With a lawn mower, you can mow large lawns quickly and effortlessly. Find out when a ride-on mower or lawn tractor actually makes sense and what you should look out for when buying one!
With the lawn mower, mowing the lawn becomes pure relaxation
Our recommendations
our recommendation
scheppach petrol ride-on lawn mower MR196-61 - 6.5 hp | Cutting width 61cm | 5-way height adjustment | E-Start | 150 L collection bag
1,099.00 EUR To the product| Type | riding mower |
|---|---|
| lawn area | 3000 sqm |
| hp | 6,5 |
| cutting width | 61 cm |
| cutting height | 35-75mm |
| ejection direction | Rear |
| tank volume | 1.2L |
| catch basket | 150L |
| noise level | 80dB |
Like all of our recommendations, the scheppach ride-on mower is also equipped with an electric starter for easy starting of the device. The same applies to the mower that can be switched on and off manually. In general, the models are very similar in terms of their performance characteristics. The big advantage of this version is the relatively low noise level.
our recommendation
BRAST petrol lawn tractor ride-on mower 4.8 kW (6.5 HP) electric start variable speed 61 cm cutting width 150 L grass catcher protective hood TÜV/GS tested
1,249.95 EUR To the product| Type | riding mower |
|---|---|
| lawn area | unknown |
| hp | 6,5 |
| cutting width | 61 cm |
| cutting height | 35-75mm |
| ejection direction | Rear |
| tank volume | 1L |
| catch basket | 150L |
| noise level | 97dB |
Compared to the scheppach ride-on mower, the BRAST one is significantly louder and has a slightly smaller tank. Moreover, there is no information on the feasible lawn area. The lower price outweighs these disadvantages.
our recommendation
Hecht lawn tractor 5161 ride-on mower (4.8 kW/ 6.5 PS, E-Start, 61cm cutting width, 150l grass catcher)
To the product| Type | riding mower |
|---|---|
| lawn area | 2600 sqm |
| hp | 6,5 |
| cutting width | 61 cm |
| cutting height | 35-75mm |
| ejection direction | Rear |
| tank volume | 2L |
| catch basket | 150L |
| noise level | unknown |
The Hecht ride-on mower is our price-performance winner. It has the largest tank volume of our three recommendations. The other features largely correspond to the properties of the other comparison winners. Nothing concrete is known about the noise level - but it should be less than 100 decibels. Most Amazon reviewers are happy with all three ride-on mowers.
Purchase Criteria
Type
riding mower: With a ride-on mower, you sit more or less directly above the engine. This version of the lawn mower is lighter and more agile to drive and manoeuvre, which is why it is recommended for beginners and for more even, level lawns.
lawn tractor: On a lawn tractor, the engine is in front of the seat. This version is generally more powerful, which makes it suitable for use on steeper slopes (but a maximum of 20 to 30 percent gradient, otherwise the lawn mower tractor threatens to tip over) and generally for lawns that tend to be uneven and uneven predestined.
performance characteristics
lawn area: The manufacturer usually specifies which lawn area the particular lawn mower is suitable for. It depends on various other performance characteristics whether the device is "only" suitable for comparatively small areas or whether it can also handle large areas. Some models manage around 1000, some between 1000 and 3000 and a few professional versions even up to 4500 square meters.
hp: Horsepower is relevant when mowing a lot on slopes. Then the lawn mower should have at least 11 hp to be able to cope with the strenuous task. Otherwise, around 4 hp are often enough if you are not in a hurry to mow. The majority of riding lawn mowers have an output of around 6 hp.
cutting width: The higher the cutting width, the better? Not necessarily. This is definitely the case on wide green areas without winding passages, as you then have to drive fewer lanes and consequently finish your work faster. But if you want to mow between flower beds and trees, for example, you have an advantage with a rather narrow mower. Guide values: a cutting width of 60 centimeters for crooked lawns, 100 centimeters and more for largely free areas.
cutting height: If you often have to vary the cutting height due to different green areas, the lawn mower should offer the widest possible range. A height of between three and five centimeters is ideal for most lawns.
ejection direction: Side ejection or rear ejection, that is the question - an easy one to answer. The side discharge is only suitable if you want to use the lawn mower as a mulching mower. Otherwise you should prefer the rear discharge, where the cut grass ends up in the grass catcher.
tank volume: The larger the tank, the less often you have to fill up with petrol. For somewhat remote or particularly large green areas, around seven liters make sense. Otherwise, you will certainly get by with a much smaller tank.
catch basket (capacity): The capacity of the grass catcher determines how much grass the lawnmower can collect at once and how often you need to empty the hopper. A large grass catcher with a capacity of 200 liters or more is recommended if you have a large lawn to manage and want to interrupt lawn care as little as possible. For smaller garden areas, a smaller catch basket is usually sufficient.
noise level: Do not delude yourself, a riding lawn mower is always noisy. However, every decibel less can noticeably reduce noise pollution. Most models have a noise level between 80 and 100 decibels. Comparative values: sewing machine 60 decibels, traffic noise around 80 decibels, disco or chainsaw 110 decibels, jackhammer 120 decibels. Always wear hearing protection when mowing with the lawn mower, even if the volume of your chosen device is "only" 80 decibels!
tires
Big and wide tires are advantageous to have a good grip with the lawnmower on uneven, wet or muddy ground. Most models are equipped with two-wheel drive. If your garden has ups and downs, you would do well to buy a four-wheel drive riding lawn mower. The larger the wheelbase, the better the device works on slopes.
Accessories/scope of delivery
mulching mower function: With a mulching mower function, the lawn can be mown and mulched at the same time. The clippings then do not go into the grass catcher, but remain on the meadow as a fine mulch (€239.00) and are useful there as a natural fertiliser.
rear tiller: A rear tiller makes working the beds in the garden easier and faster.
fan: If the lawn mower has a trailer hitch, there is the option of attaching a suitable trailer.
snow blade: If a snow plow is included in the scope of delivery, you can use the lawn mower for shoveling snow in winter.
lighting: If the lawn mower is to be able to be used at dusk, it must have good headlights.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a lawn mower and what is it for?
A riding lawn mower, also known as a ride-on mower or lawn tractor depending on the type, is a large petrol-powered lawn mower that you sit on while you mow your lawn. The powerful device, which weighs more than 100 kilograms, is particularly recommended for very large lawns from 800 square meters.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a lawn mower?
benefits: A lawn mower makes it possible to mow the lawn quickly and without any effort. It is ideal for areas of around 800 square meters or more. In addition, a lawn mower can also be used on uneven terrain without any problems. Supplemented by a suitable snow shovel, the lawn mower can even be used all year round.
disadvantage: The cost of a riding lawn mower is extremely high, both to buy and afterwards, since you regularly need petrol to run it and you often have to have the machine serviced. Furthermore, the garden helper is extremely loud and takes up a lot of space in the garage or tool shed. A riding lawn mower is unsuitable for properties with steep slopes and/or many trees.
Do I need a driving license for the lawn mower?
As long as the lawn mower does not exceed a speed of 6 km/h, you can drive it without specific approval. Otherwise, a category L driving license is required. Note: The user of a lawn mower must be at least 15 years old.
Which brands offer good lawn mowers?
The best-known and most popular brands for ride-on lawn mowers and lawn tractors include MTD, scheppach, AL-KO, John Deere and Husqvarna. The lawnmowers from WOLF-Garten, Hecht and BRAST are good alternatives for price-conscious gardeners who do not need the best of the best in terms of performance.
Where is the best place to buy a lawn mower?
Riding lawn mowers are available in all major hardware stores and garden centers - generally both offline and online. You can also look around at amazon.de for a model that suits your requirements. You can even find top finishes from the reputable brands mentioned above.
How much does a lawn mower cost?
Buying a lawn mower is not a bargain. For the cheapest versions, which are suitable for hobby gardeners with a medium-sized to large garden, you usually pay between 1000 and 1500 euros. Professional devices for the agricultural sector often cost over 2000 or even 3000 euros.