Best Riding Lawn Mowers for Large Yards

For large lawns, a good riding lawn mower is one of the most efficient mowing tools in saving time, money and energy, not to mention enhancing the yard's curb appeal. Compared to standard push models, riding lawn mowers are easy to operate and obtain replacement parts. Moreover, they can effectively handle other yard tasks, including an aerator or trailer.

With so many brands and lawn mowing models currently available, selecting the best ones for large yards can be challenging. To help homeowners find the right model, we tested a variety of top-rated riding mowers, paying close attention to each unit's cutting ability, finish quality, deck height and general ease of operation.

Below, we'll talk about riding lawn mowers in great detail, covering everything buyers need to know about these units, including the different types, capabilities, features and essential factors to consider when shopping for a new riding mower for large yards.

What Features Should You Look for in a Lawn Mower for a Large Yard?

When shopping for the best riding lawnmower for a large yard, homeowners want to opt for models with features that make the work easier and more efficient. Most of the best models accept multiple accessories, such as baggers, mulchers and aerators. Baggers are the most frequently used accessories, allowing homeowners to clear grass clippings and waste materials on their lawns.

Other models even include advanced add-ons and settings, such as height controls, to help the unit adjust to different types of terrain. Other critical features to consider include:

• Bumper or brush guard: This attachment helps prevent damages and dents from obstacles.

• Cruise control: Automatic and hydrostatic transmissions allow operators to engage one speed for mowing long straight stretches.

• All-in-one oil change cartridge: This enables operators to change the oil and filter without draining oil from the engine.

• Engine horsepower: This measures the available engine power output that can be shared among different lawn mower components.

• Grease fittings: This makes lawn mower maintenance easier.

In addition to the above specifications, landscapers may also want to consider simple comfort features such as extended leg room, a high-back seat and rubber foot pads, which go a long way toward preventing sore backs and making mowing less tiresome. Convenience and efficiency take precedence when shopping for riding lawn mowers.

Types of Riding Lawn Mowers

Lawn mowers are categorized into different types based on their build and working principle. In this section, we'll describe different riding lawnmower types to help landscapers find the ones that suit their mowing needs and specific requirements.

Riding Lawn Mowers

Riding mowers are the most used lawn tools among landscapers with large yards, as they make light work of cutting large areas. This significantly reduces the time it takes to mow lawns, making it a more enjoyable and smooth experience.

Regarding efficiency, these lawn mowers are far superior to push mowers. They also carry a hefty price tag to match.

Gas-Powered Riding Mowers

Gas-powered mowers feature internal combustion engines that run on petrol. Compared to other lawn mowers, they're powerful, which enables them to cut thick, tall and dense grass faster. This results in shorter mowing time. They aren't restricted by cables, making them perfect for mowing large spaces where corded units can't access.

Like vehicles, these mowers consume a lot of fuel. Some landscapers consider them very noisy and need frequent upkeep to maintain good working conditions.

Self-Propelled Riding Mowers

Self-propelled mowers have transmissions that use engine power to propel the machine forward. This means that operators won't have to push their units around. Landscapers only need to guide the mower across the yard to cut desired sections.

Homeowners with sloppy yards or more ground to cover may consider self-propelled riding mowers. They're simple to operate and give a more consistent cut, thanks to their ability to maintain a constant cutting speed.

While these mowers don't require extra effort from the operator, they have downsides. For instance, they need more maintenance than push mowers and can be quite difficult to fix during repairs, since they have more mechanical components. We recommend hiring a professional mowing expert to inspect and repair this landscaping tool for the most effective results.

Mulch Riding Mowers

Commonly referred to as waste-reducing mowers, mulch riding mowers are best suited to large yards with grass that isn't too high. This mower leaves finely cut grass that operators can use as mulch to fertilize the same yard or other field areas.

These mowers feature rotary blades designed to spin on a horizontal plane and direct clippings under the deck. This enables the unit to cut the grass clippings into fine bits before they fall back on the lawn, eventually breaking down into nutrients that feed the yard, making it look healthier and well-maintained.

Aside from returning the much-needed nutrients to the soil, these clippings add organic matter to the soil as they decompose. This helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients and offers beneficial soil microorganisms a reliable food source. The mower improves your yard's curb appeal while enriching the ground to encourage healthy grass and other plants to grow.

Choosing the Best Lawn Riding Mowers for Large Yards

A riding lawnmower is a significant investment, so buyers must select the perfect unit that meets their mowing needs and specific preferences. While it can be a bit challenging to know where to start or what to look for when shopping for a new riding mower for large yards, there are various factors operators need to consider, making the entire buying process easier and stress-free.

Key Considerations

Riding lawn mowers are specially designed to make mowing large yards easier and more efficient all year long, and having a model with the right features can make lawn maintenance enjoyable and smooth.

In this section, we've listed some vital factors that landscapers should consider when choosing a riding lawn mower for a perfect cut every time.

Cutting Width

Cutting width represents the lawn coverage a mower can cut with a single pass. It typically tells landscaper the width of their mower's cutting area. For example, mowers with wider cutting width sizes should cover more space quickly. A riding lawn mower with a 50-inch cutting width will offer more coverage space when compared to a 30-inch lawn mower.

It's also worth mentioning that while a mower blade's cutting width can speed up the mowing process, it can also impact the size of the unit. As the blade width of a riding lawn mower increases, so does its overall size.

That's why we always recommend buyers measure their cutting area to find the most suitable riding lawn mower for their space. Nothing is more annoying than having a lawn mower that can't access small, tight spaces within your yard. Again, convenience and efficiency are critical in choosing the right riding lawn mower for any yard.

Here are some general rules to follow when looking for a new riding lawn mower:

• The 40-inch cutting deck is best suited to mowing yards of up to 1/2 acres.

• A 40-inch to 42-inch cutting deck is more suitable for medium-sized lawns (1/2-2 acres).

• The 50-inch cutting deck is ideal for larger lawns with up to 3 acres or more cutting space.

Cutting Heights

Finding the perfect grass-cutting height is crucial to maintaining the lawn's overall health and curb appeal. Different grasses will also need different cutting heights to thrive in different seasons. Therefore, it's important to consider the unit's minimum and maximum cutting height before purchasing.

We recommend homeowners try out mower height adjusters to ensure they function smoothly before purchase. Some mowers can only adjust a pair of wheels on a single lever, while others adjust up to four wheels simultaneously to ensure the operator is mowing the lawn at the right height.

Terrain

Landscapers should also consider their yard's terrain when shopping for a riding lawn mower for large yards. Generally, riding mowers with tight-turning radii are suitable for lawns with many obstacles to navigate. These mowers easily maneuver around tight spots and corners, making them more convenient and reliable for such terrain.

On the other hand, zero-turn mowers are ideal for large yards with shrubs and flower beds. In addition to having an effective turning radius (0 inches), these mowers have a high forward speed that allows them to pass through tight edges while still delivering a smooth cut. Homeowners with hills to navigate may opt for self-propelled riding lawn mowers.

Engine Features

The best riding lawnmower for large yards should feature a reliable engine powerful enough to achieve a perfect cut without stressing the mower.

An engine with more horsepower should have enough power output to distribute to various parts of the mower, such as the cutting blades and transmission. This, in turn, enables operators to perform various tasks, such as moving the mower across obstacles and up hills, with ease. We recommend buying a riding lawn mower with 24 horsepower or more engine capacity for large yards.

Starting Mechanism

Different lawn mowers have different starting mechanisms. Some units come with electric start systems, enabling users to start their mowers by pressing a button. Others feature pull-starts or keys that require operators to pull a starter rope to turn the unit on.

Landscapers should consider buying a model with an easy start mechanism to help kickstart the mowing process quickly and smoothly. Remember, you want to make the mowing experience as effortless and enjoyable as possible.

Mulching and Bags

As mentioned earlier, mulching is cutting grass clippings into fine bits, which can be spread across the lawn or collected in a bag. Landscapers who prefer mulching their grass should look for riding lawn mowers with mulching lawn mower blades and composite decks that prevent grass build-up on the underside.

Some riding lawn mowers have mulching as an additional feature, while others don't. Therefore, before making a purchase decision, check whether the unit has this feature or is compatible with a separate mulching kit.

Safety Features

In addition to the accessories mentioned above, landscapers may also want to look for riding lawn mowers with extra safety features that help them avoid preventable accidents. Some safety accessories that riding lawn mowers may have include:

• Blade-brake clutch systems: Blade-brake clutches stop the blades from spinning when the user releases the controls, preventing accidents when one needs to step away from the lawn mower.

• Reverse awareness systems: This feature requires operators to press a specific button before mowing in reverse, helping prevent accidents caused by unintentional reversing.

• Low oil pressure indicator: This feature alerts operators when the oil pressure in their unit is too low, preventing engine damage and accidents from engine failure.

• Anti-scalp wheels: These help keep the lawn mower decks from digging deep into the surface and damaging the lawn.

• Headlights: Proper lighting helps users see and be seen during low light conditions.

Other safety measures include wearing proper clothing before mowing and keeping pets and children away from the machine, which should also be considered to ensure a safe mowing experience.

Maintenance

Riding lawn mowers are complex units designed for heavy-duty tasks on large yards. Therefore, they need regular maintenance and repair to function correctly and efficiently. That's why operators should shop for units with easily accessible parts that enable them to make basic repairs and maintenance procedures easily.

Riding mowers also come with operating, maintenance and safety instructions to guide operators on caring for the units and keeping them in top shape.

Our Top Picks

We have an extensive range of commercial stand-on riding mowers for all types of terrain applications. Here are our top riding mower selections to keep lawns looking neat and even-cut.

Bradley 36" Stand-On Compact Mower Briggs Commercial Turf 

This Bradley stand-on compact mower packs a 25-horspower Briggs & Stratton Commercial Turf Engine and features a Cyclonic Air Filter that powers the heart of this mower for robust performance. The Hydro-Gear ZT3100 Dual Hydrostatic Drives ensure seamless and efficient operation for a smooth mowing experience.

Its 36-inch deck width has two blades that cover a wide area efficiently, while the 7-gauge heavy-duty fabricated floating steel deck guarantees durability. The mower has an adjustable cutting height ranging from 1 1/2-4 1/4 inches right from the operator position, ensuring precision in every pass. This mower provides stability and maneuverability, supported by 20-inch rear tires and 11-inch front tires.

The 5-gallon fuel tank with a fuel gauge ensures uninterrupted operation. Weighing 811 pounds, this sturdy mower is built to withstand tough conditions. It comes with industry-standard tires, belts, bearings and electronic components for your peace of mind.

Bradley 52" Stand-On Compact Mower Briggs Vanguard

The Bradley 53" Stand-On Mower Briggs Vanguard features a 26-horsepower Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine, ultra-responsive zero-turn controls, Donaldson air filter and hydro-Gear ZT3400 hydro drive system for the best grass-cutting experience.

It has an adjustable cutting height of 1 1/2-4 1/4 inches with a three-blade deck to ensure precision cut. The stand-on riding mower has a 5-gallon fuel tank and is supported by 23-inch rear tires and 11-inch front tires for improved stability and maneuverability.

Get in Touch With Us

Getting a riding lawn mower to help you mow your lawn perfectly is challenging. But it doesn't have to be with the right considerations and mowing priorities.

We've got you covered. At Bradley Mowers, we take great pride in offering the best quality products for the best value. Whether you need the best stand-on mowers for large yards or walk-behind models for a small garden, we have an extensive range of top-rated products that make lawn maintenance tasks easy, fun and effortless. Contact us today for the best-in-class lawn mowers at affordable prices.