Riding lawn mowers have become highly popular because they function like standard walk behind heavy gas mowers, but without the hassle of having to push them around. It’s a perfect grass cutting tool for those who want to save energy and time finding the best one can be confusing and stressful because the market is saturated with different brands, models, and designs.
A riding lawn mower is a type of mower that is designed to be used on large lawns. They are self-propelled, meaning they happily walk themselves through your yard. This makes it easy for you to steer and provide gentle mulching for your grass. A riding mower will cut your time in half as they can cover more ground than a push or rotary mower, while also giving a nicer cut.
In this article, we’ll go over the best riding lawn mowers for 1 acre and how they compare to other models. You’ll learn how to choose the right one for you, and we’ll highlight some of the top products on the market today.
Best Riding Lawn Mower for 1 Acre
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | AMAZON |
|---|---|---|
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Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT Riding Lawn Tractor | CHECK PRICE |
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Snapper 2911525BVE Classic RER 28 inch 11.5 HP 344cc Rear Engine Riding Mower 2691525 | CHECK PRICE |
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Troy-Bilt Bronco Automatic Drive Gas Lawn Tractor Riding Mower | CHECK PRICE |
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Husqvarna YTH18542 42 in 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Riding Mower | CHECK PRICE |
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Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 50 XP Lawn Tractor | CHECK PRICE |
- Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT Riding Lawn Tractor
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It’s known for an impressive performance because of its mighty 18 horsepower Kohler 5,400 series engine, which is capable of delivering continuous or multiple large maws. The dependable hydrostatic transmission provides streamlined operation eliminating gear, shifting and pedal pushing.
It also features a rubberized soft touch comfort grip steering wheel that offers responsive, controlled handling. This product comes with an automatic style 16 inch turning radius that provides precision control, allowing you to maneuver smoothly around obstacles or straightaways.
The 42 inch cutting deck comes with a stamped blade and an ever engaged PTO or power takeoff that allows you to make the perfect cut. The extra larger base with open high back seat is designed to provide ultimate elevated back support while the 12 cutting height options help you find the perfect position.
For a more consistent mowing operation, the push-button cruise control lets you sustain the desired speed. The highly efficient LED headlights work well in all weather conditions. To resist wear and tear, it utilizes an innovative e-coat corrosion defense system.
The three-gallon fuel tank has a sight gauge that makes it easy to see when it needs to be refilled. To remove debris and grass from under the deck, a quick connect deck wash system rings high pressure water for easy cleaning. It’s covered with a three-year limited warranty and a five-year chassis in front axle warranty.
Pros:
- 18 horsepower Kohler 5400 series engine.
- Dependable hydrostatic transmission.
- 16-inch turning radius.
- Highly efficient LED headlights.
Cons:
- None.
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Snapper 2911525BVE Classic RER 28 inch 11.5 HP 344cc Rear Engine Riding Mower 2691525
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It’s equipped with a powerful V-twin cylinder engine that delivers greater torque improve sound quality and lower vibration. It’s engineered with ready start technology, providing a car-like and choke free start.
The deep deck houses, a 42 edge cutting system that delivers a superior cut while the smooth underside as a wash port to remove grass buildup. This mighty lawn tractor can handle tough mowing, mulching, Pauling and bagging tasks easily.
The solid 11-inch one-piece frame is made of 12 gauge steel with rails for additional strength. The tractor’s a fully welded front axle is made of sturdy cast iron while the fade rust and dent resistant hood use a composite material.
The new and ergonomic design of this compact riding lawn tractor offers a wider and more comfortable operator station. Its redesigned lift lever lowers and raises the mower deck with ease, allowing one inch to up to four inches in height increments. It comes with a high back seat that’s adjustable re-upped at 10 positions and allows a five and a half-inch backward or forward angle for a perfect fit.
The hydrostatic transmission system and side-by-side foot pedals enhance its capacity to change speed and direction seamlessly. It features a cruise control option that sustains the speed when mowing bigger areas.
Another great feature of the John Deere is the 32nd oil change system, which eliminates the traditional draining of oil from the engine. The easy change filter removes, harmful contaminants and promotes better oil flow capacity. It’s covered with a 120 hour or two year warranty, whichever happens first.
Pros:
- V-twin cylinder engine.
- 42-edge cutting system.
- 30-second oil change.
- 2-year warranty.
Cons:
- Limited battery life.
- Troy-Bilt Bronco Automatic Drive Gas Lawn Tractor Riding Mower
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Troy-Bilt is a trusted maker of premium lawnmowers and at number three, the Bronco automatic drive Briggs and Stratton gas lawn mower riding tractor is no exception. It’s powered by a 19 horsepower 544 C single-cylinder intake series engine that delivers quality and efficiency during cutting.
This innovative lawn tractor has a 24 inch twin blade, a side cutting deck that can mow up to two acres of property. It’s a powerful, easy-to -use tractor machine with 18 inch turn radius, letting you navigate around obstacles, mow tighter spaces and closer to trees.
Its automatic transmission system with foot pedal control gives it a car-like driving experience. For reverse mowing and changes of speed, the automatic transmission delivers a smooth transition. It features an 11-inch mid-back seat that can accommodate up to five position Heights for a perfect fit and more comfortable operation.
The 13 gauge steel fully welded step-through frame with rubber footpads absorb the vibration and helps you get on or off the mower with ease. And to ensure adequate visibility at all times, the lawn tractor is equipped with automatic headlights.
It has a rust-resistant deck and two, five-inch anti-scalpel wheels. They keep your lawn damage-free and always looking perfectly groomed. The machine’s mulching and bagging capability make the post-operation hassle-free however, a mulch kit and rear bagger are sold separately. It’s covered with a two year limited warranty.
Pros:
- 19 HP engine.
- 42-inch twin blade.
- 11-inch MID-back seat.
- 2-year limited warranty.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Husqvarna YTH18542 42 in 18.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Riding Mower
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Its powerful performance and riding mower has a 42 inch reinforced steel cutting deck that delivers exceptional results. It’s powered by a Briggs and Stratton 19 horsepower single cylinder in tech engine with CVT drive system and two and a half gallon fuel tank.
This lawn machine is equipped with pedal-operated, automatic transmission, which eliminates the need for stopping when you need to change mowing direction or speed, simply push the pedal, then continue your, the task.
The mow in reverse feature allows the blades to engage continuously and it’s cutting task while shifting between reverse and forward directions. It can maneuver around tight spaces, flower beds, shrubs and trees thanks to its reliable 16 inch turning radius capability.
It uses aunties scalp deck wheels that protect your lawn against scalping and 20 inch rear tires with turf saver, tread that delivers exceptional traction and a more comfortable ride. Another cool feature of this dependable tractor are the built-in cup holders and headlights.
The spring-assisted deck lift offers six height options ranging from one and a half inches up to four inches making you choose a perfect height, easier this 42 and a quarter by 68 and a half by 50 inch riding lawn tractor is backed up with a two year manufacturer warranty.
Pros:
- 19HP single-cylinder intake engine
- 2-year manufactures warranty.
- 16-inch turning radius capacity.
- CVT drive system.
Cons:
- Can take time to mow large yards.
- Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 50 XP Lawn Tractor
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This versatile mowing machine is powered by 679 CC twin-cylinder OHV engine that offers extra strength and performance. It features full pressure lubrication that delivers oil smoothly to its major components and forged steel cranks that enhance its toughness.
It has a fabricated heavy-duty, 50 inch steel cutting deck with a reinforced bottom edges that guarantee rugged performance. The electric PTO swiftly and easily engages the three separate cutting blades. Selecting he ideal cutting height is made more convenient with its 12 height options from one and a half inches to three and three quarter inches.
The foot pedal controlled hydrostatic transmission with cruise control allows smooth speed, transition and direction, allowing a forward or reverse speed of five and a half miles per hour.
Another remarkable feature of this compact riding lawn tractor are the cast-iron front axle and the 13 gauge steel frame with step-through design that increased space between the control panel and seek providing better on and off accessibility and more leg room.
This highly responsive machine with 16 inch turning radius works well around obstacles, such as trees and landscape beds. It comes with four anti scalp deck wheels to reduce turfing and damage keeping your lawn well-groomed.
The automatic headlights increase your visibility, keeping you safe when you use it at night. The high back seat significantly decreases vibration, while the soft touch steering wheel allows a more comfortable ride. The system monitor tracks the usage and alerts you when it’s time for regular maintenance. It comes with a three-year limited warranty.
Pros:
- Twin-cylinder OHV engine.
- 50-inch steel cutting deck.
- 16-inch turning radius.
- 3-year limited warranty.
Cons:
- Does not have a padding on the seat.
Things You Should Consider
Lawn mowing is a necessary part of maintaining your property. No one wants to spend hours out in the hot sun, sweating profusely and running their risk of skin cancer. Fortunately, today there are options for you!
With an electric, self-propelled riding lawn mower, the work might be a little less strenuous than before. These machines are designed to make cutting your lawn as easy as possible. Here’s what you need to know about buying a riding lawn mower for 1 acre.
Size and Weight
We’ll start this section off with the most important aspect of buying a lawn mower – size. The lawn mower you select should have a stable ride and be balanced. Too much weight on one side of the machine and it won’t cut the grass straight. When shopping for a lawn mower, it’s best to stick to one that is not too heavy, but not too light either.
Consider the size of the machine you need. Less powerful lawn mowers are best for smaller properties, but you can also go as big as you want with the right machines. A lawn mower can usually be folded up and stored in a large bag or box. This ensures that it can easily fit into the back of your car.
However, it’s important to make sure that you don’t over-pack it – it should be reasonably spacious and sturdy.
Wheels
As with any outdoor power equipment, you’ll need to think about the size and type of wheels that you’re looking for. For 1 acre, it’s a good idea to opt for the larger wheels. These wheels can be a lot more durable than the smaller wheels. Furthermore, they’re ideal for areas that get quite wet. For dry land, the smaller wheels are the way to go.
Dimensions and Weight: In this case, you’ll want to stick to the lowest weight possible. A light mower is going to work just fine for this job. Remember to make sure that the motor is safe for use in your yard. These machines will be moving a lot of weight. It’s best to make sure that the motor can stand the stress. Battery It’s also a good idea to get a battery pack. These are generally much larger and heavier than the motor.
Motor
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a riding lawn mower is the type of motor that is used. A rotary lawn mower engine is the kind most often seen on mowers. This kind of engine is easily recognizable because of its various parts, including the “torque cord” used to start the engine.
Some lawn mowers use an alternative method for starting, known as direct start. Degrees of throttle Different brands of riding lawn mowers offer different levels of throttle. Generally speaking, the faster the motor, the more power is generated. Throttle controls allow you to select between a speed that is appropriate for trimming your yard, or to power through large patches of grass.
Switching Between Grass Types
Before buying a riding lawn mower, consider if you have a lot of different types of grass to cut. Grass types such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, Bermuda Blue, or fescue have their own patterns that are unique to them. The kinds of grasses you have will make the mowing more comfortable.
Another thing to think about is how many wheels the mower has. If you don’t mind safety, an electric mower will be more durable and should last longer than one with only 2 wheels. If you want to save a bit of money, a mower with 2 wheels will have a much smaller fuel consumption, but it might be better to keep the blades sharp. Cutting grass is not an easy job. Keep your blades sharp, mower is your friend!
Safety Features
Safety is a key factor to look for when purchasing a riding lawn mower for 1 acre. The machines that you choose must be designed for hard use, which means they must be relatively lightweight. There are very few children or inexperienced users that can operate the machine, so it should be able to do the job and serve your purpose without being physically dangerous.
If you live in an area that is very cold, rain, or snow, you should look for a mower that is more durable. The motor must be a series which could operate for years without a need for maintenance or replacing parts. Many of the mechanical components are fairly difficult to replace, which is why you will be buying a new mower instead of a used one. Consider your needs and safety factors.
Operating Cost
Electric mowers are cheaper than manual mowers, which is why most homeowners would choose to purchase an electric mower if they did not want to invest in a gasoline powered mower. Electric mowers are easy to use and are much more efficient than gas powered mowers.
This is because the mechanical power of a gas powered mower is usually wasted to maintain speed and torque. With an electric lawn mower, the mower will only have to turn and move the blades of the mower, which are much more efficient than a gas powered mower.
Also, electric mowers are much quieter, which is perfect if you like to enjoy your home while doing your work, or if you are simply trying to not disturb your neighbors. Electric mowers usually weigh about 6lbs and will have a torque of around 2-3,000 pounds.
Fuel Type
The type of fuel to use when riding a mower can make a huge difference. With gas, you will be expected to refuel it once in a while, every couple of days. With electric, on the other hand, you will only be required to charge it a couple of times during the season. When you go to buy a mower, make sure you choose the type of fuel that’s most suitable for your needs.
Another important thing to note is that there are several different models of riding lawn mowers on the market. Most lawn mowers are pretty much the same, but there are different types of styles. They range from the rideable, garden-mowing version, to the tiller and rotary mowers. The choice is up to you, but make sure you look into your options before you go to the store.
Capacity of Fuel Tank
Just like with cars, the tank of a lawn mower is necessary for efficiency. It is recommended that you have at least 15 gallons of fuel for a 1 acre lawn mower. It is not recommended that you run your lawn mower out of fuel. Power of Motor A typical mower will have a 1200-1500 RPM motor.
The motor will generally need to be idling during the initial start up to start the engine. It is recommended that you have a mower with a fair amount of power that can make quick, efficient work of your lawn.
It is also recommended that you change the blades of your mower to reduce the height of your lawn. Other Features Some mowers have weather protection, which means the lawn mower will keep itself hidden away during rainy or cold weather.
Maintenance Cost
The main concern for the user of a riding lawn mower is the maintenance cost. First, you must consider how much this mower is going to cost you. When to Buy Most riding mowers offer a lifespan of 10 years. It’s important to make sure you purchase the most expensive mower that you can afford.
For instance, if you are a homeowner who spends 5-10 hours each week on lawn mowing, you will need a mower that lasts a long time. However, if you work at a job that requires less physical activity, you will probably not need to replace it for a long time.
If you have a backyard with more space, you may want a self-propelled lawn mower that is designed to be ridden rather than push-driven. The ride is smoother and will not pull you down the driveway if you stumble.
FAQs
Riding Lawn Mowers are the perfect lawn care machine for the homeowner who is looking to maintain their lawn with minimal effort. Due to their size, these machines can create a more even cut than a walk behind mower can.
However, before you go out and purchase one, there are a few things you need to know about riding lawn mowers and if they’re right for your yard. Here are some common questions to help you find the best riding lawn mower for your 1 acre lot.
What is a riding lawn mower?
A riding lawn mower is a type of lawn mower that is especially designed to be used in grassy areas. The lawn mower is capable of moving itself along a user-controlled path, and can handle both the smooth or uneven surfaces on your yard.
They can also be adjusted so the blades are aimed directly at your yard and not across the lawn. They’re often referred to as “walk behind” mowers because you don’t need to use the height of a regular mower. Instead, the mower will go along the path you created by walking along your lawn, cutting it as it goes.
These are popular for residential lawns because they’re not as difficult to maneuver as a push mower. However, they’re not as easy to set up as a self-propelled mower is.
How much does a riding lawn mower cost?
When it comes to buying a riding lawn mower for 1 acre, you will likely find that these products are much more expensive than other mowers. Although this isn’t necessarily a good thing, it’s more of a signal that you should be wary about how much power you need for your space.
It will likely take you more than one hour to mow your entire property using the most powerful model. By doing that, you will probably end up needing a gas mower or maybe even a string trimmer as well. If you plan on paying that much for a lawn mower, you may want to figure out which services you can rent or purchase.
Is a riding lawn mower better for a 1 acre lot? As you can see in our list of best mowers, you won’t be looking at the heavy duty riding lawn mowers in this list.
What size of lot should I have for a riding lawn mower?
Some people opt to have their riding mower in a fixed stand with wheels that work the same way as a riding mower does in order to make it easier to control. However, the mowers that come with this setup, such as the Toro Flyway Elite, will tend to be larger and heavier, which may be problematic if your lot is small or you aren’t looking to invest in a larger lawn.
If you’re looking to get a mower that you can maneuver around the yard, an electric ride-on mower or a zero turn mower are better options. Do riding lawn mowers take up more space than traditional lawn mowers? Generally speaking, if you own a large yard, you’ll want to get a riding lawn mower as opposed to a walk behind mower.
How do I choose the right height for a riding lawn mower?
Before you purchase a riding lawn mower, you should take into consideration how tall you want the mower blades to be. If you have a taller grass, you might need a higher mower height. The height of the blades dictates the maximum distance the mower can cut and is used to cut the grass.
So, if you don’t need to cut the grass as often, you can get a lawn mower with lower blades, which would cut the grass in less areas. But if you cut your grass frequently, you can get a higher mower height. What size is a good riding lawn mower for a 1 acre lot? There are three general sizes of riding mowers. You can find a variety of manufacturers that make several different sizes.
Which type should I choose, electric or gas powered?
While there are certainly benefits to each, I’ve found that the electric type of riding lawn mower work better in conditions where high grass is a factor. The gasoline powered mowers are more effective when the lawn is short and shrub-like.
These types of mowers typically work well in sandy or clay soil because they can run cleaner and faster than the electric mowers. It’s also easier to have a gas powered riding lawn mower running for longer than an electric one because gas is lighter than air and can move through heavier grasses. Is a riding mower really the best choice if there’s a lot of weeds in the yard? No, I’ve found that most people don’t need a riding mower for weed control.
What attachments should I get with my new lawnmower?
Riding lawn mowers come with different attachments that allow you to complete the mowing task. They come with everything from an attachments to create a proper pile to a pre-cut single blade. These accessories can provide an amazing finish to your landscaping, so you want to make sure you get the right equipment.
With that said, these mowers usually come with both a battery operated and a petrol powered tool. So if you have a petrol powered mower, you might need to invest in a battery operated mower in order to maintain the required power.
There are many options available, however, if you want to give your existing mower a performance boost, you might want to consider an electric mower. What is the most important feature of my lawn mower?
Conclusion
Ultimately, the size and cost of a riding lawn mower will come down to the factors you consider. If you are just starting out, it may be more cost effective to buy a push mower and keep adding to the size and power of your mower as your abilities as a lawn care technician improve. If you are looking for something that will maintain a basic look, consider renting a riding lawn mower.