benefit from one of the best ride on mowers available in the UK. Our article will help you to find the best ride on lawnmower for you and your garden, considering key features and how to look after your precious ride on lawnmower once it has been purchased.

Why Buy a Ride On Lawnmower?

This is a question that we often hear asked when considering purchasing a ride on lawnmower. Admittedly they are considerably more expensive than normal lawnmowers and require more maintenance and power, but in our opinion, the pros far outweigh the cons! A ride on lawnmower will dramatically reduce the time and effort that you have to put in to mow your lawn, as you simply have to sit on the back of your mower and control it as you would a car, while it does all of the hard work for you! It also means that (once you have got the hang of using your ride on mower) you will be able to get neater, more precise cut on your lawn, as you are able to go over each section carefully and accurately.

Ride on mowers will save time and effort for ANYONE with an average to large size garden, but they will be even more beneficial for anyone older, with less strength or who suffers from ailments such as a bad back or arthritis as they will not have to use their body strength to push the mower forwards and backwards over the lawn.

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There are some main things that you need to consider when purchasing a ride on mower. They are not cheap so it is important that you choose the right make and model! We have combined all of the most crucial features here in one place to help you make the right purchase.

Size

One of the main things that you need to consider is the actual size of your ride on mower. The size of ride on lawnmowers varies quite considerably. A bigger lawnmower will usually mean that you are able to get your lawn mowed quicker, but they can be difficult to get into smaller spaces and to move around the garden. Bigger models will also be more expensive (in general) so it is worth considering what exactly you need for your garden. If you have more than a couple of acres then we would recommend choosing a larger, more powerful model, but less than this, or gardens with many different sections or bedding areas may be better suited to a smaller model.

It is also important to make sure that you can actually fit your ride on lawnmower through the entrance into and out of your garden! This might sound like a given – but with many gardens having small access points down the side of the house, you may find yourself coming unstuck at the first hurdle! Another important mention when considering the size of your ride on lawnmower is where you are going to store it. These lawnmowers will have to be kept in a safe and dry place, and larger models will be more difficult to store!

Power

The power that you will need for your ride on mower really depends on the size of your garden. The power of ride on lawnmowers will usually be described in horsepower, with you needing between 6 and 13hp for under an acre of lawn, to over 15hp and upwards for considerably larger gardens.

Cutting Width

Make sure to consider the cutting width of your ride on lawnmower – this is the amount of grass that can be cut in one strip while moving across your lawn. Most models vary between 70cm and 120cm, which is quite a considerable difference. This will affect the amount of time that it takes you to cut your garden, as you will be covering more (or less) of the garden in each journey up and down lawn!

Grass Collection, Ejection and Mulching

There are three main options that you will have to choose from when it comes to the grass cuttings that you are left with after mowing your lawn. There are ride on mowers with a collection bag, models that eject the cuttings (which will then often need to be raked up afterwards) and ride on mowers that come with a mulching function, so the grass cuttings are sliced into tiny pieces and put back onto the lawn to provide fertiliser.

The benefits of a collection bag are that it saves the hard work of having to rake up the grass cuttings afterwards like with the ejecting models. It seems silly to go to the effort of purchasing a ride on mower, to then have to still walk over the whole garden raking the grass away at the end (if you want to avoid damaging your lawn anyway!)! However, there is the downside of having to empty the collection bag every time that it gets full (which can be regularly if your grass has become rather long or you have a particularly big garden). Mulching features will be more expensive but this means that you can promote good grass growth when mowing your lawn.

Some ride on mowers have designed features to make the whole issue of grass cuttings more simple, such as models with a telescopic handle allowing the bag to be emptied while remaining sitting. Many also have a tipping feature so that you do not have to lift the heavy container of cuttings but simply reverse the mower over to where you want to deposit the cuttings and tip open the collection bag.

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Manoeuvrability

Make sure to consider the manoeuvrability of your ride on lawnmower as this will greatly affect the user experience that you have when working with your mower. They need to be able to fit into tight spots and turn easily in your garden so that you can make sure no spots are missed. The turning circle is important so make sure to watch videos of the different models you are considering to see how they function in tight and difficult areas.

Driving Position and Comfort

You are going to be spending a fair bit of time sitting on top of your ride on lawnmower – particularly during those summer months when it feels as though you grass has already grown another two inches by the time you have put the lawnmower away! Therefore, it is important that the driving position and comfort are right for you!

Some seats will have adjustable height so that it can be altered for you, ensuring that the controls are close enough and easy to access and use. There are also many models that have spring-like suspension underneath the seats so that you do not feel as much of the impact on tough terrain.

It is also worth weighing up how easy it is to get on and off your ride on mower – particularly if the reason you are purchasing a ride on lawnmower is that you struggle with mobility. Look for models that are nice and open in the seating area with handles and other features to help you step up and get seated!

Extra Factors to Consider

There are some additional features that it is well worth looking out for before purchasing your ride on mower. They will definitely impact on whether your experience with a ride on mower is a good one or not!

• Most ride on lawn mowers will now be hydrostatic, which is much easier to control and use than clutch models. They are also safer as the lawnmower stops when you take your foot off the pedal.
• We would recommend purchasing ear defenders for when using your ride on mower as they can be loud machines! With this in mind – it is also worth considering the noise level of your machine, especially if you have close neighbours, as some of the larger models
• Semi-transparent fuel tanks will make it easier to see when you need more fuel, as the fuel line will be visible on the side of the tank (like with your water tank in your car). This helps to avoid any frustration of your mower running out of fuel halfway through a job!
• Look out for tyres that are strong and have a thick tread for more traction, particularly if you have a garden that is less flat or dry.
• Some models (although often more expensive) will offer 4 wheel drive, which again is more ideal if you have a garden that is tougher terrain.

Ride On Lawnmower Accessories

There are many accessories that you can purchase for ride on lawnmowers (providing your lawnmowers are compatible with them). It is worth looking into whether your potential ride on lawnmower has a small tow bar or connector at the back for accessories, as this will potentially make your machine even better value for money if it then has so many additional uses!

Some accessories include:

• Snowploughing
• Raking and ploughing
• Trailers
• Rollers
• Aerators

Maintaining Your Ride On Mower

Your ride on lawnmower will need more maintenance than a manual lawn mower (although in our opinion it is well worth this extra maintenance). Look out for a model that will help make this maintenance easier and quicker – so you can spend more time actually enjoying your garden!

You will need to be able to lift up the cutting deck to be able to clean the blades after use. This is important if you want to stop the blades from becoming rusted or blocked. Look out for a model that disconnects easily or will lift up allowing you easy access to the blades.

Some models will have a hose attaching feature so a hose can be connected to the device and clean the blades, which saves you having to do anything! Just remember to leave the blades running for 5-10 minutes afterwards to dry out to avoid any rust or damp affecting the system.

It is important to check the oil in your mower regularly to ensure the smooth running of your machine, so look for ride on mowers that will offer easy access to both this and the fuel well.

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Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

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Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Frequently Asked Questions