5 Reasons Using Your Riding Mower As a Snow Plow Is a Bad Idea
And why an actual snow blower makes more sense
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If you live in a snowy region and own a lawn tractor or zero-turn-radius riding mower, you may have thought about attaching a plow or snow blower to your mower, especially when the snow falls heavy and deep.
It stands to reason that if you’ve already laid out the cash for the tractor, you’ll save money buying an attachment rather than another piece of pricey power equipment. If only it were that simple.
Below, we delve into why a freestanding snow blower is a tool better suited for the task. You can learn more about these labor-saving machines in our snow blower buying guide. CR members can also jump right to our snow blower ratings.
Why to Skip the Plow
1. You’ll preserve your tractor’s life. The transmissions of most residential lawn tractors and zero-turn-radius riders are best suited for one use: cutting grass. Pushing or blowing heavy snow is another story. A number of companies, such as Husqvarna, sell sturdy plowing attachments designed for specific models. But unless you have a high-end lawn or garden tractor, you could shorten the life of your tractor by pushing a plow or snow-blower attachment against significant snow.
2. It might cost more than you think. At about $300 to $800, a plow attachment can cost nearly as much as a decent snow blower. For a snow-blower attachment, it’s closer to $1,300 to $1,400. Some of the best snow blowers in our ratings can be had for under $1,000.
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