Tractor mower or rider: which self-carrying choice for your garden?

You’ve got a lot of ground and the lawnmower is not enough anymore? Two families of self-carrying are available to you: the mower tractor and the rider. Both avoid walking behind the machine, but they do not behave in the same way and are not suitable for the same gardens. Here’s how to make the right choice.

The difference at a glance

The rider: handling above all

The rider is a compact self-support. Its engine is often placed at the rear, which gives a clear view of the cutting area. On front-cut models, such as the STIGA Park 300, the 95 cm tray passes in front of the wheels : you go down the edges, under the low branches and under the benches, where a tractor cannot go.

His main asset is his steering radius. It rotates almost on the spot, which avoids taking back the angles and turn of the trees by hand. The MTD Minirider 76 SDE (76 cm, engine 382 cm3) and the rider FEIDER (76 cm, Briggs engine & Stratton 344 cm3, 170 L tray, 5 front and 1 rear speeds) are designed for this type of cut garden.

Keep in mind: a rider fits easily, but its lower cutting width requires more round trips on a large open lawn.

The mower tractor: efficiency on large surfaces

The mower tractor looks like a small tractor: motor at the front, top under the chassis, steering wheel and elevated seat. It is made to swallow the square meters. With an 84 cm tray and a 200 L collection tray, the STIGA Estate 384 M andAlpina AT4 84 A cover without difficulty a garden of about 3,000 m2, according to their manufacturers.

For the very large fields, the TEXAS XC160-108H increases to 108 cm of cutting width with a 452 cm3 motor and a hydrostatic transmission: you adjust the speed to the pedal, without switching gears.

A tractor mower can also pull a trailer or spreader with a coupling, making it a real maintenance tool for large properties.

How to choose according to your garden

• Less than 1,000 m2, with many obstacles : a compact rider from 60 to 76 cm.
• 1,000 to 2,500 m2, mixture of obstacles and clear areas : a frontal rider of 90 cm or more, or a small tractor of 84 cm.
• 2,500 to 4,000 m2, rather open lawn : a tractor of 84 to 98 cm with collection tray.
• Over 4,000 m2 : a tractor of 100 cm and more, ideally with hydrostatic transmission.

Think also of the slope: most of the self-carryings are intended for moderate slopes. Always check the maximum slope indicated by the manufacturer before buying if your land is rolling.

The other criteria to be checked

• Pick-up or lateral ejection : the tray gives a clean rendering, the lateral ejection allows mowing a high grass without stopping to empty.
• Mulching : the grass is finely ground and remains on the lawn as natural fertilizer. Many models accept it with a specific stopper.
• Electrical start : a real comfort in everyday life.
• Cutting height adjustment : 6 to 7 positions allow adapting the mowing to the season.

Our self-ports

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a rider cut as well as a lawnmower tractor?

Yes, cutting quality depends primarily on blades and cutting height. The difference is made over the time spent: a larger tractor finishes a large lawn faster.

Do you need a license to drive a self-propelled mower?

No, no permits are required to use it in your private garden.

Rider or tractor: which is the easiest to store?

The rider. Its compact dimensions allow it to hold in a standard garden shelter, while a tractor often requires a garage.