The best way to keep a lawn in shape is to find the most reliable lawn tractor, right? We have built our quad testing lawn tractors for the last seven years, trying 20+ models on the market. And here are our picks for you:
Here are the most reliable lawn tractors you can buy in 2024:
- Best Budget Option: Husqvarna YTH18542
- Easy To Assemble: Craftsman 17ARFACQ091
- Powerful: Ariens IKON XD-52
- Best For Small-Sized People: Ariens Edge 52 in. 726 cc Zero-Turn-Radius Lawn Tractor
| 4 Most Reliable Lawn Tractors | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Budget Option | Husqvarna YTH18542 | |
Easy To Assemble | Craftsman 17ARFACQ091 | |
Powerful | Ariens IKON XD-52 | |
Best For Small-Sized People | Ariens Edge 52 in. 726 cc Zero-Turn-Radius Lawn Tractor | |
Best Budget Option: Husqvarna YTH18542
- Easy to maneuver - the 16” turning radius
- Sturdy for the price - robust steel frame
- Able to mow in reverse - Reverse operating system
- Not as powerful as higher-end tractors
- The seat is not so comfortable
Riding lawn mowers are a lot pricier than walk-behind models, and you will be hard-pressed to look for a riding mower under $3000 with quality assurance.
However, one of the cheapest options for budget-conscious shoppers these days is this model from Husqvarna, which has an 18.5 HP Briggs and Stratton Intek engine and a 42” wide reinforced deck.
Although we find its seat and power aren’t not as good as more expensive models, the robust steel frame feels reliable and the 16” turning radius still lets you be able to maneuver in tight corners with ease.
This tractor can also mow in reverse by a switch, which is a big plus.
| Husqvarna YTH18542 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Briggs and Stratton Intek engine |
Engine Size | 18.5 HP |
Cutting Width | 42 Inches |
Highlight Features | the 16” turning radius robust steel frame Reverse operating system |
If you are seeking a reliable lawn tractor without breaking the bank, you can’t go wrong with this budget option – the Husqvarna YTH18542
Easy To Assemble: Craftsman 17ARFACQ091
- Only minor assembly required
- Superior support and comfort - a high-back seat with two-hydrostatic transmission
- No choke or prime – a starting system
- Expensive
This high-end lawn tractor works like a beast. It is equipped with a 24HP Kohler Twin Cylinder Engine and a 50” steel deck to make your mowing jobs significantly faster.
It also features a choke-free starting system and a high-back seat with dual-hydrostatic transmission for superior comfort.
But what impressed us the most is the assembly process, which can’t be simpler and faster. All you need to do is install the seat and hitch, adjust the drive levers to your preference, and discharge the chute.
| Craftsman 17ARFACQ091 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Kohler Twin Cylinder Engine |
Engine Size | 24HP |
Cutting Width | 50-Inch |
Cutting Height Adjustments | 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches |
Highlight Features | Only minor assembly required a starting system a high-back seat with two-hydrostatic transmission |
If you want to try assembling your lawn tractor by yourself but have no experience, you will love the Craftsman 17ARFACQ091 because it’s very easy to assemble
Powerful: Ariens IKON XD-52
- Perfect for large-sized lawns - 24HP engine & extra-wide 52” fabricated deck with triple-blade design
- Giving clean cuts on tall, wet grass – a Kohler 7000 V-Twin OHV Engine
- No complaint
If you have a large-sized lawn and want to optimize the mowing time, then the Ariens IKON XD-52 might be what you’re after.
While featuring a similarly powerful engine to the Craftsman 17ARFACQ091, it distinguishes it for the extra-wide 52” fabricated deck with triple-blade design.
Using a Kohler 7000 Series™ Engine, this tractor gives exceptionally clean cuts even on tall, wet grass. It also can start easily at temperatures below freezing.
| Ariens IKON XD-52 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Kohler 7000 V-Twin OHV Engine |
Engine Size | 24HP |
Cutting Width | 52" |
Highlight Features | extra-wide 52” fabricated deck with triple-blade design a 24HP Kohler 7000 V-Twin OHV Engine |
We highly recommended the powerful Ariens IKON XD-52, which has a 52” deck and a 24 HP engine for people who have a large-sized lawn.
Best For Small-Sized People: Ariens Edge 52 in. 726 cc Zero-Turn-Radius Lawn Tractor
- Ideal for small people – small, supportive seat design
- 7 Flexible deck height levels - foot operated deck lift
- Great control of speeds - Twin EZT hydrostatic Transaxles
- Easily get stuck in sandy soil
Compared to the above picks, the seat size of this tractor is on the small side and that’s why we recommend it for petite people.
With a high backrest and seat springs, it supports your body pretty well. None of our testers complained that they felt pain or numb after trying it.
You’ll also benefit from its foot operated deck lift which gives 7 intuitive and straightforward deck height adjustments through a slide of a lever.
Great control is another highlight of this tractor. It offers speeds of 3 MPH in reverse and 6 MPH forward, thanks to the Twin EZT hydrostatic Transaxles.
| Ariens Edge 52 in. 726 cc Zero-Turn-Radius Lawn Tractor Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Kawasaki FR651 engine. |
Engine Size | 21.5-HP |
Cutting Width | 52” |
Cutting Height Adjustments | 1.5 inch to 4.5 inches |
Highlight Features | small, supportive seat design foot operated deck lift Twin EZT hydrostatic Transaxles |
Small-sized people will want to invest in a model like the Ariens Edge 52 in. 726 cc Zero-Turn-Radius Lawn Tractor because of its narrower yet comfortable seat design.
How To Choose The Most Reliable Lawn Tractor?
Engine Size & Speeds
Several lawn owners think that they need an extra-large tractor because of the thought “the bigger, the better”. However, if you don’t really need it, do not buy it. Of course, do not pick a too-small model, either.
Serious lawn owners should opt for a tractor engine size somewhere between 17 to 25 HP depending on their lawn area (which we are also going to explain in the following section).
Before buying a lawn tractor, it is crucial to learn about extra power.
Speeds are another essential feature that you should pay attention to. Basic lawn jobs require speeds around 1 to 1.5 MPH (miles per hour). For heavy-duty work, you should go for a model offering speeds of 5 to 7 MPH.
Bonus: For extra ease of maneuverability, you should consider a tractor with a reverse system with speeds of 2 to 3 MPH.
Deck Size
This feature dictates the cutting width of a lawn tractor. A basic rule of thumb is the larger the number, the more grass it can cut in one go, meaning that the faster the mowing time. A tractor deck size is averagely from 30” to 60”.
Small decks are better for small-sized lawns or lawns with trees. Meanwhile, larger ones will be ideal for large-sized lawns or lawns with few corners or obstacles.
Cutting Performance
We believe a reliable lawn tractor should deliver consistently clean cutting performance.
When determining this feature, pay attention to the engine lineup, blade design, and grass height. While the blades must be sharp, choosing a good engine lineup will give you a lot of benefits.
For example, the Ariens IKON XD-52 in our review list utilizes a Kohler 7000 Series™ Engine, which is known for exceptionally clean cut performance, along with durability, energy efficiency, and ease of startups.
Grass height is key to determine the right deck height of a lawn tractor for you. The lower the grass, the lower the deck and vice versa. If the grass height of your lawn isn’t uniformed all the time, you’d better opt for a model providing a few deck height options.
Which Brands Make The Most Reliable Lawn Tractor?
Husqvarna
Consumer Reports has recently recognized the brand as one of the most trustworthy on the lawn tractor market because of some good reasons. All of their products are made in the US and they are praised for durability and power that can offer years of exceptional performance.
Craftsman
The brand earns a good reputation for engineering excellence. Their tractor lineups regularly receive good feedback for enhanced maneuverability, cutting efficiency, flexibility, and reliability.
Ariens
This American equipment company has been around a long time, known for manufacturing and providing the world’s top-notch zero-turn mowers, lawn tractors, and other products for both high-end and commercial consumer markets.
FAQs
How much do reliable lawn tractors cost?
Based on our experience, reliable lawn tractors costs around $2500 to $6000 depending on power, add-one features, and brands.
How long should a lawn tractor last?
A lawn tractor should last 250 to 300 hours if properly maintained and cared for, according to Peter Sawchuk, who directs Consumer Reports lawn mower and tractor tests.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a lawn tractor?
It depends on the parts that are broken. If the engine of your lawn tractor is shot, it'd be better to buy a new one rather than repairing the old one.
In other cases, the repair cost is around several hundred bucks (while a new lawn tractor costs in the thousands), so repairing is worth it.
How often should you change spark plugs in a lawn tractor?
You should change spark plugs in a standard lawn tractor every 25 hours of use.
How often should lawn tractor blades be sharpened?
Lawn tractor blades should be sharpened every 25 hours of use.
Conclusion
After spending dozens of hours atop shiny contenders, we develop an intensive understanding of each model’s capabilities, then share it with our readers.
Hopefully, this review and our recommendations of the most reliable lawn tractor prove helpful to your decision-making process. Thanks for reading!
