In this article, we’re going to share the six most reliable garden tractors that our expert testers have found. Whether you want the most powerful to tackle all of your mowing tasks or a model for comfortable rides during long hours sitting, we have got the best recommendation for you.
Here are the most reliable garden tractors you can buy in 2024:
- Most Powerful: Husqvarna Z254
- Best For Large-Sized Gardens: Husqvarna TS 348XD
- Best For Comfortable Rides: Ariens IKON XD 915267
- Best For Clean Cuts: Ariens IKON XD 915265
| 4 Most Reliable Garden Tractors | ||
|---|---|---|
Most Powerful | Husqvarna Z254 | |
Best For Large-Sized Gardens | Husqvarna TS 348XD | |
Best For Comfortable Rides | Ariens IKON XD 915267 | |
Best For Clean Cuts | Ariens IKON XD 915265 | |
Most Powerful: Husqvarna Z254
- Cutting off mowing time significantly – a powerful 26 HP Kohler engine & extra-width 54” cutting capacity
- Easy to move the steering levers inward/outward - an auto-activating/deactivating park brake system
- Easy to maneuver
- The seat isn’t comfortable compared to some of the local units
- No headlight
The Husqvarna Z254 features an impressively powerful 26HP engine with extra-wide 54” cutting capability.
It turns on a dime, is able to hit the maximum speed of 6.5 MPH, and cuts deep grass with ease thanks to the air induction mowing technology. Besides, it keeps on the speed better than other counterparts we tested.
A perfect upgrade for those who have a large lawn and want to save time on mowing!
We were also impressed by how easy it was to maneuver. With the mulching kit added, it’s proved to be the best experience.
For the price, this garden tractor is so valuable to have an auto-activating/deactivating park brake system, making moving the steering levers inward/outward effortlessly.
| Husqvarna Z254 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Kohler engine |
Engine Size | 26 HP |
Cutting Width | 54 Inches |
Cutting Height Adjustments | 1 1/2" to 4" |
Highlight Features | a powerful 26 HP Kohler engine & extra-width 54” cutting capacity an auto-activating/deactivating park brake system |
Equipped with a 26HP engine plus an extra-wide 54” deck, the Husqvarna Z254 becomes the most powerful garden tractor that you can find on the market
Best For Large-Sized Gardens: Husqvarna TS 348XD
- Great support - extra-high 18” deluxe seat
- Saving time on mowing large-sized garden - a 24HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin OHV Engine & a 48” welded ClearCut mower deck
- The fuel gauge is hard to read, especially in low light condition
Start with a 24HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin OHV Engine and end with a 48” welded ClearCut mower deck, you can’t go far wrong if looking for a reliable tractor for your large-sized garden with many obstacles.
The engine never bogged down during our tests, even on a few heavy brushes. The seat is awesome – it’s extra-high 18” with a soft, supportive cushion that we hardly felt pain or numb at the bottom after sitting for a long time.
Great control, too.
| Husqvarna TS 348XD Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin OHV Engine |
Engine Size | 24HP |
Cutting Width | 48" |
Highlight Features | extra-high 18” deluxe seat a 24HP Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin OHV Engine a 48” welded ClearCut mower deck |
For those who are seeking a reliable tractor for large-sized gardens, the Husqvarna TS 348XD has a lot to offer.
Best For Comfortable Rides: Ariens IKON XD 915267
- Superior comfort – large tires & a high-back seat with adjustable, fully-padded armrests
- Flexible – 13 cutting depth options
- The oil funnel needs some improvement
Ariens is a well-known USA company and their tractors edges out all competitors. All of their lineups are backed by a 3-year warranty. And, the Ariens IKON XD 915267 is no exception.
This model is obviously not as powerful as the two above, however, it strikes back with a large 52” deck for more mowing coverage at a time.
Besides, it features large tires for extra stability and a supportive, high-back seat with adjustable, fully-padded armrests for superior comfort, making hours of mowing on the field/garden not a nightmare anymore.
We really loved the cutting depth setting dial, which is straightforward to use. There are 13 options to choose from.
| Ariens IKON XD 915267 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Kawasaki engine |
Engine Size | 23 HP |
Cutting Width | 52 Inches |
Cutting Height Adjustments | 1-1/2 to 4-1/2 inch |
Highlight Features | large tires & a high-back seat with adjustable, fully-padded armrests 13 cutting depth options |
If you’re looking for something with superior comfort to ride for hours of mowing in the garden, nothing beats an Ariens IKON XD 915267
Best For Clean Cuts: Ariens IKON XD 915265
- Clean cuts - 4” deep fully-welded deck with advanced airflow & great blade tip speed
- Able to ride with great control on an uneven garden - anti-scalp wheels
- Working well on low light conditions - auxiliary LED lights
- The blades could be sharper
The Ariens IKON XD 915265 is powered by a 22HP Kohler 7000 series engine that delivers a lot of torque to get the job done beautifully.
The 42” wide deck cuts a wide swatch and the automatic operation makes it effortless to start up. But the best part is its 4” deep fully-welded deck with advanced airflow, which cuts like a demon.
The blade tip speed is excellent. Combining with anti-scalp wheels that can ride smoothly on uneven terrains, you’ve got the best control. We also appreciate the hitch on the back and auxiliary LED lights for decent vision in low light conditions.
| Ariens IKON XD 915265 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Kohler 7000 series engine |
Engine Size | 22 HP |
Cutting Width | 42 Inches |
Cutting Height Adjustments | 1½” to 4½” |
Highlight Features | 4” deep fully-welded deck with advanced airflow great blade tip speed anti-scalp wheels |
When you want a garden tracker that offers exceptionally clean cuts, is able to ride on uneven terrain, and works well in low-light conditions, there is nothing like the Ariens IKON XD 915265
How To Choose The Most Reliable Garden Tractor?
Consider Your Garden
Before buying a tractor, it is essential to consider your garden area and terrain.
The size of the land will decide the tractor type to buy while the terrain will affect the wheel size of the machine.
Garden Area
Typically, the larger the garden size, the larger the tractor to buy, and vice versa. If running a too-small tractor on an oversized garden, the mowing time will be very long.
But using a too-large tractor on a small-sized land will not let you get the most of the machine’s capability and power. Not saying that a too-large tractor is difficult to maneuver in a narrow area, which is money-wasting and not space-saving at all.
Garden Terrain
The terrain of your garden can be slanting, level, or bumpy – all of which will influence the tractor type to buy and its wheel size.
Most tractors are designed for land with flat to slightly slanting terrain. But for harsh terrain, you need to either buy a more special tractor or consider amending the land as long as it helps you optimize the cost.
A garden tractor with larger tires provides more stable performance and is less likely to flip over when working than those with smaller tires.
Bonus: Consider if your land has many obstacles, like big rocks, decorations, and/or trees
The tractor type is also influenced by the obstacles in your garden.
With a land that has many rocks, trees, or decoration items, you’ll need a small-sized tractor for great maneuverability and easy handling. On the contrary, with a land that’s clear of obstacles, a large-sized tractor will help finish your mowing job faster.
Consider Your Garden Activities
Your garden activities will affect the power of the tractor engine to buy.
Basic garden activities on a small area require a horsepower engine of 20 or under. But if you also want your tractor to be able to move heavy equipment or handle a larger-sized area, 20+ HP should be fine.
Versatility
Aside from stability and power, a reliable garden tractor should be versatile enough for different mowing jobs. So, the number of accessories and attachments is worth considering.
Tractor Deck
This attachment is for carrying the blades to cut grass while protecting you and the tractor engine from debris and grass clippings during operation.
For versatility, pay attention to the width and height of the tractor deck.
Deck width determines the amount of grass in your garden to be cut at a time. So, the wider the deck, the more the cutting coverage. Wider cutting deck is perfect for people who want to shorten mowing time as long as their garden has little to no obstacles.
Narrower cutting decks regularly go along with smaller tractors with low engine power. They are ideal for small gardens or areas with many obstacles.
Deck height is decided by the height of grass to mow. Lower grass requires a lower deck and vice versa. We highly recommend choosing a model with multiple deck height options for flexibility.
Other Attachments
If you want your garden tractor to solve more problems of the land, here are some other options to consider:
- Blade
- Sprayer
- Snow blower
Which Brands Make The Most Reliable Garden Tractor?
Husqvarna
Husqvarna, founded in 1689 in Sweden, has currently been one of the leading outdoor power product companies in the world including mowers, garden tractors, cultivators, brush cutters, and more.
Ariens
This brand is arguably one of the most reliable garden tractor manufacturers in the world. Their products are known for exceptional durability, performance, and power that no other brand could beat.
FAQs
What is the difference between a garden tractor and a lawn tractor?
The difference between a garden tractor and a lawn tractor is their uses. Garden tractors are more versatile – they can mow, pull heavy equipment, and clear snow. Meanwhile, lawn tractors are mainly for mowing grass.
Why does my garden tractor only run for a few seconds then die?
If you garden tractor only runs for a few seconds then die, the reason could be:
- Detective or dirty spark plugs
- Old gasoline that has gone bad
- Clogged/dirty carburetor bowl
How do you maintain a garden tractor?
To maintain a garden tractor, you need to:
- Frequently change the oil
- Check the riding mower belts
- Replace the spark plugs once per 3 months
- Change the air filter
- Lubricate the riding mower parts
- Clean the riding mower
What happens if you don't change oil in the garden tractor?
If you don’t change oil in the garden tractor, it will be old, dirty, and bad – which potentially causes the unit to break down.
Can a dirty air filter cause a garden tractor not to start?
Yes, it can. An air filter takes the role of guarding the engine and carburetor from debris. If it’s dirty or clogged, it causes the unit to not start.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our review list of the most reliable garden tractor has been of assistance to your decision-making process. If you want to read more articles about garden and lawn, please visit our blog. Thanks for reading!
