Husqvarna mower deck cleaning. How to Service a Husqvarna Riding Mower: Step-By-Step

How to Service a Husqvarna Riding Mower: Step-By-Step

Completing a full service on your Husqvarna mower is necessary to keep your mower operating at its best and extend its life. Purchasing a Husqvarna riding mower is a significant investment to care for your lawn. Make sure you protect that investment and complete a full service once a year.

I have put together a list of items that should be checked annually. Use this list along with your operator’s manual to complete your service.

Steps to Service Your Husqvarna Riding Mower

Step 1: Gather Your Tools Supplies

• Socket or spanner wrenches
• Filter wrench
• Deck scraper and/or wire brush
• Plastic funnel
• Oil drain pan
• Engine oil
• Engine oil filter
• Spark plugs
• Air filter
• Fuel filter
• Grease
• Spray lubricant
• Rubber gloves and heavy work gloves
• Rags or paper towel
• Mower blades if not sharpening and reusing current blades
• Fuel stabilizer
• Cardboard or newspaper to cover the work surface

Step 2: Prepare Your Mower for Maintenance

Park your Husqvarna on a flat-level surface. Allow it to run for a few minutes to warm the engine oil. Warm engine oil flows better than cold oil. Place cardboard or newspaper under your mower to prevent oil from dripping onto the ground surface.

Before you begin working on your mower, it is important to take a few steps to ensure your Husqvarna doesn’t move or start while you are working on it.

• Set your parking brake.
• Shut off your mower and remove the ignition key.
• Disconnect the spark plug wires.
• Take caution working around the hot engine, hot transmission, and sharp mower blades
• Check your owner’s manual for additional safety tips

Step 3: Change the Engine Oil

Place your oil drain pan under the engine oil drain plug or drain hose, depending on the type your mower model uses. Use a rag to clean around the oil fill area and the drain plug to prevent debris from entering the crankcase.

Now proceed with the following steps to change your engine oil:

• Remove your drain plug and allow the oil to run into the drain pan. You can locate your drain plug or hose under the hood and on the side of the engine near the bottom of the engine.
• Remove the dipstick from the oil fill to allow the oil to flow faster.
• Once the oil has completely drained, reinstall the drain plug.
• Remove your engine oil filter. Use a filter wrench to help loosen the filter. Make sure you are prepared to catch the oil that will come out of the used filter.
• Place a light film of fresh oil on the seal of your new replacement oil filter and install it on your Husqvarna.
• Add new oil to your crankcase until it is at the manufacturer’s required oil level. Use the dipstick to verify you have the right amount of oil. You want the oil to be at the full level on your dipstick. Running your mower with a lower or higher oil level can cause engine damage and running problems. It is important to get this step right.
• Wipe off any oil that may have gotten on your Husqvarna mower. Place your used oil in a container for recycling. I like to reuse my engine oil bottles and mark them “For Recycling” so I don’t mix them up with new bottles of oil. Make sure you find a recycling center to dispose of used oil. Some auto supply retail stores will accept oil for recycling.

Step 4: Replace the Spark Plug

Remove your spark plug(s) using a 3/4” or 5/8” socket depending on your engine model. Replace with a new spark plug(s).

These should be replaced annually during your Husqvarna service so you don’t encounter starting or running problems during the season from running bad spark plugs.

Make sure your spark plugs are gapped to the engine manufacturer’s recommendation. Do not reattach your spark plug wires while you are still performing maintenance on your mower. You will reattach them once your service is complete.

If you don’t change your spark plug, you must inspect them and clean them if necessary. Check for a broken porcelain or burnt electrode that will require replacement.

Step 5: Remove Dirt Debris around Your Cooling Fins and Engine

The area around your engine must be kept cool. When debris collects in your cooling fins and around your engine, air can’t circulate around your engine block and cylinder to keep it cool.

Remove your engine cover and clean the debris around your engine and cover. Remove the debris collecting around your engine cooling fins.

Step 6: Remove Dirt Debris from Your Hydro Fans and Transmission Area

The hydro fans keep your transmission cool. Clean the debris and dirt from your fans and the transmission area. Be careful when working around your transmissions as they may be hot.

Step 7: Clean the Battery Terminals

Clean any corrosion that has developed on your battery terminals using a baking soda and water solution consisting of 2 cups of water and 3 heaping tablespoons of baking soda. Use a wire brush to remove the corrosion. Make sure your terminals are making good connections.

Step 8: Remove Debris Around Your Electrical Components and Wiring.

Moisture can collect on the debris and in turn start to corrode your electrical components and cause them to prematurely fail. Remove debris that has collected around your electrical components and wiring.

Step 9: Replace Your Air Filter

You should replace your air filter at least once a year and more often when operating in dry dusty conditions. Remove the air filter from the air filter housing.

Wipe any dirt that remains in the housing with a dry cloth to remove it. Do not allow any dirt to fall into the air intake. Install a new air filter into the housing and replace the housing cover.

While your air filter should be changed annually, you must regularly check and clean your filter during the mowing season. Check out my article on air filters to find cleaning instructions.

Step 10: Replace Your Fuel Filter

This is another filter that should be changed annually. Shut off your fuel supply using your fuel shut-off valve or crimp the fuel line. Remove your fuel filter and replace it with a new filter.

There should be an arrow on the filter housing. Your fuel filter needs to be installed with the arrow pointing in the direction of the fuel flow.

Step 11: Check the Fuel System

Check the fuel system for leaks. Follow the fuel line from your fuel tank up to the carburetor. Check the fuel line and components for leaks. Make sure the hose connections are tight and there are no leaks. Reference this article for all the places on your Husqvarna to check for a fuel leak.

Step 12: Check Your Husqvarna Tire Pressures

A low tire can cause steering issues and an unleveled mower deck gives you a bad mowing experience. Check your tire pressures using a tire pressure gauge. Make sure your lug nuts are secure and the tire pressures are at the psi level shown on the tire sidewalls.

Step 13: Remove Dirt and Debris from the Top of Your Deck

Debris can collect on your mower deck which can restrict the movement of your tensioner bracket and interferes with the movement of your belt around your pulleys.

Dry debris on your mower deck increases the risk of fire when exposed to the heat and friction of the mower belt.

Place your mower deck at its lowest position. Remove the belt covers if the mower deck has them. Remove the debris under your pulleys and brackets and from the top of your mower deck.

If you are unable to gain access to the top of your deck to clean and check your components, you may have to remove them. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual for instructions on removing your deck.

Step 14: Check the Pulleys and Belts

Now that the top of your mower deck is clean, check the pulleys and belts on your mower deck to ensure they are in good condition. A worn belt must be replaced.

Signs of a wearing belt include cracking, a shiny glazed appearance, and shredding. A belt that has been stretched and no longer sits tight to the pulleys must also be replaced.

A pulley must sit flat and parallel to the deck. When a pulley doesn’t sit securely on the deck and there is some vertical movement, the pulley must be replaced.

To check for a bad bearing, slowly spin each pulley by hand. Feel for a restriction or a noise coming from the bearing. These are both signs of a bad bearing and the pulley will need to be replaced.

Clean any rust you find on the pulleys. Rust can dry out your belt causing it to be prone to breaking. Extremely rusty pulleys should be replaced.

Step 15: Scrape the Deck Check Your Mower Blades and Spindle Housings

Gain access to the bottom of your Husqvarna mower deck. With a heavy pair of work gloves, grab each end of a blade and rock the blade up and down. You are checking for damage in the spindle housing.

When you feel extra play and movement or you hear a knocking sound because of this extra movement, disassemble your spindle housings to identify the problem. Most likely, the bearing has failed and needs to be replaced.

Remove and sharpen your blades if they are still in good condition. You will need to replace blades that are bent, have large gouges in them, or are extremely worn. Very worn blades are ones where the ends of the blades begin to become rounded or the sail on the blade is thinner than the center of the blade.

Sharpen blades to put a sharp edge on the blade and to smooth out any small nicks in the blade edge. You can find instructions on sharpening and balancing your Husqvarna blades in my article here.

Scrape your Husqvarna mower deck to remove grass clippings and debris collecting under your mower deck using a deck scraper or wire brush. A plugged mower deck can cause your mower to give you an uneven cut. It will also put your engine under extra load.

Step 16: Check Your Mower Deck Level

Adjust Husqvarna Mower Deck: Side-to-SideWith your mower parked on a flat level surface and in its highest position, measure the left-hand side of the mower deck from the blade edge to the ground. Record the measurement.

Check the measurement on the right-hand side of your deck from the blade edge to the ground. Record the measurement. Adjust the mower deck until both measurements are the same.

To adjust the mower deck, use a wrench to turn the lift link adjustment nut located on the side of your mower. Turn the nut to the left to lower the mower and to the right to raise the mower.

Adjust Husqvarna Mower Deck Pitch: Front-to-RearOnce your deck is leveled from one side to the other, make any adjustments needed for the pitch. Rotate your blade so one end is facing the front of your deck and the other end is facing the rear.

Measure the front of the mower from the blade tip to the ground and compare it to the measurement of the blade tip to the ground at the rear of the mower deck.

The front of the deck should sit 1/8″ to 1/2″ lower than the rear. To adjust the deck, loosen the jam nut on the front link adjustment, but do not remove it.

Next, turn the adjustment nut to the left to lower the front of the mower and to the right to raise it. Once the deck has been properly adjusted, hold the adjustment nut in place while tightening the jam nut.

Step 17: Check the Safety System

Your Husqvarna Riding Mower is equipped with a safety system to minimize injury when operating your mower. Husqvarna includes an operator presence control system that won’t allow the mower deck to run when it doesn’t sense the operator in the seat.

There are many other safety features put in place by Husqvarna. Reference your operator’s manual for a list of these safety features. Make sure they are in working order on your mower.

Never operate your Husqvarna when all these safety elements are not functioning correctly. Doing so can put you at risk of injury.

Step 18: Replace Damaged, Worn, or Missing Parts

Carefully inspect your Husqvarna to make sure all your hardware is secure and not missing. Replace any worn or missing parts.

Step 19: Grease Lubrication Points

You must lubricate your Husqvarna to prevent the wearing of and freezing up of the mower components. Locate the grease zerks on your front wheels, front axle, and deck wheels.

Locate any additional grease zerks on your mower and pump high-performance grease into the zerks. Spray lubrication into your lift linkages, pivot points, and brake to keep them moving freely.

Step 20: Wash Your Riding Mower Dry it Completely

Remove debris from your mower and wash it using a garden hose. If using a pressure washer, do not use high pressure as this can cause damage to your sealed bearings.

Once you are finished, allow the mower to completely dry. Storing a mower with wet components can prematurely corrode your mower and cause electrical components to fail.

If you have a leaf blower available, blow air on your mower to remove the water remaining on your Husqvarna. If you are fortunate enough to have a nice sunny day, place your mower in the sun to dry and evaporate the moisture from your components.

Step 21: Complete if Placing Your Mower in Storage

I highly recommend completing the following steps when storing your Husqvarna during the off-season. This will help prevent potential problems that can develop over the winter season.

Stabilize Your Fuel: Because gasoline can break down very quickly, you must use a fuel additive when storing your Husqvarna to protect the fuel system. Ethanol in your gasoline attracts moisture. The ethanol and moisture mixture will separate causing running problems and gumming of the fuel system. I like to use a fuel additive called Sea Foam. Read more about the advantages of Sea Foam here.

How Often Should You Change Your Husqvarna Mower Engine Oil?

You should change the engine oil in your Husqvarna mower after every 50 hours of use. If you have a new engine on your Husqvarna, you must perform an initial change after the first 5 hours of use.

Having Problems with Your Husqvarna Mower?

You may have completed a full service on your Husqvarna lawn mower hoping it would solve a problem you are experiencing with your mower. Unfortunately, changing these maintenance items didn’t solve your problem.

I have put together a list of common Husqvarna lawn mower problems and solutions to help you identify items that could fail to run your mower properly. You can find this list at “Common Husqvarna Lawn Mower Problems Solutions”.

Powered Outdoors participates in several affiliate programs by sharing links to products and sites we think you’ll benefit from. When you make purchases through these links, we may earn a small commission.

Husqvarna HU700H 4-in-1 Mower Review

Husqvarna, veteran maker’s of stellar lawn mower lines, does it again with their latest 4-in-1 HU700H. With a 22” cutting deck. a Honda 4-stroke, GVC160cc, 3 mph engine with overhead valves, rear wheel drive and a deck washout port for easy cleaning, this gas-powered beauty can take both small and large lawns, and make quick worth of them.

Husqvarna HU700H Design

The HU700H can cut a lot of grass pretty efficiently, thanks to the aforementioned 22-inch cutting deck. We were able to mow about 1000 square feet in about 10 minutes. Not bad for a walk-behind. Measuring in at 160cc (cubic centimeters), the 88 lbs, 4-cycle Honda engine is also an overhead valve engine, which means it emits less pollution, is resistant to overheating and it’s way more efficient.

Additionally, because it’s a Honda engine, the Husqvarna HU700H operates very quietly. In fact, we could almost hear a normal conversation over the engine sound. The HU700H also starts up fast and can run forever.

Performance

The Variable AutoWalk Self-Propelled Rear Wheel Drive System makes mowing a breeze. You can mow at your own pace by simply engaging the trigger on the handlebar to control your speed. The ball bearing wheels, 8″ front and 11″ back, gives you great maneuverability in all grass types, and you can adjust the handlebar 3 different positions for optimal comfort.

The 22-inch, 4-in-1 steel mower deck lets you choose between mulching, bagging, or discharging your grass clippings from the side. This gives the HU700H mower good options when it comes to grass disposal, so you can care for your lawn as you see fit by mulching or easily keeping it clear of clippings.

Pick your choice: Side discharge, mulch, or bag. Mower height can be adjusted easily. A single point height adjustment provides one lever that adjusts the height of all 4 wheels at the same time….from 1 1/2-inches to 4-inches. Once you make this adjustment, the Husqvarna HU700H can make your lawn look like Augusta National.

Cleanup Storage

After mowing, typically avid mowers like to clean their mower for good future operation. Husqvarna thought about this task a lot by adding a mower deck washout port that facilitates cleaning the cutting deck. You simply attach a water hose to the port attachment, turn on the water, start the engine, and the under carriage of the deck gets clean pretty rapidly. Normally, this process is tedious and laborious, mainly because you have to turn the mower over to clean it. Not with the Husqvarna. Cleaning the HU700H couldn’t be easier.

Probably one of the best features is the fact that you can fold the handlebar up, which makes a small footprint in your garage, and allows you much more available garage space as compared to storing competitors.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a walk-behind mower, look no further than the Husqvarna HU700H. With tons of features, a very powerful and reliable mower and a comparatively decent price, the HU700H is a good buy and one we fully endorse. You can purchase the new Husqvarna HU700H for 399.95 with a 3-year warranty here.

Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 review: achieve a beautifully manicured lawn with a self-propelled electric lawn mower

The Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 impresses with customisable mulching, adjustable heights, and a self-propelled motor.

This is a good mower that will sort out your backward. However, minor but persistent issues Cloud an otherwise impressive performance.

• LED headlight
• Space-saving design
• Multiple cutting modes
• Adjustable self-propel system

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My yard is a beast to mow – half an acre with lots of trees, slopes, and some sections with thicker and taller grass. I’m always looking for the best mowers to make the lawn mowing process less of a hassle, which was why I was excited to test the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 with battery and charger.

Although I have used gas-powered lawn mowers in the past and understand the appeal of them, I truly believe that battery-powered mowers, like the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322, are the future. Not only are they eco-friendlier, but with each new year, they become more powerful and efficient.

According to Husqvarna, the Lawn Xpert can cut grass 30% easier and has a 30% longer run time than the competition. Over the course of a month, I put this lawn mower through the ropes in my large and complicated yard, getting a good idea on how it works and how long the battery lasts. Read about my experiences below to see if this is the right battery-powered lawn mower for you.

Product specifications

Unboxing the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322

The lawn mower arrived in a large cardboard box on my front porch, so I used a dolly to move it to the garage. I was able to recycle the box, but the Styrofoam was not recyclable, which was disappointing. Upon removing the Styrofoam, I saw that the orange and black lawn mower had been packaged in a way that the handle was folded over. To lift the handle, I pushed the large orange button on the bottom of the handle and then lifted it to my desired position.

I put one battery on the charger while I examined the lawn mower. Unfortunately, you can only charge one battery at a time. Combined, they take about 1.5 hours to charge. However, set up was really easy. The lawn mower itself didn’t require any further set-up besides using the lever on the wheels to change the cutting height (up to 4.5 inches).

My first impression of the electric mower was that it was larger than I expected it to be with a 21-inch cutting deck. It was also pretty heavy to move around too.

What’s it like to use?

Once the batteries were charged, I placed them inside the machine until they clicked, and then pushed the On/Off button followed by the Start button while holding the brake handle down at the same time. The lawn mower powered up immediately. The motor did not emit as much noise as gas mowers do. If I wanted to use the self-propel system, I had to hold the drive control buttons on the handlebars. The speed can be adjusted with a lever up to four mph.

The control panel is one of the most high-tech that I’ve seen. There is a cut mode button that looks like two oscillating arrows. This allows the user to move through three different modes. Mode 1 is the Sensing mode which senses the height and thickness of the grass and adjusts the power used to cut it. This mode will automatically turn on when your battery is near the end of its charge so you can mow your yard for a little longer. I typically used Mode 2 which is the Mulching/High Quality mode, though I did try Mode 3 which is called Max Power. As the name implies, it gives you the most power, but at the cost of your battery life.

I tested the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 three times on my half an acre yard. The first time I used the lawn mower, the grass was thick in some parts and high (no more than four inches) in others. On one part of my yard, the grass was slightly moist. There were only a few areas where I had to adjust the cutting height one notch higher than initially set as it was too difficult to push the mower through.

I opted to mulch my grass the first time and so left the mulch plug in the lawn mower. At 102 lbs., the lawn mower is too heavy for me to push without utilizing the self-propel system, though I did try on a few occasions just to see what it was like. It was not pleasant. Even reversing the lawn mower in a few sections of my yard was no easy feat.

Because the mower is so heavy, I used the self-propel system the entire time. Most self-propel systems have speeds between 4-6 mph, so while 4 mph is on the small side, it didn’t necessarily feel that way while using the Lawn Xpert LE322. My yard has a lot of slopes and without the self-propel system, I would have struggled to push the lawn mower up the inclines. When turning, I had to decrease the speed or else the mower would buck out of my control.

My wrists and forearms got tired and achy from holding the motor brake handle and the drive control buttons at the same time within just 10 minutes of mowing. I wish there was a better method that didn’t cause so much wrist strain.

In the past, I’ve used lawn mowers that had side discharge chutes, which can get in the way of mowing and subsequently get knocked off. I loved that the lawn mower mulched the grass without needing a side chute. While a rear discharge chute was provided, I do not relish the experience of having grass clippings covering my shoes as I walked.

On the first trial run, the batteries lasted about 50 minutes on Mode 2 (mulching/high quality) before automatically changing to Mode 1 (sensing) for 10 more minutes. I did not get the full 75 minutes of run time as advertised. This could have been for a number of reasons – like the thickness and height of the grass. I was only able to mow about 2/3rds of the yard before the lawn mower shut down. I recharged one battery up to three bars within an hour and cut the rest of the lawn in 20 minutes.

The second and third test runs were about the same in terms of the battery life and coverage. The only thing I did differently was use the grass catcher the second time. It did a phenomenal job catching the grass clippings. I had to empty it after mowing 1/4th of my yard and so on. I did not notice any real difference in terms of the battery life when using the grass catcher versus mulching.

While I never cut my yard when the sun was setting, I did notice that the LED lights automatically came on when I pushed the lawn mower into the garage. This is a nice touch for those who might need to mow their yard in the summer evenings.

Cleaning the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322

The one thing this lawn mower lacks is a deck wash port to connect a gardening hose. That would have made cleaning the deck or the underside of the lawn mower a lot easier. This is likely due to the fact that this lawn mower is electric, and Husqvarna warns buyers against cleaning this product with water. Using a hose or a pressure washer to clean the underside of the deck can result in water entering the motor or the battery and cause a short circuit. To prevent grass build-up, turn the lawn mower on its side after every use and use a leaf blower to clean the underside of the deck.

In terms of the rest of the lawn mower, it hasn’t gotten dirty in a way that warrants cleaning. If need be, I can always wash out the grass catcher, but otherwise, a nice wipe down with a dry or lightly wet rag on the exterior of the lawn mower (away from the motor and the battery) does the trick.

Storage and maintenance

When not in use, the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 can be folded down and stored in a standing position which takes up little room in a garage, shed, or closet.

Since this is a battery-operated lawn mower, there is very little maintenance required. You’ll need to replace the filter every season which is a good time to examine whether or not the blade needs to be sharpened or replaced. The only other thing that you’ll need to check is the battery charger and port for damage on occasion.

If you ever need to get the lawn mower worked on, you can find a network of service dealers on the Husqvarna website. The three-year limited warranty will cover the repair or replacement of any parts that are defective because of normal wear or workmanship.

How does it rate online?

The Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 launched in the spring of 2023, so there are few reviews of the product on the Husqvarna website. I was able to find a few reviews on the Lowe’s website. Of the four reviews, two were five stars, one was three stars, and the last was one star. The three and one-star reviewers liked the product and how it cut but explained that the battery life did not last 75 minutes. One of the reviewers said it only lasted 35 minutes, while the other reviewer did not mention the exact length of time their battery lasted but noted, “In conditions that are normal, the battery does not come close to the stated runtime per charge.”

How does it compare to similar models and its predecessors

Husqvarna released another battery-powered lawn mower almost two years ago – the Husqvarna W520i. With only a 20-inch cutting deck and a 3 mph maximum speed, the W520i is no match to the Xpert LE-322. The Xpert LE-322 may not have the W520i’s aluminum rims and rubber tires, but the Xpert LE-322’s design is more ergonomic, the control panel has more indicator lights, and it’s way more affordable.

Another good comparison is the Greenworks 21-inch 60V MO60L410. The Greenworks lawn mower is cheaper and did better in terms of battery life – it could mow my entire yard, plus my neighbor’s front yard in just one charge. I also liked that the charger had two slots so I could charge both batteries at the same time. Having said all that, I thought the Husqvarna Xpert LE-322 was a heavier-duty lawn mower that could handle thicker and taller grass.

Should you buy the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322?

Those with small to medium yards will love the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322. This heavy-duty lawn mower cuts thick and tall grass with ease and lightens the load a bit with a self-propel system that can go up to 4 mph. It does well on inclines and around trees, and with the control panel, you can start and stop or adjust the cutting modes quickly. The battery may not last as long as advertised but this can be for a number of reasons. If you have a small or medium yard, the battery should last long enough to cut it one go.

When not in use, this electric mower folds and can be stored in a standing position without taking up much space. As a battery-powered lawn mower, it needs far less maintenance than gas-powered ones.

While it may be a little pricey, especially considering that each battery is only 36V, this lawn mower is made incredibly well by a brand you can trust.

A smoking lawn mower is never a good sign. Whether the smoke is blue, white, or black, here’s how to identity and address the issue without the help of a professional.

By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila | Updated Sep 24, 2020 1:40 PM

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Q: Recently, my mower started billowing smoke when I powered it up, so I shut it off immediately. Why is my lawn mower smoking? And is it a fire hazard? I want to know how to proceed so I don’t harm the machine.

A: Your lawn mower can emit smoke for numerous reasons—many of which don’t require the services of an expert. A homeowner can usually identify the reason for a smoking lawn mower by gauging the color of the Cloud coming around the engine, then fix it accordingly before lasting damage occurs. Keep in mind that all mowers with internal combustion engines contain the same basic parts, but the configuration of those parts varies widely, depending on manufacturer and model. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re unsure how to access a specific part of your lawn mower’s engine.

White or blue smoke may indicate an oil spill on the engine.

If you’ve recently changed the oil in your mower and the engine is emitting white or blue smoke, it’s possible that some of the oil spilled onto the engine. Similarly, you could’ve spilled oil on the engine by mowing on a slope greater than 15 degrees or tipping the mower on its side. The smoke may look disconcerting, but it’s completely harmless. Solve the problem by restarting the mower and allowing the spilled oil to burn off. If you tip the mower often for cleaning or maintenance, check your owner’s manual to determine the best way to reduce the risk of oil leaks.

An overfull oil reservoir may also cause white or blue smoke.

Ensure you didn’t overfill the mower by checking the oil level with the dipstick located on the reservoir. To do this, remove the dipstick cap, wipe off the stick with a rag, and reinsert it into the reservoir. Then remove the dipstick once again and determine the oil level in comparison to the recommended “fill” line on the stick. If the level is too high, drain the oil (consult your owner’s manual for instructions), then refill the reservoir with it. Start checking the oil level with the dipstick after you’ve added about ¾ of the amount recommended in the manual. Continue to add small amounts of oil until the level matches the recommended “fill” line. Also note that using the wrong grade of engine oil may cause blue or white smoke. Consult the owner’s manual for the exact type of oil recommended for your mower.

Black smoke may indicate that the mower is “running rich,” or burning too much gasoline.

Your lawn mower’s carburetor regulates the ratio of gasoline to air mixture. If the carburetor isn’t getting enough air, the mixture has a higher percentage of gasoline, which can create black exhaust smoke. It’s possible that a dirty or clogged air filter is preventing sufficient airflow into the carburetor. Try replacing the air filter. (Note: air filters vary by mower model; view example air filter on Amazon.) Next, run your lawn mower for a few minutes. If the black smoke still appears, the carburetor might need to be adjusted in order to increase airflow. Either take the mower to a professional or adjust the carburetor yourself with instructions in your owner’s manual.

Take your mower to a repair shop if necessary.

If the previous steps don’t correct blue or white smoke, your mower could have a more serious problem, such as an air leak in the crankshaft (the cast iron or cast aluminum case that protects the moving parts of a mower’s engine). Continuing blue or white smoke could also indicate that some of the engine’s components or seals are worn out and need replacement. Similarly, if black smoking still persists after you’ve replaced the air filter and adjusted the carburetor, you could be facing a more serious mechanical issue. All of these problems require the help of a professional. If your mower is still under warranty, check with the manufacturer for the location of the nearest servicing dealer; problems stemming from a factory defect or poor workmanship may garner free repairs. If your mower is not covered under warranty, a reputable small-engine repair shop should also be sufficient to get the job done.

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.