Ride On Mowers

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a key difference. Ride-on mowers (or Riders) usually have the engine at the rear and offer great visibility and a tighter turning circle - ideal for gardens with lots of flowerbeds. Garden Tractors have the engine at the front and are more robust; they are designed for larger acreages and can often pull heavy attachments like trailers, rollers, or spreaders.
Expert Tip: If your garden has many trees or tight corners, look at Zero-Turn mowers for the ultimate maneuverability.

Generally, if your lawn is larger than 0.5 acres (about two tennis courts), a ride-on mower will save you significant time and effort. For gardens over 1.5 acres, a larger engine and a wider cutting deck (40" plus) are highly recommended to ensure you can finish the job efficiently.

This depends on how you want to manage your grass:
• Collecting: Best for a clean, formal finish as it gathers all clippings into a rear hopper.
• Side-Discharge: Ideal for orchards or paddocks where you aren't worried about collecting the grass.
• Mulching: Shreds the grass into tiny pieces that disappear into the lawn to act as fertiliser.
Expert Tip: Many of our lawn tractors offer "3-in-1" capability, allowing you to switch between all three modes depending on the season.

A Hydrostatic transmission is essentially an "automatic" gearbox for your mower. Instead of shifting gears, you use a foot pedal to control your speed - the harder you press, the faster you go. This makes it much easier to mow around obstacles compared to a manual (lever-shift) machine.

This is the most common mistake buyers make! Always check the total width of the mower (including the discharge chute or collector).
• A 30" (76cm) cut machine usually needs at least a 32" gap.
• A 40" (102cm) cut machine will typically require a gate wider than 110cm.
Expert Tip: If you have narrow access, look at our Compact Riders which are designed specifically for standard garden gates.