Every year, millions of homeowners faced with the task of cutting the grass contemplate the possibility of buying a riding mower to make the task easier and more convenient. But is purchasing a riding mower always the right move? What are the pros and cons of riding mowers? And how should you approach this potentially significant financial decision?
The Pros and Cons of Buying a Riding Mower
These are some of the most important pros and cons of buying a riding mower that you’ll need to consider.
1. Reliability. Riding mowers are more complex machines than simple push mowers, but if you buy from a reputable brand, they can last 10 to 15 years – or even longer! The lifespan of your mower is going to depend on a lot of factors, including the model you choose, how you use the riding mower, and how you maintain and repair that mower. Still, with proper care, you can usually bank on at least a decade of regular use.
2. More power. Riding mowers tend to be more powerful than other mowers. If your grass is difficult to cut, or if you’re just tired of physically exerting yourself, this is a huge advantage.
3. Comfortable seating. Perhaps the most notable benefit of using a riding mower is getting to sit down. Instead of standing and walking behind the mower, you can remain seated and operate it like a vehicle. Most modern riding mowers are designed with very comfortable seating, supporting good posture as well.
4. Easy controls. It’s incredibly easy to use a riding mower. Even if you have no experience, you can figure out the basics in a minute or two. When operating the mower, all you’ll need to worry about is pressing the accelerator and steering appropriately.
5. Adjustable cutting heights. It’s often better for the health of your grass to use the highest cutting setting, but there are some species of grass for which this is not the case. You may also have a preference for shorter grass. No matter what your preferences are, there will be a setting available to you on your riding mower.
6. A larger cutting deck. Finally, using a riding mower gives you a bigger, broader cutting deck. Each pass you make is going to cover a wider section of your land, allowing you to mow your lawn in far less time.
These are excellent advantages, but there are some drawbacks to consider as well.
7. Initial costs. As you likely already know, riding mowers are significantly more expensive than other types of mowers. All the extra features for power and comfort come at a premium. Still, riding mowers are typically affordable, and no matter what your budget is, you’ll likely be able to find something that fits it.
8. Ongoing operational costs. There are some higher operational costs to consider with riding mowers as well. For example, because they’re more powerful, they consume more fuel.
9. Storage issues. Riding mowers have a larger profile and are extremely heavy. Sometimes, it’s hard to find an adequate place to store them.
10. More maintenance. Generally speaking, riding mowers require more maintenance and care than other types of mowers – though it’s still not overwhelming or hard to learn. As long as you learn and continue practicing the basics, you should have no trouble keeping this piece of machinery in good condition.
Choosing a Riding Mower
If you do decide to purchase a riding mower, how do you choose the right model?
· Outline your needs. Start by outlining your specific needs. What type of grass do you have? How high does it need to be cut? How often does it need to be cut? How much land do you have and how maneuverable does the riding mower need to be to cut it effectively?
· Set a budget. Next, set a budget. Oftentimes, more reliable and more luxurious lawn mowers are more expensive than their simpler counterparts, so consider setting your budget fairly high if you want the optimal riding mower experience. No matter what, you should have a loose price target in mind.
· Shop around. There are hundreds of riding mower models to choose from, and nearly all of them have something to offer. Shop around and try these riding mowers for yourself to get a better understanding of how they might fit your life.
Riding mowers are excellent options for any homeowner with a decently sized patch of land to mow. There are some issues to consider, such as higher costs and the need for storage, but if you can accommodate these, the benefits of having a riding mower can revolutionize your approach to lawn care.
