SELECT THE RIGHT PRODUCT: A HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE

There are many choices when considering purchasing a new lawn mower from Cub Cadet®. Which size is right for my needs? What other features are important to my needs? This section will give you some points to consider as you prepare to make your lawn tractor purchase. 

RIDING LAWN MOWERS

When considering residential riding lawn mowers you can look at four basic platforms: lawn tractors, garden tractors, zero-turn riders and zero-turn tractors. This section will help you to choose which Cub Cadet® is right for you.

MODELS

Lawn tractors are designed for grass cutting and light-duty chores. First time buyers usually choose lawn tractors. Garden tractors are a step up from lawn tractors because they are more of a workhorse and offer more versatility when it comes to other lawn chores. Zero-turn riders are ideal for home owners looking to cut a large yard in less time. They easily manoeuvre around obstacles and are ideal for large, mostly-flat yards. They usually feature rear-mounted engines and lap bars for steering. Zero-turn tractors combine the ease of traditional tractor steering and control with zero-turn manoeuvrability. A zero-turn tractor allows you to manoeuvre on hills and allows for more optional attachments.

TERRAIN

Do you have a flat lawn that has little landscaping? Are you looking for garden equipment?  A garden tractor could fit your needs. But if you have many obstacles and a lot of landscaping that requires manoeuvrability, you should consider a zero-turn mower. A zero-turn is best for flat lawns (or lawns with only small hills) with lots of obstacles. A zero-turn can cut mowing time significantly. If you have uneven terrain and a lot of obstacles you can consider a zero-turn tractor. The zero-turn tractor reduces mowing time yet offers tractor-like stability on small inclines or hills.

VERSATILITY

Do you want to do more than just cut your lawn? If so, you have several options. While a lawn tractor is designed for grass cutting and light chores, a garden tractor is designed to do more. Garden tractors are workhorses. They accept ground engaging attachments such as tillers and small plows. They are ideal for homeowners with larger yards and multiple needs. Zero-turn mowers generally do not use attachments, but zero-turn tractors can accept attachments such as a trailer.

YARD SIZE

Riding lawn mowers are available in multiple deck sizes. The larger the deck size, the wider the cut or swath will be which will cut down on mowing time. In addition, a larger fuel tank will limit refuelling which will also reduce mowing time. Deck sizes typically range from 107cm (42") to 127cm (50").  You should also consider obstacles and landscaping when determining deck size. Smaller decks may be easier to manoeuvre around trees, shrubs and planting beds.

ATTACHMENTS

Not all riding mowers accept attachments. For mowers that do, the attachments vary depending on the model. Generally, you will be able to find more attachments for garden tractors and zero-turn tractors than attachments for lawn tractors.  Determining your property needs will help you to choose which attachments and which model is right for you.

ENGINE

Make sure you have enough power for the size of your property. Larger engines generally give you better cutting results whether you bag or mulch. Engine power varies widely, running anywhere from 19 HP or greater. You will want to look for a more powerful engine if you have a yard that presents heavy-duty challenges, such as slopes and hills or if you have tougher mowing conditions.

For more information about Cub Cadet's riding mowers, contact a dealer in your area.