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Buying a ride on lawn mower is a big decision, requiring careful consideration.  Although some people just buy these machines on impulse when they are shopping, it is smart to look into your options before handing over your hard-earned money.

Here are a few considerations you must look into before making a decision.

Do you really need a ride on mower, or will a push mower be adequate for your needs?  If the area you are mowing is less than half an acre or so, you can probably mow it with a push mower.  If pushing a mower around is too tiring, another option is to get a self-propelled mower, which you walk behind but don’t have to push.  These types of mowers cost way, way less than ride on mowers, and work very well  They can even bag your lawn clippings as well.

Is your yard full of things like trees, shrubs, rocks, and other landscaping features?  Ride on lawn mowers definitely work best on large areas with few obstacles.  If your yard has a lot of things to maneuver around, and is less than an acre, you might want to consider just doing it with a push mower.  If you don’t want to push a mower around, consider locating most of your landscape and other items together in an island.  You can then make a little patio with a table, umbrella, maybe even a retro plastic chair in there for style.  This way you can easily mow around the island without having to maneuver around each item individually.   Even the best garden tractors won’t be able to cut right up close to everything, so you will need to use either a push mower or a weed-eater anyway.  If your yard isn’t too big, it might even be quicker to just use a self-propelled lawn mower and get everything at once.  It often helps to arrange have a good garden plan arrange your garden decor in a way that makes it easy to trim the grass.

Ride on lawn mower prices are not cheap.  Expect to pay at least $1,000 for a basic model and tractors with more features and bigger engines can be double or triple that amount.  Despite the price, it usually makes sense to purchase a ride on lawn mower.  Paying someone to come over and mow you lawn will cost a lot more over time than buying your own lawn tractor.  If you can’t afford the price of a new one, consider getting a used ride on lawn mower.

Think about whether you want your lawn clippings left on the grass, or if you want to remove it from the lawn.  Most ride on lawn mower accessories cost extra, and a bagger attachment will cost $200 or more, depending on your lawnmower and the size of the bag.  Once the bag fills up, you will have to drive it over to your lawn clippings pile, remove it, and dump it.

Many homeowners are in the same situation:  They have a decent sized lawn that is over an acre, and are just plain tired of pushing the walk behind lawn mower around for hours at a time on the weekends.  The problem many people come across is that they just can’t afford the high price tag a new ride on lawn mower carries.  Forking over a minimum of $1,500 to cut your grass is a big deal to most people.  Fortunately, there is an alternative out there – purchasing a used ride on lawn mower.

Ride on lawn mowers generally have a life span of 7 to 10 years, although this number can move up or down considerably depending on a number of factors  Things that will affect a riding lawn mower’s life include the amount of use, maintenance upkeep, type and size of engine, and the manufacturer.  Keep this life span in mind when purchasing a used ride on lawn mower.  You definitely want to get a machine in the early stages of its life to avoid costly repairs or having it just die on you in the middle of your yard.

Where to find a good used ride on lawn mower

If you don’t know much about mechanics and small engine maintenance, your best bet is probably to check out a lawn mower repair shop in your area and see what they have for sale.  Although mowers bought at a store will probably cost more, there are some advantages to buying one at a place like this.  First of all, you have more options if your mower breaks in a short period of time.  Many shops will give you a one year warranty on a used ride on lawn mower, and want to keep you as a returning customer.  In addition, the used ride on lawn tractor you buy will almost surely be checked for engine problems before you buy it.

Another option for buying a used lawn mower is by looking in the classifieds, either online or in the newspapers.  You can definitely get some great deals this way, but you can also get burned if you are not careful.  There is little you can do if a machine breaks the week after you buy it from another homeowner.  If you are thinking of buying a high end used ride on lawn mower from someone, consider either bringing someone knowledgeable in mechanics with you to check it out.  Another option is to take it to a repair shop before you agree to buy it and pay a small fee to get an expert opinion.

It is possible to find a one or two year old riding mower that still has plenty of life left in it at a great price.  People move all the time and riding lawn mowers are often sold as a consequence.  Finding a great deal on a used riding lawn mower takes both patience and knowledge.  Do your research on what you need before buying, and you will have a better chance of getting a great machine.