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A: "Most residential lawn tractors are made to last 250 to 300 hours, so you really need to know how many hours the tractor was used," says Peter Sawchuk, who directs Consumer Reports lawn mower and tractor tests. "There's no point spending $500 for a machine that's only going to last a year."
A tractor used to mow a two-acre yard in the northern U.S. usually logs 50 to 60 hours a year. "Ask the owner how long he had the machine and how often he used it, and then do the math: 50 hours per year times five years equals 250 hours—and that means you should pass on it," Sawchuk advises.
The exception may be some Cub Cadet, Husqvarna and John Deere lawn tractors intended for commercial use, which are designed to go for 400-500 hours. Many of these higher-end mowers have hour meters that track their usage. If you're considering buying a used machine, look for these warning signs.
—Gian Trotta
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