Best Garden Tractors of all time-Top 5 picks in 2024

best garden tractor of all timeImagine a bright morning filled with the smell of freshly mown grass and feelings of accomplishment. Lawn mowing is truly one of the most fulfilling household chores.

On the flip side, it can sometimes be hugely frustrating. The difference usually lies in the type of machinery you’re using.

Some of you who have bigger, harder-to-manage lawns/gardens, might still be using a regular lawnmower, when in fact you should be looking for the best garden tractor of all time.

Garden tractors are considerably more powerful, easier to operate, and, most importantly, far better suited to mowing large, high-maintenance lawns.

So today, we’re looking at some of the best ones on the market and discussing the most pertinent factors when selecting one. Let’s get started!

best garden tractor of all time-Top 5 picks in 2020

The reviews you’re about to read have been written after conducting hours of research and discussions. We hope that by the end of it, you’ll know what your new garden tractor looks like; if not, scroll down to our buying guide!

1. Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52" Zero Turn Mower

Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52" Zero Turn MowerOur first pick is one of the best rated garden tractors for large gardens and yards. So if you’re looking for something to help you contend with a big, unruly garden, then you’re going to like the sound of this.

Equipped with an extremely powerful Kawasaki engine of 23 horsepower, this garden tractor comes with a sizeable cutting deck at 52 inches. The deck itself is built from 10-gauge steel, so not only is it efficient, but it will also last you for many, many years to come.

The mechanisms of this garden tractor have been designed such that your garden-tending experience can be optimized. Furnished with a 4-stroke engine, the pistons inside this tractor are arranged in a V shape for not only smoother but also quieter operation. Furthermore, with comfortable padded seats and user-friendly controls, the experience of operating this thing promises to be a truly relaxing one.

Oh, and did we mention that this is a zero-turn machine? You’re going to enjoy high maneuverability while also saving on fuel costs, so let that soothe you if the price of the tractor is working against its favor.

Highlighted Features

  • Ideal for very large gardens and multiple terrain types
  • Cutting deck height is adjustable for greater precision
  • Zero-turn capabilities make it significantly more maneuverable
  • Equipped with a capable and powerful 23 hp Kawasaki engine
  • Not as noisy during operation as most other tractors
  • Comes with padded seats for enhanced comfort while on the job

2. Snapper Classic Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower

Snapper Classic Rear Engine Riding Lawn MowerThe more of the best garden tractor reviews you read, the more likely you are to come across a mention of this nifty little tractor from Snapper. Its compact body is outfitted with a number of impressive and useful features that have worked steadily towards landing this little thing on the garden tractor hall of fame.

With a cutting width of 28″ to 33″, the classic riding lawn mower from Snapper is outfitted with an Intek engine in a rear-engine layout, meant to enhance durability. However, this also translates to a somewhat lower maximum speed, which makes this tractor the ideal choice for yards of all sizes.

In fact, the best thing about this tractor is undoubtedly how straight-forwardly designed it is. The machine features a disc-drive transmission system, which utilizes the power of a spinning plate. While this is one of the least complicated mechanisms in garden tractors, it’s undoubtedly one of the most reliable ones in terms of durability and dependable power.

Convenience is another factor that the manufacturers seem to have prioritized in building this machine. The controls are extremely user-friendly and accessible, while the foot-pedal mechanism ensures a comfortable and manageable ride.

So yes, this is undoubtedly one of the best options for all-purpose garden tractors out there. However, keep in mind that this machine isn’t meant for heavy-duty operations; if you have a yard measuring one acre or more, then you’d do better to buy a more powerful tractor.

Highlighted Features

  • Disc drive transmission system facilitates durability and dependable power
  • Easy-to-use controls and comfortable foot pedal operation
  • Can be stored vertically to take up less space
  • Can be switched between 5 different speeds

3. Craftsman T225 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn Mower

Craftsman T225 19 HP Briggs & Stratton Gold 46-Inch Gas Powered Riding Lawn MowerWith nearly a decade of service under their belts, Craftsman is one of the oldest names in modern gardening equipment. It’s really no wonder that they’ve been around for such a long time, given the quality and durability of their products, and this tractor is a good representation of that.

The size of this thing somewhat misrepresents its power. With a 46-inch cutting deck, this mower is ideal for 1-acre gardens or yards, but its performance is truly surprising in some ways.

First off, it comes equipped with a Briggs and Stratton gas engine, built for ultimate power and durability. Coupled with the highly efficient hydro transmission system, ready-start technology, and reverse-mowing mechanism, this tractor is bound to wow you with its capabilities.

Furthermore, the sharp and well-designed cutting deck ensures that you’ll be able to effortlessly undertake any number of lawn mowing operations, be it trimming, cutting, or clipping. So while this might not be the best garden tractor for hills, it certainly comes close. If you’re dealing with an uneven or difficult-to-manage yard, it seems this will be a good option.

Highlighted Features

  • 46-inch cutting deck allows for smooth and swift cutting operations
  • Able to be reversed easily for convenience in operation
  • Front wheels measure 15 inches, and back wheels measure 20 inches for greater maneuverability
  • Offers an impressive turn radius despite its relatively compact build
  • Furnished with hydrostatic transmission for greater power
  • Features a comfortable padded high-backed seat

4. Troy-Bilt 540cc Briggs & Stratton Intek Automatic 46-Inch Riding Lawnmower

Troy-Bilt 540cc Briggs & Stratton Intek Automatic 46-Inch Riding LawnmowerSome of us are hoping to find the best garden tractor of all time on our search for good lawn and garden tending machines. On the other hand are those who don’t have such high standards; a reliable tractor at a respectable price is all we ask for. We’ve selected this garden tractor from Troy-Bilt with those people in mind.

That’s not to say that this tractor is by any means any less powerful or capable than the others we’ve reviewed.

Indeed, with a heavy-duty Briggs & Stratton Intek engine capable of producing 19 hp of power and 46-inch cutting deck, this will be the ideal companion of someone wishing to tackle their one-acre yard or garden.

Furthermore, this tractor is equipped with foot-pedal automatic transmission, which allows for a smoother ride and higher maneuverability on large lawns. And you’re definitely bound to appreciate the tractor’s reverse-mowing capability when inching your way out of a tight spot.

The only thing we’re really concerned about is durability. With the specs we’ve described, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect this thing to last a decade or so. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Still – we’d remind you to consider the low price point, and overall performance, before writing this one-off.

Highlighted Features

  • Equipped with a strong and reliable 19hp Briggs & Stratton engine
  • The foot-pedal automatic transmission allows for a smoother ride
  • Comfortable with a mid-backed seat and soft-touch steering wheel
  • Reasonably priced despite high-functioning features found in more expensive models

5. Husqvarna TS348

Husqvarna TS348We’re ending our list of reviews with a garden tractor from Husqvarna, a brand recognized internationally for their dedication to producing quality, durable garden machinery. This tractor, in particular, has garnered a lot of attention since it was first released on the market; let’s find out why.

To start off, this is an extremely powerful machine. With a Kohler engine of 24hp, coupled with the pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission system, this thing is built for some real heavy-duty gardening.

An important part of that is, of course, the highly efficient mower deck. Constructed from fabricated steel, there are 3 blades in the configuration. The 48-inch cutting width means this thing is perfect for large gardens and yards.

You can tell that comfort has also been kept in mind when designing this thing. The high-back seat has been constructed for comfort, while the pedal operation ensures that you won’t feel overwrought when operating this thing.

Now, the price of this garden tractor is undoubtedly high. However, given the features, we have described and the machine’s incredible durability, we think the high price is definitely justified. That being said, you can obviously skip this one if you have a smaller lawn or won’t be doing much lawn-tending.

Highlighted Features

  • The extremely powerful engine is ideal for heavy-duty applications
  • Built for comfort with foot pedal-operated transmission and high-back seat
  • Hydrostatic transmission allows for greater maneuverability and comfort
  • The mower deck has 3 blades built from fabricated steel

Buying Guide for Garden Tractors

Not sure whether to take our garden tractor reviews for granted?

That’s understandable.  Deciding on what the best garden tractor is for your needs can be difficult.

However, it doesn’t have to be. As long as you keep the following factors in mind, we think you have a real shot at finding just the right fit for your lawn mowing needs.

Cutting Width / Yard Size

The size of your lawn is the most important factor to consider before making your purchase. How smooth and efficient your lawn mowing experience will depend upon you choosing a garden tractor that has the right cutting width in relation to the size of your lawn.

Basically, the cutting width measures the area your garden tractor will be able to cut in one go. The cutting width range varies greatly, with some of the smaller mowers having 30 inches while bigger ones might have 50 inches or higher.

Now, you may already be formulating an idea of the relationship between your lawn size and the machine's cutting width. If, for example, your lawn has several spots that are difficult to access, smaller cutting width is ideal.

Here's a rough table detailing the right cutting width for each yard size.

Lawn Size (estimate)

Cutting Width

Half-acre

30” to 42”

One acre

38” to 46”

Larger than one acre

48” to 60”

Yard/Garden Terrain

As anyone with irregularities in their yard terrain will be able to tell you, a plainer and more even yard is much easier to handle. Accordingly, you can get away with buying a more basic model of garden tractor.

On the other hand, if the terrain of your garden is uneven or contains lots of inclines and such, then you'll need a more complex machine. It also helps to opt for a smaller, more lightweight tractor in such a case because they put up the least resistance.

Transmission Type

The least complicated way to explain the transmission of your garden tractor is this: it's basically your tractor's ability to slow down in a stable manner. This is important, as it allows the tractor to be more maneuverable.

There are three main transmission types you need to be aware of: manual, automatic, and hydrostatic. But which one is right for you?

Generally, automatic transmission and hydro-static transmission are the two most preferred types. Unlike in manual transmission, you don't have to halt the tractor to succeed in shifting the gear with an automatic machine. And if you opt for a tractor with the hydro-static transmission, you'll be able to enjoy higher torque capacity.

So yes, that does mean that tractors having manual transmission are harder to deal with. However, they're cheaper, and in many cases, much more durable than the other two types.

You have all the info; make your choice wisely.

Horsepower

As you may already know, horsepower (HP) is essentially a measurement of how powerful a machine is. The higher the horsepower, the more powerful your garden tractor will be.

That doesn't mean that a higher HP is necessarily always a good thing. Bigger machines are usually the ones that come with higher HP, as they are much more high-maintenance.

So once again, it kind of comes back to your specific needs in relation to the yard size and layout.

Frequently Asked Questions for Garden Tractor

1. What is the difference between a lawn tractor and a garden tractor?

Garden tractors are larger in comparison, and they have higher horsepower, meaning they are more powerful. Furthermore, accessing hard-to-reach angles and corners is also easier with a garden tractor.

2. What is the right cutting deck size for me?

The answer to this depends mainly on the size and particular terrain of your lawn. Look at our buying guide for further information.

3. What kind of transmission is best for my garden tractor?

Hydro-static transmission is the most popular option, as it's the most powerful and allows greater torque and maneuverability. However, they are expensive; a good alternative is an automatic transmission. Manual transmission is more durable but less manageable.

4. What are the disadvantages of choosing a garden tractor with a manual transmission?

They are more difficult to maneuver, and you'll have to stop the machine if you wish to shift gears. Nevertheless, automatic-transmission garden tractors are more durable and cost less.

5. What is the best garden tractor for the money?

From our picks, the Snapper Classic Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower comes closest to fitting the criteria for a reasonably priced yet efficient general-purpose garden tractor.

Conclusion

So what’s the best garden tractor of all time? Ultimately, it really depends on your specific needs.

That being said, we’re definitely big fans of the Craftsman T225 Riding Lawn Mower; in terms of both performance and price, it definitely wows.

If you have a bigger budget, however, we’d recommend the Ariens IKON-X 52”.Whichever you choose, we hope your garden is always well-tended, beautiful, and fresh. Good luck!

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