Riding Lawn Mower's Top Five List for 2009

That is, the least and most expensive on this list of top five mowers. You can find new riding lawn mowers for as little as $600 and for as much as well over $6,000. Before I go any further with this article, let's get something straight. The top five list as I have listed them here, is for the more avid, experienced, riding lawn mower, or lawn tractor enthusiast. For the novice, a lawn tractor as opposed to a "farm" tractor is just as it sounds, a "tractor" (big riding lawnmower with big engine) for the bigger/hillier lawns. So, if you own a regular size lawn and own a lawn tractor, you might be a redneck...

Speaking of redneck's, I recently went to the Hank Hill of riding lawn mowers. He sells "onlyriding lawn mowers and riding lawn mower accessories." His words not mine, I promise. However, I would highly recommend, if you are a novice, find a "Hank Hill" before you purchase a riding lawn mower. I am really not making fun of the guy that I spoke to, especially to his face because just like Hank Hill, he could "kick my a#*s" and would in a heart beat. But he did know riding lawn mowers and riding lawn mower accessories and that is extremely important when considering what to buy. Accessories could be a time saver and a huge work saver if you are willing and able to pay for them. The right salesman, will sell you the right lawn mower, or lawn tractor for the lawn or acreage you need to mow. Hear me please, Mr. or Ms. Novice, you can very easily get and pay for more than you need for the size lawn you have, and you can get less and pay less than you need for the size lawn you have, which will end up costing you more in the long run. There is nothing wrong with looking for and purchasing a riding lawn mower for the lowest price possible. Just make sure it is the lowest price possible for the size riding mower or tractor for your particular lawn, yard, acreage. Trust me, I mow, OK, my wife and I mow, OK, she mostly mows our three acres of yard. My first riding mower cost $300. It was a used, 16 HP engine with a 36" cut. It took us, (her) twice as long to cut as say a 54" cut would, and it actually lasted us about halfway through the first mowing season. So, you might say the $300 was a "stupid tax" (that's the price you pay for doing something stupid) that I paid to find out that I needed a bigger mower. Long story short, It took me two more lawn mowers before I moved up to the lawn tractor. I should have found a Hank Hill but didn't, resulting in well over $3000 I paid in in "stupid tax."

So, for you experienced, riding lawn mower, or lawn tractor enthusiasts, I have compiled this list. You novices, feel free to look it over so you will get an idea as to what range you could be expecting to pay for your mower. But, keep in mind, the accessories, like mulchers, baggers, tillers, etc., will add up. Good luck. Please let me know if you find your own Hank Hill and I will compile a list of them all across the U.S. for future novices. And now, without further adieu;

The Top Five Riding Lawn Mowers of 2009. (according to my considered opinion)

The 42-inch John Deere LA115, $1,650, is the budget model in John Deere's series of lawn tractors. It is good on smaller yards, up to 1.5 acres, and has an even cutting and bagging performance ( optional bagging kit). The John Deere LA115 is also good at mulching (optional mulching plug). Extras include an adjustable seat and headlights and an automatic transmission.

The Cub Cadet ZTT 42, $2,700, is less expensive and cuts as evenly as the John Deere X304 and tests show that it side-discharges clippings better, but doesn't mulch them as well as the John Deere X304. Lawn experts say mulching clippings is better since the clippings fertilize the lawn.

The Poulan Pro54, Mod.# PBGT26HP54, $2,737, has a 54- inch cut and a 26 HP Briggs and Stratton V-Twin engine. This Lawn Tractor's special feature is a Hydrostatic foot pedal control transmission with cruise control. This lawn tractor handles well and will perform on hilly as large parcels of land.

The 42-inch John Deere X304 lawn tractor, $3,500, is rated for mowing a larger area. It comes with an automatic transmission and cruise control. The X304's four-wheel steering is extremely maneuverable, and it costs twice as much as the LA115.

The Toro TimeCutter ZX440, $4,400, 44-inch cut, is a zero-turn mower that moves up to 7 mph and has better mulching performance, but it steers with two levers which tends to make it a little harder to learn to navigate. But, once you get the hang of it, it maneuvers great.