Best Garden Tractor Reviews & Gardening Tips!
There’s little argument that a rich landscaped lawn sets off a garden perfectly. To do this, you will need the best garden tractor you can find.
Like with many elements of gardening, you’ll find a mixture of relaxation and hard graft.
Getting the right tools will make your life much easier. A good fertilizer spreader and a lawn sprinkler mean you can feed and water your grass without breaking a sweat.
How about keeping it nicely maintained?
A brush cutter and weed eater both have their place. There’s no substitute, though, for a proper mower.
We’ll look today at 5 best garden tractor reviews to help you get the right machine for the job.
For anyone with a large lawn, a ride-on mower is often the most sensible and efficient option. They are not cheap but they are built to last and represent a great investment over time.
First of all, let’s clear up the difference between lawn mowers, lawn tractors and garden tractors…
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Riding Lawn Mower vs Lawn Tractor vs Garden Tractor
There’s a lot of confusion with the terminology used for ride-on garden vehicles, but you will need to be able to differenciate between all of them if you want to choose the best garden tractor.
If you have a large, sprawling garden, a push-style mower is not the wisest choice.
A riding lawn mower is built for one task only: cutting the grass. That’s it. These mowers have the part where the grass is ejected set quite far forward.
A lawn tractor sits somewhere between the riding mower and garden tractor. You’ll be able to cut your grass just like with a mower. There is also a hitch so you can hook up a bagger or pull around a cart. For general light lawn duties, a tractor makes a smart choice.
We’ll explore today the best garden tractor reviews. These are the most flexible and adaptable. You can mow grass with ease but it has much more functionality besides this. You’ll get a rear hitch just like with a lawn tractor so you can attach things behind.
If you have one of the best garden tractors can also cope with heavier duty even on rough terrain. They have larger wheels with better clearance for working on soil. The transmission will be built to carry heavier gardening equipment like a plow without needing an ATV. The garden tractors come with traction control. This helps considerably on steep inclines.
What Type of Best Garden Tractor Should You Buy?
As a general guideline, if you have more than 1 acre of land, a riding machine of some description is advisable.
Be honest about whether you’ll just be mowing the grass or if you plan to undertake other yard work.
For cutting only, a riding mower is absolutely fine.
Anyone who wants to cut the grass and perform simple hauling tasks should think about a lawn tractor.
If you need to step things up a gear, a lawn tractor or garden tractor is worth considering. Sure, they are more expensive but they are huge labor-saving devices. Imagine needing to turn over a huge vegetable patch by hand or trying to keep on top of your horse enclosure manually. Think how much easier it would be with the best garden tractor.
There’s no right or wrong choice here, simply the most suitable piece of equipment for your circumstances.
What To Look For When Buying the Best Garden Tractor in 2018:
As with any gardening equipment, there are a number of things to watch out for when you are on the trail of the best garden tractor in 2018.
Best Garden Tractor: Analyze Your Situation and Needs
Once you are familiar with the different options at your disposal, read through our reviews. Each of the 5 tractors we review comes highly recommended.
Read plenty of user reviews. Most people are fairly honest with feedback when they have already spent good money on a product.
Chat with your neighbors and see what type of equipment they find works best. Be sure to ask how the tractor copes with hills if you live on an incline. Enquire about reliability and how the vehicle contends with heavy soil. Ask any questions you feel pertinent to your situation.
Best Garden Tractor: Think About Trees and Obstacles
Take a look at all obstacles in your yard.
From trees through to hardscaping features like BBQs or fountains, take into account how you’ll move around with your tractor.
If you feel you’ll need to make plenty of tight turns, a zero-turn tractor is one solution. They are more expensive and slightly tricky to master but they can turn on a dime and it could be money and time very well spent in the long haul. What could be worse than spending out on a vehicle that is inappropriate for your garden?
The leading advantage of a zero-turn tractor is that you can make a single pass flush to obstacles without needing to return with your weed eater.
Best Garden Tractor: Performance
The horsepower of the motor does not necessarily translate to better cutting power. It can help with other tasks on the ground, though.
Checking out user reviews is a great way to get a feel for the performance of a tractor. It should cut evenly without any unsightly ridges.
Automatic tractors are generally simpler to operate than those with manual transmission. They are pricier but the ride will be smoother and riding it much less complicated for beginners.
Tractors with very large decks do not cut as evenly. Also, with more blades there is more to maintain and repair.
Look for a seat that has a high back and will be comfy enough to sit in for extended periods. The steering wheel should also be comfortable and the foot pads non-slip.
Overall, pay attention to what elements of the garden tractor’s performance are most critical for your needs and buy accordingly.
Best Garden Tractor: Different Modes
Best garden tractors have 3 main modes:
- Mulching: Clippings are cut into smaller pieces and expelled
- Bagging: Clippings are ejected into a bag
- Side Discharge: Clippings are evenly distributed
Any garden tractor with mulching or bagging functionality is likely to cost a little more. If you don’t really need this, roll with a side discharge model.
Best Garden Tractor: Attachments
You can get a range of attachments to hitch up to your best garden tractor.
There are also some inbuilt accessories to watch out for.
You can activate your blades either manually with a lever or with an electric power takeoff system. The PTO costs more but will help your mower last longer.
Some tractors come with a port so you can hook it up to your garden hose. This is particularly useful if you plan to do a lot of mulching. The last thing you want is clumps of grass building up on the undercarriage.
So…
Now you have a good idea about what you should be looking for in the best ride-on vehicle, it’s time for our reviews…
We’ll look at a range of different types so there is something for everyone.
5 Best Garden Tractor Reviews:
Best Garden Tractor Product Name | Best Garden Tractor Image | Best Garden Tractor Deck Size (inches) | Best Garden Tractor Type | Best Garden Tractor Price | Our Best Garden Tractor Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 42 | Tractor Mower | $$$ | #1 | |
 | 42 | Lawn Tractor | $$ | #2 | |
 | 54 | LightGardenTractor | $$$$ | #3 | |
 | 48 | Tractor Mower | $$$$ | #4 | |
 | 54 | $$$$ | #5 |
You can take a look here:
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-960430211-Continuously-Varilable-Transmission/dp/B019ZN0WGE
First up in our look at the best garden tractors is a simple but effective lawn tractor from the industry heavyweight Husqvarna.
With a 42-inch deck and an automatic transmission, the Husqvarna runs smoothly and cuts your grass evenly.
Patented Air Induction Technology means that airflow within the decks is eased and this helps keep things running like a dream.
You’ll need to engage the blades with a spring-loaded lever. Don’t worry, this is very easy to operate.
You can connect your hose to the port making cleaning a breeze.
The Husqvarna discharges clippings from the side. Mulching is nice and steady. When it comes to bagging, the capacity is generous.
Turning in tight spots is no problem. It’s not quite a zero-turn but it’s a compact and maneuverable unit.
There’s a 3-year limited warranty on the Husqvarna. The frame, chassis and front axle are guaranteed separately for 5 years so buy with complete confidence. Having a warrenty alone is a great reason to deem a tractor the best garden tractor.
You can take a look here:
https://www.amazon.com/Troy-Bilt-42-inch-7-Speed-Discharge-Tractor/dp/B01BY9Z41U
Next up in our reviews is a lawn tractor from the highly respected Troy-Bilt.
This 7-speed automatic is a cinch to drive. The 420cc engine offers ample performance.
The steel step-thru frame is rugged and built to last. The 42-inch deck gives you the ideal combination of performance and compactness.
You can adjust the deck height through 5 different positions so it’s a very flexible cutting solution.
With little 15 x 6 inch wheels on the front and bulkier 20 x 8 inches behind, you can zip around with ease even on uneven terrain.
There’s a deck wash system built in so you can keep things sparkling clean and your tractor will last for years.
With a comfy seat and a sizeable fuel tank, you’ll be able to work for hours without straining yourself.
You’ll get a 2-year warranty so you can buy without worrying about something going wrong.
For an affordable and adaptable tractor that won’t let you down, pop the Troy-Bilt on your shortlist.
You can take a look here:
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-LGT2654-Garden-Tractor-54-Inch/dp/B00HVZZVPG
Next on our list of the garden tractors is another offering from Husqvarna, this time the much beefier LGT2654.
Husqvarna are one of the manufacturers offering light garden tractors, a scaled down version of a full-bore best garden tractor allowing you to enjoy most of the capabilities without the price tag.
Although this tractor receives mixed feedback, it always appears on any list of reviews and has a number of real strengths.
The 54-inch cutting width lets you work large areas in double-quick time. The 26HP Kohler engine offers great performance, even extending to cruise control.
There’s no need to reach for a lever when you want to engage the blades. It’s taken care of electronically.
This is a very heavy item coming in at over 500 pounds. If you want a no-nonsense workhorse to take care of a range of gardening projects, think seriously about the LGT2654. It will deliver in fine style.
You’ll get a clean and consistent cut every time with this Husqvarna. You can adjust the cutting height as you see fit.
There’s a full range of towing accessories and mulching kit at your disposal.
For a powerful and capable garden tractor that won’t break the bank, road test the LGT2654 and see if it fits the bill.
You can take a look here:
https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-YTA24V48-Continuously-Variable-Transmission/dp/B019ZN119G
As we near the end of our reviews, yet another great model from Husqvarna, the YTA24V48.
The pedal-controlled automatic mower demands less power to operate while kicking out enhanced cutting performance.
The 48-inch cutting deck is made from reinforced steel so it will not let you down.
The operating manual is clear and easy to follow. It’s worth your while getting fully familiar with your tractor before launching into work.
One thing to note: the tires are overinflated for shipping. Let them down slightly for best results.
For a heavy-duty mid-size tractor that will keep going for years, the Husqvarna YTA24V48 is hard to beat. You’ll be covered with the usual, impressive Husqvarna warranty.
You can take a look here:
https://www.amazon.com/Troy-Bilt-Bronco-54-Inch-Garden-Tractor/dp/B01C08MSNQ
Rounding out our reviews is another, larger Troy-Bilt.
If you want to inject some fun into your yard work, the 26HP engine is a real pleasure. Use your foot for the transmission and enjoy cruise control if you are working on large expanses of lawn.
The 54-inch deck is extremely large and features a nifty deck wash system so you can keep everything running smoothly.
The seat and armrests are padded so you can relax as you mow your lawn.
The deck is engaged automatically and there’s even a Mow In Reverse feature for complete flexibility.
This garden tractor is not cheap but it will last the distance and give you first-class cutting results. You’ll get a 3-year limited warranty with this tractor.
How Does Gardening Help the Environment?
Since you are here to learn how to choose the best garden tractor, we can deduce that you care about your gardening and gardening in general. We hope to help you pick not only the best garden tractor but also learn a thing or two about why gardening helps the environment tremendously, so you can feel great about why you choose to garden!
1. Helps Lessen Noise Pollution
Did you know that trees and plants help to reduce noise pollution by absorbing sound? This is an incredible thing, especially if you live by an intersection, highway, or worst of all: a set of train tracks. Think about planting trees to lessen the loud sounds that come from passing cars or trains, but make sure you get creative with this. You can get a two in one effect so that it is not just less noise coming to your ears, but also more beauty around your home through gardening!
2. Reduce Energy Costs
Another incredible thing a garden can do that is also efficient is to reduce your energy bill significantly. Who doesn't want this? The catch though is growing a garden efficiently, and one that will last.
We have some tips for you:
The plants that will help you with this are ones that are very easy to maintain and are adaptable in the climate you're in. Choose plants that are popular in your area. Ask around to see what other home gardeners are doing such as neighbors and friends. If they don't have good ideas, just go to community gardens and inquire about what they grow. This is an area where Google will likely be your best friend as well. The reason it is a good idea to grow plants that are super common where you live is that these are the ones most likely to live through all four seasons.
Don't go for plants that will take over all the other plants and push out the ones that have been there for some time. These are just as bad as weeds, and they have no place in your garden! The only way you will end up with these kinds of invasive plants is if you don't pick plants that are common in your particular area. The thing that keeps plants maintained and controlled is having plants with common enemies that make sure they don't get too large and in charge.
Our last great idea is to turn your empty and lifeless roof into a beautiful garden. Having greenery up there will help stifle flooding that could occur as well as make the entire area and those below cooler. This is a super fun project, but before you begin, you must be sure that your room can maintain the weight a garden will bring.
3. Community Impact
Growing a garden is so good for your community and the world. If you plant your own fruits and veggies, there is less need for the mega-corporation to do it, and that means less gas, pesticides, and impact on the earth. You are doing a small thing that makes a big difference for the earth, and getting delicious fresh foods from it! Another great way that growing a small garden in your home helps is by helping make up the greenery in your area, which the suburban and commercialized area needs much more of to thrive. Remember, we need plants to breathe!
4. Helping the Ecosystem
Your garden creates a new home for wildlife to live in. Wouldn't it feel great to know you're part of the process that is preserving bugs, small animals, and other types of life? Metropolitan areas are taking over, and it is rare to see much green, especially in our cities. We tend to forget how much this is impacting the planet.
The earth is made up of interdependent ecosystems, and humans are a huge part of these. Growing a garden is your contribution to making space for these ecosystems to thrive and continue the cycle of life. Each living being is responsible for being part of helping to sustain the environment!
5) Increase property value
A garden/landscaping project can be just like adding on a new basement or another part of the house that brings up the price it can be rented out at. A beautiful garden in your yard can automatically add great appeal to your house. If you are looking to impress those passing by and in turn, increase the overall value of your home, this is the thing to do. Many people who are renting or selling make these small changes that provide big pay off. I know personally that those who are trying to rent are automatically drawn to homes with presentable front yards. If you are planning to put the house up in an online advertisement, having a lovely garden in the front is the way to go. The photos are sure to win folks over! A garden can help you sell or rent your home quicker than it otherwise would.
6) Sense of Accomplishment and Involvement
Gardening has become a form of art. All that is involved in planting and maintaining a garden, as well as watching your own garden grow can genuinely be a source of satisfaction and pride for anyone who chooses to take on this endeavor. Once you get into gardening, you will see that it is a hobby that lasts a lifetime. The more you are able to learn about the intricacies of gardening, the more you grow and you will see that the possibilities for the types of plants and flowers you can nurture are endless. There is so much blessing that comes out of creating something beautiful that you can be happy with.
There is proof that the endorphins that are raised and the confidence gained by finding a hobby that you love and are good at is good for the mental, physical, and emotional health. A sense of purpose if good for every person and with gardening, you get to have a purpose while also helping the environment and adding to beauty in your own area.
So what obstacles are in the way of you starting your own garden right in your front or back yard? There is no time like right now to learn to love the outdoors, create a beautiful space for your family together, and so something community minded. Get together your preferred seeds, your gardening tools, lots of knowledge on how to become a gardener, and get digging today! We promise you will not regret it.
Final Thoughts on The Best Garden Tractor
We hope you have enjoyed these reviews.
If you take your time and do plenty of research, getting the best garden tractor is really pretty straightforward. Think about what type will suit your needs best and choose in line with these requirements.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to get in touch. We always respond promptly and we’re delighted to help in any way we can.
Happy riding!
