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How To Find The Best Garden Tractor That Suits Your Needs
Ever considered trying to replace your mower with garden tractor? Is the garden tractor a better alternative for mowers or is there really no need to compare the two because they’re pretty much the same?
In this article, we’ll explain to you how the tractor is different from the mower. Also, we’ll add all the things you need to consider prior to buying the best garden tractor that suits your needs.
Ever considered trying to replace your mower with garden tractor? Is the garden tractor a better alternative for mowers or is there really no need to compare the two because they’re pretty much the same?
In this article, we’ll explain to you how the tractor is different from the mower. Also, we’ll add all the things you need to consider prior to buying the best garden tractor that suits your needs.
| Rank | Product Name | Price | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
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97/100 | Review | |
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2 |
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94/100 | Review | |
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3 |
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90/100 | Review | |
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4 |
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88/100 | Review | |
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5 |
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83/100 | Review |
**Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
What Are Garden Tractors?
To have a better understanding on garden tractors and your best options in the market, let us first know what it is and what should we consider when buying one.
For those who are confused of what a lawn mower and garden tractor is, the garden tractor does more than just mow the lawn – which is the sole task of a lawn mower. In addition to mowing the lawn, the garden tractor also pulls the ground like a tiller or moldboard.
Unlike the lawn mower, tractors have bigger tires which allows for clearance when working on the garden soil. Furthermore, tractors pack more power than mowers to optimize its rear wheels. They come with heavy transmission which works well with sloping terrains and with hard soils.
Physically, the tractor is easy to distinguish form mowers. Aside from the bigger wheel, the tractor has a rear that is sloping upwards while the mower is flat with equal sized 4 wheels. Also, despite the sturdy and durable build of garden tractors, it is lightweight and easy to move around.
Essential Purchasing Tips For Garden Tractors
Just like anything that you purchase, you need to consider a few factors to make sure you’re getting most out of your money. Also, these considerations will help you trace the best options that are suited to your specific need.
Here we laid out a few purchasing tips whenever you’re trying to buy a tractor for your garden or farm.
1. Setting A Budget And Price Range For Your Garden Tractor
When you purchase anything, you’ll always look at the price – regardless of course if spending a few hundred or thousand dollars for 1 garden tractor is very easy for you. When purchasing any garden tractor, you need to establish a fixed budget.
Doing so before shopping for your ideal tractor will help you avoid overspending and will let you narrow your choices to your specific price range in mind. While setting a budget and price range, you may also want to consider the accessories and attachments that come with the unit.
More of these add-ons and accessories will mean more expenses.
2. Are You Going With 2-Wheel Or 4-Wheel?
You will find a few garden tractors that are designed with 4 wheels and 2 wheels – the first of course is a bit pricier than the latter. A good way to decide on which one is good for you is to consider the terrain of your garden or farm.
If you’re looking to make use of the tractor for a muddy as well as uneven terrain the you would want to spend a bit more for 4-wheel tractors since they are more powerful. On the other hand, if you’re looking to utilize the equipment for a flat and even ground then you can simply of for the 2-wheeled tractors.
3. Deciding On The Attachments For Your Tractor
There are a number of attachments that come with garden tractors and it is important to consider only those you need. Among those commonly used attachments are as follows:
- Snow Blower – The snow blender is one of the most favorite attachments for garden tractors. This attachment takes care of blowing the snow off the ground and is easy to maneuver as well as move around since it is lightweight.
- Shredder And Chipper – Made out of solid steel and heavy, the shredder and chipper is in charge of shredding garden debris such as grass, stalks, leaves and other wastes.
- Tiller – Tilling the soil is one common job in the garden which can be very daunting specially when dealing with hard soil. A tiller is also a helpful tool if you want to eliminate weeds on the ground.
Top 5 Garden Tractors Available In The Market Today
Now that you have a better insight of the ideal garden tractor that you need, you’re now ready to shop for it. Doing so however can also be a challenge since there are probably a dozen options to consider with many different brands, styles, models that come with many different attachments.
To narrow down your choices to only the best and most recommended garden tractors, we’ve laid out a top 5 list of garden tractors available in the market today. This list will be based as per common requirements from garden owners and users.
Additionally, they are carefully picked on the criteria of affordability, portability, features as well as design. They are as follows:
1. Poulan Pro 60420171
This garden tractor from Poulan is all about speed and power. It features a quick ignition system with a control pedal and auto drive transmission. This provides convenience and comfort when mowing the lawn or tilling the soil.
This product comes with a 2.5 gal fuel tank with 15” front tires and 20” rear tires. Compared to other models of the Poulan tractor series, this particular model has a more innovative style which most users love and prefer.
Its unique style involve a reinforced deck which is 48” which comes with a 10 year warranty for its belt and deck that ensures everything works fine within the covered years. As for the wheels, it comes with 4 gauges along with one roller nose for convenient moving and maneuverability.
It is also designed with a seat that is 15 inches high to provide optimum back support and comfort. In addition, it comes prepared with headlight for you to work conveniently even in the dark or during gloomy and foggy days.
With this tractor’s lighting capability, you can conveniently work anytime during the day or night even under any weather.
PROS
- Designed with twin engines
- Automatic transmission for convenient operation
- Installed with 48” mowing deck
CONS
- A bit pricier than other options of garden mowers
- Seat can slide to the front when hitting bumps on the ground
2. Troy-Bilt Neighborhood Riding Garden Tractor
This garden tractor from Tyoy-Bilt is another excellent choice when looking for a tractor that focuses more on mowing tasks. It is designed with cutting deck which is perfect when mowing grass on the lawn. Compared to the first few tractors, this product is a bit smaller but makes it easier to store.
It comes with a 1.3 gallon fuel tank which is designed with a window for easier monitoring and checking with regards to the fuel levels of the tank. This allows for convenient scheduling for refuels.
In addition, it is designed with 5 adjustable blades with a regular take off engine power meant for easy as well as quick starting operation.
Just like all tractors in this list, this product is also designed with an adjustable seat to allow for comfort and convenience when using the product. Also, it comes with an ergonomic steering wheel for better grip and control.
PROS
- 6-speed manual trans for ease of control
- Adjustable speed
- 5 settings for mowing deck
- A lot less expensive compared to others
CONS
- Works slow
- Covers small area of cutting path
- Not convenient for large areas of lawns
3. Husqvarna YTA24V48
The Husqvarna YTA24V48 Pedal Tractor Mower is fast and requires little maintenance. This mower has a choke less start, a charge port, and an electric clutch. The Husqvarna mower also features air induction mowing technology. This technology improves the airflow within the deck, and that ensures a clean and even cut each time.
The Husqvarna mower features a convenient fender mounted deck level. This lever uses springs to make it easy to use.
Husqvarna includes a generous warranty. You get three years of limited coverage, five years of coverage for the frame or chassis and the front axle. Finally, you get 10 years of coverage on the cutting deck.
The mower uses a 24 volt lawn mower battery, and it does work on hills, though it could use better traction. Note that the mower isn’t electric, so you will have to use gasoline to power it.
You can purchase the Husqvarna mower for $2,200 to $2,800. If you want expert assembly, that will be an additional $190 to $220.
The reviews on Amazon are mixed, with an average rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars. One customer praised the tractor’s turning radius and speed. Another customer noted that they got bad customer service from their nearest Husqvarna service provider. Other customers mentioned that the mower doesn’t do well on hills.
PROS
- Requires little maintenance
- Excellent warranties (for different parts)
- Special technology to help get an even cut
CONS
- More expensive than comparable products
- Less than stellar average rating
- Doesn’t work well on hills
4. Troy-Bilt Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower
The Troy-Bilt Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower uses a 382cc Auto Choke OHV engine. It has top forward speeds of 4.25 miles per hour, and it has a 6 speed transmission. The cutting deck is 30 inches, and it has 5 adjustable settings. These settings give you the benefits of both a riding lawn mower and a walk behind lawn mower.
The mower has an 18 inch turning radius. Its front wheels are 13 by 5 inches, and the rear wheels are 16 by 6.5 inches. The riding lawn mower features manual power take-off, at it’s ideal for medium sized landscapes with even terrain. You can adjust the blade to one of five different heights so that you get the perfect cut every time. The seat is also adjustable, so you can get the comfort you deserve.
This lawn mower fits perfectly in the garage for storage or shed. The fuel tank is 1.3 gallons, and you can monitor the tank with a sight window. With the lawn mower, you will get a 2-year limited warranty.
You can buy the mower itself for $1,000 to $1,600, and expert assembly will cost you an extra $190 to $220. On Amazon, customers give the lawn mower an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars. Customers love the size and price of the Troy-Bilt Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower, but others noted that the company doesn’t always follow through with warranty complaints.
PROS
- Good on even terrain
- Has five adjustable settings
- Has manual power take-off for better control
CONS
- Has California Preposition 65 warning (potential exposure to toxic chemicals)
- Assemble costs extra
5. Snapper SPX 22/46
The Snapper SPX 22/46 Riding Tractor Mower is a professional quality mower. It comes from the Briggs & Stratton professional series, and it has a v-twin OHV 22HP engine. The engine will last for years with few issues.
This riding tractor mower has a steel mower deck with 14 gauges, and the deck is 46 inches. The deck also features four anti-scalp wheels and three blades.
This mower also includes a hydro-gear T2 hydrostatic transmission. It has a foot pedal that you can use to move the mower forward or in reverse. The Snapper SPX 22/46 also features cruise control. This mower also has a 14-inch turning radius and electric blade engagement. You can choose from seven different heights for the cut. These heights vary from 1.5 inches to 4 inches. At under 500 pounds, this mower is lighter than some of its competitors.
You can purchase the Snapper SPX 22/46 Riding Tractor Mower for $1,800 to $2,400. On Amazon, you also have the ability to add expert assembly. That will cost you an extra $190 to $220. Be sure you can be home when the mower is delivered, because you will have to sign for it.
While we didn’t find any reviews for this particular mower, Amazon customers love other mowers from Snapper. Other Snapper mowers have average ratings of 4 out of 5 stars.
PROS
- Has a twin engine
- Features cruise control
- Seven positions for different cut heights
CONS
- Not much customer feedback
- No international shipping
Conclusion
As a final verdict, we would recommend the Poulan Pro 960420186 which features a 24 HP engine with Automatic Hydro Transmission for the reason that it is easy and convenient to use even for beginners. Also, it can start easily which allows for convenience especially when you stop a lot when working on your lawn.
Do you think the Poulan Pro 960420186 is better than all the other garden tractors mentioned in this post? If you think the other products deserve to be on top of this list and if you have other recommendations in mind then do let tell us.
We have a convenient comment box below where you can leave us your messages.
About the Author Emily Taylor
My name is Emily Taylor, gardening is my passion and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone. I know that there are millions of people out there want their backyard and garden be attractive just like their front yard, so I am here to help you create your own backyard paradise.