Tag: Riding mowers

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Ultimate Riding Mower Buying Guide: 2024 Update

John Deere S110 mower

When buying a riding mower you need to consider the size of your lawn, your budget, mower brand and reputation, and comfort level. One of my favorite riding mower brands is Husqvarna as they have a huge array of quality riding mowers.

Are you ready to upgrade from a push mower to a rider? Congratulations! Your mowing and lawn maintenance tasks are about to get a whole lot easier and faster. That is, as long as you choose the right riding lawn mower for your needs. To ensure you invest in a machine that can handle the workload, follow my guide I created below.

My experience with riding mowers

I actually started this guide after a good friend from college called me up to tell me he was upgrading his family and moving into a home on a little over an acre of land. His old push mower was not going to cut it anymore (pun intended). He called me up, took me on a FaceTime tour of his lawn, and I gave him my thoughts.

I’d like to walk you through all the pointers I gave him that helped him ultimately pick the best riding mower for his budget and lawn. Let’s get started!

Tips for Buying a Riding Lawn Mower

Like any investment into your home and property, you should take the time to carefully consider a few things before spending money on a riding mower. That way, you can rest assured you’ve made the right decision. Here are the criteria I use when helping someone pick out their first (or last!) riding mower.

Your Yard Size impacts the width of the riding mower

Duh. You don’t get a riding mower if you have a tiny lawn, but understanding your lawn size is important for getting the deck width right. A riding mower with a cutting width of 30 to 42 inches will make quick work of mowing a lawn that’s 1.5 acres or less. For lawns over an 1.5, you’ll want a machine with a cutting width of 54 inches or more or you’ll be mowing for days to get it all done. 

It is much more common to see massive deck widths on zero-turn mowers, like the Ariens IKON XD52 or some of the other Husvarna zero-turns. If you are mowing some serious acreage, I recommend going the zero-turn route instead of the traditional riding mower or lawn tractor.

Engine Horsepower should be considered when buying a riding mower

If you’ll be mowing an acre or less, consider a mower with 14 horsepower engine paired with a 42” or less blade width to get the job done fast. Working on a lawn that spans an acre or two? A 16 HP engine is your best bet. An 18 – 24 HP engine is necessary for lots more than a couple acres, or with difficult terrain. 

Whichever way you go, you will want to right-size the power output of the mower with the size of your yard. These are super expensive machines and you don’t want to pay for more than you need to. For most folks, anything under 18 HP is going to be more than enough. Traditional gas push mowers are about 3-5 HP for reference.

Landscaping and Obstacles are considerations when buying a riding mower

If you have flower beds, trees, shrubs, hardscape elements, and other obstacles to avoid, you’ll want a rider with a tight turning radius so you can get up close. A zero-turn riding mower will spin on a dime, making your weekly mowing go faster than ever before.

When my friend showed me his yard, one of the first things I did was tell him to take me to his fence gate. Many, many husbands have come home with a $3,000+ riding mower to show their wives, then only sulk in absolute shame when their new mower doesn’t fit through the gate to their backyard. Don’t be one of those guys.

Either get a bigger gate, add a second door, or buy a mower that can fit through the opening. At my house, I have a gate that is too small for any riding mower, but the larger fence portion is totally detachable for me to pull the entire fence open and easily ride into the back yard.

The Brand Matters

When riding lawn mower shopping, quality is definitely in the name. Look for a brand name you know and trust. John Deere, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna,Troy Built, and Toro are just a few we recommend in our list of best riding mower brands. You may pay a little more for a top brand, but the machine will last longer and perform better than a cheaply made one.

I always equate it to paper towels – when you buy cheap ones, you end up using way more than nicer, more absorbent expensive paper towels. Don’t go cheap on your riding mower or else it will end up costing you much more in the long run.

Consider Your Comfort

Back pain and other discomfort can make yard work even tougher, but your new riding mower can help. Look for a rider that offers a high-backed seat, lumbar support, and arm rests for maximum comfort. You’ll feel less fatigued and sore, even if you spend hours on it.

Believe it or not, I have recommended some mowers to folks based on whether or not they had cup holders. It makes a difference when you’re out in the 90+ degree sun for over an hour. Small creature comforts can make a world of difference when buying a riding  mower.

Set a Comfortable Budget

The Dave Ramsey in me is crying out to tell you to buy a mower you can afford, with cash, like in the bank right now. 

A new riding lawn mower could cost anywhere from $1,800 to upwards of $5,000, depending on the type, size, and features. You don’t have to spend top dollar to get a great mower though. Look for a rider that has the power you need within a comfortable price range for you and you won’t regret it.

Buying a new riding lawn mower is exciting. It will decrease your workload and speed up yard and garden tasks. Just keep the tips we’ve mentioned in mind to ensure you get the right rider for you.

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

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3 Most Popular Riding Mower Brands to Know in 2024

John Deere S110 mower

The three most popular riding mower brands are John Deere, Husqvarna, and Troy-Bilt.

The best riding mowers are ones that are not only powerful and reliable, but comfortable. As summer progresses, you’re going to spend significantly more time mowing and caring for your lawn. A walk-behind mower may not be tough enough to handle the workload, which means more time spent out in the burning sun.

A riding lawn mower is a wise investment, especially if you’ve got a yard that’s an acre or more. Not only will it make mowing faster and less strenuous, it may also allow you to move supplies, tools, and equipment, plow snow, and more. Sounds good? 

Before you splurge on a new rider mower, find out which brands are worth the investment and which ones just have good marketing budgets. 

Here are my recommendations for best riding mower brands:

  1. Husqvarna Riding Mowers
  2. John Deere Riding Mowers
  3. Troy-Bilt Riding Mowers

Now let me explain why.

Interested in battery powered mower brands – read our post here.

My Experience Using Riding Mowers

When I was a kid and it was my older brother’s turn to mow the lawn, I remember my parents screaming at him for having the speed all the way up to “bunny” when it should have been on “turtle”. The mower was dang fast and my brother took every chance he could to max that thing out.

The new breed is quite different.

And at the risk of sounding old, they don’t make them like they used to. But there are still some great brands out there that make awesome riding mowers. Between zero turns and lawn tractors, you can get a high quality piece of equipment that is still made with serious care. I’ve had the pleasure of using dozens of different mowers and have found consistencies across some that have stuck with me over the years.

Interested in electric riding mowers? Check out our best electric riding mower guide.

How To Compare Riding Mowers Before You Buy

There are so many residential riding lawn mowers available that it can be hard to find the right one for a price you can afford. One of the best ways to simplify the process is to do some online research into the mowers you’re interested in. Compare machines with similar horsepower, blade cutting width, and other features important to you. Still not sure which mower to buy? Shop machines from the top riding lawn mower brands that continue to put out reliable, well-made tools.

So, What Are the Top Riding Lawn Mower Brands?

When it’s time to invest in a new riding lawn mower, a sure-fire way to ensure it’s well made is to shop by brand. Although there are a number of brands available, three brands stand out in terms of reliability:

Husqvarna Riding Mowers

When it comes to durability and reliable service, you can’t beat Husqvarna riding lawn mowers. No matter when your property is like, you can rest assured your Husqvarna mower has the horsepower to get the job done. Be prepared, however, these machines are a bit pricey, but worth it.

Husqvarna generally works through local dealers or through their own franchise dealerships, so grabbing these online is darn near impossible unless you grab a used one. I’ve used the YTH18542 and a few of the others. In fact, the Husqvarna YTH18542 is one of the most popular riding mowers ever. Whenever I go on a road trip to the beach and pass through smaller country towns, I am almost guaranteed to see a handful of these being used by folks with big yards.

One thing I love about Husqvarna’s mowers is that they are super reliable and don’t try to overdo it with the technology. They continue to make sleek looking mowers, but focus on bringing in high quality small engines that flat out last.  

John Deere Riding Mowers

Since the 1830s, John Deere has been building farm and yard equipment and they’re among the best on the market. Under the familiar John Deere green finish and classic style, your riding lawn mower is a precision-made machine that will last for years.John-Deere is a moderately priced brand for price shoppers.

One thing I love about John Deere is that their mowers are super accessible. You can grab some great riding mowers or other John Deere zero turn mowers at just about any Home Depot. They stopped making my favorite John Deere riding mower, the John Deere E100 – but still make a bunch of great models that are nearly identical. 

Another incalculable benefit of a John Deere riding mower is that it is instantly recognizable and will draw the immediate jealousy of your neighbors. This is a very strong power that should be wielded responsibly for only the neighbors you like the least.

Check out the John Deere riding mower lineup at Home Depot here.

Troy-Bilt Riding Mowers

Looking for a great deal and a reliable riding lawn mower? Take a look at a Troy-Bilt riding mower. They’re a budget-friendly initial investment, but that’s not all. Troy-Bilt mowers are powerful and reliable. So, you get more done with fewer repairs and less frequent replacements.

My old Troy Bilt push mower!

In fact, one of my good college friends called me a few weeks ago. He just moved into a new house with his growing family and had a much larger yard – about an acre. He is looking for a nice, new riding mower at an affordable price point. My instant reaction was to tell him to look at Troy Bilt, particularly their Pony riding mower.

The Pony has a goofy name, but is a surprisingly well-built riding mower that’s great for larger yards. It is well-sized to save you a ton of time, but still fits through your back gate without any problems (can’t do that with a zero-turn).

Which Riding Lawn Mower Is the Best Buy?

Every lawn is unique and here’s no one-size-fits-all mower. It’s important to ask yourself many questions before buying a new rider mower. Choose the brand that makes you feel most secure and has a great maintenance schedule for riding mowers. Look for features you need based on the size and complexity of your property. 

Choose a ride that’s easy on your budget, but be wary of deals that are too good to be true. Talk to a lawn and garden equipment specialist at your local dealership, via telephone, or online for expert help and advice.

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

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4 Electric Riding Mowers That Made Me Rethink Everything

Electric riding lawn mowers are an excellent way to stay on top of yard work without having to pay for gasoline. You’ll also love not dealing with the headache-inducing maintenance that some gas-powered lawn mowers require. 

As the shift to all things electric grows, so does the supply of electric riding lawn mowers on the market. If you’re dead set on buying an electric lawn mower or even still on the fence, read on to see the best electric riding lawn mowers – I bet we can do some convincing.

We tried our best to stick with just pure electric lawn tractors, but couldn’t resist throwing in a zero-turn in our top picks.

Best Electric Riding Mowers, Ranked:

  1. Greenworks CrossoverT Riding Lawn Mower
  2. EGO Power+ Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
  3. Club Cadet XT1 LT42E Electric Riding Lawn Mower
  4. Ryobi 100 AH Electric Riding Mower

The Best Electric Riding Lawn Mowers: 2023 Ranking

Finding the best electric riding mowers wasn’t too tall of an order. A few of these we’ve used personally and frankly, the market still isn’t very large. The bold companies that have put these out there are making a big bet on the future – and I think they’ll be right.

1.) Greenworks CrossoverT Electric Riding Lawn Mower

Greenworks dubs itself the “final evolution of lawnmowers.” When you see the specs and features of the CrossoverT Riding Lawn Mower, you’ll see why. My favorite thing about this mower is that it cuts up to 2.5 acres on a single charge and only takes 90 minutes to recharge. 

Holy smokes, those are some great numbers. 

Not only that, but this electric riding mower comes with six 8.0 Ah batteries and three dual-port turbochargers. Again, you can use these same batteries on any of your Greenworks 60V products. 

Aside from its quick recharge time, the CrossoverT is super comfortable, with padded seats, foldable armrests, and advanced back support. Moreover, you won’t waste any energy thanks to innovative microchips that monitor the grass quality in real time. The mower boasts high-torque rear-wheel drive that lets you climb 15-degree inclines – basically better than my car. 

I also love that there’s built-in theft protection – the perfect way to protect your precious investment. To add the cherry on top, the CrossoverT requires absolutely no maintenance other than recharging and sharpening the blades as needed.

It is truly a beast.

Why this mower made our list:

  • Runs for up to 60 minutes with the included 8.0Ah batteries
  • 90 min charge time (!)
  • Cut like a professional with SmartCut Technology that auto-adjusts and senses grass thickness
  • Features a high-padded seat and armrests
  • Designed with an integrated cargo bed that can hold up to 200 lbs. of yard supplies, like big bags of mulch

The folks at Greenworks absolutely crushed it with this riding mower. While it isn’t a zero-turn, it’s a great, affordable electric lawn tractor that absolutely slaps. They sell these at Tractor Supply Co (we have no affiliation) for $4,500 MSRP. 

2.) EGO Power+ Electric Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

Delivering all-electric power comparable to a 22 HP engine (like the one on this Toro zero-turn mower), the EGO Power + Zero-Turn Lawn Mower never fails to deliver. Compared to other electric mowers on the market, this EGO product stands out because it holds six batteries – four of which are included. It also has swanky features like premium LED lights, a USB charging port, and Bluetooth technology. Not bad.

Pretty sophisticated control panel.

It still delivers some serious cutting width, up to 42 inches (about twice the average push mower). This is on the lower end of zero-turn mowers and about average for regular riding mowers. 

Looks pretty dang sweet.

With an adjustable hydraulic seat (WITH ARMRESTS!), you can rest assured knowing you’ll stay comfortable as you accelerate up 7 MPH (or 8 MPH in travel mode). The EGO zero-turn mower can cover up to two acres on a single charge, and recharging only takes a few hours. Given its premium features and three driving modes (Control, Standard, and Sport), some might call this product the Bugatti of electric mowers, and rightfully so. 

Summarizing what we loved about the EGO Power+ Zero-Turn Mower:

  • Supports up to six batteries for longer run time
  • It boasts the electric equivalent of a gas-powered engine with 22 HP
  • Can cut up to two acres of lawn without a recharge
  • Comes with three different driving modes: Sport, Standard, and Control 
  • Features a premium LED interface that gives you complete control over the mower
  • It has a separate charging cord that allows you to charge all the batteries at once
  • You can pop a battery off and straight into your EGO blower or EGO weed eater

These things are absolutely sick, but they come at a cost. If you’re dedicated to electric riding mowers, then you’re going to have to show it at the cash register. You can grab this one from Lowe’s (we have no affiliation) for $5,500. This is on the higher end for a zero-turn mower, especially one with limited run-time, but it’s still great for a homeowner with less than 2 acres.

3.) Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E Electric Riding Lawn Mower

You may have seen the LT42E posted up outside of Home Depot next to its gas counterpart, the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42. The Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E might not seem like the most innovative electric mower, but it provides great bang for your buck. This all-electric mower can mow two acres (roughly 1 ½ hours) on a single charge. It also doesn’t fade as the battery power starts to decline, meaning you won’t have to re-mow areas of grass – most lithium Ion batteries operate this way. 

More expensive but really snazzy.

Recharging the battery takes around four hours, so it’s not as fast as the Greenworks CrossoverT, but still reasonable. When it comes time to recharging the battery, you can use a standard 110-volt outlet. 

There are two brushless motors that fuel the mower’s steel direct drive and twin-blade cutting deck. And since the mower is completely electric, you’ll never need to shift between gears – just push a button and get ready to rumble. You’ll also enjoy a comfortable ride with a premium adjustable cut-and-sew seat. Since this mower isn’t the cheapest product on the market, you’ll be glad to know you get a three-year limited residential and four-year limited battery warranty.

The highlights:

  • Mow up to two acres without recharging the 3000Wh lithium-ion battery
  • Comes with a (somewhat) fast charger that only takes four hours to recharge the battery
  • Features four-gauge wheels for anti-scalping and a 1” – 4” cutting range
  • Forward speed of 5.5 MPH and reverse speed of 3 MPH
  • Comes with a three-year limited residential warranty and a four-year warranty on the battery

This mower is great for a mid-size homeowner’s lawn. I wouldn’t let it do anything super heavy duty, but it is definitely well constructed. 

One downside of this mower is that Cub Cadet doesn’t have a ton of battery-powered items, so you won’t gain any economies of scale with this battery.

You can check out the price of this one exclusively at Home Depot – where they seem to be selling a lot of them.

4.) Ryobi 100 AH Electric Riding Mower

Ryobi turns it up a notch with its 100 AH Electric Riding Mower. This low-maintenance mower has no filters, spark plugs, or belts. It can run up to 2 ½ hours per charge (approximately 2 ½ acres). It has a sleek black and yellow design paired with a comfortable, well-adjusted seat. 

This one made our list of the crazy Ryobi mowers, coming in at #7 and being the only riding mower.

Minimalistic but still great!

If you want to mow at seven in the morning without waking up your kids, this Ryobi mower will do the trick with its quiet cutting and cruise control. The mower features three cutting options – bagging, side discharge, and mulching. It comes with a three-year warranty, and if you ever run into issues, you can take the mower to one of 300+ service centers nationwide. 

This is definitely the lightest-duty mower on this list, only able to boast a 38 inch cutting deck, but still with an impressive run time. It also is  the lowest price, so is actually one of pound-for-pound strongest electric riding mowers on the market.

Summary of why we liked this mower:

  • Get up to 2 ½ hours (2 ½ acres) per charge despite having a smaller cutting deck
  • Quiet cutting keeps you from waking up your neighbors (this is a negative if you don’t like them)
  • 12-position manual deck adjustment – wish this was electric but still nice
  • Get the job done quickly with a maximum speed of 7 MPH
  • Comes with a three-year limited warranty for extra protection

All-in-all, this one is a really good value if you are more price sensitive. It isn’t quite as comfortable as the others, but will definitely get the job done. 

This one is available for just over $3,000 at Home Depot , which is a crazy good value.

The Bottom Line on electric riding mowers

If you’re considering investing in an electric riding lawn mower in 2023, you can’t go wrong with the EGO, Greenworks, Cub Cadet, and Ryobi brands. These companies offer some of the most inventive electric riding lawn mowers that make mowing fun – not a chore.

And that’s what it’s all about, right?

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

Our testing methods are…unique.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

What We Look for in Electric Riding Lawn Mowers

There are various things we consider when looking at electric lawn mowers that make or break their performance. Before pulling the trigger on one of these, make sure you’ve done your research (or just keep reading our recommendations).

Battery life on electric riding mowers

The ideal electric lawn mower should have a good runtime (ideally two hours or more). It shouldn’t take more than four hours to recharge the battery. If an electric mower has a low runtime and high recharge time, cutting your lawn will become a much more difficult feat.

Further, you should be able to pop off one of the batteries and use it with a blower, trimmer, or other lawn tool. This is how you can save some serious money – buying the tool-only version of other tools in the same battery line.

Comfort

Additionally, an electric riding lawn mower should have a comfortable and adjustable seat. After all, you’ll ride it for at least an hour a week – you don’t want dreaded back pain. It sounds ridiculous to make this a sticking point, but it HAS to be comfortable if you are sitting on this bad boy for a while.

Easy to use and control

Moreover, we look at the different cutting options the lawn mower offers. The electric riding lawn mowers we hand-selected have multiple cutting options – bagging, side discharge, and mulching. Lastly, the riding mower should be easy-to-use and relatively maintenance-free.

It’s also really cool that riding mowers can double as little ATVs that pull trailers around your yard.

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Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower Comparison

The Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter SS4225 mower is a true battle of the giants. Think Godzilla vs. King Kong – except much more is at stake. These mowers are two of the hottest zero-turn mowers on the market for homeowners. Today, we are going ringside to battle it out.

Bottom line: Both the Toro TimeCutter and the Cub Cadet ZT1 are great mowers, but I really like the bells and whistles provided by the Cub Cadet ZT1.

Everyone when they see the ZT1 and the TimeCutter.

Check out our review of the new electric 60V Toro TimeCutter zero-turn mower here.

Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter: A breakdown

Okay – now that we have done some background information, let’s hop on to brass tacks. These are two beasts that are super popular. Make sure you understand their power, comfort and ridability, and cutting experience before making a purchase. 

Power comparison: Cub Cadet vs Toro TimeCutter

One of the most important components of a zero-turn mower is power (duh). The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 has a 22HP Kohler Engine (if you get the 42 inch version, Kawasaki if you get the 50). Kohler and Kawasaki make great small engines. This one can get your mower up to 8 mph in forward motion, and 4 in reverse, making it a pretty speedy lawn mower.

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 has a 22.5 HP V-twin engine, manufactured by Toro. In most cases, I like when companies outsource their engines to folks like Kohler, Kawasaki, or Briggs & Stratton. 

FeatureCub Cadet Ultima ZT1Toro TimeCutter SS4225
Horsepower22 HP22.5 HP V-twin
Engine typeKohler, KawasakiToro
Speed8 FWD, 4 REV7 FWD, 4 REV
Transmission TypeHydrostaticHydrostatic

While the TimeCutter has slightly more power output, the ZT1 has a little bit more speed. For this round, I’ve gotta give it to the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1.

Comfort and Rideability comparison: Toro vs Cub Cadet

Comfort isn’t everything, but it is incredibly important. You can have all the power in the world, but want to get back inside in five minutes because you are insanely uncomfortable. When picking a zero-turn, I look for things like a high seat back, arm rests, and a cup holder. It sounds bougie, but it makes a difference if you can have a nicer ride.

Nice little handles.

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 has details like an anti-vibration floor mat that helps provide a smooth ride. This zero turn mower also has a fully adjustable 18 inch seat back, adjustable arm rests, and ergonomic hand groups that allow for more comfort.

The nice suspension system on the Toro TimeCutter.

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 also has an 18 inch seat back with arm rests. The TimeCutter (one of my favorite from Toro) also comes with a beer holder and a little storage cubby under the seat for storing other things (like your tired arms). 

This is a super tough call, but I think I’m going to have to call it a tie between the Toro TimeCutter and the Cub Cadet ZT1.

Cutting experience on Cub Cadet ZT1 compared to Toro TimeCutter

Both of these mowers are fantastic cuts. When taking these for a spin, the Toro TimeCutter SS4225 feels slightly cheaper or “stock” compared to the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1, but overall the cut seems exactly the same.

One thing I dislike about both of these machines is that they lack an hour meter. Hour meters are used to measure how long you’ve been riding and help you figure out when you need an oil change. 

I also dislike that the Cub Cadet lacks a fuel meter – you are kind of flying blind. Another thing that bothers me about the TimeCutter SS4225 is that it has a “hand crank” deck height lever. Most of the more advanced zero-turns have a knob or something more sophisticated. 

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 is like Honey Bee from Transformers.

All-in-all, I can’t complain too much about either of these machines. They are both very reliable, have great warranties, and come from higher-end, trusted brands. 

Price comparison: Toro TimeCutter vs Cub Cadet ZT1

Now that we know these machines are both quality and comfort, let’s see how they stack up on price.

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 is for sale from some retailers for around $3,000 – about $3,200 at Home Depot right now.

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 is for sale for about $3,500 as well, and it sells almost exclusively at Home Depot.

The final ruling: Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter SS4225

FeatureCub Cadet ZT1Toro TimeCutter SS4225
Power+++++++
Comfort+++++++
Cutting Experience++++++++
Price++++

This is super, super close. Basically these are identical lawn mowers. To me, it comes down to reliability over the long term and I’m going to have to go with the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1. The engine being from Kohler/Kawasaki just makes me feel more secure going with them. 

To see our full review of the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1, click here.

To see our full review of the Toro TimeCutter SS4225 featured in this post, click here.

We also compared the Toro to a classic John Deere Zero turn mower here.

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

Things sometimes get out of hand.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

Zero-turn mowers 101

People love zero turn mowers because they are generally faster than your traditional lawn tractor and provide much more agility. Zero turn mowers are especially popular for commercial lawn mowing companies as they provide much more speed and power, have larger gas capacity, and are more nimble than the traditional lawn tractor. 

Iconic.

Zero turn mowers have continued to grow in popularity but are still intimidating to others. While lawn tractors have a steering wheel similar to any other automobile, zero-turn mowers have large handles that stick up and meet in the middle of the mower. To operate the mower, you push forward and use the individual horizontal handles to either push the mower to the right or to the left. 

What to look for in a zero-turn mower

Zero-turn mowers are all about comfort and size. If you are a commercial landscaper, you will likely want a mower with a large deck. The deck houses the blades and the wider the deck, the wider the blade. 

For us residential mowers, we will want to take into account yard-size into our selection process. For those with less than one acre of land, I don’t often recommend zero-turn mowers. They take up too much space for smaller lots and are difficult to store. For those with more than one acre, zero-turn mowers are great. The larger the acreage, the wider the deck you will want. 

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The Husqvarna Z246 Is A Perfect Residential Zero-Turn

The Husqvarna Z246 zero-turn mower is an absolute beast. If you are looking for a zero-turn mower that is somewhere between a residential and commercial mower, this one can do both!

I like the reinforced cutting deck on the Z246.

Bottom Line: The Husqvarna Z246’s combination of an absolute beast of an engine, larger deck, and Husqvarna quality make for one of the best zero-turn mowers on the market. The Z246 is great for residential lawns that are large or smaller commercial projects.

Let’s take a look at the outline for this Husqvarna Z246 zero-turn mower review:

The Husqvarna Z246 review: Features

The Husqvarna Z246 is a high-end residential zero-turn mower. This mower has a great combination of a super powerful, reliable engine, a wide cutting deck, and some nice bells and whistles.

Power breakdown

The Husqvarna Z246 has a 20-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine. Although the Z254 has a bit more horsepower and width, this bad boy has a little bit smaller of a deck. Don’t be concerned, the 20 horsepower engine is plenty and will not have a much more noticeable difference than the 24hp Z254 mower.

All that being said, the Husqvarna Z246 has some power under the hood. The one thing I love about all Husqvarna products is that they are flat out powerful. The oversized cooling fan, premium air filtration, chrome plated valves and smooth bearings all give this engine a high-end performance that you won’t find from some of the big box retailers.

This thing is a beast.

Another thing I love about Husqvarna is that they know what to outsource. Many of these companies try to vertically integrate and make sure that they own every single part of the mower. Husqvarna has the humility to ensure that their owners are getting a super refined product. Many mowers rely on Briggs and Stratton for their engines because they simply dominate the engineering of that space. When you get into the high horsepower range, you will be glad they decided to loop in Briggs and Stratton. 

Using the Husqvarna Z246 zero-turn mower

One element I love about the Husqvarna Z246 is that the folks over at Husqvarna have mowed lawns before. When putting together machines, they always consider the mowers’ experiences. This one uniquely feels like it was designed for commercial property landscaping, but also able to be used in your backyard. 

For starters, the Z246 comes with an automatic park brake system. When the steering levers are deactivated (resting in a separated form), the parking brake is automatically activated. For context, most zero turn mowers have a separate brake that you have to engage. This is a part of all of their Z200 series mowers and something that is so intuitive, you couldn’t imagine buying a mower without it.  

The Husqvarna Z246 also has an ergonomic control panel. Ergonomic is a label placed on anything, so I rolled my eyes when I first saw this. But it is nice having a panel that includes the ignition, hour meter, and speed control all together in one spot. On the other side of the control panel, there is the deck lift system, which is extremely standard on really any riding mower. Nothing special here. 

This mower does come with the ability for some attachments. One attachment I absolutely love is the striping kit. Just makes your yard pop. The 46 inch mower deck on this is over double the size of your average push mower, so you can save time and money by upgrading to one of these puppies. Compare this to the 42 inch deck on the Z242f, which is slightly smaller.

Drivability

Earlier, when I mentioned that this was designed for commercial folks, I meant it. An example of this is the rubber bellows (little rubber part at the bottom of gear shifters in manual cars), that are at the bottom of the handles. 

You see, these rubber bellows are actually very important and you will see them on industrial equipment for a reason. When moving joints on any metal tool get a lot of use (especially outdoors), they get exposed to grass, twigs, debris, rain, wind, extreme temperature fluctuations, etc.. As we all know, water is the biggest destroyer on the planet. The rubber bellows protect the moving joints on the steering levers and maintain the integrity of the steering components for much longer than its peers.

Lastly, the anti-slip foot area is just another common sense detail found on this mower that actually is missing from a lot. Others will have the smooth, finished steel with holes in it. That is great and all for when you want to hose down the mower, but when you actually need to make an awkward step in or out, you will wish you had an anti-slip surface available. 

The mowing deck has something called “air induction technology” that actually sucks the grass up so the blades can get the most complete cut. For an analogy of this, imagine your hairdresser pulling your hair out with a comb to cut it evenly. The design of this deck does the same thing with air. 

Maintaining zero-turns is a lot of work

The hydrostatic transmission means that this zero-turn mower is going to be relatively maintenance free. The 3-year bumper to bumper warranty is a good faith pledge from the people at Husqvarna that they stand behind their equipment. My suggestion is always to ride the wheels off of this for the first few years while you are still under warranty. 

The durability of this thing is high quality as well. Once you step on and feel the “thud” of your boots on the footplate, you will know that this was constructed with thick steel. The frame and casters as well are pretty dang thick. In some of the other mowers I have tried and reviewed, I read about folks actually cracking the chassis of their mower going over a weird hill or bump. I mean my word people, just put some reinforced steel and wheels on there and avoid losing $3,000+ on a mower. 

Cost and value

The Husqvarna Z246 costs about $3,000. All things considered, this is a tremendous value. In fact for the quality, power, and durability, this is probably the best value of any zero-turn mower I reviewed. I absolutely recommend this product. 

The official review: The Husqvarna Z246

FeatureHusqvarna Z246Comparable residential ZT mower
Difficulty to useBelow average difficultyAverage
DurabilityAbove average durabilityAverage durability
MaintenanceAverage maintenanceAverage maintenance
ValueSuper high valueMedium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ftWould not fitWould not fit
For lots <1 acreProbably overkill but is fun and looks coolProbably overkill but is fun and looks cool
For lots >1 acreHighly recommendedHighly recommended

Looking for something bigger? Gravely makes some zero turn mowers adored by landscapers.

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

How we spend our time now.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

About Husqvarna

Husqvarna makes chainsaws, lawn mowers, trimmers,  leaf blowers, snow blowers, pressure washers, edgers, – basically every tool under the sun. Their color scheme of grey and bright orange sticks out like a sore thumb. When you pass by the big commercial mowers, you can almost always spot a Husqvarna product.

Beast mode.

Husqvarna is one of the leading product suppliers for commercial lawn care companies including government and public agencies. Ever wonder how a vast open area at a park gets trimmed? Golf courses, national parks, etc.? It is likely a Husqvarna product. 

If you are wondering how to pronounce Husqvarna, you have come to the wrong place. But this company’s 330 year history started in Sweden by manufacturing muskets. In 1919, they began engineering their first lawnmower engines. Since then, they have become a dominant force in all outdoor equipment.

Zero-turn mowers

A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost. Blade size is important to keep consistent with the size of your lawn. Obviously longer blades are best for larger lawns, but begin to sacrifice a little bit of the agility afforded by a smaller blade. 

Transmission is also an important consideration for a zero-turn mower. Most zero turn mowers do not have manual transmissions, but have either automatic or hydrostatic transmissions. Automatic works just like an automatic car does with a gas pedal and belts. Hydrostatic transmissions use fluid to transfer their power to the blades and the rest of the engine. I prefer and recommend hydrostatic transmissions because they typically require less maintenance and have a longer life (plus it sounds cooler).

Cost is generally of the utmost importance as well. Zero-turn mowers are expensive. In fact, you can buy an old Honda Civic for less than most zero turn mowers. Expect to spend no less than $3,000 for a good zero turn mower. Keep in mind that these will last a long time and save you a ton of weekend time.

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Testing Out My Brother’s Husqvarna Z242F Zero-Turn

The Husqvarna Z242f is one of the more affordable residential zero-turn mowers on the market. One thing we know about Husqvarna is their consistent power output and reliability. Let’s review the critical components of what you need to know before considering the Husqvarna Z242f for a purchase.

Jump ahead:

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

The face test.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. Always feel free to leave a comment or request a review using the form you see at the top of this page.

About Husqvarna

Husqvarna is one of the most respected names in lawn care. Not only are they producers of great, high quality lawn care tools for residential property owners, but they also create really great machinery for commercial use in parks, golf courses, and all over construction sites.

Really what they’re known for.

Husqvarna’s bread and butter is the heavier, commercial machinery for sure. For example, they don’t have a huge presence in the push mower space, but have some absolute units in the zero-turn mower space. Likewise, they produce big boy commercial lawn mowers and chainsaws that you will see clearing forests. 

That being said, you can see how all of Husqvarna’s industry experience could lead to them making the best zero-turn mowers for homeowners. 

Zero-turn mowers

A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost. Blade size is important to keep consistent with the size of your lawn. Obviously longer blades are best for larger lawns, but begin to sacrifice a little bit of the agility afforded by a smaller blade. 

Transmission is also an important consideration for a zero-turn mower. Most zero turn mowers do not have manual transmissions, but have either automatic or hydrostatic transmissions. Automatic works just like an automatic car does with a gas pedal and belts. Hydrostatic transmissions use fluid to transfer their power to the blades and the rest of the engine. I prefer and recommend hydrostatic transmissions because they typically require less maintenance and have a longer life (plus it sounds cooler).

Cost is generally of the utmost importance as well. Zero-turn mowers are expensive. In fact, you can buy an old Honda Civic for less than most zero turn mowers. Expect to spend no less than $3,000 for a zero turn mower. Keep in mind that these will last a long time and save you a ton of weekend time when compared to a riding tractor or push mower. Zero turn mowers are an upfront investment, but reap a huge return over time.

Husqvarna Z242f: Feature review

Alright, now that we have wrapped our heads around ZT mowers and Husqvarna, let’s check out this specific mower from the Z200 series of Husqvarna.

The Z242f in all its glory.

Power

The Husqvarna Z242f packs a punch, no doubt. This mower has an 18hp Kawasaki engine from their FR series (which is where I think the “f” in Z242f) comes from. The Kawaski engine runs up to almost 7 miles per hour and can cover 2.2 acres in an hour. I don’t know about you, but that acre/hour statistic is pretty compelling, especially if you are looking to save time on the weekends (who isn’t?).

Just about everything you would need for a residential property is covered by this engine. No complaints from a power perspective – this is going to be more than enough to cover a multi-acre parcel of land.

One consideration for this mower, and for the Z200 series as a whole, is what size cutting deck do you need? The Z242f has a 42 inch cutting deck (the 42 in Z242f) that will leave three and a half feet of cut grass behind you. As you think through your land, consider a few things:

How many obstacles do I have to navigate? 

  • The more obstacles you have, the more nimble you will want to be. If you have a ton of trees, flower beds, or other structures, going any higher than a 42 inch deck will require some serious agility.

How much open land do I have?

  • If you have acres of open land and are making straight pass over straight pass, consider a larger deck than a 42 inch deck. If you go up to a 60 inch deck, you will cut an additional foot and a half with each pass. This foot and a half will add up tremendously after a handful of passes, saving you time. And time is money. 
You can see the 42 inch cutting deck clearly labeled on this mower.

Usability

Okay, all the power in the world is totally worthless if it is difficult to use. We have reviewed quite a few Husqvarna zero-turn mowers here at The Lawn Review, but absolutely love the features that come with the Husqvarna Z242f. 

First of all, Husqvarna has a sick automatic park brake system. After you find out what it is, you will wonder why all zero-turn mowers do not have this feature. The park brake system is activated when the steering levers fall to the side (as they naturally do when you let go of them). Yep – it is that simple. No crank you have to crank or anything else that you could forget, and then end up chasing your several thousand dollar mower down the street. 

Photo cred: Tractor Supply Co.

Another great feature of the Husqvarna Z242f is the nice little ergonomic control panel. This has things like an hour meter, choke, speed control, and ignition all in one spot. You would not believe how many manufacturers leave out something simple like an hour meter! 

Husqvarna has also addressed a few of the finer things in life, like a comfortable seat. Yes, a comfortable seat. This does have a downside of no arm rests BUT comes with a cup holder – a total game changer. Armrests are optional and are best suited for those of us with arms. 

Maintenance and durability

The Z242f comes with a hydrostatic transmission, which is an absolute must-have if you own a zero-turn mower. These will help keep your tranny (…) in good shape and tend to last longer than other transmission styles. 

From a maintenance perspective, you will have to do your regular oil changes and air filter changes, both of which are pretty standard and straight forward. Again, this is when the hour meter comes in handy so that you can freaking track when this needs to get done. Even better, it already has programmed service intervals that will remind you when this stuff needs to get done.

To top it off, as with most of their products Husqvarna offers a three year warranty for residential users. See below for reviews from their website:

People like it!

Price and value

Almost spit out my coffee when I checked the price on this bad boy. The Husqvarna Z242f comes in right at $3,000, otherwise known as three racks. 

This is a great price for a residential zero-turn mower. Shoot, there are some lawn tractors we have reviewed that cost this much and those things are not nearly as powerful. 

The official review: Husqvarna Z242f zero turn mower

FeatureHusqvarna Z242Comparable residential ZT mower
Difficulty to useSlightly above averageAverage
DurabilityAverage durabilityAverage durability
MaintenanceAvg. maintenanceAvg. maintenance
ValueVery high valueMedium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ftWould not fitWould not fit
For lots <1 acreProbably overkill but is fun and looks coolProbably overkill but is fun and looks cool
For lots >1 acreHighly recommendedHighly recommended
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Lawn Equipment Costs and Statistics: 2022 updates

Many people seeking to understand various lawn tools need a frame of reference for cost and power comparisons across types of lawn equipment. In this post, we will reference all types of residential lawn equipment to gather a reference resource for all savvy shoppers. Let’s get started!

Looking to update these numbers for 2023 lawn care costs? Click here!

Jump ahead:

Statistics about push mowers

When it comes to push mowers, there are really three main types of power sources:

  1. Battery-powered push mowers: These mowers are powered by a battery and can be easily re-charged and stored. Battery-powered mowers are typically less expensive, easier to store and maintain, and better suited for small yards.
  2. Gas-powered push mowers: These mowers are gasoline-powered and rely on refills, just like a car. Gas-powered push mowers tend to last much longer than electric mowers, but require yearly maintenance.
  3. Corded electric push mowers: Corded push mowers tend to be very similar to battery-powered mowers, except require a long extension cord for power. Be careful not to run it over with the blade!

The average cost of push mowers in 2022

Push mowers range in cost depending on how they are powered, the size of their engine, and the width of their cutting deck. Push mowers are one of the most popular types of mowers because most folks have relatively small yards.

As the rise of townhomes have grown, the small little yards associated with them can be easily taken care of with a small electric mower. Sun Joe offers a ton of these, but also has competition with Greenworks, Ryobi, and a handful of others.

Battery powered mower cost 2022

The average cost of a battery-powered push mower in 2022 is about $300, but can range from $75 – $550 depending on size and features.  

Some of the battery powered push mowers we have reviewed are:

The Greenworks cordless mower is very popular.

Interested in other electric mowers? Check out our list of Top 13 Best Electric Mowers for Small Yards in 2022.

Average cost of a gas push mower in 2022

The average cost of a gas-powered push mower in 2022 is about $250, but can range from $170 – $400.

Some of the gas-powered push mowers we have reviewed are:

The Troy Bilt TB160 was my first mower and still runs like new.

Average cost of an electric mower in 2022

The average cost of a corded electric push mower in 2022 is about $150, but can range from $70 to $200.

The average cost of a riding mower in 2022 (Lawn Tractor + Zero-Turn)

Riding mowers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The two you will recognize the most are lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. 

Lawn tractors vs. zero-turn mowers

Lawn tractors tend to have a steering wheel where the engine sits between your legs. Zero-turn mowers have levers that help steer the mower. 

Lawn tractors are best for yards that are between ½ of an acre and 1.5 acres. Zero-turn mowers are great for those with 1.5 acres and above. 

Lawn tractor costs in 2022

The average cost of a lawn tractor in 2022 is about $2,300, but can range between $2,000 and $4,200.

Most lawn tractors sit right around the $2,000 to $3,000 range, but some newer electric lawn tractors can cost over $4,000.

Lawn tractors vary in price depending on their engine horsepower and their cutting width. As you would expect, larger engines and larger cutting decks increase the price of the lawn tractor.

Some of the lawn tractors that we have reviewed are:

The Cub Cadet XT2 is so hot right now.

Zero-turn mower costs in 2022

The average cost of a zero-turn mower in 2022 is about $4,500, but can range from $2,900 to $5,300. Zero-turn mowers range in price depending on the features and the size of the mower. 

Commercial zero-turn mowers can run as high as $10,000 in 2022. 

Some popular zero-turn mowers that we have reviewed include

The Ariens IKON XD52 is an absolute unit.

The average cost of a lawn service in 2022

The average cost of a lawn mowing service in 2022 is about $60 for lots < 10,000 sq. ft.

The average cost of a lawn mowing service for yards between 10,000 sq. ft and ½ acre is about $100 in 2022. 

The average cost of a lawn mowing service for an acre is $150-200 in 2022. 

As a reminder, lawn service usually comes every week or every other week during peak season. These costs can add up extremely quickly, making do-it-yourself lawn mowing easily the most affordable option.

Leaf blowers: A 2022 guide to cost and choice

Leaf blowers come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from some that seem to have the power of a hair blower to others that can send a sailboat across the Atlantic. When it comes to leaf blowers, there are three main types: handheld electric, handheld gasoline, and backpack blowers. 

Handheld electric blowers are slightly more expensive than gas blowers and are often the least powerful. There are a few exceptions, but these hold true. 

Who should buy an electric blower?

Electric blowers are great for those looking for quick, small jobs around the yard. This would include blowing out the garage, blowing off the driveway or back deck, or collecting leaves for a smaller yard. 

Electric blowers have a huge upside in that they are very easy to start and maintain, only requiring a charged battery to begin the work

Average cost of an electric leaf blower in 2022

The average cost of an electric leaf blower in 2022 is $175, but can range from $70 to $350 depending on the quality. 

Some of our favorite electric leaf blowers include:

The Ryobi Brushless Whisper blower is a beast.

Who should buy a gas leaf blower?

Handheld gasoline blowers provide a step up in power, but often require air filter changes and other minorly inconvenient maintenance. Gas blowers are great for people who have up to an acre or so of land and feel comfortable walking around and using the blower. 

Likewise, gas blowers are great for folks who receive a significant amount of leaves, regardless of lawn size. Gas blowers can help move leaves off of your yard much more quickly and will leave less wet leaves stuck behind.

Average cost of a gas leaf blower in 2022

Gas blowers cost about $150, but range from $100 – $250 depending on size and power. 

One of our favorite handheld gas blowers that we have reviewed is the Husqvarna 125B. This blower has an attachment on the end that can provide a super concentrated stream of air, with the ability to blow anything away.

We also love the Stihl BG 86 C – check out our video review on YouTube!

The cool flat tip on the Husqvarna 125B.

Who should buy a backpack blower?

Backpack blowers are the most powerful, expensive, and loudest blowers on the market. These are made popular by commercial landscapers, but anyone with an acre or above could majorly benefit from these.

Backpack blowers provide very high amounts of power and come with the added comfort of straps, advanced features, and an easy to use handle. 

Average cost of a backpack blower in 2022

Backpack blowers will run you about $350 in 2022, but can range from $250 to $750 depending on the size and power.

Some of our favorite backpack blower reviews include:

The Stihl BR600 is a beast and you look like a teenage mutant ninja turtle when you wear it.

Trimmers or Weed Eaters costs in 2022

Trimmers, lovingly known as weed eaters, are tools used to cut grass precisely. These are often used in harder to reach areas, to clear brush, or to fine tune the edges of a property.

Trimmers come in both gas and electric powered forms, with electric becoming more popular. Electric trimmers are very easy to use, but can be less powerful. A plus side to electric trimmers is that they often come with multiple interchangeable heads, allowing for edger, blower, and hedge trimmer attachments to all fit the same body.

Gas trimmers provide relentless, reliable power and are often used by those with bigger yards and of course, commercial landscapers. 

Average cost of an electric trimmer in 2022

Some of our electric trimmer reviews can be found here:

I have the Ryobi 40V trimmer….and I do not like it.

Average cost of a gas trimmer in 2022

The average cost of a gas trimmer in 2022 is about $180, but ranges from $150 to $430 depending on power and included attachments.

Some of our favorite gas trimmer reviews are below:

The ECHO SRM 225 has a powerful trimmer head.

Pressure washer costs in 2022

Pressure washers come in two major forms: gas and electric. Electric pressure washers tend to have less power and lower reliability. Gas pressure washers are more powerful and can get extremely pricey.

Who should buy an electric pressure washer?

Electric pressure washers are great for people who are doing lighter jobs. The perfect person to buy an electric pressure washer is someone looking to clean their windows, their car or boat, or garage door. 

Electric pressure washers are less expensive and relatively easy to use. If you are looking to blast away all of the grime from your long driveway, electric pressure washers will not be the best choice for you.

Average cost of an electric pressure washer in 2022

The average cost of an electric pressure washer is about $190, but ranges from $60 to $300 depending on power and size.

Some of our favorite electric pressure washers include:

The Sun Joe SPX3000 is one of the hottest pressure washers on Amazon.

Who should buy a gas pressure washer?

Gas pressure washers are great for all of the same reasons as an electric pressure washer, but can also remove paint, blast dirt and grime off of old surfaces, and more. 

Gas pressure washers have serious power, but are also pretty loud. They will be more reliable, but also require a little bit of maintenance.

Average cost of a gas pressure washer in 2022

The average cost of a gas pressure washer in 2022 is about $400, but can range from $250 to $1,000 depending on power.

Some of our favorite gas pressure washers include:

The Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer provides intense power.

Dethatcher costs in 2022

Dethatchers are lawn tools that pull up thatch, or dead grass, from the bottom of your yard. Thatch forms over time and can suffocate your soil, leaving poor conditions for your healthy grass to grow.

Many people dethatch their lawns before they aerate and seed in the fall. Dethatchers have grown in popularity. They are often electric, corded devices that replace the traditional dethatching rakes. 

Dethatchers typically come corded, meaning you need a long extension cord to operate them in your yard. They are not a danger to your cord like a normal mower, but actually have small metal tines. The tines stick out (kind of like the metal springs in a chip bag clip), and kick up the thatch from the soil.

Average cost of a dethatcher in 2022

The average dethatcher will cost about $150, but ranges from $130 to $200 depending on the width of the machine.

Two of our favorite dethatcher reviews are below:

The Sun Joe Dethatcher is one of the hottest lawn care items in 2022.
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The Cub Cadet XT2 is the Official Mower of Dads

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 is the most popular model in the XT2 Enduro series by Cub Cadet. I have reviewed a few Cub Cadet mowers in the past, including an XT1 mower as well as one of their zero turn mowers. 

Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro series, from the back!

The XT2 series is a slightly higher-end version compared to the XT1. They were both built on the same chassis, but some details were changed (more on that later). Let’s take a look at what we will be reviewing today:

Cub Cadet XT2 Riding Mower: Feature review

The Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro series mower has a few options, but today I will look at the best seller – the XT2 LX46. The XT2 LX46 is a step up from the older and similar series from Cub Cadet and has new features not previously available. Let’s get started by checking each important feature out and then comparing the price and overall value of this lawn tractor.

Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 boasts a high horsepower engine

The XT2 Enduro LX46 has a 21.5 hp Kawasaki engine. This is a moderate to high horsepower engine for a lawn tractor. I always like seeing lawn mower companies outsource engines to quality companies. Folks like Briggs and Stratton, Honda, and Kawasaki have divisions that focus specifically on small engines and can provide outsized power and quality in ways that John Deere, Cub Cadet, etc. cannot. This takes a bit of humility on their part, but you will be thankful. 

Another feature of this mower that separates it from the XT1 series and most lower-end mowers is the AGM battery that has slightly more voltage. This allows for reliable starting and reduces the chances that your battery will die in the offseason. Cub Cadet must have heard some negative feedback about the battery dying in the winter because this is a great adjustment. 

Lastly, this thing has the power to pull a lawn mower trailer – which is cool.

Usability

The 46 inch mowing deck on the Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 is pretty standard for most lawn tractors. A differentiator for this mower is that it has a heavy-duty “AeroForce” deck. Frankly, I cannot tell much of a difference from this deck compared to others, other than the shape. It has a more angular shape instead of a smooth, round circle. The benefit to this is that it is sturdier and more reinforced than curved metal. 

The deck also comes with 4 gauge wheels and 12 deck positions to protect against scalping. Scalping is when you are using a lawn tractor and hit an uneven surface and the blades start digging into the earth. There are two blades at the bottom of this mower, meaning you can drive at higher speeds and it will keep up compared to one bladed lawn tractors. The 16 inch turn radius means that you can still make tight turns without having to shell out the cash for a zero-turn mower. 

The XT2 LX46 can go up to 5.5 mph forward and 3 mph in reverse, both are totally standard for a lawn tractor. One new feature to the XT2 not found on the XT1 enduro series is the front bumper. This can help keep brush away from the tires and body of the mower.

Comfort: what this mower does best

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 has done one thing that is absolutely perfect, and that is comfort. A noticeable difference from the XT1 to the XT2 series is the presence of armrests. While seemingly trivial, armrests make a huge difference if you are out moving for a long time. My arms get particularly tired as a tall person having to lurch over and keep my hands on the steering wheel.

The arm rests and cup holder on the Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro series.

Another feature that Cub Cadet always gets right is the high seat back. The seat back on Cub Cadet lawn tractors is higher than most other lawn tractors in the business. They truly understand that a comfortable ride makes a huge difference. With this in mind, this mower also comes with a cup holder. 

Again, these small trivial features seem like they would not and should be make or break issues, but experienced mowers will pick these things out each time. To be completely honest, the functionality and performance of most of these lawn tractors are marginally noticeable to normal consumers. The difference makers will be the comfort and operator-centric designs on the Cub Cadet XT2 enduro series.

Maintenance

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 comes with a Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission. Basically, this just means that the mower has a smooth transmission that requires less maintenance than standard automatic or manual transmissions. 

Nice brushguard!

Otherwise, this mower has a standard oil change system. This feature is basic, but a lot of folks like John Deere have figured out a way to save you 10-15 minutes on an oil change by just adding a simple cartridge. To me, this should be a negative for this mower because they simply have not innovated in this space. 

I like the large Aeroforce deck on this mower, but I haven’t seen a washout port on it for getting rid of the clumps and mess after a long season. With attention to some details and not others, the durability of this machine is put into question. Keeping grass on the blades and inside the deck can lead to erosion and rust over time. Make sure to life up the deck and spray out after a few mows.

Cost and value: Price of the XT2 Enduro

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 comes in at just over $3,000. This is a pretty big price tag and slightly over the standard range for similarly sized lawn tractors. What sets apart the Cub Cadet from its peers is the attention to user experience as well as a powerful cutting engine. 

Bumblebee

I would rank the XT2 series at about expected value. Quite simply, you get what you pay for. The value is definitely there, but you will have to pay for premium features. 

Pros and Cons

Now that we have a good understanding of some of the features, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the XT2 Enduro series

Pros

  • Powerful Kawasaki engine compared to its peers
  • Large, reinforced cutting deck means heavy-duty cuts 
  • Attention to user experience, high seat back, arm rests, and cup holder
  • New features and upgrades from the XT1 including a stronger battery and front brush guard

Cons

  • A little bit on the pricier side
  • Nothing innovative in the maintenance space to help reduce time spent on oil changes

Attachments and accessories

Cub Cadet does a great job with attachments and accessories. One thing I love about the diversity in attachments is that it turns your mower into a year-round vehicle.

Some of the attachments include a snow cab, leaf collector, tire chains, double bagger, cargo carrier, sun shade, sprayer, snow plow blade and more.

The official review

FeatureCub Cadet XT2
Difficulty to useLess difficult due to tighter turn radius than peers.
DurabilityAverage durability of engine and transmission but above average durability of deck due to reinforced steel “Aeroforce”
MaintenanceAverage maintenance, maybe even below average compared to peeers.
ValueYou get what you pay for.
For lots <10,000 sq. ftLess recommended
For lots <1 acreHighly recommended
For lots >1 acreHighly recommended up to about 2 acres.

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We take tool testing seriously!

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

Cub Cadet’s reputation 

The first Cub Cadet lawn tractor was designed and engineered in the early 1960s here in America. They did not develop another type of equipment until the early 90’s, when they developed a snow blower. Their first 30 years were dedicated solely to lawn tractors, but made cool walk-behind mowers as well.

One of their popular walk-behinds.

While they do not have the same reputation as some of the older brands like Husqvarna, they absolutely are known for their innovation. In fact, they work on some pretty neat pieces of equipment. They develop consumer-centric upgrades like electronic power steering, robotic golf course mowers, and the first mobile app for maintenance.

Who should purchase a lawn tractor

Lawn tractors are great pieces of equipment and essential for many suburbanites. When choosing between a push mower, lawn tractor, or zero-turn mower, it really comes down to lawn size.

I recommend push mowers for those with yards up to ½ of an acre. After that, the job just takes too long and is not worth it. For those with a yard between ½ of an acre to 1.5 acres, I suggest lawn tractors. For those with 1.5 acres and up, a zero turn mower is essential. 

Lawn tractors and zero turn mowers are mostly similar, but zero-turn mowers have additional speed, larger cutting decks, and more nimble turning capabilities. They are great for large yards as mentioned, but also can slow down and handle curves near garden beds or structures very well. 

Posted on

Why the Husqvarna Z254 is Both Beauty and Grace

The Husqvarna Z254 zero-turn mower is an absolute beast. If you are looking for a zero-turn mower that feels and looks like a commercial mower, look no further.

The combination of an absolute beast of an engine, massive deck, and Husqvarna quality make for one of the best zero-turn mowers on the market. 

Let’s take a look at the outline for this review:

The Husqvarna Z254 review: Features

Now that you understand the reputation of Husqvarna and the benefits of zero-turn mowers, let’s check out some of the features and highlights of the Husqvarna Z254. 

Power

The Husqvarna Z254 has a 24-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine. Yep, you read that right, 24 horses! For reference, many of the other similar sized mowers are around 22-23 horsepower. Even some of the larger zero turn mowers with a 60 inch deck have 24 horsepower mowers. 

All that being said, this thing has some power under the hood. The one thing I love about all Husqvarna products is that they are flat out powerful. The oversized cooling fan, premium air filtration, chrome plated valves and smooth bearings all give this engine a high-end performance.

Another thing I love about Husqvarna is that they know what to outsource. Many of these companies try to vertically integrate and make sure that they own every single part of the mower. Husqvarna has the humility to ensure that their owners are getting a super refined product. Many mowers rely on Briggs and Stratton for their engines because they simply dominate the engineering of that space. When you get into the high horsepower range, you will be glad they decided to loop in Briggs and Stratton. 

Husqvarna Z254 zero-turn mower is an absolute beast!

User experience

One element I love about the Husqvarna Z254 is that the folks over at Husqvarna have mowed lawns before. When putting together machines, they always consider the mowers’ experiences. This one uniquely feels like it was designed for commercial property landscaping, but also able to be used in your backyard. 

For starters, the Z254 comes with an automatic park brake system. When the steering levers are deactivated (resting in a separated form), the parking brake is automatically activated. For context, most zero turn mowers have a separate brake that you have to engage. 

This thing is sweet.

The Husqvarna Z254 also has an ergonomic control panel. Ergonomic is a label placed on anything, so I rolled my eyes when I first saw this. But it is nice having a panel that includes the ignition, hour meter, and speed control all together in one spot. On the other side of the control panel, there is the deck lift system, which is extremely standard on really any riding mower. Nothing special here. 

This mower does come with the ability for some attachments. One attachment I absolutely love is the striping kit. Just makes your yard pop. The 54 inch mower deck on this is almost 3 times the size of your average push mower, so you can imagine how big of a stripe you can make on your yard with this. 

Drivability

Earlier, when I mentioned that this was designed for commercial folks, I meant it. An example of this is the rubber bellows (little rubber part at the bottom of gear shifters in manual cars), that are at the bottom of the handles. 

You see, these rubber bellows are actually very important and you will see them on industrial equipment for a reason. When moving joints on any metal tool get a lot of use (especially outdoors), they get exposed to grass, twigs, debris, rain, wind, extreme temperature fluctuations, etc.. As we all know, water is the biggest destroyer on the planet. The rubber bellows protect the moving joints on the steering levers and maintain the integrity of the steering components for much longer than its peers.

The rubber bellows on the Husqvarna Z254

Lastly, the anti-slip foot area is just another common sense detail found on this mower that actually is missing from a lot. Others will have the smooth, finished steel with holes in it. That is great and all for when you want to hose down the mower, but when you actually need to make an awkward step in or out, you will wish you had an anti-slip surface available. 

The 54 inch mowing deck has something called “air induction technology” that actually sucks the grass up so the blades can get the most complete cut. For an analogy of this, imagine your hairdresser pulling your hair out with a comb to cut it evenly. The design of this deck does the same thing with air. 

It’s so well constructed and roomy.

Maintenance and durability

The hydrostatic transmission means that this zero-turn mower is going to be relatively maintenance free. The 3-year bumper to bumper warranty is a good faith pledge from the people at Husqvarna that they stand behind their equipment. My suggestion is always to ride the wheels off of this for the first few years while you are still under warranty. 

The durability of this thing is high quality as well. Once you step on and feel the “thud” of your boots on the footplate, you will know that this was constructed with thick steel. The frame and casters as well are pretty dang thick. In some of the other mowers I have tried and reviewed, I read about folks actually cracking the chassis of their mower going over a weird hill or bump. I mean my word people, just put some reinforced steel and wheels on there and avoid losing $3,000+ on a mower. 

Cost and value: Husqvarna Z254 zero-turn mower

The Husqvarna Z254 costs about $3,800 and can actually be bought on Amazon and delivered to your house! All things considered, this is a tremendous value. In fact for the quality, power, and durability, this is probably the best value of any zero-turn mower I reviewed. I absolutely recommend this product. 

The official review: The Husqvarna Z254 zero-turn mower

Check out the table we made below that compare the Husvarna Z254 zero-turn mower to a comparable, average residential zero-turn mower.

FeatureHusqvarna Z254Comparable residential ZT mower
Difficulty to useBelow average difficultyAverage
DurabilityAbove average durabilityAverage durability
MaintenanceAverage maintenanceAverage maintenance
ValueSuper high valueMedium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ftWould not fitWould not fit
For lots <1 acreProbably overkill but is fun and looks coolProbably overkill but is fun and looks cool
For lots >1 acreHighly recommendedHighly recommended
Posted on

The Husqvarna YTH18542 Lawn Tractor Is An Incredible Mower

The Husqvarna YTH18542 is a heavy-duty 42 inch lawn tractor that can tackle just about any job. Husqvarna has a vast selection of lawn materials, ranging from commercial to residential use. Let’s check out why this is one of the most popular riding mowers on the market. 

A beast riding mower.

Today we will review:

The Husqvarna YTH18542 Lawn Tractor: Features

The Husqvarna YTH18542 is a name that rolls right off the tip of the tongue. All jokes aside, let’s check out each element of the YTH18542 that makes it so popular for homeowners. 

The lawn tractor has a powerful 18.5 HP engine

The power of the Husqvarna YTH18542 is slightly above its competitors. This engine comes with a 18.5 HP engine (compared to John Deere’s E100 with 17.5). The YTH18542 also comes with a Briggs and Stratton Intek engine. Briggs and Stratton makes lawn mower engines for some of the most powerful mowers, including some large push mowers I reviewed. 

The 18.5hp Briggs and Stratton Intek engine on the Husqvarna YTH18542.

I have never had issues with this mower and from others that I have heard from, this thing has no issue going up hills. I also love the hydrostatic transmission on this bad boy. Hydrostatic transmissions are awesome for those that don’t love doing maintenance on their lawn mower (umm…everyone). They are smoother and have less moving, clunking parts. 

This lawn tractor is moderately comfortable

While not zero-turn, this mower does have a pretty tight turning radius of 16 inches. Similar to most other type of lawn tractors, it does have a forward and reverse function that is foot-controlled. 

Also what seems to be standard on lawn tractors is their seat back. I honestly do not like how uncomfortable the lawn tractor seat backs are, but then again I am well over six feet tall. On the older models of the Husqvarna YTH18542, there was a metal spring underneath the seat that clasped it to the frame. The newer models use a plastic one. For heavier folks, this could potentially break over time with use (not your fault). 

I do like that the seat is at least adjustable with a lever and lets you drop it closer to the steering wheel if you don’t have freakishly long legs like I do. Another aspect of this mower that I love is the cup holder. I am super easy to please, so having something like this absolutely delighted me. 

It requires standard maintenance

Upfront, something I dislike about the Husqvarna YTH18542 is that it does not come with an hour meter. I use an hour meter to know when I should do an oil change and this one has to be purchased separately. It is something easy and cheap that they could easily add, so this is frustrating.

You can buy an hour meter separately, like this one from Amazon.

Otherwise, this is pretty standard lawn mower maintenance. Oil change and air filters occasionally. One thing I noticed that seems odd to me is that the gas tank is under the hood, right next to the engine. As long as you keep the hood on and do not smoke and mow, you should likely not cause the next forest fire. 

Further, a small detail I like is the washout port for the deck. A lot of push mowers have this function. Basically you just hook up a hose to this little port and the deck has grooves that will run the water through and clean out all of the grass. This is easy and helps not drag in a bunch of grass into your garage or shed. 

The tractor will last you a LONG time

Husqvarna has a reputation for quality and durable equipment. That’s why their products are used for golf courses and national parks. This is demonstrated by a cast iron front axle that simply will not bend under pressure. After about 15 years, this thing may fall apart but that cast iron axle will be there until the day you die. 

The Husqvarna YTH18542 does come with a three year bumper to bumper warranty. Any concerns you have about this mower will be fully addressed in the first three years. This is a great warranty, whereas many competitors have a 2 year warranty. 

Price

The Husqvarna YTH18542 comes in at just around $2,000. This is relatively standard for riding mowers of this size and horsepower. I will say, if you are comparing this to a rival lawn tractor brand, you can get those at a better price. 

The sleek design of the Husqvarna YTH18542.

This is a decent value considering Husqvarna’s reputation for quality and durability. I also think the Briggs & Stratton engine gives it a distinct advantage over John Deere’s comparable lawn tractors in the series. 

The official review

FeatureHusqvarna YTH18542Comparable lawn tractor
Difficulty to useLess difficult due to tighter turning radiusAverage
DurabilityAbove average durabilityAverage durability
MaintenanceAverage maintenanceAverage maintenance
ValueMedium valueMedium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ftNot recommendedWould not fit
For lots <1 acreHighly recommendedHighly recommended
For lots >1 acreHighly recommended up to 2 acresHighly recommended up to 2 acres

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We take tool testing seriously!

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

Husqvarna products

Husqvarna makes chainsaws, blowers, mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, edgers, pressure washers – basically any outdoor tool you would want to use around your home. They stand out with their bright orange color scheme. Commercial landscaping companies love these products, so I guarantee you have seen hundreds of these when you have been driving around.

Most popular item.

If you are wondering how to pronounce Husqvarna, you have come to the wrong place. But this company’s 330 year history started in Sweden by manufacturing muskets. In 1919, they began engineering their first lawnmower engines. Since then, they have become a dominant force in all outdoor equipment. I have reviewed one of their trimmers before and it is an absolute beast!

Riding mowers vs. zero-turn mowers

Many people ask us what the difference is between riding mowers (lawn tractors) and zero turn mowers. Simply put, they are both great. Lawn tractors tend to be less expensive than zero turn mowers. Both are great for lawns between 1-2 acres, but zero turn mowers will take you past two acres. 

The ideal lawn size for a lawn tractor is about a half of an acre up to two acres. Once you hit the two acre mark, you are going to be out there for a long time. Zero-turn mowers would be overkill for a ½ acre lot and can reach almost double the speed of lawn tractors. 

Fortunately, the market for mowers for people with half of an acre to two acres is much larger than the market for people with over two acres. This is why lawn tractors are still so popular. 

Oh – and both can pull little lawn trailers as well which is sweet.

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