A Guide to Buying a Ride-On Mower

What is a tractor used for?

A ride-on mower is a lawnmower designed for cutting large lawns , where a simple lawnmower or a petrol-powered lawnmower would be inadequate. Ideal for areas over 1,500 m2 , a ride-on mower is a highly efficient gardening machine, as it allows you to optimize the time spent mowing the lawn.
Thanks to the ride-on mower, you'll get a uniform and precise lawn. Easy and intuitive to operate, the user can comfortably sit in the ride-on mower and mow long lawns without tiring .

Types of lawn tractors

Among the various lawn tractors on the market there are:

• Standard : The ride-on mower can have a petrol engine with varying displacement and power output, with a twin-cylinder engine or hydrostatic transmission. Ideal for large gardens, they have a more solid structure, but are less maneuverable for zigzag cuts.
• ZRT (Zero Turn) Ride-On Mower : This is a zero turn ride-on mower, meaning there is a minimum uncut circle between one cutting line and the next. The ZRT ride-on mower is extremely manoeuvrable, with excellent stability for easily getting around obstacles.
• Ride-on mowers : These are compact, small, and easy-to-handle lawn tractors that can reach even the most difficult cutting areas. They are generally suitable for small to medium-sized lawns, less than 2,000 square meters.

Powering a Ride-On Mower

Ride-on mowers are further divided by power source type:

• Gasoline-powered ride-on mowers : these come in a variety of power and engine sizes. Petrol and diesel- powered ride-on mowers are available on the market, powered by engines from top brands, including Honda and Briggs & Stratton . Gasoline-powered ride-on mowers allow for long, uninterrupted work sessions , with the ability to adjust the speed to suit your cutting needs. This results in a refined, professional-looking cut.
• Battery-powered ride-on mowers : Powered by a rechargeable battery , battery-powered ride-on mowers are zero-emission machines with very low noise and advanced features. Typically powered by lithium batteries, these mowers can handle medium- to long-term use. They're ideal for mowing lawns in residential areas.

Cutting system of a tractor

A ride-on mower is powered by an engine that transmits power to the cutting blades mounted underneath the machine. The blades rotate at high speed, cutting the grass as the mower moves forward. The cutting width refers to the area of grass cut in each pass of the mower and varies depending on the model, but typically ranges between 50 and 200 cm. The cutting width affects cutting efficiency and the time required to complete the job: the wider the cutting width, the fewer passes are needed to mow the lawn.

Some indicative references regarding the width of the cutting deck:

• Up to 80 cm : ideal cutting width for small surfaces
• From 80 to 100 cm : cutting width of a tractor designed for medium-sized surfaces
• 100 cm and above : ride-on mower designed for gardening work on large surfaces

Cutting height and its adjustment are other factors to consider when choosing a ride-on mower. Depending on your lawn's cutting needs, you can adjust the height.

Collection, unloading and mulching

A ride-on mower has different types of grass discharge and collection:

• With collection system : these are lawn tractors equipped with a collection bag that varies in capacity for collecting the cut grass: the larger the collection bag, the longer the working session will be without interruption. After being cut by the blade in the cutting deck, a vortex of air flows into the collection bag, which contains it and prevents it from scattering on the ground. The collection bag can be made of canvas, plastic, or another resistant material that increases its strength and durability. Collection-equipped lawn tractors can also feature side discharge and mulching.
• Side discharge : Side-discharge lawn tractors do not have grass collection or mulching. This cutting method is the most traditional, ideal for those who don't need to collect the grass.
• Mulching : Some ride-on mowers come standard with mulching, while others can be optionally integrated. The mulching attachment is inserted into the grass outlet: the mulching blade quickly shreds the grass into finely chopped debris, which is then deposited on the ground. Ideal for those who don't need to collect the grass clippings from the ride-on mower and want to use them as fertilizer to nourish the soil.

Blade and Front Plate Type

Ride-on mowers are equipped with different types of blades:

• Standard blade : Standard blades are commonly fitted to lawn tractors equipped with a grass collection basket. This blade leaves cut grass residue ( felt ) on the ground.
• Mulching or shredding blade : The mulching blade is primarily used on lawnmowers without a collection basket or for cutting grass on lawns requiring natural fertilization. Mulching blades pulverize the cut grass, which, when deposited on the lawn, acts as a natural fertilizer.
• High-load blade : High-load blades are used for operations where the grass clippings need to be dispersed as little as possible on the ground, loading almost all of them into the collection basket. Compared to standard blades, high-load blades leave less residue on the lawn.

Another distinctive feature of some tractors is the presence of a front deck .
The presence of blades in the front deck allows the user to cut grass in narrow spaces and on slopes, without the bulk of the machine body limiting the grass cutting. Tractors equipped with a front deck have greater maneuverability , allowing this lawn tractor to go around obstacles such as hedges, flowerbeds, or other shrubs with greater visibility than traditional models with cutting decks located underneath the machine.

Type of Exchange

Ride-on mowers have different types of gearboxes:

• Manual Transmission : In ride-on mowers equipped with a manual transmission, the operator controls forward/reverse movement using a dedicated manual gear shift. This provides greater speed control, but it also results in a less smooth ride.
• Automatic Transmission : In tractors with automatic transmission, the transmission automatically adjusts gear ratios based on speed and load. The operator does not have to manually change gears: driving is smoother and more intuitive.
• Hydrostatic Transmission : A hydrostatic transmission uses hydraulic fluid to transfer power from the engine to the wheels seamlessly and without gear changes. It has no gears and offers infinitely variable speed control in both forward and reverse. This system allows for superior maneuverability and more precise control. Ideal for extended mowing sessions and for cutting grass in uneven spaces.

Tractor with 4x4 traction

4x4 ride-on mowers are designed to work on uneven terrain with slopes of up to 25-30% . Designed for professional use, these machines stand out for their robustness and reliability, ensuring excellent performance when mowing becomes more difficult than expected. 4x4 all-wheel drive provides greater stability and traction on rough terrain, allowing operators to tackle mowing challenges with greater safety and efficiency. Careful driving and awareness of potential risks are still recommended.