Japanese riding lawn mower. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions about Power Equipment and our Company.

About B T South

B T South is a locally owned and operated family business.

The products we offer and service include:Zero Turn Mowers from TORO and SPARTANBlowers, Trimmers Chainsaws from STIHLFlex Frame Tractors from VENTRAC

B T South is a STIHL ELITE Dealer, a TORO Master Service Center and an Authorized Service Center for SPARTAN and VENTRAC.

Why buy from B T South instead of a Big Box store?

Selection. Big box stores usually stock the 3 to 6 models in a mower brand that can best sell themselves. At B T South the entire Toro line is available to you. That means about 80 different TORO zero turn mower models available to you. We typically stock around 50 unique TORO zero turn models.

Knowledge. With all these models to choose from you may be looking for someone who can point out the differences and pros cons. Because we specialize in power equipment we are prepared to provide you with the information you are looking for to help you make an informed decision to meet your needs.

Service. We not only sell these products, we service them, we carry parts, and we fulfill the manufacturer’s warranty when needed. With over a hundred thousand dollars worth of parts on the shelf combined with skilled technicians and a knowledgeable helpful staff, we are prepared to take care of our customers. On most of the riding equipment we sell we offer ASAPS, our priority service program which basically gives you a break in line free card at our service department for fast turn around time.

Price finance options. While we have more to offer, we don’t ask you to pay more, you will find we have the same low as the the big box store. If you find an exception, please bring it to our attention. We offer very competitive finance options on riding products as low as 0%. Please ask us for details and current promotions.

Who we are. As a locally owned conservative family business, we hope to be the kind of business you want to patronize. If you value having a local parts service center for your equipment then help ensure that these small businesses remain in the community by rewarding them with your purchases.

We mean no disrespect to the big box store corporations. With the hundreds of thousands of products and brands they offer from doors Windows to paint caulk, shrubs trees, bird feed rat poison, to lawn mowers rental equipment, it is a marvel that they are able to do their job as well as they do. Fortunately our FOCUS can be much narrower, allowing us to have a deeper offering of products, knowledge, parts and services pertaining to power equipment.

What is ASAPS?

Even if ASAPS was not included in your original purchase, you can still add it later. ASAPS assures B T South will: Allocate Service: Make room for your equipment even during our busiest season. Priority Service: give your equipment priority over other equipment making it move through our service queue faster.‍QA:Can ASAPS be purchased separately for TORO Z’s that were not purchased at B T South?YES (see the pricing chart below)

Does ASAPS expire?No, Not as long as you own the equipment and we remain an authorized dealer / service center for the equipment.

How fast is the turn around time for ASAPS machines?It does vary some with how complex the job is and how quickly mowers are coming our door. Our goal, which we usually meet, is for ASAPS Landscape Contractor to be here no more than 3 work days and for ASAPS consumer equipment to be here no more than a week.

Are all ASAPS machines treated with equal priority? No, our service queue algorithm takes into account ASAPS status as well as other factors, some of which are: How long the machine has been waiting in queue. How old the machine is and whether it is still in its warranty period The equipment’s build quality level eg. commercial vs mid-grade vs consumer.

The cost of ASAPS ranges from 350 to 660‍

Which Engine Should I Choose for my Zero Turn Mower

We get asked all the time which engine is best. Or just as often for confirmation that a brand is the best. (eg. “Brand X” is the best right?)

If I were to ask you, “is Chevrolet the best choice?” it would be hard to answer without knowing which Chevrolet we are talking about. There is a world of difference between a Corvette and a Chevette, yet they are both Chevrolet.

It’s much the same in the engine world. When we are talking about the very best each company has to offer, they are all solid commercial engines that are extremely unlikely to disappoint. These top model engines include:

Briggs Stratton Vanguard Kawasaki FX KOHLER Command Pro TORO ZX‍If all these companies can make a great engine then why does Kawasaki’s reputation seem to be so favorable and Briggs Stratton’s reputation poor?

The difference is where they draw the line at the bottom of price and quality. Kawasaki’s bottom is their FR model which is a high end residential engine. Briggs Stratton on the other hand will build an engine for almost any budget and it’s the cheapest lowest quality models that they tend to sell in the greatest volume and end up hurting their reputation.

Because we often have customers walk in the door and say literally, don’t show me anything with a Briggs engine we are hesitant to carry Briggs powered Z’s unless it is their very best, the Briggs Stratton Vanguard. Most of the mowers we stock are powered by a Vanguard, Kawasaki, KOHLER, or TORO engine. ‍ KAWASAKI: The FX series is their best and also the model you will see the most of in the Toro line. The FT FS series are also commercial, just not their very best. The FR is their high end residential engine which is basically a cheapened version of the FS, and still a very solid engine. ‍ KOHLER: The Command series is their best and many of the Command models have hydraulic lifters (no valve adjustments needed) and closed loop fuel injection (/- 25% fuel savings). Under the Command is the ZT (Confidant) which is also commercial just not their very best. Then the 7000 PRO mid-grade engine 7000 consumer engine which has proven to be a reliable consumer engine and shares many of the same core components found in the ZT. Below that is the Kohler Courage which has a poor reputation mostly due to the single cylinder versions, many of which had problems years ago.

TORO: Most people don’t think of TORO as an engine company. But in fact they were founded for the sole purpose of building engines and later got into the mower business. Along the way they’ve manufactured many types of equipment even including cannons and maritime mechanical parts for World Wars I II. They have quite a few small engines for Walk Power Mowers Snow Blowers but just two core designs for Zero Turn Mowers. The TORO SX is a 16HP consumer engine that has proven to be reliable after several years on the market.

In 2015 TORO released the ZX engine which has become the most widely used engine in the Toro Z lineup. B T South has sold over 1400 pieces of equipment powered by this commercial engine and its outstanding performance has pushed it into the same league with other top tier engines. There are three versions of the ZX, a 22.5HP version, a 24.5HP version, and a 24.5HP with a canister air filtration system. All three are the same core engine but have different carburetors and air filter components. Read more about the TORO ZX Engine’s features at this link.

The biggest advantage the TORO V-Twin has over other top tier engines is that TORO can have it produced less expensively than buying similar quality engines from Kohler and Kawasaki which frees up dollars to offer a lower mower price or to invest that savings in making the mower better in other areas like the frame, deck, spindles and tires. Part of the manufacturer’s cost of an engine is the cost of standing behind the warranty. That cost is clearly very small for TORO as we see them continuing to offer longer warranties than competing engines of up to 5 years.

We often get asked if the TORO V-Twin is a re-branded Kohler, Kawasaki or Brigggs. It is not. Toro developed and tested this engine’s design for their own use. TORO has it produced by an industrial machining company to meet their exact design and standards. TORO calls it the TORO V-Twin. Exmark calls it the Exmark V-Twin and you might see it used by some of TORO’s other brands as well.

What about Honda? Honda is a major player in the single cylinder engine market for products such as walk behind mowers and other small power equipment. But for whatever reason, their larger twin cylinder engines, which are a size more suitable for riding products, have just never caught on and are not prevalent in our industry.‍ Engine Life: First, realize that a big part of an engine’s life is maintenance. In particular changing the oil, changing the air filter, and cleaning debris from the engine as needed to allow it to properly cool. Also very important is proper fuel management and using the correct engine oil, as most automotive oils manufactured after 2009 do not meet the specifications for air cooled engines resulting in higher operating temperatures and reduced engine life. Commercial engines are of course designed to last for more hours of use, but even good consumer engines can last for decades when maintained well and not used excessively.

Likelihood of manufacturing or design defect. Every manufacturer has an occasional problematic model or defective unit. Kohler for example had issues with its early models of the Courage engine, the single cylinder model in particular. Kawasaki had inexplicable problems with some of the early models of the water cooled FD series. Toro, while I don’t recall a problematic engine from them, their 300 Series Z-Master was a problematic mower. The point being, even the best of the best companies are not perfect. All three of these manufacturers make solid products that are very reliable for the overwhelming majority of their customers. At B T South we are very selective about the products and manufacturers we choose to carry because in the event there is a problem, the customer comes to us for a solution. We are not like the big box store where they just hand you an 800 # to get rid of you. It is a rare and unusual situation that we would have to send someone out the door for a solution somewhere else. Our business model is to sell quality products that work and to be able to provide any needed parts, service and warranty in our store.‍ In the event of an engine defect, how will the manufacturer stand behind the product. When it comes to warranties you can count on most manufacturers to step up and take care of the problem when there is a clear “black and white” defect. Unfortunately there is a lot of potential for gray area in warranty coverage. One of the things I admire about Toro and Kohler is their traditional American customer service attitude. They understand the customer paid for their quality product and even in the gray areas are typically willing to step up to get things right in situations where other manufacturers would not. When they have a known defect they admit it, and in such case often help the customer even beyond the expiration of the warranty. Of course if there is evidence a failure was caused by abuse or lack of maintenance then we need not expect the manufacturer to be responsible. Many of the other manufacturers of engines and of lawn mowers don’t tend to be so generous. Japanese companies in particular tend to be resistant to admitting problems and hence taking responsibility for failures. Years ago when when Honda lengthened their warranty by an additional year, there was a spoof document sent around among dealers as a practical joke that said “Good News! your Honda warranty claims will now be denied for an additional year” That of course is not true. Honda certainly does approve some warranty claims, but there is a grain of truth in most jokes including this one. And the grain of truth is that with some companies it feels like the customer is guilty until proven innocent and that we have to fight tooth and nail to get the manufacturer to step up.‍ Is the Engine the most important part of selecting a good Zero Turn? While the engine is a very important part of a lawnmower, it takes more than just a good engine to make a good lawnmower. Like quality hydraulic components for smooth operation and long life. A rigid mowing deck built heavy enough to stand years of rust and impacts. A mower frame strong enough not to break or warp. And there are qualities that can’t easily be measured by numbers, like weight distribution balanced to optimize traction, maneuverability and hillside stability. Deck aerodynamics to maximize cut quality and clean cutting speed. Expensive quality components alone don’t assure performance. Some manufacturers try to employ one or two quality components or brand names that are popular on shopper’s check lists and then skimp on quality in other areas compromising overall performance and longevity.

In general, a better mower can be built with more money, but to get the most bang for your buck means to balance the expensive components to meet a budget and combine those components with sophisticated engineering to maximize performance. The reason we’ve chosen Toro as the core brand of our business even after being offered more than twenty-two competing brands is because Toro brings the most bang for the buck in a wide array of different budget levels. The TORO ZX engine is a good example of how TORO has been able to bring more value. This ZX engine brings the commercial feature set of a top tier engine without the top tier price.

Maximizing performance per dollar along with industry leading support after the sale and long term parts availability is how Toro has become the most trusted brand in the industry. View the current Toro Z lineup at this link.

THE TORO ZX V-TWIN Commercial Engine

We are now in year 8 with the TORO ZX and have become very confident in this engine at B T South after having sold over 2000 pieces of equipment power by the ZX. It’s key features include:‍ Two Barrel Metal Alloy Carburetor 3 Ring Automotive Style Pistons Cast Iron Sleeved Cylinders 5 Bolt Heads Gaskets on all Engine Seams (in lieu of silicone cement) Cross Drilled Oil Sump Webbing. Allows more complete draining during oil change Pressurized Lubrication with spin on oil filter Easy Oil Change System. No tools required to change oil Two Stage Air Filtration w/Self cleaning feature to extend air filter life Cast Alloy Valve Covers Cast Alloy Intake Manifold Manufacturer Warranty: Varies based on host machine and maintenance kit promotion participation. Up to 4 Years / 750 Hours Commercial Use. ‍The TORO ZX 708cc 24.5 HP V-Twin Engine hit the market in Spring of 2015. In 2017 a 22.5 HP version was released which was the same engine with a different carburetor. In 2018 a 24.5 HP version with canister air filtration was released as well as a canister upgrade kit available for the other models. The canister air filter does not filter air any better, but it allows longer service intervals between filter changes which is popular with commercial landscapers who quickly put a lot of hours on their equipment.

These excellent engines continue to be offered across the TimeCutter, Titan Z-Master lines.‍We have become extremely confident in this engine as they can last thousands of hours. Not only are we seeing this success for customers that regularly change their oil and maintain the engine as we recommend. But we are quite frankly amazed by the engines still running past 1000 hours for engine abusive customers that tell us maybe next time when we recommend changing filthy oil and soiled air filters. We conclude its durability is on par with other top tier engines like the Kawasaki FX and Kohler Command Pro.

What are the advantages of a Zero Turn mower over a Riding Tractor mower?

The advantages a Zero Turn brings are significant advances in Productivity and Quality of Cut.‍Customer testimony: When we speak with new Z owners about how their Zero Turn compares to their previous lawn tractor we typically get the following feedback: It has cut their time by half to two thirds. (what took 3 hours with the riding tractor is now taking between 60 and 90 minutes) The quality of cut is smoother and cleaner. The ride quality is rougher. ‍How and Why is the cut time faster, the quality of cut better and the operator’s ride quality worse?‍Let’s start with the Cut Pattern. With a tractor, most people mow in circles which is inherently inefficient, as is all the backing up and turnarounds required to do a line pattern with a typical tractor. A zero turn is naturally efficient to cut a line pattern as turnarounds are quick. By mowing in straight lines the deck is cutting cleaner and more efficiently allowing faster clean cutting speeds. You may have noticed when cutting with a tractor in a circle pattern, it is in the turns that sprigs and cut quality are at their worst. Cutting in straight lines makes it easy to keep the deck over uncut grass more of the time. When mowing in circles the operator is constantly having to look for the edge between cut and uncut grass, constantly making adjustments and often finding the tractor will not turn tight enough to follow the edge, resulting in wasted time mowing over grass that has already been cut. Mowing a line pattern it takes very little concentration to keep the mower on its straight line course. Even in the summer when the grass is thin and it’s hard to see the edge of the cut grass except from a distance you can still site the straight line from a distance and know exactly where you are supposed to be even though you can’t see the line immediately in front of the mower. The line pattern, quick efficient turnarounds and increased clean cutting speed drastically reduce your cut time while requiring little concentration or mental fatigue from the operator. Sometimes it is assumed that if you are mowing wide open space with no trees or obstacles that there would be little benefit to having a zero turn. That’s not the case at all, the faster cutting speeds of a zero turn can be even better utilized in those wide open spaces.‍Then there is Cut Quality. We already talked about cleaner cutting due to cutting a line pattern, but there is more. A front engine riding tractor has a pivoting front axle. This means if there is a high spot that passes under one of your front wheels then the axle will tilt to accommodate the contour, however the deck will not follow this change in angle of the front axle which will result in scalping. But with most zero turns and all TORO zero turns they have a Fixed Frame meaning when a front wheel rolls over a high spot, it lifts not just the front axle but the whole mower including the deck. This greatly reduces scalping issues leading to significantly better cut quality. ‍Blade Tip Speed is also part of the productivity and quality of cut equation. There is a law of diminishing returns at play in blade tip speed that results in an ideal blade speed of between 18,000 and 19,000 feet per minute. That’s about 205 to 215 miles per hour. Most zero turns and all Toro zero turns are engineered to perform in this range while most riding tractor blade tip speeds are significantly slower.‍Ride Quality is mostly about operator comfort but it can also become a productivity issue if you are having to slow down because of the rough ride. Just like driving a car across a pothole or traffic bump, the faster you go the more it is going to jar you, and the same is true when going faster on a mower. We regularly hear from customers that they love the increased speed and cut quality of their new zero turn but it is beating them to death. The best solution to this Poor Ride Quality is TORO’s MyRIDE Operator Suspension System. It would take a lot of words to explain exactly what it is, but let’s just say you owe it to yourself to sit on a mower with this MyRIDE feature before making a buying decision. It is game changing comfort at a fraction of the price of back surgery. ‍What about Hills and Slopes. Riding tractors and zero turns have two entirely different problems when traversing across slopes. Because of the riding tractor’s pivoting front axle under the engine, this puts the pivoting point for this heaviest end of the machine right in the middle under the engine. If instead the front axle were fixed perpendicular to the engine then the pivoting point would be the down hill edge of the front downhill tire and it would not roll so easily, but that would lead to traction issues in the rear on uneven ground which is why front engine rider front axles are always designed to pivot. Zero Turns on the other hand have the engine and drive tires on the same end of the machine which allows the frame to be fixed without creating traction issues. This makes the typical zero turn mower very resistant to rolling on its side, much more so than the typical riding tractor. However, a zero turn has a new problem on hills that tractors don’t. That problem is steering. With a riding tractor the operator can change the angle of the front wheels (via the steering wheel) to pull the front of the tractor up the hill.

With a zero turn you wield the nose of the machine with leverage from the rear of the machine. This is very similar to the way you wield the nose of a grocery cart with leverage on the grocery cart handle. Imagine for a moment if you were pushing a grocery cart along a sidewalk that was sloped to the right. If you pushed equally on both sides of the handle then the grocery cart would run off the sidewalk to the right side. To make it stay on the sidewalk you would need to push harder on the right (downhill) side and may even need to pull back some on the left (uphill) side. Something you would do without even thinking about it is to spread your hands apart as far as possible to give you more leverage to more easily steer the grocery cart.

With a zero turn mower, the equivalent to spreading your hands apart on the grocery cart handle is spreading the rear tires further apart. This is why narrower zero turns, like a 32, are pathetic at handling hills. 42 machines tend to be mediocre on hills, and 48 machines tend to be excellent. There are some other factors, like having a lower center of gravity and bigger tires. Another factor is how slippery the turf is. A zero turn mower always has better traction when the turf is dry and therefore challenging areas should be mowed when traction conditions are at their best, not first thing in the morning when there is dew on the grass. ‍What about towing yard equipment. It is not unusual for customers to tell us they thought zero turn mowers were not supposed to be used to tow. The overwhelming majority of TORO zero turns include a towing hitch and those that don’t include it already, have one available as an accessory. These mowers and hitches are appropriate for towing typical yard implements like aerators, yard trailers, etc. Like anything they have their limits and you shouldn’t be launching boats with your lawnmower. ‍Learning to Drive a Zero Turn is sometimes a concern to riding mower owners considering the upgrade to a Z. Let me start by saying that if you were to pluck a person from a 3rd world country who had never driven any vehicle or equipment, then there is no doubt it would be far easier for them to learn to drive a zero turn than a riding tractor. But of course here in our world we have driven steering wheel equipment for years and years and a steering wheel is second nature to us. Another thing that is second nature to us is the operation of a grocery cart. Navigating a zero turn is done with two control bars. Using these left and right control bars is nearly perfectly mimicked by the controlling of a grocery cart with the pushing and pulling that we do on the left and right side of a grocery cart handle. We have taught hundreds of new users to drive a zero turn in our warehouse and most become comfortable with the controls in just a few minutes. One notable customer was a woman in her late 80’s who loved mowing her yard but had lost much of the use of her feet and legs and was no longer able to safely operate a riding tractor. Within a couple of minutes she was comfortable on the zero turn and grinning from ear to ear because she could now mow again without needing to push any pedals. Our experience has been that anyone who wants to learn to drive a zero turn can easily learn.‍There is more to mower performance than just cut width and horsepower. At the time of this writing Toro offers a 24.5 HP 50” cut mower for under 3,000 and also offers a 20.5HP 48” cut for over 8,000. Most of what you pay for in a mower comes down to durability, performance, and operator comfort. The needed durability for a mower that is going to be used once a week to cut one yard is completely different from a mower that is going to be used all day every day. Spending a couple extra thousand dollars to tweak out 30% more performance probably isn’t worth it for the homeowner that would be looking at reducing a 30 minute cut to a 20 minute cut. But for the contractor that can take on another 15 yards because of the time saved, or can take an extra day off because of the time saved, well now that’s worth a couple of thousand extra dollars. There are many crucial parts to a mower’s function. But perhaps the most important variance from one mower to the next is the cutting deck, as this is where the job is done, where tall grass becomes short, where clippings are mulched, where grass clogs and clumps, or does not clog and clump, where sprigs are left standing or not. Many companies build frames with engines and wheels that travel. Few companies specialize in the science and technology of cutting blades of grass cleanly and efficiently. At Toro this is exactly their game. They don’t build farm tractors, they don’t build bulldozers, their FOCUS is turf grass.‍One of the advantages of dealing with a company like Toro that offers so many models of zero turns and a dealer like us that stocks the 45 most popular models is that it allows you to see the differences for yourself to help figure out what features matter to you. We can point out the differences from one mower to the next and answer your questions to help you make a well educated purchase, which we hope will be from us, but either way it will be our pleasure to have a helpful and respectful conversation with you.

Why doesn’t B T South carry more brands?

At B T South we look for the brands that we would buy ourselves if we were shopping for a product in the category.

TORO Zero Turn Mowers SPARTAN Zero Turn Mowers STIHL Hand Held Products VENTRAC Flex Frame Tractors

These companies are strong and industry leading brands. In our 20 years in business, we have been offered 25 different brands of zero turn mowers, several brands of hand held equipment and numerous compact tractors. If you study the brands we offer against the competition we think you will likely come to the same conclusions we did about which ones to buy. We do occasionally cherry pick other lines for unique products that are not offered in our core brands, but we try to limit the number of brands we carry so that our FOCUS on support and parts is not diluted.

What is MyRIDE and who needs it?

MyRIDE is an operator suspension platform first released by TORO in 2015. It was developed to address the common complaint that zero turn mowers ride rough. This because zero turn mowers mowers travel twice or more times as fast as typical riding mowers. Just like traveling across a speed bump or a pothole in a car, the faster you travel the greater the shock.

It is not uncommon for new Z customers to tell us that their yard seemed smooth with their previous riding tractor mower but now it seems very rough with the zero turn. MyRIDE delivers game changing smooth comfort.

MyRIDE does not require maintenance. At the time of this writing, 8 years since the release of MyRIDE, we have sold nearly a thousand machines with the feature at our dealership and have yet to replace anything worn out or broken that has anything to do with the MyRIDE system.

MyRIDE is offered on the TimeCutter. Titan. Z-Master 2000 Z-Master 4000 mowers.

What Advantages does the MultiForce Stand-On Blower offer over Dedicated Stand-On Blowers?

For most people a Stand On Blower is not a tool that is used year around. In that way it’s a lot like an Aerator or Snow Removal equipment. The problem being that you can easily spend 10,000 on each of these pieces of equipment that you may only use for a month or so a year. That is a lot of money to have tied up in equipment that sits around doing nothing most of the time.‍The alternative is the GrandStand Multi-Force which can be a highly productive mower most of the year but also be flexible to be a:‍ Stand On Blower Stand On Leaf Plow Stand On Aerator Stand On Snow Plow Stand On Snow Blower Stand On De-thatcher Stand On Hydraulic Dump Mulch Hauler Stand On Hydraulic Broom

Most Stand On Blowers allow the air to be directed left right or forward. But most have very little adjustment up or down. The TORO GrandSTand with ProForce Blower allows this vertical control which allows directing the flow down a hill, into a ditch or straight up into the trees to blow leaves down that were soon going to fall anyway. ‍Learn more at https://www.btsouth.com/grandstand

Why do most customers choose Ventrac’s Gas Engines over the Kubota Diesel Engine?

Almost everyone’s initial instinct is to buy the Kubota Diesel powered Ventrac 4500Y over the Gasoline powered 4500Z. But after some research and information gathering, most people decide against the diesel model. And it it is not because of the price, because the price is about the same. So why then?

EPA regulations stipulate that some expensive bulky components be present on diesel engines having 25 horse power. These bulky components simply can’t be fit inside the very limited space under the hood of a small tractor like the Ventrac. This is why Ventrac has selected the 24.8 HP Kubota for their diesel engine. For gasoline engines similar regulations begin when the engine displacement reaches 1000cc. This allows Ventrac to put more power under the hood of the gas tractors than the diesel.

Low end torque: Having good torque at low RPM’s, as diesel engines are known for, can be nice for working equipment with the engine at low throttle, particularly with a gear drive machine not using the PTO. But with a hydro drive machine you pretty much need to get the engine up to 2/3 to 3/4 throttle to get the hydros flowing well enough to get much work done. And if you are using a mowing deck or some other PTO power attachment you are probably going to need the engine running at full throttle. What good is low end torque if you seldom have an application where you can use it. In addition, the torque is higher at any RPM for the Kubota 32.5 HP gasoline WG972GL engine than on the Kubota 24.8 HP diesel D902 engine. Click the model # links to compare Kubota engine spec sheets. Longevity: The gasoline and diesel Kubota engines are both build on the same footprint, are water cooled, share many of the same parts and should have a similar life expectancy.

Fuel Cost: While diesel fuel costs more than gasoline, the Kubota diesel engine only consumes an estimated 1.1 gallons of fuel per hour while the Kubota gasoline engine consumes 1.6 gallons per hour. If fuel efficiency is a concern then consider Ventrac’s 4500P powered by the Kawasaki FD851D water cooled EFI 31 HP engine which consumes an estimated 1.2 gallons per hour and has more torque at any RPM compared to the Kubota Diesel D902.

Application: Where you tend to need more power is when you are climbing steep hills and or have a heavy load on the PTO as would be the case for a big mowing in heavy grass. These more demanding situations make the more powerful gasoline engines the way to go. On the other hand the diesel Ventrac may have plenty of power for lesser demanding applications and may be a good choice.‍Learn more at https://www.btsouth.com/ventrac

How well do Ventrac Tractors handle steep slopes?

Ventrac compact utility tractors provide a safer and more effective solution to slope mowing in addition to versatility and ease of use. So what makes Ventrac a great slope mower? The answer to that begins with the fact that Ventrac tractors are not like conventional tractors. They are uniquely and specifically designed from the ground up to perform consistently in a variety of conditions and terrains.

How to winterize a lawn mower: tips for gas, cordless and riding mowers

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If you want to know how to winterize a lawn mower, you’ll need to follow different procedures depending on the type of mower you have.

Whatever mower you have, however, make sure that you don’t skip the winterizing process. Following the correct steps to prep your mower for the winter will prolong its lifespan and ensure that come spring, you’ll have a mower that’s in perfect working order and ready for that first spring cut.

All lawn mowers need some form of winterizing, though some need a lot more winter prep than others. Follow these easy step-by-step instructions for your mower type and your machine will be fully ready for the cold season.

How to winterize a gas lawn mower

Winterizing a gas mower is simple but you need to do it properly. Think of it as part of your winter lawn care routine. These are the steps to follow according to Dale Steven, a lawn mower expert at Mowersandyardtools.com :

• Remove the spark plugs and pull out the recoil starter. Disconnecting the spark plugs is important to prevent the plug sparking while you’re cleaning your mower.
• Disconnect the battery cables.
• Remove the fuel tank. Discard any fuel that remains in the tank. Do not leave old fuel in the tank over winter to avoid damaging your lawn mower’s engine.
• Remove the air filter.
• Remove the blades.
• Clean the blades and other moving parts with a solvent and a brush.
• Refill the oil with fresh lawn mower oil. This is not to be confused with fuel, which should be discarded.
• Wipe down the frame, deck, and other parts with a dry cloth.

‘Disconnecting spark plugs from petrol lawn mowers is important for two reasons, explains Darren Feasey, Brand and Product Director at Flymo: ‘It means it won’t spark whilst you are cleaning the mower, and it will also enable you to clean the spark plug itself. A summer of mowing the lawn can mean spark plugs can end up covered in carbon so now is a good time to give it a good clean to make sure it is fresh and ready for next year.’

Gas mowers should be stored upright if the model allows for it. Darren explains that ‘residual fuel or oil can seep into the engine by storing it horizontally’. However, storing your mower upright is not essential if you’ve successfully drained all fuel from it.

When you want to use your mower again for your spring lawn care, you’ll simply need to put it back together. Dale Steven advises you start by reattaching the blades, the spark plugs, the recoil starter, the battery cables, and the fuel tank. Then fill up the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and reattach the fuel cap. Start the lawn mower by rotating the recoil starter.

How to winterize a cordless lawn mower

Good news if you were dreading a complicated process, as ‘cordless lawn mowers don’t require much in the way of winterization’, according to Jen Stark, home improvement expert at Happy DIY Home.

• If you have a battery-powered cordless lawn mower, simply remove the battery pack from the mower and store it indoors somewhere dry and warm. If you can’t remove the battery, make sure it’s fully charged before storing the mower for the winter.
• Give your mower a good clean to remove any clippings or dirt before putting it away for winter.
• Keep your clean lawn mower in your shed or garage over winter.

Like Jen, Darren Feasey also recommends fully charging and removing the battery before storing it ‘safely out of the cold and in the house. Avoid storing the battery in extremely cold conditions like garden sheds over the winter, this may damage the battery cells as the battery will absorb moisture and encourage corrosion.’ Room temperature is optimal for storing the battery.

‘It’s also worth wiping the battery with a cloth to make sure it is in good condition before you store it away for the winter,’ adds Darren.

How to winterize a riding lawn mower

‘The best way to winterize a riding lawn mower is to take it to a professional for servicing. However, you can also do it yourself if you’re comfortable working on engines,’ advises Jen Stark. If your riding lawn mower runs on gas, then simply follow the same steps as you would for winterizing a gas lawn mower above.

If you have an electric riding mower, Dale Steven advises the following steps to winterize it:

• Make sure all debris and leaves are cleared from the mower deck. This will help reduce the amount of ice that forms on the deck.
• Make sure the mower is properly charged. A full battery will help to improve run time and prevent any potential issues.
• Make sure the mower blades are sharp. Dull blades can cause the machine to bog down and freezing temperatures can cause them to become brittle.
• Keep the mower clean. Dirty blades can also cause problems. Clean the mower with a brush and a solution of water and detergent.
• Insulate the mower. Covering it with a heavy coat of insulation will help to keep the machine warm during the winter.
• Monitor the machine. Keep an eye on the mower as one of your winter garden jobs to make sure it is operating properly. If there are any signs of issues, take action right away.

Do I have to drain the oil from my lawn mower over winter?

No, but you do need to replace it when winterizing your lawn mower. Darren Feasey explains that a gas mower needs to be ‘topped up with high-quality oil before you store it. This means removing the old oil that is already there.’

The rationale for replacing the oil is that ‘the fresh oil contains rust inhibitors that can help extend the life of your lawn mower. If you don’t change the oil before storage, it will allow deposits to settle during the wintertime.’

Not sure which oil to use? While you can buy lawn mower oil on Amazon, Darren recommends checking the manufacturer’s instructions for more details.

Should you remove gas from your mower over winter?

Yes, removing any gas/petrol that remains in your gas mower is a key part of how to winterize a lawn mower. Devin Purcell, of AutoKnowIt.com, is an automotive professor with over 20 years of experience repairing engines big and small, and he is adamant about this point.

Devin explains that you have to make sure no fuel remains in your gas mower because ‘the high ethanol content in fuel can cause severe damage to the carburetor of your engine. This can cost hundreds of dollars to repair.’ He suggests not refilling the fuel before your final cut of the year: ‘Let the engine run empty during the last cut, this will ensure all of the fuel is removed from the fuel system.’

It pays to keep this in mind when thinking about the last time to mow a lawn before winter.

Where should I store my mower over winter?

Keeping your mower alongside your other garden tool storage in a dry shed or garage over winter is the best way to keep it protected from lower temperatures and cold weather.

Devin Purcell recommends investing in a good-quality lawn mower cover, available from Amazon, for the winter and storing your mower ‘away from small rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels, etc. These small animals can cause repairs that end up costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars depending on the damage that they do.’

Prep for summer lawn chores with RYOBI’s 48V 30-inch electric riding mower at 2,299 (1,700 off) in New Green Deals

While smaller yards can use a walk-behind or self-propelled electric mower for summer lawn chores, some homes need something a bit larger and more powerful. That’s where electric riding mowers come in. While riding mowers are typically expensive, and electric mowers can be several thousand dollars, RYOBI has your back in an effort to help people cut fossil fuel usage this summer. Right now, you can score the RYOBI 48V 30-inch electric riding mower on sale for 2,299, which is a full 1,700 off its normal going rate and even matches the all-time low that we’ve only seen once before. We also have a wide selection of Tesla and e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either. Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also

Cut fossil fuel usage with RYOBI’s 30-inch electric riding mower

Home Depot is offering the RYOBI 48V 30-inch Electric Riding Lawn Mower for 2,299 shipped. Normally going for 3,999 when in stock at Home Depot, today’s deal comes in at a match of our last mention from back in March. It’s only the second time we’ve seen it this low, and matches the best price we’ve seen all-time. While this mower might be a bit smaller than other riders out there, the 30-inch deck actually comes in with some nice benefits. For starters, it’ll fit through most fence gates, which means you can easily transition from the front to back yard with it. And, while it’s not the latest lithium-ion mower from RYOBI, you’ll still find that this rider doesn’t need gas or oil to function, making it a greener alternative for tackling lawn chores this summer. Powered by three brushless motors and a 30-inch cutting deck, this mower is great for reducing pollution, fossil fuel usage, and even noise when mowing the lawn this summer. The 50Ah 48V lead-acid battery will net around an acre of mowing before having to plug it back in. This mower’s deck has seven height positions that range from 1.5 to 4.5 inches tall, meaning that you can really dial this mower into whatever height you want to cut your yard at. Of course, yearly maintenance (as well as monthly gas trips to get fuel) will be cut by your moving to an electric mower here. Plus, like we mentioned, RYOBI’s electric mower produces less noise all around, making it nicer to use at any time of the day.

Automate lamps, fans, heaters, and more with Govee’s dual Smart plug

Govee’s official Amazon storefront is offering a 4-pack of its Wi-Fi Dual Smart Plugs on sale for 29.99 shipped once you clip the on-page coupon. Today’s deal delivers a full 25% in savings and comes in at 10 off. Not only that, but it’s 2 below the previous best pricing and marks a new low that we’ve tracked. Smart plugs have a lot of uses around your home, but one you might not think of is the energy saving implications of using them. Today’s deal is actually pretty unique, too, as it’s a 4-pack of dual Smart plugs for just 7.50 each, and each one is individually-controlled, meaning you’ll have eight Smart outlets in your home once picking the kit up. All you’ll have to do is plug in various items in your home and the Smart plug can begin automating your life. One great thing to use Smart plugs for is lamps or other lights around the house. Simply program it to turn them off when you leave and on when you come back home. Not sure how much power that’ll save? Well, even if you’re using LEDs, most bulbs are around 10W or so of power draw. Leave that light on for 10 hours throughout the day, and you’ve now used 100W of electricity. Multiply that by a few lights in your house, five days a week, and you’re burning several kW of power every month for lighting a home that nobody’s in. On top of that, you can use Smart plugs to turn on things like mini air conditioners, fans, or heaters depending on the season, ensuring those aren’t left on when nobody’s home, either. The Smart plugs here can be controlled by the Govee app as well as either Alexa or Assistant, allowing for full programming as well as voice commands.

Leave behind gas and oil when you use Greenworks’ 80V electric mower

Are you tired of having to remember to get gas for the mower when it comes time for summer lawn chores? Well, Amazon has you covered. Right now the Greenworks Pro 80V 21-inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower is on sale for 372.81 shipped. You’ll normally pay 497 for this mower, and today’s deal comes in at a match for the second-best price we’ve seen all year long. In fact, we’ve only seen it this low once before at the beginning of May, and before that it hit 345 one time back in April, showing just how good of a deal this discount is. Not only will you get the 80V electric lawn mower, which Greenworks says has “gas-like performance,” but also two 2Ah 80V batteries which deliver up to 60 minutes of runtime per charge. Powered by a TRUBRUSHLESS motor, this Greenworks 80V electric lawn mower has “twice the torque, power, and longer runtime” compared to normal brushed alternatives. While traditional mowers require gas every time they run, and yearly oil changes and tune ups, electric mowers need none of those things. All you have to do is charge the battery and it’s ready to mow. Occasionally, you might need some new blades, but outside of that maintenance will be next to none here. Starting it is even simple, as you just have to press the button and the quiet electric motor will whirl to life. So, if you’re ready to enter the 21st century of mowing and leave gas behind, then the Greenworks Pro 80V 21-inch model is a solid upgrade for your lawncare setup. Joining this price drop on this more powerful Greenworks electric mower at 156 off and a series of ongoing seasonal deals from the brand, you’ll find a series of offers now live from 8 on Amazon highlighted below to kit out your yard prep setup at a discount as well:

• Up to 54% offGreenworks electric pressure washers
• Up to 23% offGreenworks string trimmers and blowers
• Up to 26% offGreenworks mower bundles
• And even more…

New Tesla deals

After checking out the RYOBI electric riding mower on sale above, if you keep read, you’ll find a selection of new green deals that will make your Tesla experience better in multiple areas. From storage to keep recordings on to phone mounts, car chargers, and anything else we can find, it’ll be listed below. Each day we’ll do our best to find new and exciting deals and ways for you to save on fun accessories for your Tesla, making each trip unique. For more gift ideas and deals, check out the best Tesla shop. Keep reading on for e-bike, Greenworks, and other great deals.

• Spigen All-in-One Cable Holder Wall Mount for Tesla Model 3/Y/X/S: 24 (Reg. 30) | Amazon
• SimpleTire offers up to 20% off thousands of tires
• Discount Tire offers up to 100 off or more on Cooper, Bridgestone, and other tires
• Model 3 CupHolderHero: 12 (Reg. 14)
• Spigen OneTap MagSafe car mounts now up to 38% off starting at 27 via Amazon
• Bring MagSafe to your ride with iOttie’s premium Velox car mount at 42.50

New e-bike deals electric scooter discounts

If you’re looking to get out and enjoy the sunshine still after using your new electric mower, than we recommend you experience it than on another e-bike or electric scooter you just got at a fantastic price through one of our deals and sale below. You can use it for fun, exercise, or even transportation to and from work or the coffee shop. We have several people here that will regularly commute to coffee shops or offices on their e-bike, as it cuts down on fossil fuel usage as well as allows them to enjoy some time outdoors on nice sunny days. Below, you’ll find a wide selection of new e-bike deals and electric scooter deal in all price ranges, so give it a look if that’s something you’d be interested in picking up. As always, the newest e-bike deal and electric scooter discounts and sales will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.

• Save 700 on Rad Power’s RadRover 6 Plus eBike at 1,399 low
• Segway’s Ninebot P65 electric scooter has never sold for less with 33% discount to 1,000
• Juiced e-bikes 0% APR financing available
• Micah Toll’s favorite low-cost folding electric bike, the Lectric XP 2.0: 999 (Reg. 1,099)
• Kent Electric Pedal Assist Mountain Bike: 698 (Reg. 998)

Additional New Green Deals

After shopping the RYOBI electric riding mower on sale above, be sure to check out the other discounts we found today. These new green deals are wide-ranging from outdoor lawn equipment to anything else we find that could save you money in various ways, be that cutting gas and oil out of your life or just enjoying other amenities that energy-saving gear can bring. As always, the newest deals will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

The 14 Best Lawn Mower Brands of 2023

Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes Gardens, among others.

Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist, member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care, and reviews tree content on The Spruce’s Gardening Review Board. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut.

Shereen Jegtvig is an author, fact-checker, and expert with over two decades of experience in health and wellness in the lifestyle space. In addition, she is a Developmental Editor for Dotdash Meredith where she reviews the work of other fact checkers.

A healthy lawn requires regular mowing, and that means sorting through the many lawn mower brands, along with the various types of mowers, that are available. There are walk-behind mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and even robotic lawn mowers. Some lawn mower brands specialize in just one or two types of mowers, while others offer them all.

To sort through the many options, we spoke with three landscaping experts: Alex Tinsman, gardener and founder of How To Houseplant; Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of website Bigger Garden; and gardener Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of Smart Garden Home. The three were unanimous in naming Toro, Honda, and Robomow as top brands, and praised many others, including Greenworks, Cub Cadet, and Husqvarna.

We’ve come a long way since the first lawnmower was invented in 1830, Ingham says. It weighed over 100 pounds and had to be hand cranked! Now there are many brands of lawn mowers on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best brand of lawn mower depends on the type of mower you are looking for and your specific needs. That’s why it’s important to do your research and read reviews before making a purchase.

We evaluated lawn mower brands based on reputation, quality, durability, range of products and types of mowers offered, and value, as well as input from our three landscaping experts.

Honda

• Powerful and reliable
• Manufactures gas push and self-propelled mowers
• Easy to start
• Many innovative features

Founded in Tokyo in the 1940s by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa, Honda Motor Company started off as a maker of motorcycles, but today, of course, they are a global powerhouse that manufactures a wide range of automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles, as well as engines used by other brands in their own gas-powered products. Honda first started making lawn mowers in the late 1970s and quickly became one of the top brands for both commercial and residential use. All of the experts we spoke with named Honda as one of the top gas lawn mower brands for push mowers and self-propelled mowers. We especially like the Honda HRN216VKA 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, which like other Honda mowers, is easy to start, powerful, and very effective in making even, clean cuts across the lawn.

Honda mowers, notably the HRX series, are well-regarded for their powerful engines, reliability, and innovative features like the Versamow system, which allows you to easily mulch, bag, discharge, or shred leaves, Bravo notes. Honda’s mowers also have a patented two-blade system, rather than the usual single blade, which further increases the cleanness of their cuts through all types of grass.

Honda mowers have few downsides, other than being somewhat expensive. And the company only offers gas mowers, not electric. Depending on the model, the warranties on Honda’s lawn mowers range from one to five years.

Toro

• Powerful and reliable
• Manufactures gas, battery, self-propelled, riding, and zero-turn mowers

Another brand recommended by all of our experts, Toro was founded in 1914 as a maker of engines for farm tractors. The company invented the first golf-course mechanical mower in 1919, and introduced its first power mower in 1924. Thanks to many innovative ideas and features, Toro became a dominant brand of lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment by the 1950s and continues to hold that position today. Toro mowers are known for their durability and ability to handle tough mowing conditions, Ingham says.

While Toro is best-known for gas push mowers, it also manufactures self-propelled mowers, battery-powered mowers, riding mowers, and zero-turn mowers, all of which are considered tops in their categories. We especially love their self-propelled Toro 22-Inch Recycler, which includes the Personal Pace system praised by Bravo, who says, The Personal Pace system, found in Toro’s TimeMaster and Super Recycler series, automatically adjusts to your walking speed, providing a more comfortable mowing experience.

Like Honda, Toro mowers can be expensive, but their quality, power, and great features make them worth the extra cost. Depending on the model, warranties on Toro lawn mowers range from three years to five years.

Husqvarna

• Powerful and reliable
• Manufactures gas and electric push mowers, riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, and robotic mowers

Swedish company Husqvarna was founded more than 300 years ago as a maker of rifles (it exited the weapons industry a couple of centuries later), but over the hundreds of years since, the comany expanded its range to include many products for the home and landscape, including top-rated chainsaws. Husqvarna has been making lawn mowers since 1918 that, according to Ingham, are known for their powerful engines and versatility, making them a great choice for large lawns. Along with highly rated gas push-mowers, Husqvarna makes some of the best riding mowers and zero-turn mowers, including our favorite, the Z254F 23-HP 54-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower.

Husqvarna has also entered the robotic mower market with its Automower line. Bravo notes, Husqvarna’s Automower series is known for its cutting-edge technology, GPS-assisted navigation, and weather-resistant design. These mowers can handle complex lawns with various obstacles and slopes, providing a consistently manicured finish with minimal human intervention.

While Husqvarna makes a wide range of powerful, effective mowers, it is also one of the more expensive brands. Husqvarna mowers are covered by a three-year limited warranty.

Greenworks

• Reasonably priced
• Innovative technology
• Offers battery push mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and corded electric mowers

Greenworks was established in 2002. Bravo praises the company, saying, Greenworks, a pioneer in battery-powered lawn equipment, offers a comprehensive line of cordless mowers, including their Pro 60V and 80V series. These mowers provide excellent cutting performance, lightweight designs, and superior battery life, making them a top choice for homeowners and professionals alike. Greenworks also offers very reasonably priced corded mowers, including the 25022 3-in-1 20-Inch Mower, although as batteries become ever-more powerful, the popularity of corded electric mowers is fading.

Along with electric push mowers, Greenworks offers several self-propelled mowers. The innovative SmartCut technology lets these mowers sense the thickness of the lawn grass and adjust the speed and power accordingly, thus extending battery runtime. We especially like the 40-volt, 21-inch self-propelled mower, which has the SmartCut feature. Along with push and self-propelled mowers, Greenworks also offers battery-powered riding mowers.

While Greenwork mowers are not the most powerful, Ingham Комментарии и мнения владельцев, Greenworks mowers are known for their affordability and wide range of features, making them a great choice for budget-conscious buyers. Greenworks lawn mowers are covered by a limited three-year warranty.

BLACKDECKER

• Reasonable prices
• Makes corded and cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and some gas mowers
• Good for small lawns

Named for founders S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker, BLACKDECKER has been around for over a century, during which it has become one of the leading brands of power tools. It patented the first electric drill in 1917, was the first company to offer electric garden tools to homeowners in the 1950s, and was one of the first companies to sell battery-powered tools to DIYers and homeowners when it came out with a cordless drill all the way back in 1961. While BLACKDECKER does also have gas lawn mowers, those are falling by the wayside in favor of electric models.

BLACKDECKER offers a range of affordable and lightweight battery mowers with features like folding handles for easy storage and adjustable cutting heights. Their lithium-ion batteries provide long run times and charge quickly, Tinsman says. Along with reasonably priced push mowers, the company also offers self-propelled electric mowers at budget-conscious and is one of the few brands that still offer corded electric mowers, including the MM2000 20-Inch Push Mower.

Don’t expect the highest power or performance from a BLACKDECKER mower, but if you are looking for a reasonably priced lawn mower to keep a relatively small lawn under control, this is a reliable brand that you can count on. BLACKDECKER lawn mowers have a two-year limited warranty.

RYOBI

• Reasonably priced
• Makes corded and cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and riding mowers
• Good for small lawns

Founded in Japan in the 1940s, today Ryobi in North America is a brand name of Techtronic Industries. The company is a top name for a wide range of power tools, including outdoor products such as edgers, trimmers, snow blowers, and of course, lawn mowers. While Ryobi does not make gas mowers, it does offer corded electric push mowers as well as cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and even battery-powered riding mowers. Ryobi mowers are known for their innovative features, such as adjustable cutting heights and mulching capabilities, Ingham notes.

While Ryobi electric mowers aren’t the most high-powered, they are reliable and reasonably priced, making them excellent options for homeowners who don’t have a very large lawn. We especially like their 40-volt, 20-inch push mower, which has a long battery runtime and is easy to store. Like other Ryobi battery mowers, it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver, making mowing less of a chore. Ryobi offers a three-year limited warranty on lawn mowers.

Robomow

• Very innovative features
• Can mow large lawns
• Models that are controlled through Amazon Alexa

Israeli company Robomow was founded in 1995 as Friendly Machines. As the name suggests, the company is a top manufacturer of robotic lawn mowers with ever-increasing advanced technology and useful features, such as their RC312 Pro S, which can be controlled through Amazon Alexa. The Robomow RS series can handle lawns almost an acre in size. All Robomow mowers return to their charging docks when necessary, can handle rugged terrain or slopes, are undeterred by tall grass, are easily programmed and controlled, and remain within the perimeters set by you.

All three of our experts listed Robomow as a top brand for robotic mowers. Robomow Robotic Mowers are known for their advanced technology and precise cutting capabilities, Tinsman says. Their models feature weather sensors and a mobile app for remote control and monitoring. Bravo adds, Robomow, a pioneer in robotic mowing, offers a range of models designed for different lawn sizes and complexities. Their RS and RC series features intelligent navigation, customizable mowing schedules, and smartphone app integration, allowing you to monitor and control your mower remotely.

Like all robotic mowers, these are very expensive machines. And they are not always easy to find; few brick-and-mortar stores carry them and you might have to hunt to find them online. Websites Wellbots and Autmow regularly carry current models. Most Robomow products are covered by a three-year warranty.

WORX

• Manufactures corded and cordless push and self-propelled mowers, as well as robotic mowers
• Reasonably priced

Chinese company WORX was founded in 2004 and manufactures many electric corded or cordless tools, including chainsaws, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and of course lawn mowers. While WORX offers some corded electric mowers, its main FOCUS is on battery mowers, including push and self-propelled options. Most WORX mowers include the patented IntelliCut technology, which automatically increases the power when mowing through thick grass and then dials it back to increase battery runtime. WORX mowers are known for their affordability and ease of use, making them a great choice for small to medium-sized lawns, Ingham says.

WORX has recently entered the robotic mower market with Landroid mowers, including our favorite, the WR155 Landroid M. Like other robotic mowers, it depends on you to set its perimeters, but once inside them, it tirelessly follows your orders to keep your lawn looking its best. And while still expensive, the Landroids are generally not quite as pricey as robots from other brands, making them a good choice for an entry-level lawn robot. Most WORX lawn mowers have a three-year warranty.

Cub Cadet

• Manufactures gas and electric riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, robotic mowers, push mowers, and self-propelled mowers
• Powerful, reliable performance
• Many innovative and premium features

When it comes to riding lawn mowers, all three of our experts are in agreement that Cub Cadet is one of the best in this category, although Cub Cadet does also make push mowers and self-propelled mowers, and has even released a line of robotic mowers. The American company has been making riding mowers since 1961, though it is now owned by Stanley Black Decker. Ingham likes Cub Cadet riding mowers for their excellent performance and easy maneuverability, which makes them especially well-suited to yards with slopes or rough terrain. You can choose from many models, including gas-powered, electric, and zero-turn.

Tinsman especially likes Cub Cadet’s gas riding mowers, praising their powerful engines, self-propulsion feature, rear-wheel drive, and high-performance cutting decks that provide a smooth and even cut. Bravo specifically praises Cub Cadet’s XT Enduro and Ultima series: They provide excellent cutting quality, powerful engines, and a variety of attachments for versatile landscaping tasks. We agree with him—the XT1 Enduro LT is our favorite gas-powered riding mower.

On the downside, you’ll pay more for the premium quality of Cub Cadet mowers. They are covered by a three-year limited warranty.

John Deere

• Reliable, powerful, and great features
• Makes gas riding mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers

Another brand that’s renowned for riding mowers, this company has a history that goes back to 1837, when blacksmith John Deere invented a steel-bladed plow that revolutionized farming. The company continued to expand its agricultural offerings and began manufacturing tractors in the early 1900s. But it wasn’t until 1963 that the company began selling lawn tractors specifically for tending residential lawns. John Deere riding mowers are known for their durability, comfort, and versatility, making them a great choice for large properties, Ingham says.

The company makes powerful, reliable, and innovative riding mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers, almost all of which are gas-powered. Bravo particularly likes the company’s X300 and X500 series of gas lawn tractors, saying they deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and comfort. We also recommend the S120 22HP 42-Inch Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Tractor, which is a very sturdy and versatile mower that even has cruise control.

As with other high-end riding mowers, you’ll pay quite a bit for a John Deere, but in return, you’ll get quality you can count on. Depending on the model, the warranty on a John Deere mower can range from two years to five years.

EGO

• Excellent power and battery runtime
• Offers cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and riding mowers
• EGO batteries can be interchanged among all EGO products

EGO has established itself as one of the top names for battery-powered outdoor tools, including leaf blowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, and lawn mowers. Thanks to powerful batteries, which Ingham says are known for their long runtimes and quick recharge, an EGO lawn mower—whether push, self-propelled, or even riding—can be almost as powerful as a gas mower.

EGO’s Power series boasts industry-leading battery technology, offering Rapid charging times, impressive runtimes, and compatibility across multiple tools, Bravo says. These mowers are powerful, quiet, and environmentally friendly, with the added convenience of being virtually maintenance-free. We agree—we love the EGO Power LM2102SP self-propelled mower, which matches your walking speed and runs for up to an hour, even on hilly terrain.

While EGO mowers tend to be some of the most expensive battery options, they are also some of the best. Plus, you can use any EGO battery in any of their tools, making the brand highly versatile. The warranty on an EGO lawn mower is five years.

Craftsman

• Reasonably priced
• Makes gas and electric push mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and zero-turn mowers

Now owned by Stanley Black Decker, Craftsman was established in 1927 as a brand name for tools sold at Sears department stores. This iconic brand is well-known for its extensive range of basic hand tools, such as hammers and screwdrivers, as well as power tools. The company offers a wide range of lawn mowers, as well, including both gas and electric push mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and zero-turn mowers. We like the Craftsman gas-powered M110 21-inch push mower, which is easy to start and powerful.

Craftsman lawn mowers are known for their affordability and reliability, making them a great choice for budget-conscious buyers, Ingham says. While these aren’t top-of-the-line mowers, for the most part, they are more than sufficient for the average homeowner who wants to keep the lawn looking good, yet not spend a fortune on the tools to accomplish that goal. Craftsman mowers come with a three-year limited warranty.

Sun Joe

• Reasonable price
• Offers corded and cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and manual reel mowers

Snow Joe started selling snow blowers in 2004, but later added on Sun Joe lines of various outdoor landscaping tools, including chainsaws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and lawn mowers. Sun Joe Battery Mowers are known for their eco-friendly design and easy maneuverability, Tinsman says. They offer a range of models with features like instant start and detachable grass bags for easy disposal of clippings. The brand does not have any gas mowers, but does have a wide range of electric mowers, both corded and cordless, as well as manual reel mowers, an uncommon offering in the lawn mower industry.

Geared toward homeowners, not professional landscapers, Sun Joe mowers are reasonably powerful and have good battery life, but they aren’t heavy-duty tools intended for large lawns or rugged use. They aren’t exceptionally expensive mowers, which adds to their appeal. For a budget-priced model, we like their corded MJ401E-PRO push mower, which performs well for the price and is easy to maneuver and store. The warranty period for a Sun Joe mower is two years.

Troy-Bilt

• Powerful and reliable
• Makes gas push and self-propelled mowers, gas and electric riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, and manual reel mowers

Yet another brand now owned by Stanley Black Decker, Troy-Bilt was originally founded in 1937 with the first residential rototiller. It went on to manufacture a wide range of outdoor landscaping tools, including excellent gas-powered push and self-propelled lawn mowers and even manual reel mowers. But it’s riding mowers, both gas and electric, that the company is best known for. Tinsman especially likes this brand, saying, Troy-Bilt offers a range of versatile riding mowers with features like cruise control and adjustable cutting heights. Their models feature a range of attachments for year-round use.

While Troy-Bilt riding mowers might not be quite at the level of those made by Honda or John Deere—but they also aren’t as expensive as those brands—these are still popular machines that have many innovative features, are comfortable to ride, and handle well even on large lawns or rugged terrain. And Troy-Bilt push mowers are definitely worth a look as well; we recommend the gas-powered TB110 21-inch mower, which starts easily, is very powerful, and gives a clean, even cut to the lawn. Most Troy-Bilt mowers come with a two-year warranty.

What to Look for in a Lawn Mower Brand

Types of Lawn Mowers

There are quite a few types of lawn mowers available to homeowners these days, so along with choosing a brand, you need to choose a type of mower.

One of the biggest considerations is whether you want a gas-powered mower or an electric mower. Gas mowers tend to be more powerful, but are also louder and emit fumes. Electric mowers, which can be corded or cordless, have come a long way; today’s batteries are more powerful, run longer, and charge faster, making battery mowers a very appealing option to the average homeowner looking to tend a small to medium-sized lawn.

There are brands that offer only electric mowers, including Greenworks and WORX, and brands that are known for their gas mowers, such as Honda and John Deere. Many lawn mower brands, however, offer both gas and electric models. EGO takes it a step further by making only battery lawn mowers; they do not have corded electric mowers as do the other all-electric brands.

There are two basic types of walk-behind mowers: push mowers, which require you to use your own power to push the mower across the grass, and self-propelled mowers, which use their own power to keep the mower in motion. Tor is especially acclaimed for its walk-behind mowers. Most companies that make walk-behind mowers, whether gas, electric, or both, offer both push and self-propelled models.

Riding lawn mowers, also called lawn tractors, are ideal for very large lawns. Several companies on our list offer riding lawn mowers, although Cub Cadet and John Deere are especially renowned in this category. Zero-turn mowers are riding mowers that can make 180-degree turns on the spot. Just about all companies that make riding mowers, including Craftsman, also offer zero-turn mowers.

Robotic mowers are the newest additions to the lawn care scene. These battery-powered devices independently work their way around your lawn, mowing as they go, and are controlled by onboard controls or by an app. Robomow specializes in robotic mowers, but a few other companies, including Husqvarna and WORX, also make them.

Customization Options

When choosing a lawn mower, there are various features that can make your mowing experience easier and faster. Just about all mowers allow you to adjust the height of the blades, which lets you tailor the cutting height to your variety of lawn grass. The brands on our list make this adjustment easier by using a single lever or dial to move the blades higher or lower.

Some battery brands, including WORX and Greenworks, have sensors in their mowers that can detect especially thick grass. These mowers then automatically increase the power of the blade’s spin while tackling the tough spot, and then decrease it again once past the difficult patch of grass, thus saving on battery power.

All brands of self-propelled mowers let you adjust the speed of the mower to more comfortably match your own pace, usually by squeezing a lever; the harder you squeeze, the faster the mower moves. Some brands, though, including Ryobi, have mowers with cruise control so you can set a comfortable speed without having to keep a grip on a lever.

Most walk-behind lawn mowers have just one blade, which spins very quickly to lift and slice the grass. But Honda and EGO both offer mowers with twin blades, which give a more precise, clean cut.

Walk-behind mowers usually give you three choices for handling the grass clippings: bag them, mulch them, or discharge them back onto the lawn. Some mowers, however, only let you bag or mulch the clippings. Always read the description carefully before buying a particular mower, because this is a detail that can vary from model to model within the same brand.

Durability

Nobody wants a lawn mower that only lasts a season or two before failing. While all of the brands on our list are known for making quality mowers that should stand the test of time, as a rough rule of thumb, gas mowers tend to last longer than electric mowers, and top brands Honda, Toro, John Deere, and Cub Cadet are especially known for the durability of their mowers, all of which are used by professional landscaping companies as well as homeowners.

Where You Can Shop

With the exception of Robomow, which is only carried by a handful of specialized dealers, you can buy all of the other brands on our list at large home improvement centers or through the big home improvement center websites, including The Home Depot and Lowe’s, you can buy them from brick-and-mortar lawn care shops or from tool-and-garden websites, or you can find them on Amazon, Overstock, or similar outlets.

While buying a lawn mower online makes it easier to shop around for the best price, as well as have the mower shipped directly to your home, shopping in person gives you the opportunity to ask questions, touch and handle the lawn mower to get a feel for it, and usually take it home that very day.

The frequency of mower maintenance depends on the type of mower and how often you mow your lawn with it. But as a general rule, you should check the oil and fuel level before each use with a gas mower, and be sure the battery is fully charged before powering up your electric mower. After mowing, once your lawn mower has cooled down completely, remove any clots of grass from the blades and the bottom of the deck. Wipe away mud, wet grass, and other grunge from the deck. You’ll need to sharpen the mower blades at least annually, and more often if you mow very frequently or have tough or thick grass. Gas mowers require more maintenance than electric mowers, generally. At least annually, you should give your gas mower a complete oil change, replace the spark plugs, and replace the air filter.

Gas mowers usually measure their level of power in cubic capacity, which is a measure of the amount of air and fuel that can push through the cylinders. For walk-behind mowers, this generally translates to somewhere between 2 and 6 horsepower. Riding mowers are far more powerful; the engines in these mowers usually have between 12 and 20 horsepower. Battery mowers do not use horsepower or cubic capacity measurements. Instead, the battery voltage indicates the power of these mowers. You’ll find battery mowers ranging from 20 volts to 80 volts, but residential mowers most often use 40-volt batteries.

As lawn mowers are powerful tools with very sharp, rapidly spinning blades, they can cause injury if not used properly. There are some safety features required on all lawn mowers today, including a safety brake that stops the blade from spinning within three seconds if the user releases their grip from the controls and a foot shield that prevents the mower’s foot from being able to slip beneath the cutting deck. Common sense is also an important part of using your mower safely. Never mow barefoot or without full foot coverings. Don’t mow in floppy pants or clothing that could become entangled in the mower blade or wheels. Never put your hands or feet near the deck of the mower when it’s on, and never pull a running lawn mower backward toward your feet. Pick up toys, rocks, or other debris from the lawn before you begin to mow. Never mow when you are feeling unwell, overly tired, or otherwise impaired.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Michelle Ullman, who is a writer specializing in home and garden products. She has been a commerce writer for The Spruce since 2020, covering a wide range of home improvement products including power and hand tools, painting supplies, landscaping tools, and tool organizers. To choose the best brands of lawn mowers for this article, she consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews, as well as websites specializing in landscaping, lawn care, and lawn mowers.

She also received extensive, helpful input from Alex Tinsman, gardener and founder of How To Houseplant; Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of website Bigger Garden; and gardener Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of Smart Garden Home.