While buying a ride-on mower may seem the right thing to do if you have a lot of lawn to mow, garden tractors are expensive and not suited to every yard. Here's what to ask yourself before you take the plunge and buy a ride-on mower:
- Does your lawn size justify a garden tractor? If you have less than a half acre of land, it is more economical for you to stick with an electric or gas push mower.
- Do you have storage space? Garden tractors are considerably larger than a gas push mower. They also come with a variety of attachments that need storage.
- Are you committed to maintaining it properly, much like a car? A garden tractor is a vehicle, unlike a push mower. It has bearings, axles, steering mechanisms, filters, spark plugs, engine oil, and more.
- Do you need the tractor for more than mowing? If so, you need more than just the mower--there's the added expense of attachments, like a snow blower, tiller, and vacuum bag (for leaves and lawn clippings). This may be a big investment for you if you don't already own that equipment and plan on using the tractor year-round for various yard maintenance activities.
- Is your yard an obstacle course? It may be more difficult to use a garden tractor if your yard has many buildings, patios, trees, fountains, gardens, etc. that would make it awkward (or even dangerous) to mow using a ride-on mower. Hills increase the chance of deadly rollovers. (The Consumer Reports article, Hills Pose Risks for Some Riding Mowers elaborates on this topic.) For more safety tips on ride-on and other lawn mowers, consult the National Traffic Safety Institute.
Before spending thousands of dollars on a ride-on garden tractor, make sure it's the right choice for you and that you know safety procedures and are willing to maintain and store your investment properly.
Marcia Passos Duffy is a freelance writer and a member of the Garden Writers Association. She is a frequent contributor to Turf Magazine and Growing Magazine. Visit her site at www.backporchpublishing.com
