What is a rider for and why is it more expensive than a tractor?

Criterias of choice

When buying a rider, you should focus on the following parameters:

1. Engine power. The greater the volume and variability of the work performed, the more powerful the motor should be. For plowing, transporting goods or removing snow, you will need an apparatus with a capacity of 15 hp or more. If the main task is to mow the grass in the garden, you can take equipment with an electric motor up to 7 hp.
2. Grass mowing characteristics:
   1. Working width: the wider the deck, the better the productivity.
   2. Bevel height adjustment range: varies from 25 to 90 mm.
   3. Ejection system: Side and rear ejection allows for the installation of a grass catcher. It is desirable that the grass catcher is included. If the discharge is carried out through a special pipe, it must be borne in mind that it is often clogged when mowing long grass. Therefore, devices with this design are only suitable for constant mowing of the lawn.
   4. Catcher volume: the larger the volume, the fewer stops you need to make during the mowing process.
   5. Emptying system: manual, mechanical or hydraulic. The latter is the most convenient.
3. Drive unit. For excavation and snow removal, four-wheel drive vehicles are better suited.
4. Steering type:
   1. Front wheel steering provides good traction, but carries the risk of the machine rearing up when going uphill.
   2. Rear wheel steering provides even traction on uphill or downhill, but when cornering, the rear end is observed to move out of the trajectory.
5. Optional equipment:
   1. Blade - a device for clearing snow or raking earth mounds.
   2. Brushes - designed for cleaning a thin layer (up to 5 cm) of snow or debris.
   3. Spreader - evenly distributes bulk substances (sand, fertilizers, etc.) over the treated surface.
   4. Excavation equipment: plows, harrows, lawn rollers, aerators, cultivators.
   5. Trailers and carts for transporting goods.
6. Additional functions: electronic start of the deck, reinforced transmission, automatic ignition, mowing in reverse.

Attachments

By default, the garden tractor can be equipped with a standard lawn mowing attachment and nothing more. However, its functionality is not limited to this. The available horsepower of even the simplest version is sufficient for many tasks in the garden and vegetable garden.

For work in winter

Especially for clearing snow, compacting it or throwing it from paths to the lawn, special body kits with front or rear attachment are provided. Basically, these are special buckets, guides for shifting the snow mass.

For some models of garden tractors, manufacturers offer full-function snow blowers with grab and deflector to spread the snow over the area.

It is imperative to purchase wheel chains that increase traction on a snowy or icy road as part of winter equipment.

This is especially true for garden tractors and riders who often have tires with low or no tread.

Trailer

The most practical and necessary addition among the attachments and trailed equipment for a garden tractor.

The trailer can be used to transport large volumes of garbage, grass cuttings, snow and, of course, a rich harvest from your garden or vegetable garden. Plus it is mostly the cheapest of the mini tractor attachments.

The shape and volume of the trailer varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and depends mainly on the engine power characteristic of the selected tractor model.

On average, the permissible trailer load weight can vary from 100 to 350 kg, which is too much for everyday work on the site near the house and even for a small farm.

Spreader-seeder

These nozzles are used for two purposes: distributing fertilizers throughout the site and planting most types of plants. They represent a container of a special shape for storing a mixture of fertilizers or seeds prepared for application, installed on a wheeled platform.

On the lower part of the container, there are metering nozzles for gradual discharge and distribution of liquid or seeds.

Seeders for mini-tractors often have a narrow directional metering design, separately for bulk and tuberous seeds.

Therefore, if the tractor will be actively used for sowing, it is necessary to determine in advance whether the manufacturer has the required seeder or a combined version with a quick change of the metering unit.

Rink

This is not a full-fledged roller with a large mass and downforce. Such a one simply will not pull a garden tractor.

For the lawn, a high-density plastic roller with rounded edges and the correct geometry of the working surface is used. It is needed to level and compact the topsoil after mulching, sowing lawn grass.

Grass box or waste box

In order not to leave the grass at the same time as mowing the lawn, but to collect it for further transportation, a collection of grass is used.

This is a combination of a fleecy shaft slightly wider than the tractor wheelbase and a volumetric bag made of fine-mesh polymer mesh, into which everything that grabs the shaft during rotation falls into. By the same principle, a trailer can be used to clean sidewalks and paths from debris.

Lawn aerator and crevice

Specialized trailed mini-tractor body kit. In it, on a common shaft, there is either a frequent comb made of hard metal spokes, or steel stars with elongated teeth.

In the first case, the task is to loosen the surface layer of the soil, for which the shaft rotates in the direction opposite to the movement of the tractor.

The slotter is simply pulled over the surface of the lawn and perforates it for better air access to the root system.

Universal platforms

Universal platforms are simple single-axle or two-axle wheeled platforms with a hook for connecting to a tractor.

The platform has a prepared mounting plate on which you can mount:

• tanks for watering and irrigation;
• plows, harrows and discs;
• cultivators;
• reapers.

What is the difference between self-propelled lawn mowers and mini tractors?

The motor of the self-propelled lawn mowers is located behind the driver, making it easier to control the area in which work is being carried out. The cutter bar is usually in front, so the mower first mows the grass and only then runs into it. Mini garden tractors are larger and heavier than self-propelled lawn mowers. The engine is in front of the driver, which means that the comfort of work is reduced due to limited visibility, noise and exhaust gases. Mini tractors mow less accurately, but the range of additional equipment is wider than in self-propelled lawn mowers.

How to choose the right equipment?

The main selection criterion is the surface area to be mowed. Machines with one knife and a cutting width of 63-77 cm are suitable for plots with an area of ​​15-30 acres (1500-3000 sq. M.). On an area of ​​up to 40 acres, devices with two knives and a mowing width of 84-122 cm will justify themselves.For large areas, it is worth buying a lawn mower with three knives and a mowing width of more than 100 cm.

Attention! If in a large lawn garden there are many obstacles that can impede the mowing process - small architectural forms, trees, shrubs or flower beds, it is better to choose a lawnmower with a small cutting width that maneuvers perfectly between obstacles.

Comparative characteristics

The main parameters of the above models are compared in the table:

How to choose

The choice should be based on the technical characteristics of the power unit, the dimensions of the garden tractor, on its properties as a lawn mower and the ability to supplement the functionality with a "native" body kit from the manufacturer in the form of trailed and attached implements.

Specifications include:

• fuel type;
• engine power, rated power at operating speed;
• transmission type;
• the weight of the model in the basic configuration;
• wheelbase;
• ignition type;
• way of control.

In terms of dimensions, special attention should be paid to the size of the wheelbase, the dimensions of the basic tractor model with a standard body kit and the width of the lawn mower. This information can be viewed on any website of the online store where it is planned to purchase a garden tractor

With additional body kit and equipment, it is somewhat more difficult

This information can be viewed on any website of the online store where it is planned to purchase a garden tractor. With the additional body kit and equipment, it is somewhat more complicated.

It is necessary to go through the manufacturer's website and find out the complete set of additional equipment with which this tractor can work, and also determine what type of bundle and fastening is used for attached and trailed equipment.

You will have to choose a garden tractor from a huge assortment, and such popular brands as MTD, Craftsman, Husqvarna, Mcculloch are more heard.

MTD

A company with almost a century of history from the city of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing gardening equipment, including tractors, since the middle of the last century.

The transnational company has not yet become, so the buyer has the opportunity to purchase a high-quality garden tractor of American or European assembly.

There are three MTD brands on the market

• Bolens MTD
• Yard machines
• MTD Gold

In each series, the approximate content of the models is the same both in characteristics and in appearance, however, the focus on the domestic or foreign consumer differs.

Craftsman

The brand is one of the largest retail chains in the United States, which already has offices in many countries of the world.

Garden tractors assembled at one of thirty factories around the world are also represented in a huge assortment.

Husqvarna

A Swedish company that is a leader in the production of garden equipment, lawn mowers, chainsaws and a whole range of industrial products. The concern even has the oldest arms factory in Europe.

If we talk about garden tractors, then the range includes models of three series (100,200,300), differing in configuration, dimensions and power.

However, they all perfectly play the role of a lawn mower and can be supplied with the most complete set of additional body kit in the form of trailed and attached equipment.

Mcculloch

The success of the American company is largely due to a number of innovations that have been introduced with their submission over the past half century.

Garden tractors, which have absorbed the traditions of creating high-quality and trouble-free equipment, were also not ignored.

Views

Garden riders are classified according to three criteria: purpose, size and engine type. On the first basis, there are household, semi-professional and professional models.

• Household units are intended for home use and are used for the treatment of areas up to 4,000 m2. The functionality of such samples is limited to mowing grass and garbage collection, which is quite enough for caring for the territory of country houses and cottages. The power of household models varies from 4 to 7 liters. with., the coverage is 70-90 cm.
• Semi-professional models represent the largest group of riders and are the best option for private backyards. The machines can be aggregated with most attachments, including seeders, harrows and cutters. The power of such devices is 7-10 liters. with., coverage 80-100 cm.

By the type of engine, cars are divided into gasoline and battery. The former are distinguished by a more powerful motor and high performance. This allows them to be used as tractors for the transport of goods or used for soil cultivation. The disadvantages include the need to buy gasoline. The latter are equipped with an electrically driven motor and run on a battery. The advantages of this type are the absence of harmful exhaust, low noise load and moderate vibration.

By size, riders are divided into full-size mechanisms and mini-samples. The first are multifunctional units capable of working with many types of attachments. Mini-riders are entry-level machines, a single-blade deck is located between the wheel axles, a grass stripper is often missing, the transmission is represented by a "mechanic" or variator. Attachments are not used with such models. In fact, mini-riders are lawnmowers with an operator's seat, low capacity and low power.

Models with a zero turning radius should be singled out in a separate category. It is quite simple to identify such units: the front rims have a "piano" design, and the steering is represented not by a classic steering wheel, but by two levers. The advantages of the species include high speed and high-quality mowing; among the disadvantages, the impossibility of using attachments is noted. This is due to the fact that the main weight of the machine falls on the rear wheels, and when attaching additional devices, the mower "rears up".

The next step is deciding on the mowing system

It depends on whether it has to collect grass in a collection box (small areas where grass is often mowed) or to have a so-called side or rear discharge of grass and leave cut grass on the lawn (large areas that are rarely mowed). Another option is a mulching lawnmower (large areas that are often mowed). Engine type and power. In small, flat orchards, a single-cylinder petrol engine is sufficient. For work on large areas with different slopes, in areas that are rarely mowed, it is worth using devices with a powerful two-cylinder engine and a large fuel tank. The gearbox also matters.

A tractor with a manual transmission requires driver intervention in order to change the speed. A tractor with a hydrostatic transmission is much easier to operate as it allows the travel speed to be adjusted steplessly by means of pedals - separate for forward and reverse travel - that is, hands-free. The use of hydrostatic transmission is recommended in gardens with a lot of obstacles. In addition, it is much more reliable than a manual one.

Before buying a lawn mower or mini-tractor, you need to decide whether the equipment will also perform other functions or whether it will only be used for lawn mowing. It is worth checking whether it will be possible to use the devices you need. And there is a whole set of them: a device for collecting grass and leaves, a roller filled with water, a tine harrow, aerator, a seeder, a trailer, a deflector for spreading cut grass on the lawn, a share and a rotary plow for removing snow, a brush for cleaning paths.

When choosing a lawn mower or mini-tractor, pay attention!

When making a choice, it is worth being guided by several basic (from the user's point of view) aspects that may differ between devices.

Reliability. The mini-tractor will operate on large areas and in different weather conditions - not only in summer, but also in winter. Therefore, the quality of the engine matters, as well as the corrosion resistance of the chassis and hull. The built-in hour meter reminds you of the need for service and routine inspections.

Ergonomics. The seat should be positioned so that it is comfortable on it - approximately the same as on a chair. It is also desirable to be able to adjust the position of the seat and steering wheel. All kinds of levers and control devices should be located at arm's length of the driver.

Security. The suspension must be stable and well balanced. Articulated steering, four-wheel drive or swinging axle drive wheels keep the lawnmower or mini tractor stable on uneven, wet and slippery ground.

Built-in reflectors ensure safe working at dusk, and power steering makes it easy to control the unit.

Advantages and disadvantages

Owners of riders get several advantages at once compared to owners of mini-tractors and lawn mowers:

• Versatility. Combination of the functionality of a tractor, lawn mower, cultivator, snow blower and other devices.
• Maneuverability. Thanks to the short wheelbase and small dimensions, the rider is able to neatly navigate between the beds and bushes (for example, mowing weeds in the aisles).
• Mulching. Most riders have a built-in chopper that turns the cut grass into ready-made mulch.
• Wide grip. Due to the fact that the gearbox is placed outside the body, the deck can be equipped with additional knives that increase the rider's working area.
• Service. It is much easier to buy parts or find specialized workshops for a rider than for a tractor or lawn mower.

Expert opinion
Vasily Kuznetsov

The only drawback of these machines is their high cost. The rider will cost 2-3 times more than a mini-tractor.

Which company is better to choose a gasoline lawn mower

Before getting acquainted with all the nominees included in the rating, experts recommend learning more about each manufacturer's firm. This will help to identify not only reliable brands with many years of experience, but also successful young, including domestic companies. The best models were presented by:

• Carver is a domestic brand that has been dealing with garden equipment since 1997. Belongs to the Uraloptinstrument company. If you are considering lawn mowers, they are presented in 3 varieties - gasoline, electric, trimmers.
• Huter is a German company that has appeared on the Russian market since 2000. It is engaged in the production of all the equipment necessary for the care of the garden. Each unit has a guarantee; numerous service centers operate in Russia.
• Champion is a well-known Russian brand founded in 2005. In the post-Soviet space, it is one of the fastest growing manufacturers engaged in the development of power, garden and park portable equipment.
• Caliber is a Russian company operating since 2001. Produces equipment for the garden at relatively low prices, while maintaining a decent level of functionality, technical characteristics, and service life.
• Zubr is a Russian company that has been supplying large quantities of tools, materials, household and professional equipment for over 20 years. These are manual, mechanized devices that are valued for ergonomics, durability, and high quality.
• Patriot is an American company founded in 1973. Initially, it was opened for the repair of any garden equipment, but after development, its own products began to be produced, the first engines for devices, lubricants for spare parts, and various types of equipment appeared.
• Hyundai is the largest automotive corporation from South Korea, founded in 1967. Its assortment is full of different goods, ranging from parts, spare parts for cars, ending with gardening and household appliances. Electric and gasoline lawn mowers are in great demand due to their compactness and wide functionality.
• Daewoo Powe is a South Korean company founded in 1982. Initially, she was involved in shipbuilding, building construction, investment and trade. Today there is one more direction - the production of electronics and household appliances. Products with excellent quality and average prices are relevant in many countries.
• Stiga is a Swedish company whose main goal is to provide estates and farms with all the necessary mechanisms for easy, comfortable care. Founded in 1934. Trimmers, lawn mowers, garden tractors and snow plows are most in demand in different countries.
• Makita is a large and well-known brand from Japan, operating since 1915. The brand gained great popularity thanks to professional equipment at low prices. In the latest models of lawn mowers, you can see wide functionality, increased power, grass catcher and other useful features.
• Husqvarna is the oldest industrial company from Sweden, founded back in 1689. Its range is constantly updated with new products, among them functional high-quality lawn mowers, other garden tools. Here, each customer will be able to find the right product.
• Oleo-Mac is a popular Italian gardening equipment brand created in 1972. His name is widely known in America, Eastern Europe, and now in Russia. The merit for this is the development of leading engineers, compliance with European quality standards.
• DDE is an American company founded in 1965. The brand offers garden equipment with a reputation for excellent engineering solutions. Today the brand occupies a leading position in the segment of motorcycle and electrical engineering.
• Viking is an Austrian company that is part of the STIHL corporation. The assortment includes equipment for a vegetable garden, a professional garden. The brand is in demand among specialists due to its high quality, versatility, and guarantees of durability.

The best mini tractors

The operational properties of such machines are high, but the cross-country ability is worse due to the size. Both wheeled and tracked mini tractors are designed for plowing and sowing large areas without small obstacles that must be avoided. This technique is for farmers, not gardeners. The main criteria for choosing such a machine are high PTO power, water cooling and high ground clearance for driving on uneven terrain and snow.

3. Scout T-15

The rating of garden tractors is opened by a budgetary Russian model of Chinese production. This is a good choice for novice farmers who are not ready to buy an expensive machine for a small plot. The tractor is used for plowing the land, sowing, processing. A fuel tank with a capacity of 8 liters is only enough for a small vegetable garden. Engine with a volume of 815 cm³ and a capacity of 15 liters. with. makes 2000 rpm, the car goes at a speed of up to 23.5 km / h.

The maneuverability of this garden tractor is good due to its dimensions and turning radius equal to 190 cm. The gearbox is stepped mechanical, easy to operate. Movement speeds 8 (6 forward, 2 back), drum brakes. Attachments are only attached at the rear, the clutch is single-stage, and the PTO power is 11 hp. with. If you do not operate the tractor on large areas all day, it will last for 4–5 years, and the engine will not overheat.

Price:

RUB 159 990

Advantages:

• headlights from all sides, high and low beam;
• easy to manage;
• the track is adjustable from 800 to 1250 mm - adjusts to the row spacing;
• reliable;
• durable belts.

Disadvantages:

• jerky speed change;
• the machine shakes on uneven ground.

2. MasterYard M244 4WD

Four-wheel drive minitractor for an open-type summer cottage - a similar model with a cab is no longer on sale. Diesel engine, 4-stroke, has a capacity of 24 liters. with., so the car goes well on neglected areas. It develops a speed of up to 22.4 km / h, moves forward and backward, has 4 gears. The turning radius of this garden tractor is 260 centimeters. The manufacturer has equipped it with water cooling, which increases the life of the engine.

The machine has a three-point hitch to add gardening equipment: cultivator, snow blade, plow, mower. The BOM drive has 2 speeds: 520 and 1000 rpm. For the convenience of the user, the tractor has indicators of battery and fuel charge, seat height adjustment, a lever of unaddressed revolutions - it keeps the selected speed. The ground clearance is large, so the car runs well in the snow.

Price:

RUB 469 990

Advantages:

• powerful;
• makes less noise than other tractors;
• good grip with additional equipment;
• large turning radius;
• the dashboard shows the fuel level, engine hours gauge, and other indicators;
• cruise control maintains the set speed;
• powerful halogen headlights;
• gently goes off-road.

Disadvantages:

gear shifting lacks smoothness.

1. Dong Feng DF-244 (with cab)

The best garden tractor is equipped with front, rear and side lights and has a 24 hp 4-stroke diesel engine. with. Water cooling, electric start, fuel indicator. Handling is easy thanks to the hydraulic power steering, the ride is equally good on snow, thick grass and ground. The fenders and hood are made of lightweight material, which has a positive effect on the passability of the machine.

The excellent maneuverability of the garden tractor is achieved due to the large difference between the wheel and hydraulics sizes, the minimum turning radius is 240 cm. The rear attachment is classic three-point.In forward motion, the tractor reaches a speed of up to 26.2 km / h, the gears are shifted smoothly, although the transmission is manual. Due to drum brakes, it is advisable to stop the car after 3-4 hours so that they do not overheat.

Price:

670 thousand rubles

Advantages:

• powerful;
• compact;
• sealed cabin, noise does not penetrate;
• direct oil injection system - protection of parts from breakage;
• rear wheel track is adjustable;
• clear control panel;
• the cabin is heated, on shock absorbers, heaving, vibration is not felt;
• reliable (with active load it lasts 5-7 years).

Disadvantages:

difficult to find on sale.

Appointment

The scope of use of riders is quite wide. Thanks to the possibility of using attachments, they are used to mow lawns, golf and football fields, alpine lawns and tennis courts. They mow weeds and thin shrubs, clear the area from fallen leaves, snow and household waste, transport not too heavy loads within the site, loosen the soil and mulch plantings. Thus, in a small farm, the rider copes well with most agrotechnical tasks and quite effectively replaces several types of highly specialized equipment at once.

Peculiarities

Tractor-type lawn mowers are versatile devices that can act instead of several tools at once. If you add a few more components to it, then such a tractor will become an indispensable unit on the site. The main types of models will be discussed below.

Low-power

They are designed for small areas, up to 2 hectares. Their capacity does not exceed 7 liters. with. A striking representative is a series of compact lawn mowers from the Swiss manufacturer Stig. The models are small and lightweight. The devices easily cope not only with mowing lawn grass, but also with snow removal.

Medium power

The devices are capable of handling areas up to 5 hectares. Power fluctuates around 8-13 liters. with. The Tornado and Combi models are especially common. All manufacturers of medium-power mini-tractors provide the ability to install any additional equipment.

High performance

The units can work in fields of 50 hectares. The most common are representatives of the Royal and Overland lines. The technique is versatile and is gaining increasing popularity among farmers every year.

Popular models

Below is a rating of riders who are most often mentioned in consumer reviews, which means they are the most in demand.

• The semi-professional Swedish model Husqvarna RC318T 9676287-01 is equipped with a grass catcher and cutting height adjuster. Engine power is 17 hp. sec., capture width - 112 cm. The weight of the machine is 328 kg, the price is 599,000 rubles.
• Japanese rider Makita PRM0600 is designed for domestic use, equipped with a 6 hp engine. with. and weighs 111 kg. The volume of the grass-catcher is 140 l, the working width is 62 cm, the cutting height is 30-75 mm. High reliability and durability of the model are due to the use of high-quality components and control at every stage of production. The rider's price is 100,000 rubles.

For a detailed review of the STIGA PARK garden rider, see the video below.

Gasoline mowers

Self-propelled garden options for lawn mowers have several differences from those designed for work in the fields. From a design point of view, it is the first option that is considered the winning one. During the manufacture of the tool, the manufacturer takes into account the operating conditions

Here, great attention is paid to weight restrictions, otherwise wheel marks will remain on the grass.Consequently, in most cases, lawn mowers are equipped with smooth-tread wide wheels, which reduce the load on the ground.

However, the less the mass of the structure, the less possibilities it has.

The essence of the work is quite simple: the operator must put the machine into action with a key, having previously installed the unit on the grass that needs to be cut. Immediately after starting, the engine starts to rotate and drives the cutting element.

Some manufacturers offer models with both ejection and a pre-installed grass catcher. On flat areas such as a football field, it is advisable to use the second option. A blow-out tool is typically used when the operator is faced with embossed surfaces. The body of the unit usually has a very simple structure, the manufacturers provide for the possibility of adjusting the height of the bevel and changing the horizontal position, so that the user can work even in hard-to-reach places. Mini tractors-lawn mowers are not very popular in everyday life and, like any other technique, they have their positive and negative sides.

Advantages and disadvantages

Garden riders are highly valued by owners of backyards and small farms and are actively purchasing them for personal needs. The demand for the units is due to their undeniable advantages over more powerful mini-tractors and miniature lawn mowers.

• The rider occupies an intermediate niche between the above samples of agricultural machinery, possessing the functionality of both types. This makes the unit quite versatile and significantly expands the range of work performed by it.
• Due to its compact size and high maneuverability, the rider deftly maneuvers between beds, bushes and buildings, which a mini-tractor is not able to do. Moreover, due to the shortened base and the presence of a rear-wheel drive, the unit is able to turn in almost one place, while the tractor needs at least a couple of meters for this.
• The mulching mechanism, which most rider models are equipped with, allows you to process grass, shrubs and thin branches into a small substrate and fertilize the area with it.

• Manufacturing companies try to keep track of consumer requests by releasing a sufficient number of spare parts, which is why, as a rule, there are no difficulties in equipment repair.
• The riders feature a wide grip on the work surface. This is due to the fact that the deck with the knives installed in it has an expanded design and allows you to capture a strip with a width of more than one meter. In addition, several cutting elements can be installed on some models at once, which improves the quality of cutting of the grass and makes the lawn perfectly level.
• Due to the design features, the deck with knives is very conveniently located, which greatly facilitates access to the cutting elements, allowing them to be easily replaced if necessary.

It also notes the need to purchase fuel and the presence of harmful exhaust from gasoline samples. On this indicator, gasoline riders are well outperformed by electric lawn mowers running on a battery.