Best Lawn Tractors

The yard is too big for a push mower to take down alone, and the price of a zero-turn riding mower has left you in sticker shock. Fear not, the good old traditional rider tractor has got you covered and might even surprise you with how maneuverable and agile these beastly machines can be. Thanks to advancements in modern technology and good old-fashioned common sense, a lawn tractor can be more than just a mower for those big projects as many double as light-load haulers for moving trailers or small equipment, as well as locking in with solid accessories for year-round applications like snow plowing and blowing. Whatever your needs, be they versatility or the ability to handle uneven and difficult terrain, there is a perfect lawn tractor waiting.

If you’re ready to dive into the wonderful market of lawn tractors and can’t wait to see the best of what the market has to offer, we’re ready, too! Let’s jump right in and see what these top five have to offer you.

BEST OVERALL | Poulan Pro 960420188 46” 20 HP Briggs & Stratton Lawn Tractor

Poulan Pro 960420188 46” 20 HP Briggs & Stratton Lawn Tractor full view

Poulan Pro has delivered essentially the perfect balance of serious engineering quality and reliable components with the 960420188 46” 20 HP Briggs & Stratton Lawn Tractor, and it’s no leap to appreciate the attention to detail that pervades every inch of this beautiful machine. From a heavy duty cast iron front axle to a 13-gauge reinforced 46” cutting deck with air induction technology, you’re looking at a machine that is made both tough and smart. Turf Saver tread on each tire ensures that you don’t slip, slide, or tear up the lawn you’re working so hard to maintain. The included warranties are nothing to scoff at with a two-year homeowner and two ten-year policies covering the automatic transmission belt and cutting deck. If you’re looking at manicuring up to two acres of difficult or uneven terrain, the Poulan Pro 960420188 has got you covered by its very intent, offering thoughtful design to cover that very purpose in ways that others do not or cannot. Did I mention that it has a nigh-unheard of 6” turn radius? If you need agility in your lawn tractor, this is nearly the top of the list. The Poulan Pro 960420188 46” 20 HP Briggs & Stratton Lawn Tractor has an MSRP of $1898.97.

Read the full review for the Poulan Pro 960420188.

BEST DESIGN | Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King

Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King Review full view

If you don’t recognize the name Ride King, don’t worry, you’re not alone. In 1949, Max Swisher released the original Ride King, a three-wheeled, boxy beast that had the agility of a cat. Now, in 2017, the Swisher company has refreshed, renewed, and redesigned the original zero-turn mower in the Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King. Maintaining the ultimate in zero-turn maneuverability and upgrading the safety and performance, Swisher has delivered what few could dream of: a highly agile, highly maneuverable and compact lawn tractor that can easily fit through standard fence gates and get effortlessly close to every edge on your lawn. With a 10.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine, 32” cutting deck, upgraded safety features, and awesome retro-vintage styling, the 2017 Ride King proves to be a modern, effective lawn tractor for smaller yards. It is also extremely stable and resistant to tip-overs, thanks to a low center of gravity and a squat, solid design. If you need maneuverability and a compact design that won’t leave you hurting for storage space, this is the lawn tractor you should deeply consider. It also looks pretty snazzy and will definitely catch the neighbor’s attention. The Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King has an MSRP of $2,599.95.

Read the full review for the Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King.

EASIEST TO USE | Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor full view

Ease, thy name is Cub Cadet. The XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor is a shining gem of simple and clean engineering and will leave you happier than ever. With a 42” cutting deck powered by a 18HP Kohler professional-grade Courage OHV engine, you control the speed and ride with the Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission via the foot-controlled soft-touch engagement. It’s a comfortable ride and can even be fun to drive! Even the considerable size belies its agility as the XT1 Enduro 42” features a surprisingly maneuverable 16” turn radius. The simple-to-use QuickAttach system allows for tool-less application and removal of accessories, making your life a heck of a lot easier. When it comes to a machine that works and works well without a lot of extra frills but with the option for accessories, the Enduro series should be high on your list for consideration. Ultimately, the 42” model is affordable, agile, strong, and delivers excellent cut quality each and every time you use it, making the job easier for you in the long run. The only downside is that more accessories are available for the larger cutting deck sizes, even though 42” is more than enough for the average homeowner. The Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor has an MSRP of $1,499.99.

Read the full review for the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series.

MOST VERSATILE | Husqvarna 960430216 YTH22V42 22V 42″ Twin Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower

Husqvarna 960430216 YTH22V42 22V 42 Twin Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower full view

If you’re living in a region that experiences all four seasons, then you will need a machine that carries its weight through each and every one of them. What use is an expensive piece of machinery if it can’t help you across the board? The Husqvarna 960430216 YTH22V42 22V 42″ Twin Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower has a wonderful variety of attachments, from dozer blades and snow blowers to a three-bin bagging system and a dethatcher, you’ll have every possible job necessary to keep your property looking well cared for year-round. With a 22 HP Briggs & Stratton engine and a whopping 3-gallon tank (counting reserve), there’s no end to what you can accomplish, even if the weather is unfavorable due to snow, rain, or heat. As a mower, the 960430216 is no slouch either, with a stamped 42” cutting deck and U-Cut steering technology, guaranteeing you’ll have a great time driving this machine. The stamped steel will last from season to season, year to year, protected with a powder coating and featuring a deck wash port to blast away those caked-on clippings that can cause further corrosion or lower cut quality. Don’t forget the LED headlights for when the days are short and a cupholder that keeps a grip on your refreshments, hot or cold. Even better, the Husqvarna 960430216 YTH22V42 22V 42″ Twin Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower is super affordable for all the jobs it can cover, with an MSRP of $1,849.95.

Read the full review for the Husqvarna 960430216.

BARGAIN BUY | Troy-Bilt TB46 19HP/540cc Intek 46-Inch Automatic Riding Lawn Tractor

Troy-Bilt TB46 19HP540cc Intek 46-Inch Automatic Riding Lawn Tractor full view

What do you lose when you tighten the belt and go for the bargain deal? Not much, to be honest, thanks to Troy-Bilt’s TB46 19HP/540cc Intek 46-Inch Automatic Riding Lawn Tractor. While you might not get the luxury aspects, you’re still looking at a piece of machinery with a wide enough reach at 46”, a 13-gauge cutting deck and overall build design, and a pretty tight turning radius of 18”, giving this lawn tractor a level of maneuverability that many others can’t claim. On top of that, you’ve got Made in the USA reliability, thanks to Troy-Bilt’s dedication to remaining at home with both manufacturing and distribution. It isn’t as fast as others with a top speed of 5 MPH, and it isn’t as flashy in its black and red, but that doesn’t matter if you’re getting the maneuverability and cut quality that you need to keep your lawn looking fresh, healthy, and manicured. Plus, who can argue with that black and red styling? The FastAttach accessories will make your life easier when it comes to switching between side-discharge, bagging, and mulching, while the StepThru chassis design makes it even more comfortable and easy to get settled and get going. The Troy-Bilt TB46 19HP/540cc Intek 46-Inch Automatic Riding Lawn Tractor has an MSRP of $1,399.99.

Read the full review for the Troy-Bilt TB46.

BOTTOM LINE

When a job is too big for a push mower alone, and your budget shrieks at the idea of having to fit around a massive investment like a zero-turn mower, the riding lawn tractor is more than ready and willing to take on the job. Sure, they might seem boring, but as this list shows, you can get the agility of a zero-turn (or nearly) with the stability and rugged design of a traditional lawn tractor and the trimming capability of a push mower, all in one device. If you need a workhorse that can give you satisfactory cut quality and also pull its own weight through more than just a single season, consider one of these beastly options. Comfortable, easy to run, and almost fun to buzz around the yard with, any one of these rider lawn tractors will fit your needs perfectly. You don’t have to go with the traditional styling, either. Pick one that fits your job requirements and style all at once, and enjoy your investment for more than just how well it fits into your budget. But if you’re not quite ready for a lawn tractor, then check out our Best Lawn Mowers here!