April 2006
Tractor pull
Allure of tractors spreads beyond farmers
Oliver Wendell Douglas, the Manhattan lawyer turned genteel farmer on the 1960s TV show "Green Acres," would have gotten a kick out of how far the tractor has come.
The word "tractor" has taken on new meaning in recent years: It applies not only to plowing farms but also to maintaining lawns.
With prices as low as $1,000 and as high as $20,000, people with average-size lawns are buying lawn tractors or compact tractors to service all their work needs.
According to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, overall shipments of lawn tractors (also known as riding mowers) increased in 2005 to 1.5 million. Also last year, Americans bought an estimated 900,000 compact tractors (including used ones), up from 500,000 in 1999, says Bruce Butterfield, research director for the National Gardening Association. "In many regards, people who buy these tractors like equipment even if they never need to take full advantage of it," he says.
Though these compact tractors, which are ostensibly scaled-down versions of farm tractors, have been around for 20 years, some newfangled perks include cabin heating and cooling systems, power steering, and turf tires. But that doesn't mean they're right for every situation. Lawn tractors are best for lawns a half-acre or larger. Most cut a swath at least 42 inches wide, and some have mowing decks 50 inches wide or wider. Most have automatic drive systems and can accept snow blowers and other attachments, though these add-ons are pricey and tricky to attach. Most lawn tractors cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
Another option for yards with lots of trees, shrubs, and other obstacles is a zero-turn-radius mower. These agile machines offer rear steering and tighter turning than typical tractors do, and their prices have dropped to the $3,000-to-$4,000 range. But they're still more expensive, and the levers for steering and speed take some practice. Both zero-turn-radius mowers and lawn tractors require lots of storage space, roughly 4x6 feet.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Whether you have a half-acre or a considerable spread, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your tractor investment.
Factor in the add-ons. All the tractors come ready to side-discharge clippings. While mulch kits are often included or relatively inexpensive (about $75), bagging often costs $300 to $400 extra. You'll pay much more for snow-blower attachments.
Think twice about zero-turning. Zero-turn-radius mowers offer the tightest turns. But they're expensive, and their caster front wheels can make steering a problem on hills. What's more, even conventional lawn tractors are getting tighter turning with more maneuverability.
Don't count horses. Some models now pack 20 hp or more. Higher horsepower doesn't guarantee more performance, however; models (see our Ratings on lawn tractors and riding mowers, available to subscribers) with as little as 17 hp mowed as well as brawnier models.
Pick your retailer. Most of the brands we tested are now at major retailers as well as dealers. Big-box stores tend to have the lowest prices. But dealers typically offer more personalized service, setup, and instruction. John Deere, Poulan, and Yard Machines are at Home Depot. Bolens, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, and Troy-Bilt are sold at Lowe's. Sears sells Craftsman and Husqvarna, and Wal-Mart has Yard Machines and Yard-Man.
Use it safely.
Allure of tractors spreads beyond farmers
Oliver Wendell Douglas, the Manhattan lawyer turned genteel farmer on the 1960s TV show "Green Acres," would have gotten a kick out of how far the tractor has come.
The word "tractor" has taken on new meaning in recent years: It applies not only to plowing farms but also to maintaining lawns.
With prices as low as $1,000 and as high as $20,000, people with average-size lawns are buying lawn tractors or compact tractors to service all their work needs.
According to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, overall shipments of lawn tractors (also known as riding mowers) increased in 2005 to 1.5 million. Also last year, Americans bought an estimated 900,000 compact tractors (including used ones), up from 500,000 in 1999, says Bruce Butterfield, research director for the National Gardening Association. "In many regards, people who buy these tractors like equipment even if they never need to take full advantage of it," he says.
Though these compact tractors, which are ostensibly scaled-down versions of farm tractors, have been around for 20 years, some newfangled perks include cabin heating and cooling systems, power steering, and turf tires. But that doesn't mean they're right for every situation. Lawn tractors are best for lawns a half-acre or larger. Most cut a swath at least 42 inches wide, and some have mowing decks 50 inches wide or wider. Most have automatic drive systems and can accept snow blowers and other attachments, though these add-ons are pricey and tricky to attach. Most lawn tractors cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
Another option for yards with lots of trees, shrubs, and other obstacles is a zero-turn-radius mower. These agile machines offer rear steering and tighter turning than typical tractors do, and their prices have dropped to the $3,000-to-$4,000 range. But they're still more expensive, and the levers for steering and speed take some practice. Both zero-turn-radius mowers and lawn tractors require lots of storage space, roughly 4x6 feet.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Whether you have a half-acre or a considerable spread, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your tractor investment.
Factor in the add-ons. All the tractors come ready to side-discharge clippings. While mulch kits are often included or relatively inexpensive (about $75), bagging often costs $300 to $400 extra. You'll pay much more for snow-blower attachments.
Think twice about zero-turning. Zero-turn-radius mowers offer the tightest turns. But they're expensive, and their caster front wheels can make steering a problem on hills. What's more, even conventional lawn tractors are getting tighter turning with more maneuverability.
Don't count horses. Some models now pack 20 hp or more. Higher horsepower doesn't guarantee more performance, however; models (see our Ratings on lawn tractors and riding mowers, available to subscribers) with as little as 17 hp mowed as well as brawnier models.
Pick your retailer. Most of the brands we tested are now at major retailers as well as dealers. Big-box stores tend to have the lowest prices. But dealers typically offer more personalized service, setup, and instruction. John Deere, Poulan, and Yard Machines are at Home Depot. Bolens, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, and Troy-Bilt are sold at Lowe's. Sears sells Craftsman and Husqvarna, and Wal-Mart has Yard Machines and Yard-Man.
Use it safely.
- Wear ear protection; these machines are loud enough to damage hearing.
- Check the area for rocks and debris, and keep kids and pets away.
- Look behind before mowing in reverse.
- Mow up, not parallel, to slopes.
- Don't make U-turns at the end of downhill runs; wait until you're on level ground before turning.
- Don't add fuel with the engine running.
