Too lazy to read? Know our top choice here!
Our top pick is the Troy-Bilt 540cc Automatic Riding Lawn Mower mainly because it offers ultimate comfort to the one using it. It also has reverse capabilities unlike other lawn mowers for small lawns that are offered at a similar price range. Also, it has durable wheels.
Regardless of how big or small your yard is, it is important for you to mow it, especially during the spring season. Mowing helps improve your yard‘s condition and eliminate pests as well. Of course, the results would depend on the lawn mower that you use. So, we have started our search for the best riding lawn mower for small yard and narrowed down our list into four.
The turning radius of the mower describes how tightly the mower can be turned. So, sharper turns can be made possible with smaller turning radius.
Quick Comparison Table: 4 Best Riding Lawn Mower for Small Yard
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Rating |
Image |
Products |
Score |
Price |
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1 |
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Troy-Bilt 382cc Premium Riding Lawn Mower
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2 Best |
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Troy-Bilt 540cc Automatic Riding Lawn Mower Editor’s Choice |
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3 |
 |
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4 |
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Poulan Pro 960420182 Automatic Hydrostatic Transmission Riding Mower |
Key Features Of a Lawn Mower For Small Garden
Wondering what the key features of the best riding lawn mower for small yard are? We have listed them down below!
The cut width of the mower describes how wide the mower can cut in just a single pass.
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Engine displacement
This is basically the cylinder size of the engine. It is measured in cc or in cubic centimeters. The higher the cc the manufacturer of the small push lawn mower stated, the more powerful the engine is. Speaking about the cylinder, there are 2 main types of cylinder engines in lawn mowers – single and twin cylinder. For smaller lawns, the single cylinder engines would be enough while for larger lawns, twin cylinder engines are more advisable since they offer more power and better balance.
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Engine torque
Measured in ft.-lbs. or foot-pounds, the torque of the engine is the one that keeps the blades of the mower spinning. So, a higher torque for the grass cutter for small lawns is needed to cut taller and thicker grass.
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Engine horsepower
The engine horsepower measures the engine’s power output or the amount of power that can be shared among all the other components of the mower. The heavier the work is, the more horsepower is needed.
Apart from the ones on the list, you can also find riding lawn mowers with added features like armrests, rubber foot pads, and a cup holder.
Ever wondered how the mowing height can be maintained even over a terrain that is uneven The deck wheels of the mower are the key.
Review of the 4 Best Riding Lawn Mowers for Small Yard
Check out our list of the best riding mower for your small yard!
#1 Troy-Bilt 382cc Premium Riding Lawn Mower
Troy-Bilt 382cc Premium Riding Lawn Mower. Via: Amazon.com
For homeowners who have a medium-sized yard, this lawn mower is a good choice for them. It has 16×6.5-inch rear wheels, 13×5-inch front wheels, and a fuel capacity of 1.3 gallons. When it comes to its engine, it is powered by a 382cc OHV engine.
Pros
Cons
#2 Troy-Bilt 540cc Automatic Riding Lawn Mower
Troy-Bilt 540cc Automatic Riding Lawn Mower. Via: Amazon.com
Powered by a 19 HP/540cc engine, this lawn mower for small yards can powerfully mow the yard. One can operate it with great comfort as it has a mid-back seat and a soft touch steering as well. Also, the size of the deck rider is 46-inches.
Pros
Cons
Some mowers with an automatic and hydrostatic transmission come with a cruise control that allows the user to mow long stretches at one speed.
#3 Poulan Pro 960420188 Automatic Drive Riding Mower
Poulan Pro 960420188 Automatic Drive Riding Mower. Via: Amazon.com
Poulan Pro 960420188 made it to our best riding lawn mower for small yard list as operating it is quite similar to operating a car. In fact, it has foot pedal controls. In addition to that, it can be operated at the speed of 75 MPH.
Pros
Cons
#4 Poulan Pro 960420182 Automatic Hydrostatic Transmission Riding Mower
Poulan Pro 960420182 Automatic Hydrostatic Transmission Riding Mower. Via: Amazon.com
Last, but not the least, on our best riding lawn mower for small yard list is the Poulan Pro 960420182. Just like the Poulan Pro 960420188, this one also has a reinforced vented deck. Hence, the air can move freely under the deck. Apart from that, it also has an Auto Hydrostatic Transmission that makes making adjustments to the speed much easier.
Pros
Cons
For gas powered mowers, oil, fuel filters and spark plugs should be changed regularly.
Considerations When Buying a Riding Lawn Mower
No two riding lawn mower is the same. One would surely be better than the other. So, how can you find the one that can fulfill all of your needs and make a tedious task easier? Below is the list of some of the things that you should consider.
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Size of the mower
The larger the size of your yard is, the larger your lawn mower should be. If you have a ½-1 acre yard, a 42 inches deck would be enough while for 1-2 acres, 42-46 inches deck is needed. Although push lawn mowers will do for small areas, riding models are much more convenient. Of course, you would also want to buy a mower that can fit into your storage area, right? After all, you need to keep it in a place away from winter and water elements. In addition to that, you need to make sure that the size of the mower you would be buying is easy to maneuver around the shrubs and trees in your yard. Hence, larger is not always better.
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Power source
There are two main types of lawn mowers – electric and gas-powered mowers. As you might have noticed, the best riding lawn mowers we have listed above are gas-powered. Meaning to say, their operation is not restricted by a power cord or its battery charge.
For safety purposes, it is advised for you to wear the recommended gear, such as an overall, when mowing your yard.
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Engine noise
While there are some lawn mowers that operate quietly, there are also some that tend to operate loudly. So, if you prefer mowing early in the morning or late in the evening, then you should definitely go for a quieter model in order for you not to disturb your neighbors.
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Transmission
There are 3 main types of transmission for riding mower for small yards – manual, automatic, and hydrostatic. For the manual transmission, you can choose the speed by simply shifting it up and down while with the automatic transmission, you control the speed with the use of a gas pedal. For hydrostatic transmission, fluid is used to transfer power to the wheels from the engine.
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Handling
Different riding lawn mower models have different handling configurations. It can either be zero-turn, front-drive, or rear-drive. Make sure to choose the one that meets the needs of your yard.
The diesel engine is cheaper and has more torque than petrol engines.
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Speed
6-12 miles/hour is the normal speed of most lawn mower. So, if someone offers you a mower with a speed that is lesser than that, you should definitely think twice before buying them. After all, the quicker your mower moves, the lesser time you would be spending in mowing your yard. On the other hand, there are yards with many obstructions. So, for this case, a model with an adjustable speed is ideal since there would be times when you would need to slow down the mower just so you can get the right cut.
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Electric start
Some gas models already have this wonderful feature. With this one, there would be no need for you to pull-start the engine, which is definitely more convenient.
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Cutting width
When you shop for a riding lawn mower, the cutting width should be considered. The larger the size of the deck is, the more grass it can cut in every pass. However, it would be best for you to measure your space first to ensure that it would still be able to get through even those narrow passages. The ideal cutting width is 38-54 inches.
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Riding ability
A riding mower can either be manual or automatic. For tight spaces, automatic mowers are more suitable, but if you have an open lawn, changing gears manually will not be a problem for you.
Conclusion
When you buy any of the lawn mowers that we reviewed above, you can be assured that you will get the job done since they are better than other models and brands when it comes to maneuverability, ease of use, design, and unique features. On the other hand, apart from getting your hands on the best riding lawn mower for small yard, you can also consider buying some accessories like grass collection bags that makes cleaning easier. There are also mulching kits that you can buy to turn grass clippings into fine particles that you can then use as a soil fertilizer. These accessories will definitely make a big difference in your mowing experience.
Of course, after mowing your yard, you can expect that it would be quite a mess and a lawn sweeper will come in handy. So, check out our best lawn sweeper review. We have also created a review of the best lawn mower blades as well.
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