Of all the types of lawn mowers, the lawn mower is the heaviest. A lawn mower is a lawn mower shaped like a small tractor. Whether you have a small lawn or a professional mower, mowing with a riding mower turns an otherwise tedious job into a pleasure. Unlike the others, this type of mower is driven, it does not need to be pushed by a human being.
Lawn mowers, like cars, come with different trim levels and engines. Some, for example, may have a sod or side dump box, one or two-cylinder engines, large three-bladed chainrings, or two-bladed configurations, all of which will affect curb weight.
It depends on the unit, but the average weight of these products is 450-500 pounds. You can find lighter-weight lawn mowers that weigh no more than 300 pounds. However, the heaviest units often reach 600 pounds or even exceed this limit.
We have researched various brands of riding lawn mowers and found that there are many factors that determine their weight. These factors are worth considering to make an informed decision when purchasing these machines.
In the meantime, how much does a riding mower weigh? This should be the question on your mind at the moment.
What are the factors that determine the weight of a riding mower?
A gasoline lawn mower is made by combining several parts to improve its function and movement. These parts are accountable for influential their weight in spite of the brand. In this guide, we’ll cover electric mowers and zero-turn mowers. Let’s find out:
The wheels
A single wheel on the gasoline mower tends to be lighter. However, the combination of the mower’s four wheels adds to the weight of the machine. This is why you will notice that mowers with large wheels tend to be heavier than those with smaller wheels.
The front wheels of lawnmowers are smaller and tend to weigh around eight pounds. The rear wheels are slightly larger than the front wheels and weigh around 100 pounds, especially those on large three-blade mowers. If you are looking to add weight to your lawnmowers, consider adding heavier wheels. However, many experts recommend adding parts to the mower that are normally designed for them.
Engine
The motor is a crucial part of any mower because it powers it and ensures that it can do its job. You are probably assuming that the engine can significantly affect the weight of the mower. And while he’s right, the influence isn’t as strong as you might expect. According to experts, engine components make up about 20-25% of a lawnmower. This roughly means that the engine will weigh 70-120 pounds or more.
However, the exact weight depends on the manufacturer and the unit. It is interesting to note that the weight does not have to directly determine the power of the engine. For example, you can find units whose engines weigh 84 pounds and have 16 HP. However, some machines with a 27 HP engine weigh only 90 pounds. They only make a five-pound difference and the horsepower is almost double. This is why experts agree that you will find other components that affect the overall weight more than the engine itself.
The Deck
A pilot bridge consists of the bridge housing, axles, blades, gauge wheels, belt, ramp, and all of the covers and hardware to protect and hold everything in place. They weigh between 70 and 140 pounds, and the wider tires are obviously heavier. The side discharge and mulching decks have a comparable weight, given the same number of blades and similar deck width.
The heaviest component of a deck is the deck hull. It is usually made of steel or a heavy steel alloy. Next, come the pins. Usually, there are two, and each has a blade attached to the bottom. Three-spindle and blade mowers are in the 120+ weight range. The other components of the platform are relatively light.
By the way, don’t be afraid of heavy blankets. They are heavy because they are designed to survive when cutting through rocks and other debris.
A lightweight bridge, on the other hand, could be an inferior red flag. The two main ways that electric lawn mower manufacturers save deck weight are by making decks thinner and shafts lighter. Thinner cases are less sturdy and made of cheap material.
Zero-turn Mowers
Even the smallest residential zero-turn lawn mowers are heavier than most conventional high-class lawnmowers. They have bigger, heavier, and more powerful motors and are designed to be heavy and provide stability.
The lighter ones weigh around 650 pounds and are quite strong. Mid-range high-end mowers of this type come closest to the 900-pound mark. Heavier ones can tip the scales at 1,450 pounds. Some huge business models used by professional landscapers weigh over a ton.
Electric Lawn Mowers
The weight of the electric mower is slightly less than that of the gasoline mower. These lawnmowers do not have motors or hoods, hence the lower weight than their counterparts. However, the large batteries of electric lawnmowers bring them closer in weight to gasoline lawnmowers.
Most zero-turn electric mower motors have been built with residential thinking in mind and this is another reason for their lower weight. Unfortunately, there are no models available yet to offer professional services.
Now an electric motor is lighter than a gasoline engine. It has to do with the advancement of technology as it has allowed manufacturers to achieve a more compact size for electric units. Engines don’t weigh that much, but batteries still add that weight significantly. Now some manufacturers are taking the approach that one shaft on each blade has a separate motor. Hence, this is another reason to increase the overall weight. That is why the fundamental difference between the weight of gasoline and electric lawn mower motors may not be so great.
Why choose a riding mower?
High efficiency
No one wants to mow tall grass regularly with a push mower. Riding lawn mowers can cover areas quickly while maintaining high-quality results.
Versatility
Most modern lawnmowers allow you to install several attachments that turn your lawnmower into a versatile tool. With the help of these frills, a riding mower can do:
- Store and mulch cut grass to produce mulch
- Remove snow and other debris
- Bring feed and other supplies.
- Plowing and aeration of the soil
- Remove the grass
Ease of use
Riding lawn mowers can seem intimidating, but it’s easy to get used to riding them after just a few uses. These machines necessitate a smaller amount of physical effort than push mowers. You can make approximately any alteration with the push of a button, from adjusting the cutting units to altering the cutting speed for a cleaner finish.
CRUX
Riding mowers offer a quick way to mow large lawns. Knowing the correct weight is important when towing and transporting your mower. You should know that heavier riding lawn mowers tend to be too expensive to transport as they require heavier transport machinery.
Finally, being overweight doesn’t have to be a bad thing. This adds to the stability, which can make the whole cutting process easier and more efficient.