Important Details Not to Overlook When Choosing a Riding Mower
A ride on mower can make quick and easy work of cutting the grass on a very large property, and is often better than a push mower for thick vegetation, as smaller and more lightweight blades often cannot easily cut heavier weeds and brush. However, a riding mower is often more expensive than a push mower, and may have some added hazards that are easy to overlook, so it's good to take your time and compare all the features and details of these mowers. Note a few of those details that are easy to overlook, and which you need to compare when you're ready to shop.
Height
If your property has any slopes, hills, and the like, you want to consider the height of the seat of the mower. The higher the seat, the higher the centre of gravity once you're sitting in the seat, so the more likely it is the that mower will tip when you go up even the slightest of inclines. If your property has lots of these hills and inclines, try a stand-on mower, which has a platform for standing rather than a seat for sitting, which won't add height to the centre of gravity. If you must have a seated mower, choose one with a very low and very wide seat, so that the centre of gravity is better dispersed over the body of the mower.
Safety
Choose a mower that automatically stops the blades when you put it into reverse, and that has a seat shut-off switch; this switch stops the blades when you get out of the seat. These features will reduce the risk of injury to yourself, and to anyone who may be behind you when you're mowing.
Engine
While the engines of riding mowers usually have more power than those in a push mower, you still need to check the horsepower of the engine. Running your mower over thick vegetation and brush with an undersized engine will mean more wear and tear on the blades, and the rotors that spin the blades, and more maintenance needed for your mower over time. If you have a flat parcel of land with relatively soft grass, you may still want a larger engine that can reach higher speeds, so you can make quick work of needed cutting. While larger and more powerful engines are often more expensive, they can be worth the investment, as they make the work quicker and easier on you.