Best Budget Riding Lawn Mower

Have you ever wondered how life would be without lawnmowers? How about if they were there, but the cost is unachievable? Lawn mowers play an integral part in our homesteads. Here is a review of the best budget riding lawn mower. We shall look at five products ideal for keeping our gardens appealing and low-cost.

The review concentrates on the best-selected products that are friendly to your budget needs. It has all the necessary information you require for making the purchase decision. There will be an introduction paragraph to every product, then a review, pros, and cons. Also on the list will be a series of questions and answers to gain more understanding.

The guide will provide you with all the information for consideration. We shall make a few clarifications on some issues related to the products. Finally, there will be a concluding paragraph at the end. Read on for more information.

Things To Consider Before Buying Best Cheap Riding Mower

The size of your lawn

The lawn sizes are not similar. If you have a large one that spans acres, your mower will require the chops to handle the tasks. The cut width should be wide to clear a wide strip with a single pass. Bigger cut width will mow a lot of grass and a large strip at once.

For smaller yards less than an acre, you will need a mower with a cutting width of between 30 to 42 inches. It can grasp grass on a small strip with a single pass.

In essence, the size of your lawn will determine the type of mower to purchase.

The carts and attachments

The main work of the mower is to cut the grass. However, you may require extra services from the mower. They include the hauling of additional items. Apart from mowing, you may need to transport the grass to nearby storage for use as animal feeds. You should be able to attach things like dump carts to pull around the farm and collect grass.

Attachments also allow you to move lawn debris away from your garden with a lot of ease. Others include snow pillows and snowblower attachments during winters.

Maintenance options

As any other machine, mowers require constant maintenance to run correctly and efficiently. All types of these machines require servicing at any given point in time.

Most manufacturers provide manuals that show the parts that require constant servicing. In most cases, however, moveable parts are the ones that require regular servicing. These include fueling, oiling, and replacement of parts.

Some mowers require more maintenance services than others. Consider buying one that is less costly. The availability of spare parts for maintenance is another item to consider. There should also be qualified personnel or mechanics to handle these services.

The terrain of your garden

Mowers work relatively well in flat terrains devoid of rocks and tree stumps. However, it is impossible in most cases to find a property lacking these features. In this case, you have to be smart in navigating or end up damaging the cutting disc of your machine.

Mowers have a turning radius that can either be tight or wide. For terrains that need navigation, you should consider buying one with a tight turning radius. The feature helps steer around corners and tight spots.

Alternatively, you can buy one with a wide turning radius if your garden is free of obstacles.

The grass clippings

How do you want to handle the cut grass on your lawn? Mowers have different ways of discharging the grass after being cut, and they include:

The side discharges – direct the grass clippings back onto the lawn. If you have grass that is tall or coarse, this method will be helpful to your garden. However, if they are thick, you may require a rake to remove them.

Baggers – collect clippings to a bag. The bag is available for purchase separately, meaning that it does not come with the mower when purchasing. It leaves your lawn looking clean and neat because cut grass is not left behind. The bags also minimize the spread of annoying seeds of weeds.

Mulching – they can accept an optional add-on kit that converts cut grass to mulch. Mulching leads to the addition of nutrients back into the soil. However, this process can only work well if your grass is not tall and you mow regularly.

Before buying one, consider what you want to do with the clippings. The more the services, the higher the cost of the machine.

The comfort

Comfort is one of the key ingredients you should look for when shopping for a riding lawn mower. It directly impacts your output at any given time. Look at the seat, especially if you will be on the lawn for several hours. The high-back seats are ideal for persons who spend a lot of time cutting grass in the field. They should also feature armrests and lumbar support. It will keep you comfortable in the long run.

Where possible, it should be a compartment to hold water cups to keep you hydrated when performing your tasks. There should also be enough room to extend your legs.

5 Best Riding Lawn Mower on a Budget 2022

1. Husqvarna 61-Inch MZ61

The unique features of this product include:

• Large cutting deck.
• Comfortability.
• Triple bag collection system.
• Endurance engine.
• High-powered engine.

Features and benefits

It has a fabricated 11-gauge, 54-inch steel cutting deck that is: ergonomically designed with a deck lifting system. The deck offers easy and quick adjustments from the comfort of the operator’s seat. Distractions are few when operating it.

It features a high-back seat, hand grips, and an armrest for maximum comfortability. The vibration dampeners eliminate it when mowing, even for hours. They protect the vulnerable and loose parts of the mower from falling off!

The 9-bushel triple bag collection system ensures that clippings can either be discharged, bagged, or mulched. However, you have to purchase the bagger and the mulching kit separately.

Its endurance engine is reliable for both high-ground speeds and reliable startups. The mower can also withstand harsh operating conditions such as little tree stumps.

The zero-turn riding mower produces high-power commercial mowing capabilities. It is also ergonomic in design, meaning that you can use it comfortably without hurting your hands.

Pros

• It has a large cutting width.
• The mower comes with a 9-bushel triple collection bag system.
• Its high-powered engine produces commercial mowing capabilities.

Cons

• The bagger and the mulching kit come separately, and you purchase them separately.

2. Husqvarna 61-Inch, 26 HP Z254

The unique features of this product include:

• Triple bag collection system.
• Air induction mowing technology.
• Endurance engine.
• Park brake system.
• Large cutting deck.

Features and benefits

The triple bag collection system ensures that clippings can either be discharged, bagged, or mulched. However, you have to purchase the bagger and the mulching kit separately.

The air induction mowing technology allows the machine to draw air from the top and bottom parts of the deck. It improves on the grass cutting and delivery unit.

Its endurance engine is reliable for both high-ground speeds and reliable startups. The mower can also withstand harsh operating conditions such as little tree stumps. However, you should avoid using the mower over stumps and rocky ground.

The pending park brake system activates and deactivates automatically when you move the steering levers either inwards or outwards. It prevents accidental movements when the mover is not in use.

It has a fabricated 54-inch steel cutting deck that is: ergonomically designed with a deck lifting system. It offers easy and quick adjustments from the comfort of the operator’s seat. The deck has steel reinforcement for maximum durability.

Pros

• Improved cuts with air induction technology
• Large cutting deck.
• Patented Park brake system.

Cons

• The bagger and the mulching kit come separately, and you purchase them separately.

3. MTD Gold 50-Inch, 502cc 13AA625P004

The unique features of this product include:

• Large cutting deck.
• A 2-year limited warranty.
• Strong Stratton engine.
• Hydrostatic hand transmission.

Features and benefits

It has a fabricated 50-inch steel cutting deck that is: ergonomically designed with a deck lifting system. It offers easy and quick adjustments from the comfort of the operator’s seat. It grasps grass from a wide area in one single round.

Enjoy a 2-year limited warranty from the supplier. It covers all the parts of the mower. The benefits include partial and total replacement of faulty parts or the machine within the stipulated time. You can enjoy using the mower with absolute peace of mind.

The 23 HP, 502cc engine capacity provides the much-needed power to cut and discard the grass easily. It does not produce a lot of vibrations while at the same time consuming very little gas, but the output is enormous. With its 50-inch cutting width, this riding mower performs several tasks within a short moment.

The hydrostatic hand transmission allows the user to operate it in the comfort of their chair. The controls are few and simple to handle.

Pros

• It comes with a large cutting deck.
• A 2-year limited warranty.
• Strong Stratton engine.

Cons

• For persons living in California, the product is non-Carb compliant, hence not for sale in this region.

4. MTD Double Bagger 19A300310EM 42-Inch and 46-Inch

The unique features of this product include:

• Integrated hood.
• Grass catcher compatibility.
• Thatch prevention.
• Efficiency.
• Large capacity.

Features and benefits

Remove grass bags from the integrated top-hinged hood with a lot of ease. The sight windows allow you to know when the bags are full. There is no need to flip the seat when emptying the mower.

The product is compatible with most riding lawn mower products from different companies.  You can also attach a 42-inch or a 46-inch cutting deck, making it more flexible.

It encourages lawn grass growth because it prevents thatch from building up. The cutter leaves the remaining grass stand-alone without weaving each other. In this way, the grass grows freshly without any hindrance.

It has a sighting window that lets you know when the bags are full without lifting the seat. The flex tubing provides visual confirmation of grass flow into the chamber, reducing the chances of clogging. These features increase the efficiency of your mower.

The 6.5-bushel capacity will accommodate all the grass cut, leaving no clumps behind, and it saves a lot of time in the field.

Pros

• It saves time with the large storage capacity.
• It encourages lawn growth.
• The sighting window allows you to know when it is full of grass.

Cons

• It has a slightly smaller cutting deck.

5. MoJack EZ Max 450lb Lifting Capacity Residential

The unique features of this product include:

• High lifting capacity.
• Easy maintenance.
• Compatibility with other machines.
• Ease of assembly.
• Ease of use.

Features and Benefits

With its 450lb lifting capacity, the mower can cut and remove a large amount of grass from the residence at a go. It leads to saving time and gas for the next task. The garden tractor can also lift it for a zero-turn radius when changing the course of movement.

It is easy to carry out auxiliary services on this machine. They include lifting, blade sharpening, removal of debris, and replacement of belts. The work can be performed by a single person and with ease.

It is compatible with other machines that work in conjunction, such as lawn tractors. Once you attach the two, you can mow your lawn instantly. It also fits most of the residential tractors and ZTR mowers.

Assembling this product is easy. With a patented design, the assembly, use, and storage of the MoJack lawn mower are simple. It is also much safer to use and store than car cramps.

Anyone who knows using a lawn mower will also find it using this product.

Pros

• Easy to assemble.
• Easy maintenance.
• High lifting capacity.

Cons

• There is a voltage difference for users who are not residents of the USA.

Explanations of Some Questions

What is the most reliable riding lawn mower?

Before deciding on the type of mower, many things need consideration. Amongst them is: the terrain of your property, the size of acreage, the comfort of the rider, how to handle the clippings, and many more. In our review, we selected the five best budget-riding lawn mowers that perform exceptionally well. They meet all the qualifications of reliability and service beyond expectations. A product like Husqvarna 61-Inch, 26 HP Z254 Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower is one of the most reliable brands today.

How much is a decent riding lawn mower?

The price depends on the capability of the machine. There is a cost differential between various brands. The manufacturers also determine the cost of their brands depending on the labor used during production, packaging, transportation, and packaging.

However, according to home experts who have specialized in these products, there is an average cost that cuts across. They deduce that, on average, the price lies anywhere between $1,000 upwards to $3,500.

Does a ½ an acre need a riding lawn mower?

A ½ an acre is a big piece of land that might not be possible to look after without a riding lawn mower. It needs one because it is more efficient than a push mower. The difference is that a riding mower has a large deck and moves faster. It implies that it can handle the task fast and with minimum costs.

A push mower is equally efficient but time-consuming and wastes resources.

How long do riding lawn mowers last?

On average, they last for between seven to eight years. However, with proper maintenance, they can serve you even for more than a decade.

The secret to a long life includes characters such as regular cleaning, replacing parts, and proper storage. Ensure the mower does not overpass rocky surfaces or tree stumps. They tend to damage the cutting blade. Replace worn-out parts as soon as you can.

How do I choose a riding lawn mower?

There are several things to consider when selecting a mower to buy. Among them will be the machine features as well as the characteristics of the property as well. The nature of the garden includes the terrain, size, composition, and type of grass.

The machine features consider qualities such as horsepower, mowing deck, zero turns, comfort, and fuel consumption.

The cost of the product can also be a determining factor.

How much horsepower do I need for a riding lawn mower?

It depends on the size of the cutting deck. The different decks require varying amounts of horsepower. For those with a 42-inch cutting deck, a 14-horsepower engine is adequate to handle the tasks. It will drive the wheels and power the deck.

A 42-inch to the 46-inch cutting deck will require a powerful engine of between 14- 16 horsepower.

Finally, a 46-inch to 54-inch cutting deck requires an 18 to 24-horsepower engine capacity.

Is 500 hours a lot for a riding lawn mower?

Proper and timely maintenance can make your mower last up to 1,000 hours of service. Generally, a single-cylinder with 500 to 750 hours is a high miller. However, that does not mean that it out of service. It can still serve for some more time at a reduced capacity.

Five hundred hours is not a lot with the riding lawn mower. It is within the operating capacity.

Conclusion

Riding lawn mowers are an integral part of our homes. However, most people do not have the luxury of owning one. The major problem is the price, now that most of them cost upward of $1,000 a unit. Other factors can be a hindrance to many people owning one.

The main aim of this review article was to provide all the information you need to make a purchase decision. As you go through it, you will understand all the things you should look for as you anticipate buying one. While considering, a product such as Husqvarna 61-Inch MZ61 Zero Turn Riding Mower is one of the best budget lawn mowers. Its cost will not break your bank account!

Finally, the buying guide should give you all the information and data needed for decision-making. Pay close attention to the nature of your property so you can acquire a suitable one.

Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQs)