Husqvarna 42 lawn mower. Husqvarna yth18542 Review: Close-Up Look at This 42-inch Ride-On Mower

Husqvarna yth18542 Review: Close-Up Look at This 42-inch Ride-On Mower

This article focuses on the Husqvarna yth18542 riding mower, what it has to offer and what its drawbacks are.

By reading here about this Husqvarna 18.5 HP riding lawn mower, you’ll gain insight into how this machine works, what you can do with it, and whether it would be a good investment for you.

At the start, you’ll see a chart of the main pros and cons of this mower, followed by a list of its product feature highlights. Then you’ll read in-depth information about each feature and any reported problems we discovered.

• Husqvarna Riding Mower Pros and Cons
• Product Highlights
• Husqvarna yth18542 Review

• – Easy-to-Use
• – 16-Inch Turn Radius and Broad Cuts
• – Multiple Accessories
• – Reported Problems

• – Engine
• – Hydrostatic Transmission
• – Cutting Deck
• – Ergonomics
• – Maintenance and Storage
• – Size and Weight
• – Warranty

• Does Husqvarna yth18542 mower have cruise control?
• What is the turning radius of Husqvarna yth18542 mower?
• What is deck size on Husqvarna yth18542 mower?

Husqvarna Riding Mower Pros and Cons

Product Highlights

This mower is designed for residential landscapes with large open lawn areas to mow. and it is also beneficial because you can match it with a variety of towable accessories.

This ride-on Husqvarna mower is easy to use. and it has plenty of power for quickly mowing and mulching an expanse of grass or bagging up the debris and collecting it in a bin accessory.

• 18.5 HP Briggs and Stratton engine
• 42-inch cutting width
• 16-inch turn radius
• Maintenance-free hydrostatic transmission
• Simple forward and reverse operation

Husqvarna yth18542 Review

This Husqvarna hydrostatic riding lawn mower is compact and powerful for keeping a large residential landscape well-maintained.

It is easy to maneuver around objects and turn around in a tight space, and there are a wide variety of accessories like collection bins, cargo trailers, and lawn care tools that you can purchase separately to use with this mower.

With this ride-on lawnmower, you can keep the grass looking fantastic and use it to clean up and beautify planting areas and other outdoor features.

For example, if you live in an area with snow, you can hook up a snow plowing blade or a snow thrower to keep your driveway and parking areas accessible and free of snow and ice buildup.

You can also use this mower to tow lawn care attachments like aerators and dethatching equipment to invigorate your lawn and keep it lush and green.

– Easy-to-Use

If you haven’t ever driven a ride-on mower, you might be a bit intimidated about operating equipment like this. However, navigating this machine is straightforward, and most newcomers get a feel for it with a few minutes of practice.

An automotive-style key turns on the battery-powered ignition, and once the engine starts up, you set the engine speed with a throttle lever on the dash, disengage the parking brake, and then use a foot pedal to move the mower back and forth.

Beyond that, a lever on the right side of the operator seat raises and lowers the deck. Thanks to the spring-assisted device inside the mechanism, you can do this with one hand.

To activate the cutting blades, you pull a button on the dash and press it back in to turn them off, and they shut off automatically under certain conditions for safety.

The headlights come on automatically when you start the mower, making the machine more visible to cars and pedestrians and shining a light ahead when working in low-light conditions.

– 16-Inch Turn Radius and Broad Cuts

The tight turn radius of this mower is a benefit for mowing around objects like garden sheds, raised planter boxes, and lawn furniture. In addition, when mowing large expanses of lawn, the tight turnaround capacity saves time when you reach the end of a row of mowing and need to go back for another pass.

The two blades under the deck shear a swath of grass 42-inches wide with each pass, and since you can safely move along at several miles per hour speed in many situations, you can mow a vast area in a bit of time.

– Multiple Accessories

You can also do more than mow with this machine. With optional accessories. you can collect cut grass and leaves from the lawn, improve the health of your yard, move heavy items like large potted plants, compost or gravel around in the landscape, remove hazardous ice and snow or spread out a pile of dirt with a scraper blade.

The most popular accessories for this mower include:

• Bin collection systems
• Swivel dump carts
• Tow-behind spreaders
• Dethatching and aerating tools
• Lawn rollers
• Lawn sweepers
• Scrapers and blades

– Reported Problems

There have been some buyer reports of problems with this mower, including broken parts, difficulty with warranty service. and low traction for getting up hills. In addition, this mower is not designed to operate on steep slopes, and it does best on primarily flat ground that is not too soft or can get stuck.

You can read about the warranty issues toward the end of this article. Any components that fail or are damaged when the machine arrives should be reported immediately to the manufacturer for warranty service.

It’s also crucial to note that this lawnmower requires regular maintenance of the engine, cutting blades, drive belt, and deck. In addition, using the correct fuel and oil and storing the machine properly are vital for keeping it running and safe to use.

Product Features Breakdown

– Engine

This mower is powered by a high-quality BriggsStratton Intek engine that gets high fuel efficiency and produces low emissions. The 18.5 HP engine has plenty of power for hours of mowing or towing accessories on primarily flat terrain.

The fuel tank holds 2.5 gallons of gas, and the mower can travel up to 3 mph at top speed, getting lots of work done between stops for refueling.

– Hydrostatic Transmission

The foot-operated pedal hydrostatic transmission contro l lets you go forward or backward depending on which direction you press it, leaving both hands available for controlling the steering wheel at all times while you’re moving.

Part of the rugged construction includes the transmission housing is under the mower and made of tough steel to protect it from damage.

Four anti-scalp wheels are attached to each corner of the deck to keep it from bottoming out when going over bumps and low spots in the terrain. In addition, the transmission is factory-sealed, so there is no routine maintenance for this component.

– Cutting Deck

Sin a blast of wind that holds grass blades upright when the cutting edge zips by, producing an even and clean cut. In addition, you can raise and lower the deck with the adjustment lever on the right side of the seat, moving it into six positions from 1.5-inches to 4.5-inches above the ground surface.

This level of adjustment makes it possible to mow grass to the optimum height for the grass species and growing conditions in your yard and raise the deck when cutting tough weeds or overgrown grass.

Another advantage of this mowing deck is engaging the blades while going in reverse if necessary. Mowing while backing up is not as safe as trimming while traveling forward. so this feature is only used in certain situations.

For this reason, the manufacturer has built in an additional step you need to take to activate the blades in reverse. However, having this reverse mowing option is a significant convenience that can help in crucial situations.

– Ergonomics

The comfortable vinyl seat has a 13-inch high back and plenty of padding to keep you comfortable for longer mowing sessions. In addition, the steering wheel is also padded with soft-grip material that keeps your hands comfy while you drive, and you can readily move the seat forward or backward to accommodate your legs.

Additionally, the convenient step-through design makes the seat accessible from either side of the machine.

– Maintenance and Storage

It is not advisable to leave the machine unprotected outdoors for long periods and to protect it from UV light and moisture. UV light exposure can cause the paint and upholstery materials to fade and crack.

So, if you don’t have room in your garage or tool shed to store this mower, you can buy a fabric cover to keep it out of the elements when storing it outside.

– Size and Weight

The overall dimensions of this mower are 70-inches long, 50-inches wide at the outside of the wheels, and 41.4-inches high. As you can see, this mower takes up a much bigger footprint of storage space than a walk-behind mower.

This mower weighs 490 pounds, making it a lightweight mower compared to some larger ride-on models. The relatively low weight makes it easier to store and transport this machine, and the lower weight also results in better fuel efficiency.

However, the low weight gives this mower less traction for getting up slopes, making it most suitable for primarily flat terrain.

– Warranty

The mower comes with a 3-year warranty. but components may not all be covered under the main contract, and separate warranties may apply to the engine and other parts. Reading all the warranty information before you buy can give you essential information that might affect your buying decision, which applies to any product.

In addition, knowing the warranty provisions also helps avoid actions that could void the contract, like improper use. Finally, following a regular maintenance schedule and using the recommended replacement parts reduces the chances of breakdowns that the guarantee may not cover.

Therefore, it is highly beneficial to read all the warranty information and the owner’s manual and follow the instructions there for care, maintenance, and how to get warranty service if you need it.

FAQ

Does Husqvarna yth18542 mower have cruise control?

Yes, the Husqvarna yth18542 mower is equipped with cruise control for convenient and easy operation.

What is the turning radius of Husqvarna yth18542 mower?

The turning radius of the Husqvarna yth18542 mower is approximately 16 inches, providing excellent maneuverability and agility.

What is deck size on Husqvarna yth18542 mower?

The Husqvarna yth18542 mower features a 42-inch cutting deck, which is perfect for efficiently mowing large lawns or fields. This size provides a good balance between cutting capacity and maneuverability.

Conclusion

This Husqvarna yth18542 review revealed the most critical features, specs, advantages, and drawbacks of this ride-on lawnmower.

In addition, it’s also important to say that the mower needs minimal assembly when it arrives, and getting it out of the crate is usually more work than hooking it up and starting it once you unpack it.

Hooking up the battery and filling the oil and fuel tanks are the only tasks needed before turning on the engine and starting to mow.

This mower is a reasonable option for buyers with large properties and lots of grass to mow on primarily flat terrain. It’s also a benefit for people who want additional accessories for clearing snow, improving lawn health, or moving heavy items around in the landscape.

The Husqvarna YTH18542 is a consumer-grade riding lawn mower that yields professional-level results.

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

If you want professional-level results without hiring a service, this is the riding mower worth considering.

Pros

• Very compact, which makes it easy to maneuver and store
• Air induction gives a consistent cut
• Great safety features

Cons

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The Husqvarna YTH18542 is a consumer-grade mower that yields professional-level results. It’s small and easy to operate, and has several convenient features that make cutting your lawn less of a chore. It comes equipped with a powerful Briggs Stratton engine and a 2.5-gallon fuel tank, which is about a gallon less than some other machines we evaluated for our best riding lawn mowers guide.

But considering the Husqvarna YTH18542’s size and fuel efficiency, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll run out of gas while mowing an average- to large-sized lawn. Its reinforced cutting deck is constructed out of flat-stock steel, which is great for withstanding the elements and the wear and tear that comes with mowing your yard regularly.

Husqvarna YTH18542 Riding Lawn Mower: What you need to know

When it comes to cutting grass, the Husqvarna YTH18542 Riding Lawn Mower has some unique technology that ensures you get the best cut possible. For example, it employs air induction, which enhances airflow through the deck, so you get a more consistent cut.

The transmission on this mower is pedal-operated and hydrostatic, which means you control both speed and direction with your feet, letting you keep both hands on the wheel. This method gives you greater control, so you can be certain it will go where you want it to.

The machine’s cruise control is a handy feature, especially if you’re mowing over uneven terrain. It will maintain a constant speed, no matter what you happen to be rolling over. This takes the guesswork out of safely traversing small hills, inclines and other obstacles.

One of the biggest selling points of this riding lawn mower is its size. It’s about as compact as they come, which makes it much easier to maneuver and store. Despite its small stature, it has a cutting width of 42 inches, which is about double of what you’ll get on the largest push-mower. It also has a number of convenience features such as an adjustable sliding seat, which is also ergonomically designed for maximum comfort while you mow. Under the seat, you’ll find a safety switch that will automatically shut the machine down if you leave the seat. This reduces the likelihood of injury if you ever have an accident that throws you from your chair.

Should you buy the Husqvarna YTH18542 Riding Lawn Mower?

With small flaws and large benefits, it’s hard to go wrong with this riding lawn mower. It’s compact, maneuverable and easy to store. It also has a great engine and several options and accessories that make the chore of mowing your lawn that much more bearable.

Alternatively, if you do need a more sizable fuel tank, check out our Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 review or if you’d prefer to deal with batteries, then check out our Ryobi RY48111 review, which is one of the best electric lawn mowers.

The best riding mowers: Mow your lawn faster

Up your summer lawn care game with a riding mower that makes for a faster, more eco-friendly mowing experience.

Taylor Clemons is a tech writer and reviewer based near Cleveland, OH. After graduating from Tiffin University in 2011, they spent several years in lawn and garden manufacturing before working on their own (now defunct) game review site, Steam Shovel.

Taylor Clemons is a tech writer and reviewer based near Cleveland, OH. After graduating from Tiffin University in 2011, they spent several years in lawn and garden manufacturing before working on their own (now defunct) game review site, Steam Shovel.

Riding mowers are a popular mower choice for homeowners, especially if you have a big property to maintain every summer. They have cutting decks measuring from 42 to 72 inches, so you can make short work of everything from typical lawns to large properties, like sports complexes and golf courses.

Unlike their push mower counterparts, riding mowers have more features to consider in order to find the right fit for your yard. You can choose either a manual or hydrostatic transmission, so you can set and forget your speed or operate your mower like a car. You can even get riding mowers with cruise control or all-wheel drive for better traction.

While gas engines are far more common among riding mowers, there is a wide selection of battery-powered models if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly solution for lawn care. My pick for the best overall riding mower is the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP for its 24HP engine, 54-inch cutting deck, and ability to mow up to four acres with a full gas tank. You can keep reading below to find out more about the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP as well as our other top picks.

Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP

Best riding mower overall

• 24HP engine
• 54-inch cutting deck
• Automatic transmission
• Attachments and accessories available

Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP tech specs: Engine: 24HP Kohler | Cutting width: 54 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 4 acres

The Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP riding mower is an excellent choice for a variety of lawns. It’s built with a 24HP Kohler engine and a 54-inch cutting deck to let you handle inclines and rough terrain or haul tools, mulch, and potting soil around your property.

The hydrostatic, automatic transmission makes operation similar to a typical car, so you can spend more time actually cutting your grass and less time learning how to drive your mower. With a 3-gallon tank, you’ll be able to mow up to 4 acres at a time.

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

Best electric riding mower

• 2.5 acre max range
• Quick-charge batteries
• LCD heads-up display
• USB charging ports

Ryobi 80V electric lawn tractor tech specs: Engine: 80V brushless electric | Cutting width: 46 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 2.5 acres

Electric riding mowers have become more popular in recent years as homeowners and landscaping professionals look for ways to make lawn care more eco-friendly. The Ryobi 80V electric lawn tractor features a 46-inch cutting deck and enough power to let you mow up to 2.5 acres on a single charge, and you can recharge your mower batteries in as little as 2.5 hours.

This means you can take care of other tasks, like weeding or landscaping, while you’re waiting for your mower to recharge. An LCD screen gives you a heads-up display of run time, battery levels, and reminders to inspect and sharpen your mower blades. It even has two USB ports for charging your phone while you mow.

Toro Titan Max

Best zero-turn riding mower

• Mows up to 7 acres at once
• Highly maneuverable
• 10-gauge steel construction
• Tool-free air filters

Toro Titan Max tech specs: Engine: 26HP Kohler 7000 | Cutting width: 60 inches | Transmission: Dual hydrostatic/automatic | Max yard size: 7 acres

Zero-turn riding mowers are popular with homeowners who have larger properties or lots of obstacles like trees or specialized landscaping. The Toro Titan Max’s exceptional maneuverability and larger cutting decks make quick work of yards up to 7 acres in size, while the 26HP Kohler 7000 engine uses a dual hydrostatic drive for smooth, intuitive operation.

Toro also made regular maintenance a bit more streamlined with tool-free air filters. The deck and mower body are made from tough, 10-gauge steel to stand up to dings, rocks, run-ins, and anything else your lawn can throw at it.

Cub Cadet CC30E

Best compact riding mower

• Battery-powered
• Great for yards up to 1 acre
• Compact design great for small storage areas and narrow spaces
• Push-button cruise control

Cub Cadet CC30E tech specs: Engine: 56V electric | Cutting width: 30 inches | Transmission: Hydrostatic/Automatic | Max yard size: 1 acre

Compact riding mowers like the Cub Caded CC30E are great for suburban lawns on the smaller side. The CC30E features a smaller design that is perfect for storing in multi-use sheds and garages or maneuvering through gates and narrow spaces. The 30-inch cutting deck and 56V battery let you mow up to 1 acre (or one hour) at once.

It uses a hydrostatic drive for smooth, intuitive driving while the 18-inch turning radius lets you easily mow around trees and other obstacles. It even features a push-button cruise control, so you can set-and-forget your forward speed and concentrate on mowing around obstacles, as well as staying aware of your surroundings.

DeWALT Z160 Commercial

Best riding mower for large properties

• Mow up to 10 acres
• 5.5 gallon gas tank
• Dual hydrostatic drive
• Great for hills and inclines

DeWALT Z160 Commercial tech specs: Engine: 24HP Kawasaki V-Twin | Cutting width: 60 inches | Transmission: Dual hydrostatic/automatic | Max yard size: 10 acres

The DeWALT Z160 Commercial zero-turn riding mower is designed from the ground up to handle large properties. The 60-inch cutting deck and 24HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine let you mow up to 10 acres at once, making it an almost perfect choice for rural properties or landscaping professionals. The dual hydrostatic drive makes operation smoother, though the twin-stick steering does take some getting used to.

With 22-inch rear wheels, you can easily take on inclines and rolling hills that may be on your property. A 5.5-gallon fuel tank means you’ll spend more time actually mowing and less time refueling. And if you opt for the bagger attachment, you’ll be able to gather up to 11 bushels of clippings before you need to empty.

What is the best riding mower?

I chose the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco XP as the best riding mower you can buy. It features a 54-inch cutting deck and 3-gallon fuel tank, letting you mow up to 4 acres in a single go. The 24 horsepower engine also lets you take on steeper inclines and rough terrain or haul tools and gardening supplies around your property. The hydrostatic drive makes operation similar to a typical car, while an LED display gives you accurate usage hours for streamlined maintenance.

Best riding mower

Cutting width

Transmission type

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

Which is the right riding mower for you?

Other than your budget, there are a lot of features and scenarios you have to consider while shopping for a new riding mower. The size of your yard will determine how wide the cutting deck should be, though either a 42 or 46-inch version will be more than enough for most yards.

You can choose either a manual or hydrostatic transmission. A manual model lets you set and forget your speed so you can FOCUS, while hydrostatic models operate more like cars, going faster the harder you press the pedal. This makes them more intuitive to operate but also more expensive.

Zero-turn mowers are designed for mowing in oddly-shaped areas or around lots of obstacles like trees, lamp posts, and lawn ornaments. They’re called zero-turn because they have a zero-inch turn radius; you pivot around either rear wheel for ultra-tight turning.

Buy this best riding mower.

If you need.

A well-rounded riding mower. The 54-inch cutting deck and 24HP engine let you mow up to 4 acres at a time.

Ryobi 80V electric riding lawn tractor

An all-electric riding mower. The electric engine requires less maintenance than gas models, making your lawn-care routine more eco-friendly.

An excellent zero-turn riding mower. Precision maneuvering lets you mow around trees, landscaping, and other obstacles with ease.

A compact riding mower. The 30-inch deck and smaller build make this riding mower perfect for smaller suburban lawns.

A riding mower that can handle larger properties. This commercial-grade, zero-turn riding mower lets you cut up to 10 acres at once.

How did we choose these riding mowers?

I used to work for MTD Products (now owned by BlackDecker), which assembles a variety of lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other powered lawn equipment. Using the expertise and knowledge I gained during my time there, I looked for riding mowers with these qualities:

• Motor size: You’ll want a riding mower with at least a 10HP engine to give you enough power to handle minor inclines and lawns up to half an acre. Larger riding mowers like the John Deere Z530M have more powerful engines, often topping out over 20HP to let you tackle rough terrain and even haul equipment.
• Cutting width: Many riding mowers have either a 42 or 46-inch cutting deck, which is great for lawns between.5 and 1.5 acres. However, if you have a large, multi-acre property, you’ll want to choose a larger cutting deck. Many brands have options between 50 and 72-inch cutting decks.
• Transmission type: The less expensive riding mowers will have either a 6 or 7-speed manual transmission. This means you will use a dedicated lever to set your engine’s forward and reverse speeds, with a single brake pedal for stop control. The more expensive models feature a hydrostatic drive, which operates in a similar way to an automatic transmission in a typical car or truck.
• Accessories: Lawn care goes beyond regular mowing. I chose riding mowers that have the ability to hitch small trailers or wagons for hauling tools, mulch, or potting soil. I also chose mowers from brands that make after-market add-ons, like rear bagging units for collecting grass clippings, mulching kits for re-feeding lawns, and snow plows for year-round use.

How do you decide which riding mower to buy?

Assuming you have a budget in mind, the first thing you need to do is find out how big your lawn is. You can either find your lot size on your memorandum deeds if you’ve bought your house, or you can check your city’s website to see if you can request lot measurements if you’re renting. If your lot measures about an acre, you’ll be able to use a 30 or 42-inch cutting deck without any issues. For lawns up to two acres, a 42 or 46-inch deck is ideal. And if your lot is over two acres, you can get a mower with up to a 72-inch cutting deck to handle larger areas.

The transmission type is also important. Many newer models have what is known as a hydrostatic drive. This means that they operate similarly to how a car drives: You push the pedal and it moves forward or backward. And the harder you push, the faster you go. This makes it easier to learn how to drive, but that also makes the mower more expensive. stripped-back models have variable speed manual transmissions, which allow you to set and forget your speed so you can FOCUS on paying attention to obstacles and people who may be nearby.

And finally, you’ll want to consider the power source for your new riding mower. Gasoline engines are far more common, but there is now a wider variety of battery-powered models to choose from. The perks of a gas engine are that you’ll get near-infinite run times (as long as you have enough fuel to keep the engine going) and a bit more power for handling steep inclines and rough terrain. The downsides are dealing with exhaust emissions and maintenance that can be a time and money sink. Electric models don’t need engine maintenance, so you save a bit of money in the long run. But they usually have a maximum run time of about an hour, which means that you may have to plan your mowing over several days if you have a larger yard.

How big of a yard do I need for a riding mower?

Riding mowers are best suited for yards measuring one acre or larger. A model with a 42-inch cutting deck is great for mowing up to two acres, so if you have more land than that, you’ll want to spring for a 46, 54, 60, or 72-inch cutting deck.

If you’re right on the threshold, you can get what’s known as a mini rider. They usually have compact bodies for easier storage and 30-inch cutting decks to make short work of lawns that are just a touch too large for a push mower.

How long should a riding mower last?

No matter if you choose a gas or battery-powered riding mower, proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your mower. For gas engines, you should change the oil and filters, clean the spark plugs, and sharpen the blades before you mow for the first time in the spring. And you should use fuel treatments like STA-BIL to prevent gas in the tank or extra jerry cans from going bad from moisture contamination. This prevents buildup of gunk that can ruin your engine, improves engine performance, and gives you a cleaner cut for a healthier lawn.

Electric mowers don’t need engine maintenance, but you should perform thorough inspections at the start of mowing season to check for battery damage, corrosion on battery contacts, damage to the battery housing, and also to sharpen the blades. If you do regular maintenance, not only will you save money by avoiding big repairs from worn-out parts, but you can also expect your riding mower to last 10 years or more.- which is great news, since they can be an expensive investment.

What is the cheapest riding mower?

Unfortunately, riding mowers aren’t ever really what we consider budget-friendly. However, there are models like the Murray MT100 that retail for less than 2000 without sacrificing power or cutting width.

Are there alternative riding mowers worth considering?

Whether you’re shopping at a big-name DIY store like Lowe’s, a local hardware store, or an authorized brand dealer, there are tons of options for a new riding mower. You can choose either gas or battery-powered models, cutting deck widths from as small as 30 inches to as wide as six feet.

Here’s a short list of other riding mowers I thought were great choices:

John Deere Z530M

The John Deere Z530M features a 60-inch cutting deck for making quick work of large properties. Exceptional maneuverability lets you mow around trees, lawn decor, and other obstacles with ease.

Husqvarna YTH1942

The Husqvarna YTH1942 features an updated, 19 horsepower engine and 42-inch cutting deck to take on inclines and haul dirt, mulch, and gardening equipment.

Murray MT100

For under 2000, you’ll get a 13.5 horsepower engine, a 42-inch cutting deck, and a 6-speed manual transmission with the Murray MT100.

The Best Zero-Turn Mowers of 2023

These achieve the rare feat of making lawn mowing fun.

By Roy Berendsohn Published: Mar 1, 2023

When it comes to yard work, zero turn mowers do the impossible. They make lawn mowing fun. They accomplish this by putting unprecedented speed, control and maneuverability at the disposal of the person mowing the lawn. The so-called “zero turn” feature of these mowers converts a grass cutting machine into something akin to an amusement park ride. You steer the machine with two levers—the left lever controls the left wheel, the right lever the right wheel. With that steering setup, you can zoom over the landscape cutting straight lines, curves, or pivot the mower into and out of a corner. What’s not to like?

Read on to understand how these agile grass cutters work, how we go about testing them, and see some candidates that we’ve recently tested as well as some that we haven’t but that we think look particularly promising.

How Zero-Turn Mowers Work

A zero-turn riding mower consists of an operator platform, a frame and wheels, an engine (or battery bank), transmissions (or motors), and a pair of control levers commonly known as lap bars. In gas mowers, the engine powers a pulley system. One group of pulleys drives the blades, another group powers a pair of transmissions–one at each rear wheel. When you move the lap bar forward or back, you are directing the transmission to go faster, slower, or even turn the opposite way. When one drive wheel turns clockwise and the other counter clockwise, the mower pivots. When the wheels rotate at different rates, the mower turns in an arc-shaped path. When the lap bars are in the neutral position, the mower stops. Aside from a parking brake, there’s no other braking mechanism. Battery-powered zero-turn mowers work the same way, but have separate motors to drive the rear wheels and one for each blade inside the mower deck.

When it comes to transmission, most mowers have a Hydrogear EZT—a well-known and cost-effective residential-grade transaxle with a reputation for durability.

Some mowers use a deck stamped from one piece of steel, others use a deck fabricated from multiple pieces and welded together. A fabricated deck can be built from thicker steel at a lower cost than it would be able to be built otherwise. Once you’re talking about stamping metal as thick as 10 gauge (about 1⁄8 inch thick), the cost of stamping such a deck would push up the mower’s price beyond what most people are willing to pay. The decks in the mowers below range from 42 to 52 inches, a typical size in this class of product. When powered by these engines and the Hydrogear, these mowers will deliver a decent cut quality at their rated top speed of 7 mph. Note, however, that cut quality declines steeply if you maintain that speed in very thick grass or on uneven terrain.

As to the electric mowers, they represent the leading edge of the technology in this category. These are remarkable and expensive mowers powered by large-voltage lithium-ion batteries. If you’re interested in reducing mowing noise and simplifying your maintenance routine by eliminating gas and oil, they’re worth a look.

Selecting a Zero-Turn Mower

Everyone would like to select the biggest possible zero-turn mower with the hope of whittling a big grass cutting job down to size as quickly as possible. Reality usually intercedes because these machines are expensive and the wide range of options available today quickly drive up the cost. Roughly speaking, you start somewhere in the range of a mower with a 42-inch deck costing in the vicinity of 3200 to 3500 and move up in increments of 1000 to 1500 until you reach entry-level commercial-grade equipment that costs 7000 to 8000.

Again, speaking in terms of approximation, a mower with a 42-inch deck will cut a two-acre lot (that takes into account that the house, driveway, outbuildings and various landscape features are taking up some of that space). Use a mower with a larger deck to cut anything over two acres. But here’s the caveat. That entry-level ZTR mower (3200, say) with a 42-inch deck will wear out faster and need more maintenance than a mower with a 50-inch deck, a heavier frame, larger engine and higher quality transmissions, and thicker deck with more robust blade spindles, costing 4500.

In the simplest possible terms, you can cut a smaller area with a larger mower and expect more longevity out of the machine (not to mention a nicer mowing experience) or you can cut a larger area with a smaller machine and encounter more maintenance and a mowing experience that will be, we might say, a bit more rugged.

But there are still other factors to consider, in selecting a mower other than deck size and your budget. Larger mowers take more space in a garage or outbuilding. And a mower with a 50-inch or even 60-inch deck, as useful as it might be in getting the job done more quickly, may not fit through a fence’s gate, and it might be more difficult to maneuver in tight spots without creating scalp marks on the lawn from a lot of close-quarter pivoting.

Carefully consider all these factors when shopping for a mower: your budget, maintenance and whether you will perform that work yourself, mowing speed and time, maneuverability and trimming in tight areas, the importance that you place on your comfort while mowing, cut quality, longevity, storage, and access to the landscape.

How We Select and Test

There’s only one way to test a mower, and that’s to cut grass with it. But we also do more than mow.

We raise and lower the deck and adjust the seat. We look at service point access (the air filter, the spark plug, and the oil filter) and how easy it is to remove the deck. We mow approximately an acre with each mower, considering cut and mulching quality while running uphill, downhill, across washboard, and along sidehills. (On sidehills, we’ll mow surfaces pitched up to approximately 20 degrees; manufacturers generally recommend not going steeper than 10 degrees, but we like to be thorough.) We evaluate power and speed relative to cut quality—we investigate whether the mower delivers a decent cut mowing at full speed. When mowing in damp conditions, we look at whether the mower’s tires accumulate grass and how effectively it discharges moist clippings. Finally, we test maneuverability (these machines are, generally, very nimble) and how readily they come to a stop when you back off the lap bar control levers.