Big Tractors
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Compare Lawn Tractors - The Big 3 Features to Look at When Researching to Buy
How do you compare lawn tractors when there are so many different manufacturers and so many different features on offer?
If you are researching the market with a view to buying a lawn tractor then you know that these machines don't come cheap. So, you'll no doubt be very keen to ensure you make the right choice and hit upon the lawn tractor that will suit your needs and your pocket, and also deliver the quality and value for money your require.
This article will help you in your research by giving you the 3 key points you should look at when you compare lawn tractors from different manufacturers, or even when you compare different models from the same manufacture.
1. The power of the Engine Most manufacturers publicise engine power in horse-power (which you may see shortened to HP, Hp or hp). Unless you're technically minded, it doesn't matter much what horse power actually is.
The important point is that the higher the number, the more powerful the engine is.
Engine power matters because the more powerful the engine, the more the lawn tractor can do. Greater engine power allows you to cover more ground, work on more difficult terrain, use wider and heavier mowing decks and work with more attachments and implements to undertake a greater variety of tasks.
2. The size of the cutting deck This is relatively straightforward - the wider the cutting deck, the more quickly you will get your mowing done (all other things being equal). However, as indicated, you need to be sure that your machine has sufficient power to handle the size of deck offered.
3. Grass Discharge How do you want your lawn tractor to deal with the grass clippings as it mows? You are likely to be offered one or a combination of the following options.
The default option is usually 'side discharge'. This is where the clippings are forced out of the side of the cutting deck to lie, uncollected, on the grass. Unless you want a particularly manicured look, this is fine. The discharged clippings break down in time.
Another option is a mulching deck (or conversion kit). In this case, the clippings are prevented from being discharged out of the side of the deck and are chopped much more finely by the deck's blades, to be deposited as 'mulch' beneath the tractor as it progresses. This is a good, environmentally friendly, option that will help your lawn retain moisture and fertility.
The final option is a collection system. This will involve some kind of permanent or optional bag or container being fitted to the lawn tractor to collect the clippings. Collection is usually facilitated by the use of a pipe or tube from the discharge chute to the bag attachment. In the UK, where conditions are often wet and clippings may be damp or particularly lush, many lawn tractors are sold with a rear discharge bagging system which means there is less chance of the collection system getting clogged up.
Of course there are other important factors that you will need to take into consideration based upon your own requirements and local conditions. You'll need to think about whether you want a 2-wheel or a 4-wheel drive machine, whether you want 4-wheel steering and what kind of transmission is available.
When you compare lawn tractors, you should also think about what you want the tractor to do as well as mowing, and check whether it has the capability and available attachments and accessories that you will need.
Having said that, the big 3 features to look at when you are doing your research to compare lawn tractors are undoubtedly Engine, Deck and Discharge.
If you look at these as the basic points of comparison, you can be sure you are comparing like with like.
If you are researching the market with a view to buying a lawn tractor then you know that these machines don't come cheap. So, you'll no doubt be very keen to ensure you make the right choice and hit upon the lawn tractor that will suit your needs and your pocket, and also deliver the quality and value for money your require.
This article will help you in your research by giving you the 3 key points you should look at when you compare lawn tractors from different manufacturers, or even when you compare different models from the same manufacture.
1. The power of the Engine Most manufacturers publicise engine power in horse-power (which you may see shortened to HP, Hp or hp). Unless you're technically minded, it doesn't matter much what horse power actually is.
The important point is that the higher the number, the more powerful the engine is.
Engine power matters because the more powerful the engine, the more the lawn tractor can do. Greater engine power allows you to cover more ground, work on more difficult terrain, use wider and heavier mowing decks and work with more attachments and implements to undertake a greater variety of tasks.
2. The size of the cutting deck This is relatively straightforward - the wider the cutting deck, the more quickly you will get your mowing done (all other things being equal). However, as indicated, you need to be sure that your machine has sufficient power to handle the size of deck offered.
3. Grass Discharge How do you want your lawn tractor to deal with the grass clippings as it mows? You are likely to be offered one or a combination of the following options.
The default option is usually 'side discharge'. This is where the clippings are forced out of the side of the cutting deck to lie, uncollected, on the grass. Unless you want a particularly manicured look, this is fine. The discharged clippings break down in time.
Another option is a mulching deck (or conversion kit). In this case, the clippings are prevented from being discharged out of the side of the deck and are chopped much more finely by the deck's blades, to be deposited as 'mulch' beneath the tractor as it progresses. This is a good, environmentally friendly, option that will help your lawn retain moisture and fertility.
The final option is a collection system. This will involve some kind of permanent or optional bag or container being fitted to the lawn tractor to collect the clippings. Collection is usually facilitated by the use of a pipe or tube from the discharge chute to the bag attachment. In the UK, where conditions are often wet and clippings may be damp or particularly lush, many lawn tractors are sold with a rear discharge bagging system which means there is less chance of the collection system getting clogged up.
Of course there are other important factors that you will need to take into consideration based upon your own requirements and local conditions. You'll need to think about whether you want a 2-wheel or a 4-wheel drive machine, whether you want 4-wheel steering and what kind of transmission is available.
When you compare lawn tractors, you should also think about what you want the tractor to do as well as mowing, and check whether it has the capability and available attachments and accessories that you will need.
Having said that, the big 3 features to look at when you are doing your research to compare lawn tractors are undoubtedly Engine, Deck and Discharge.
If you look at these as the basic points of comparison, you can be sure you are comparing like with like.
Follow the link for a more detailed look at how best to compare lawn tractors when researching models to purchase.
For the latest from the Lawn Tractors Buyers Guide web site, check out the the Lawn Tractor Reviews Blog.
Copyright Martin D Cole
You may reproduce this article but only if the article, resource box, author credit and links remain intact and operative. Amongst other things, Martin Cole writes about lawn care, gardening and career changing.
You may reproduce this article but only if the article, resource box, author credit and links remain intact and operative. Amongst other things, Martin Cole writes about lawn care, gardening and career changing.
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