Best Riding Lawn Mower For the Money 2018: For Hilly, Steep and Uneven Lawn!

Riding lawn mowers are basically used for cutting grasses. However, different types of this are especially designed for different sizes or types of areas. Riding lawn mowers for sloppy areas are different from those that are used for flat and uneven grounds. Those that are used for small lawn might not be suitable for large areas of lawns. Therefore, it is necessary to be certain about the purpose of using this equipment to have the best riding lawn mower for the money that perfectly suits your gardening needs.

MUST SEE: Top 3 Electric Lawn Mowers of 2018

Best High-End

Greenworks 25022

Best Mid-Range

Earthwise 50214

Best Price

EGO Power Cordless

Indeed, there are lots of riding lawn mowers that are available on the market. However, one should take into consideration the type of riding lawn mower to be purchased. To give you ideas with regard to the best riding lawn mowers options, we present the top 10 best riding lawn mowers for you to choose from.

There are riding lawn mowers that are specially designed for hills

Top Rated Riding Lawn Mower 2018 Reviews

The following are the top 10 best riding lawn mower for the money this 2018! Let’s check out the list of riding lawn mower brands below:

Best Riding Lawn Mower For The Money

# 30-inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower by Troy-Bilt

30-inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower by Troy-Bilt. Via: Amazon.com

This riding lawn mower manufactured by Troy-Bilt features a 30-inch cutting deck with 5 adjustable settings. Troy-Bilt is one of the best riding lawn mower brands out there. This is available at a very affordable price as compared to other similar products, making it the best riding lawn mower for the money. It weighs 336 pounds with a dimension of 62 x 34 x 26 inches. It comes in red color.

Why It’s the Best For The Money

This Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower’s soft grip wheels and OHV engine are designed to be highly durable. Moreover, it is a cheap riding lawn mower option for those who are low in budget. This makes the product the best for the money or the best value riding lawn mower. No need to buy replacements of the product’s parts over and over again since they are guaranteed to be stable and very durable.

Pros

• This riding lawn mower is powered by auto choke OHV engine (382cc). This engine has an optimum speed of 4.25 MPH. This also features 6-speed transmissions.
• This product comes with a cutting deck in 30 inches that features 5 adjustable settings.
• This neighborhood mower is ideal for small to medium-sized lawns.
• This product also features an 18-inch turning radius and also with 13×5-inch front wheels and 16×6.5-inch rear wheels.
• This has a manual power take-off for easy and quick blade engagement.

Cons

• The clutch tends to operate very quickly and sometimes jumps while in use.
• This product consumes too much battery power.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Hills

# 24V Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower by Husqvarna

24V Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower by Husqvarna. Via:Amazon.com

This riding lawn mower is manufactured by Husqvarna. It features an electric engagement in the cutting blades for a powerful grass cutting experience. Its powerful engine makes the product the best riding lawn mower for hills available on the market. It weighs 815 pounds with a dimension of 48 x 58.5 x 73 inches. It comes in orange color.

Why It’s The Best For Hills

This Husqvarna riding lawn mower has a heavy-duty transmission that adds more capability of the product to handle hills. This features a 52-inch cutting deck that has the ability to cut areas in hilly terrains. Its wheels are designed to hold on hilly areas while mowing.

Pros

• This riding lawn mower features a quick auto transmission that enables the user to operate the equipment without any maintenance.
• The cutting blades of this product are featured in an electric engagement, making it easier to operate.
• This also features an ergonomic design with a back seat that can be easily adjusted. This also comes with armrests and comfortable grip steering wheel.
• The fender mounted deck lever is assisted by a spring for more comfort when in use.
• This product is backed up by a 3-year limited warranty service, plus another 5-year frame/chassis and front axle consumer warranty service.

Cons

• The product package does not include a user manual.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Slopes

# 24V Tractor Mower with Fast Continuously Variable Transmission Pedal by Husqvarna

24V Tractor Mower with Fast Continuously Variable Transmission Pedal by Husqvarna. Via: Amazon.com

This best riding lawn mower for slopes is also manufactured by Husqvarna. This features an air induction mowing technology, which improves airflow within the deck. This weighs 670 pounds with a dimension of 73 x 53 x 48 inches. It is available in orange color.

Why it’s the Best For Slopes

This mower has a 48-inch cutting deck, which belongs to the recommended cutting deck for slopes of up to 15o inclination. This also features a continuously variable transmission that can be controlled using a pedal. That is why this mower is perfect for handling slopes.

Pros

• This riding lawn mower features a starting system without using any choke.
• This also comes with a charge port and an electric clutch.
• This also features an air induction mowing technology that improves the airflow in the deck, as well as the cutting quality of the equipment.
• Its convenient fender mounted deck lever is assisted with a spring that ensures comfort while using the product.
• This comes with a 3-year limited warranty service, plus 5-year frame/chassis and front axle warranty and another 10-year cutting deck consumer warranty services.

Cons

• The riding mower blades are not that sharp.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Small Yard

# 540cc Automatic Lawnmower Powered by Briggs & Stratton by Troy-Bilt

This is the best riding lawn mower for small yard manufactured by Troy-Bilt. This features a side discharge mowing deck in 46 inches and Mow-In-Reverse capabilities. It weighs 520 pounds with a dimension of 69.8 x 46 x 35.5 inches. It comes in red color.

Why It’s The Best For Small Yards

This Troy-Bilt mower is a residential riding mower that is perfect for small yards since it has a smaller dimension as compared to other mowers. Furthermore, this small riding lawn mower has a mow-in-reverse function, making it easier to move back and forth while mowing your small yard.

Pros

• This product is powered by 540cc Briggs and Stratton Intek engine with 19 HP.
• This comes with a foot-pedal automatic transmission feature.
• The steering wheel of this product is featured in a soft touch design, plus a mid-back seat that ensures comfort while operating the product.
• This mower is equipped with a side discharge mowing deck in 46 inches.
• This also features a mow-in-reverse system.
• This product is being backed up by a two-year limited warranty service.

Cons

• The reverse mode of this product has a slow speed.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Rough Terrain

# 20HP Pedal-Controlled Automatic Drive Weight Max Riding Mower by Poular Pro

20HP Pedal-Controlled Automatic Drive Weight Max Riding Mower by Poular Pro. Via: Amazon.com

This mower is the best riding lawn mower for rough terrain that is available on the market. This features an oscillating front axle, plus a floating deck which enables the machine to produce even cuttings of grass. This weighs 505 pounds with a dimension of 72.8 x 49.5 x 46 inches. It comes in a combination of black and orange color.

Why It’s The Best For Rough Terrains

This mower has the best features when it comes to handling rough terrains; hence it is considered as the riding mower for rough terrain. It has an oscillating front axle with a 6-inch turning radius, plus a floating deck. This enables the machine to have level cuts even in rough terrains.

Pros

• This mower has a reinforced vented deck with a size of 46 inches that draws air from the top of the deck. This also helps in keeping the airflow smooth under the deck when dealing with long grasses.
• This also features a mulching and bagging design.
• The controls of this product can be operated through its pedal control system.
• This also features an automatic fast transmission that enables the mower to run up to 75 MPH.
• This product is powered by a 20HO Briggs and Stratton engine with pressurized lubrication, which enables the product to run smoothly and to deliver more power.
• This is designed to run using an internal oil pump.
• This also features a Ready-Start Starting System that immediately detects the temperature of the engine and makes the starting of the riding lawn mower easier and quicker.
• This comes with a 10-year deck shell limited warranty service.

Cons

• The motor used in this product tends to malfunction when in use.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Uneven Ground

# Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Riding Mower (XT1 Enduro Series) by Cub Cadet

Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Riding Mower (XT1 Enduro Series) by Cub Cadet. Via: Amazon.com

This product is the best riding lawn mower for uneven ground that is manufactured by Cub Cadet. This features a hydrostatic gas-powered front-engine. It weighs 580 pounds with a cutting width of 42 inches. It comes in yellow color.

Why It’s The Best For Uneven Grounds

This product is ideal for uneven grounds due to its easy reversibility function. The user can easily set the mowing function while on reverse. This product also features adjusting functions with regards to the cutting deck. This enables the user to lower or raise the cutting deck when handling uneven grounds.

Pros

• This riding lawn mower features a hydrostatic gas engine, making the product more powerful that it can cut grass efficiently even on uneven grounds.
• This mower is powered by a 18HP engine.
• It is available in at affordable price as compared to other similar products.
• The materials used in this product are highly durable.
• This product is made in the USA.

Cons

• The seat of this mower does not have any armrests, considering the fact that the seat is completely flat.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For Steep Hills

# 24V Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower 52 Inches Twin by Husqvarna

24V Hydro Pedal Tractor Mower 52 Inches Twin by Husqvarna. Via: Amazon.com

This product is the best riding lawn mower for steep hills manufactured by Husqvarna. It is a riding lawn mower with bagger attachment option. You can use the Husqvarna bagger and the Poulan pro bagger for this tractor. This features a quick automatic transmission of the engine that spares the product from any maintenance operation. It weighs 815 pounds with a dimension of 73 x 58.5 x 48 inches. It comes in orange color.

Why It’s The Best For Steep Hills

This mower has the best features for steep hills. It has a 52-inch cutting deck that is capable of mowing at full speed even on steep hills. It has a heavy-duty engine with a hydrostatic transmission that enables the machine to work silently even on heavy mowing jobs.

Pros

• This riding lawn mower features an adjustable high back seat that ensures the comfort of the user while operating the product.
• This also features a quick automatic transmission that enables the product to operate smoothly even in steep hills. This also makes the product free from any maintenance operation.
• The cutting blades used in this product can be turned on by simply pulling up the switch. This is also run through electric engagement.
• This is being backed up by a 3-year limited warranty service plus a 5-year frame or chassis and front axle consumer warranty services.

Cons

• The lawn mower blades, as well as the front wheels, are not tightly installed.
• This is a bit expensive as compared to other similar products.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For 1 Acre

# 46-inch 22 HP Hydro-gear T2 Hydrostatic Riding Tractor by Snapper

46-inch 22 HP Hydro-gear T2 Hydrostatic Riding Tractor by Snapper. Via: Amazon.com

This is the best riding lawn mower for 1 acre that is available on the market. It features a hydro-gear T2 integrated hydrostatic transmission. It also features a foot pedal control with both forward and reverse controls. This weighs 463.5 pounds with a dimension of 73 x 57 x 51 inches.

Why It’s The Best For 1 Acre

This mower from Snapper comes with a dash-mounted cruise control that makes the product easy to maneuver. This has a 46-inch cutting deck that enables the machine to mow 1 acre of area quickly and efficiently.

Pros

• This product is powered by Briggs & Stratton Professional Series V-twin OHV 22HP engine, making it very powerful that it can be operated in large areas.
• This comes with a 46-inch and a 14-gauge steel mower deck that features 4 anti-scalp wheels and 3 sharp blades to ensure optimum cutting performance.
• This also features a hydro-gear T2 hydrostatic transmission.
• This product can be run through its foot pedal with forward-reverse control, as well as a dash-mounted cruise control.
• This has a turning radius of 14 inches.
• This also features an electric blade engagement.
• The cutting height of the grass can be adjusted into 7 different positions from 1.5 inches up to 4 inches long.

Cons

• The deck belts of this mower sometimes get tangled with the wheels or other parts of the equipment.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For 2 Acres

# Pro 22HP Cutting Deck Zero Turn Radius Riding Mower by Poulan Pro

Pro 22HP Cutting Deck Zero Turn Radius Riding Mower by Poulan Pro. Via: Amazon.com

What is the best zero turn riding lawn mower? This product is considered as the best riding lawn mower for 2 acres that is manufactured by Poulan Pro. This features a 46-inch stamped reinforced deck, which makes the product ideal for large-scale grass cutting. This weighs 750 pounds with a dimension of 78 x 61.5 x 35.5 inches. It comes in black color.

Why It’s The Best For 2 Acres

This zero turn riding lawn mower has reviews that impressed its buyers. It has a 46-inch cutting deck that enables the machine to mow a wide area as it runs. This is powered by a 22HP Briggs V-twin Pro engine that makes the mower powerful enough to work on a 22-acre property.

Pros

• This product has a fuel tank with a capacity of 3.5 gallons.
• This also features a 46-inch stamped reinforced deck that ensures the cutting job to be done quickly and easily.
• The clutch used in this product is also featured to be run in an electric engagement.
• This product also features a hydro-gear EZT automatic transmission.
• This item is being backed up by a 10-year deck warranty service and a 2-year engine warranty service.

Cons

• This is a bit expensive as compared to other similar products.
• The wheels are not tightly installed.
• This is not ideal for slopes since this has a terrible control when it comes to sloppy areas.

Best Riding Lawn Mower For 5 Acres

# 54-inch P54ZX Briggs V-Twin Pro Riding Lawn Mower by Poulan Pro

54-inch P54ZX Briggs V-Twin Pro Riding Lawn Mower by Poulan Pro. Via: Amazon.com

This product manufactured by Poulan Pro is the best riding lawn mower for 5 acres that is out on the market. This features a 54-inch stamped reinforced deck. It weighs 754 pounds with a dimension of 78 x 61.5 x 35.5 inches. It comes in a combination of black and brown.

Why It’s the Best For 5 Acres

This mower has a 54-inch cutting deck that makes the product mow easily and quickly. This also has an added feature of a hydro-gear EZT transmission that makes mowing more efficient.

Pros

• This riding lawn mower is being run by a 24 HP Briggs V-twin Pro engine that makes the product powerful enough to cut grasses in large areas of up to 5 acres.
• This also features a hydro-gear EZT transmission that improves the cutting performance.
• This mower includes a 54-inch stamped deck that ensures cutting jobs to be done quickly and easily.
• The product’s clutch can be operated using an electric engagement.
• The product’s fuel tank has the capacity of 3.5 gallons.
• This item is being backed up with a 10-year warranty service with its reinforced deck.

Cons

• The tires have terrible tractions.
• Some of the product’s parts are not of high-quality.
• This requires regular operating maintenance.

Riding Lawn Mower For The Money Buyer’s Guide

Riding lawn mowers come in different sizes, types, and design. Therefore, buying one for your lawn is a little bit tricky since you have to consider so many factors for you to be able to select the best riding lawn mower for the money that perfectly suits your gardening needs.

To help you in deciding which one is the best for you, we have here a comprehensive buyer’s guide that presents all the factors that should be considered in choosing a riding lawn mower for your lawn.

The following are the factors that should be taken into account so that you can choose the perfect mower for your lawn.

Some mowers come with different attachments like bagging

1. Choosing the Perfect Size Of Your Riding Lawn Mower

Basically, riding lawn mowers are ideal for large areas with a minimum size of a ½ acre. However, there are also some riding lawn mowers that are smaller and are specially designed for smaller lawns. Therefore, purchasing this equipment can sometimes be a difficult thing to do, especially that riding lawn mowers are available in different sizes.

Despite the availability of different riding lawn mowers, it is best to take into consideration the size of the yard or lawn where you intend to use your riding lawn mower.

Take into consideration the following guide with regards to the mower’s cutting deck that would be useful in choosing the perfect size of a lawn mower for your yard.

• Size 30″
• Size 42″
• SIze 46″ to 48″
• Size 50″ up

Riding lawn mowers with this size of cutting edge is ideal for small to medium-sized yards and lawns. Furthermore, this size is recommended to be operated on flat grounds.

This size of a cutting deck is perfect for medium-sized grounds of up to 2 acres. Usually, lawn mowers with this size of a cutting deck can easily maneuver around medium areas with trees and other landscaping details.

Mowers with this size of the cutting deck are ideal for medium to large-sized areas. This is also perfect for working on steep hills and sloppy areas of up to 15 degrees inclination.

Larger riding lawn mowers are ideal for working in very large areas from 3 acres up. This can work on rough terrains as well as on moderate slope.

2. Choosing The Type Of Transmission

Different riding lawn mowers are designed to be operated in three different options – manual, automatic, or hydrostatic transmission. It is essential that you choose the one that you are comfortable to operate with.

Manual Transmission

Mowers with this type of operating control offers a wide range of speed settings that the user can choose from. This gives the user more control over the speed and motion of the riding lawn mower.

Automatic Transmission

Mowers with this type of transmission control the speed of the mower using a foot pedal. This is somehow similar to the operational control used in most cars.

Hydrostatic Transmission

Unlike other types of transmission, riding lawn mowers with automatic transmission utilizes fluid in shifting the power from the engine to the wheels or vice versa. Other types utilize belt or a foot pedal in controlling the power of the riding lawn mower.

3. Considering Either The Quality Or The Price

It has been a common perception for other people that when something costs a lot, it signifies that this product is of high-quality. But actually, it is not. There are some lawn mowers that are affordable but still of high-quality.

To be specific about the quality of the product, it is best to evaluate the type of materials used in the product. Usually, if the product has been purchased by a lot of people, it signifies that this one is a trusted product.

Whatever your decision with regards to this factor is , it is highly recommended to always go for the quality rather than the price to keep your lawn mower working for a long period of time.

4. Choosing The Type Of Riding Lawn Mower

Riding lawn mowers also come in different types. Basically, there are two types when we talk about the power supply of the mower – the gas-powered riding lawn mower and the electric or battery-powered riding lawn mowers.

Gas-powered Riding Lawn Mower

Gas-powered riding lawn mowers are typically run using a specific oil fuel. It is ideal for large lawns since these are more powerful than electric ones. However, this type of mower usually creates a loud noise while in use. This is also costly in operation since it requires regular operation maintenance to ensure the safety of the user.

Electric-powered/Battery-powered Riding Lawn Mowe

Electric riding lawn mowers are commonly run using batteries that are charged through electricity. This type is quieter than gas-powered version and is environment-friendly since it does not give off heavy smoke. Furthermore, it is cheaper to operate since it does not require heavy operational maintenance.

Aside from these two basic types, there are also other types of riding lawn mowers when we talk about extra features and designs. This includes lawn tractors, garden tractors, and zero-turn-radius (ZTR) mowers,

Lawn Tractor

This type of mower or tractor is considered as the traditional one. This is ideal for lawn from a ½ acre up to 2 acres. This usually comes with two or three of the following features – bagging, mulching, spreading seeds, aerating, dethatching, and even removing snow.

Garden Tractor

This is almost similar to lawn tractors, only that they can use a more ground-engaging attachment. This type is also ideal for larger areas.

Zero-turn-radius Mower

This type is also known as a zero-turn mower. This is specially designed to navigate several obstacles. Usually, this type of mower features front caster wheels that can pivot at sharper angles. The controls of this type of mower are done using a pair of lap bars or levers. This is ideal for cutting grass closely around flowerbeds, landscaping details, and trees.

Cutting blades are covered with cutting decks to prevent debris from flying around

Riding Lawn Mower Features And Mechanical Specs

In understanding riding lawn mowers, it is essential to have knowledge with regards to its features, as well as its mechanical specifications.

Engine Horsepower

The Horsepower (HP) of a riding lawn mower measures the power output of the machine. The higher the horsepower is, the more powerful the riding lawn mower is.

Mowers with higher horsepower are typically faster and are more able in handling rough terrains.

Cruise Control

This refers to the ability of the riding lawn mower to engage in one speed to mow long and straight stretches of the area.

V-twin Engine

Riding lawn mowers with a V-twin engine is capable of operating in a quieter mode with lesser vibration.

Cutting Blades

If you intend to work on areas with taller grass and tough weeds, it is highly recommended to use a mower with more than one cutting blade.

Anti-scalping Wheels

This feature gives the riding lawn mower a better traction on the ground while using the machine.

Turning Radius

The turning radius refers to the ability of the mower to turn. A smaller turning radius signifies that the mower is capable of making sharper turns.

Comfort Features

This refers to the additional features that add comfort to the user. Most riding lawn mowers add this extra feature like ergonomic designs, soft touch steering wheels, high back seats with lumbar support, extended room for the legs, easy-to-access control panels, LED headlights, and even cup holders.

Lawns with taller grass require mowers with more than one blade

Safety Tips for Operating Riding Lawn Mowers

Since riding lawn mowers basically work with blades in cutting the grasses and weeds, it is best to take precautionary measure when operating this machine. Read the following safety tips to have an injury-free mowing.a

Use masks or protective gears when using a lawn mower

1. User Manual

It is very important to read the User Manual carefully before engaging yourself with the riding lawn mower. Always remember that different lawn mowers do have different operating styles.

2. Wearing Protective

It is recommended to wear protective mask or eyewear in operating mowers. This is due to the possibility that debris may go flying while operating the machine.

3. Mow During Daytime

It is best to mow grass with high visibility. This is to prevent your riding lawn mower from getting into trouble with unexpected debris like big branches or big rocks.

4. Mow During Dry Season

Mowing wet and muddy areas would definitely give you much headache. There is a tendency that the mower might be stuck onto the muddy parts of your lawn.

Children should be kept away from the area while mowing

5. Keep Children Away

Keep children away from your working area. There is a possibility that debris may go in different directions that may reach children around the area.

6. Navigating Through Hills, Slopes, And Rough Terrains

Take extra care when mowing on hills, slopes, and difficult terrains. Remember that there is a possibility that heavy equipment might roll over when maneuvered in difficult areas.

Riding lawn mowers require regular maintenance to keep them working effectively

7. Regular Operational Maintenance

It is very necessary that riding lawn mowers should be checked every now and then. This is to prevent unwanted and unexpected malfunctions that may cause accidents while using the mower.

8. Turn Off The Mower When Cleaning It

If you intend to clean your riding lawn mower, it is best to turn it off first because clearing anything on it.

Conclusion

Having a riding lawn mower at home is very beneficial, especially when you have large areas of lawn to clear off with grass and weeds. However, it is best to purchase the best riding lawn mower that perfectly suits your mowing needs. Always remember to choose the mower where you are comfortable to use. You can choose either the gas-powered or the electric ones. You may also go for the manual operated mowers or other types of mowers with automatic or hydrostatic transmissions.

On my part, I highly recommend the 540cc Automatic Lawnmower Powered by Briggs & Stratton by Troy-Bilt. This has a cutting deck that measures 46 inches that is guaranteed to cut a wide area of grass on the ground. This is basically ideal for small to large-sized lawn areas.

That would be all for this article. Thank you so much for spending time reading this, and please do share this with others who are searching what is the best riding lawn mower for the money.

You may also read:

• Best Commercial Zero Turn Mower For The Money 2018
• Best Lawn Mower For Bermuda Grass 2018 – Reel It!