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The joystick controls are especially intuitive and much easier to handle than traditional zero-turn controls.
The Spruce
We found it to be fun to drive and very easy to use.
The clippings discharge from the side, although you canpurchase a baggeror mulching kit separately if desired.
The mower also has an LCD screen, so we could easily monitor the battery life and runtime.
PHOTO: The Spruce
The mower also has some nice extra features, including headlights, cup holders, and USB charging ports.
We do want to note one slight hiccup with the assembly.
It required several phone calls and a technician’s visit before we determined that the mower was defective.
The Ryobi 42-inch Zero Turn Mower let us mow very close to a fence in our yard.PHOTO: The Spruce
Despite these initial headaches, we were very impressed with the manufacturer’s customer service.
It cuts the grass in less time, with less noise and no gas fumes.
We also like the fact that it has a 5-year warranty.
Zero-turn mowers are defined by the ability to rotate in place, but they’re often faster as well.
We were amazed at how easy it was to maneuver even around tight corners or close to trees.
The mower provides a comfortable, smooth ride.
We drove it down a 500-foot gravel path to reach the lawn without any discomfort or difficulty.
It has a tight 18-inch turning radius and discharges the clippings to the side.
We found that it also easily cleared away fallen leaves from the grass.
We also wished that the mower would automatically mow when you put it in reverse.
Instead, you oughta press a button to engage the deck.
While it’s not a deal breaker, it’s a bit of an inconvenience.
These issues aside, we still think this is a great budget-friendly option, especially for smaller yards.
This riding mower is covered by John Deere’s 2-year/120-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Battery Riding Lawn Tractor is our top choice.
It comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
We found it easy to maneuver between trees and other obstacles on our Iowa lawn.
The mower left the grass very evenly cut, with a lush, full appearance.
With a top speed of 7 mph, this mower can get the job done fast.
The wash-out ports underneath the deck make maintenance easier.
With yourgarden hose, you’re free to quickly blast away caked-on grass, mud, and grunge.
It also has some nice features, like a cup holder to keep a cold beverage close at hand.
We have also found it to be very easy to maneuver around our property.
The tractor’s 12 cutting height adjustments ensured a uniform and precise cut every time.
John Deere S100 Riding Lawnmower navigated around rocks and other debris in our large yard.PHOTO: The Spruce
In fact, we never used more than 30 to 40 percent of the battery when mowing.
Aside from its efficiency in cutting our lawn, we were impressed by how fast the mower moved.
Another reason this lawn mower won our approval was its abundance of extra features.
John Deere S100 Riding Lawnmower navigated around rocks and other debris in our large yard.PHOTO: The Spruce
A bin in front of the mower can be used as a beverage cooler or extra storage.
We also appreciated having our water bottle in the cup holder while cutting the grass on warmer days.
Thanks to the luxe steering wheel, your hands don’t tire from mowing.
The only component we would modify is the mower’s backrest, which is on the shorter side.
We still think it is a great tractor for anyone with flat or varying terrain.
We love how easy it is to store this mower and how well it maneuvers in tight spaces.
The seat is adjustable to accommodate users of different heights, but it skews toward shorter users.
Some listings say it comes with a mulching attachment, but that wasnt present when we uncrated ours.
Thats a smaller cutting range than many other riding mowers, but it easily handles most common lawn grasses.
The machine has a rear hitch to pull garden carts, sprayers, and spreaders.
It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Our best budget pick is the gas-poweredJohn Deere S100 42-Inch Riding Lawn Mower.
It comes with White Glove Service delivery, so you wont have to assemble it.
We initially tested each mower for about 18 hours (three test mowing sessions) and reported our findings.
We then continued testing each mower for six months.
Each mower was evaluated on its assembly, design, performance, usability, safety, and value.
Electrical mowers on both the residential and professional/ commercial side are becoming more preferred over gas powered.
They’re also louder, less convenient, and require more maintenance, including regular oil changes.
The Ryobi 80V 42-Inch Riding Lawn Tractor includes a front trailer hitch for accessories.PHOTO: The Spruce
However, they’re easier and more convenient to use (and much quieter).
Plugging a mower in is also a lot more convenient than hauling around agas can.
Of course, small properties and lawns with lots of obstacles call for a mower with a smaller deck.
We wish the deck stuck out more on the left because we couldn’t mow as close to trees as we’d like.PHOTO: The Spruce
It’s still wide, though, so double-check to measure any gates it will need to pass through.
Large decks are best paired with large lawns, while smaller decks are better for small lawns.
That’s why you might see two 42-inch mowers rated for different yard sizes.
A larger engine will be able to handle thicker grass and steeper hills with ease."
The easiest way to transport a riding lawn mower is with a trailer.
Mowers can be driven up a ramp into a low trailer and towed behind a vehicle.
You may also transport riding mowers in the bed of a pickup truck, but special ramps are required.
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PHOTO: Amazon
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We like battery-powered riding mowers that have onboard charging with a single plug like an electric car.The Spruce
