Ride-on mowers: models, manoeuvring and maintenance

More hot summer days means one thing; thoughts turn to making our gardens pretty. If you’re a DIYer with a large lawn, a ride-on mower may be a good option to save you the time and hassle of tackling the lawn by hand. Instead of walking behind the lawnmower, sit freely on top as the blades whirl in the grass below.
Ride-on lawn mowers come in many shapes and sizes, offering plenty of variety to fit your budget and needs. Read on to find the right mower for your garden and budget.

Ride-on mowers

If you have less than an acre of lawn to cut, a ride-on mower is a good option. They are small, manoeuvrable pieces of kit, ideal for cutting around flower beds, trees and under furniture. Key features include the mulching function, where grass is cut finely and blown back into the lawn, meaning you don’t need to deal with a grass box or dispose of the clippings. Newer models also feature clutch control, rather than push-button control, which makes it easier to manoeuvre.

John Deere

John Deere is a well-known name in large garden equipment and is a premium brand in this space. This brand is known for their trademark bright yellow colour. The smallest mowers cost over £3,000. You can browse second hand John Deere's here. The X950R is a popular John Deere mower as it works hard and can power across tough terrain all day. It is robust, easily accessible, and comfortable to ride. This model was designed for use in commercial spaces, featuring long-day operation, cruise control and the all-important cup holder for that mid-mow drink. The 1585 TerrainCut model is another user favourite, also intended for commercial use. Developed using extensive research and testing, this model is designed for operators who demand superior comfort and performance. The 1585 hosts a diesel engine with high quality features to minimise cost of operation, plus climate control, stereo system and deluxe cloth air-ride seating.

Kubota

Kubota also manufactures a huge range of ride-on mowers and similarly is a premium brand in the tractor world. You can expect to pay around £5,000 for the smallest Kubota mower from new. The Kubota F3890 is the most powerful mower in the Kubota range, built for heavy and demanding jobs. The F3890 features the Kubota’s renowned, environmentally friendly diesel engine with fuel proficient engine reducing noise and vibration level. This model is suitable for commercial mowing, featuring conveniently positioned operator levers and a single HST pedal. For more intensive usage, the G21E Kubota range is recognised by professionals as a compact, robust and effective set of mowers. The G21E LD and G21E HD models feature powerful 21 HP diesel engines and exclusive Glide Cut technology. These models are easily maintained by disconnecting the mower deck without the need for any tools – handy.

Lawn tractors are typically larger than ride-on mowers and host a more powerful engine – this makes them more practical for larger areas or tough terrain. Lawn tractors are suitable for outdoor spaces with a mix of surfaces.

If you’re dealing with over five acres of land, then a heavy duty garden tractor may be the best bet for you. Garden tractors are multi-use as they typically come with different attachments that help with different aspects of gardening. For example, leaf blowing, chemical spraying and grass collecting.
You can even use your tractor to create an exciting garden pattern or design. Pick between crosshatching, rows and spirals (or mix and match) for a garden your neighbours are sure to envy.

Like any other vehicle, owning a mower comes with a certain level of responsibility. Find our top tips and watch outs below.

Ownership

Ride-on mowers and tractors should provide many years of great service as long as you maintain them well. Read on for some top tips to keep your equipment in tip top condition.

Fuel

Modern fuel can go stale and separate in as little as thirty days without being treated. Make sure to add fuel stabilising additive to all petrol before putting it in your mower. This can prevent your machine becoming damaged later down the line.

Servicing

Manufacturers recommend that you get your mowers serviced annually, doing this extends the guarantee beyond the first year. It’s important to set this up when purchasing.

Air filter

Avoid wear and tear on your mower’s moving parts with lubricant. Using a grease gun is the quickest and easiest way to apply this to the underparts of your machinery.

Oil

Just like a car, your ride-on mower needs oil to run smoothly. It’s important to top-up the oil frequently before doing any kind of maintenance to ensure the mower doesn’t seize up. Think a ride-on mower is for you? Feast your eyes on the different makes and models by clicking here, and have a gorgeous garden in no time.