Tips When Choosing a New Garden Tractor

Tips for choosing your new Garden tractor

There are many things to consider when choosing a new garden tractor or rider. In this post we try and cover some of the factors that will influence your decision and enable you to buy a suitable garden rider or tractor that will fit your needs. We will also give you some important buying tips.

Lawn mowing can be time consuming and hard work, especially if the lawn is large, uneven or if you have many obstacles in the way. With the help of a garden rider or tractor cutting these types of gardens becomes a breeze.

Use these tips as a guide, but if unsure or a newcomer to garden tractors always contact a specialist online company or your nearest dealer.

Budgeting for your new garden tractor

Under-budgeting or buying the wrong machine can result in poor reliability and high maintenance bills. Choosing a brand named tractor will ensure good build quality and good after care including spare parts back-up for years to come.  Brands we recommend are;

• Honda Garden Tractor Range
• Husqvarna Garden Tractor Range
• John Deere Garden Tractor Range
• Stiga Garden Tractor/Front Deck Range
• VIKING Garden Tractor Range
• Mountfield Garden Tractor Range
• Hayter Garden Tractor Range

All of these garden tractor manufacturers have many years of history in building garden tractors and will offer superior build quality resulting in better functionality and performance and fewer trips to the local dealer – therefore fewer repair bills!

Which Garden Tractor or Rider Do I Choose?

If you are thinking of grass collection, ensure that the grass is in good condition and fairly short (not like a bowling green nor like a mole infested paddock). You also need to cut your grass regularly and try not to cut in the wet and not mow too fast. The reason for this is, 90% of garden tractors are direct collection units; this is an effective and efficient way to collect your grass and leaves etc, however if used in-correctly (as stated above) this can result in blocking the internal discharge chute or snapping belts, so think carefully.

Mulching the grass with a Garden tractor

The Swedish folk at Stiga find it amazing that we collect our grass. They do have a point because if you mulch the grass it does in fact fertilise and strengthen the look and colour of your grass.  Mulching basically recycles the grass clippings by finely cutting and re-cutting the grass, hiding cuttings within the standing grass to wilt and decompose thereby feeding the soil. However you must not cut your grass too close. Cut at lease once a week but not too often.  Mulching is a much faster method of cutting your grass if you purchase the right manufacturer. Visit our garden tractor pages for a list of manufacturers we recommend and sell.

Another important thing to consider is this. Try and avoid decks that can convert to mulching, only a dedicated mulching mower will create best results.

For mulching tips, read this related article.

Discharging the grass

These types of garden tractors are badly represented, because if you have a nice area you cut regularly and wish to collect, simply attach the collection system, and if you have a rougher piece like an orchard or paddock then these types of tractors will cope with ease.  The side discharge action will spread the grass with some force leaving a very clean finish which is often very acceptable to the eye.  The pulling eye is often much stronger making it a much better workhorse for  pulling implements like garden trailers, rollers and chemical spreaders etc.

Read this article if you would like more information on garden tractor accessories

These are just a few tips that will help you decide on a suitable garden rider or tractor. If you are in the market for a new garden tractor or just need advice, then one of our team can give you detailed and expert advice. You can contact one of our team on 01263 820202.

Visit our garden tractor pages

To Mulch or Not to Mulch – Mulching Advice and Tips

Try the Agri-Fab range of tow behind garden tractor accessories