Having spent countless hours mowing lawns, I can attest that managing a weighty, cumbersome machine is one of the biggest challenges. So, what’s the typical weight of a riding lawn mower?
Based on my experience with these machines, the weight can vary considerably. But, to truly understand this, let’s delve into the key components contributing to a mower’s overall heft.
Weight of Riding Lawnmowers on Average
Most commonly used riding lawn mowers weigh up to 500 pounds. Each gallon of fuel adds 6.3 pounds to the total weight of a riding lawn mower.
On the other hand, large-area commercial riding mowers can weigh up to 2,000 lbs. Zero-turn machines can also weigh a thousand pounds or more.
Top Riding Lawnmowers and Their Weights
Here is a quick table outlining the different weights of popular lawnmower manufacturers and models to help you get a feel for where your mower ranks among the competitors.
Lawnmower Brand | Model | Cutting Width | Weight |
Craftsman | ProSeries | 42 inches | 580 lbs |
John Deere | X300 | 42 inches | 542 lbs |
Craftsman | 27343 | 46 inches | 525 lbs |
Yard Machines | S029 | 42 inches | 520 lbs |
John Deere | E150 | 48 inches | 483 lbs |
Husqvarna | YTH1942 | 42 inches | 479 lbs |
Cub Cadet | XT2SLX | 52 inches | 470 lbs |
John Deere | S240 | 48 inches | 458 lbs |
Poulan | Pro 077 | 42 inches | 437 lbs |
Poulan | Pro 204 | 46 inches | 428 lbs |
You can see that there is a wide variation in the exact weights used by different riding mowers.
A larger cutting deck, like the John Deere S240 and Cub Cadet XT2SLX, doesn’t automatically result in a heavier mower, however, that is possible.
Each of these styles is designed for home use and is not up to the task of heavy-duty professional cutting like high-end mowers.
What You Need to Know About Riding Lawn Mowers
In contrast to the push-and-pull kind, the operator of a riding lawn mower sits on a seat, hence the several names given to this type of mower.
The riding mower, which looks like a little tractor, is a commercial ride mower that can handle weights and grass of any size—created for mowing bigger lawns than smaller yards.
The equipment levels of a riding mower are for expansive lawns like those found on municipal parks and golf courses that span 2 acres or more. The biggest multi-speed riding lawn mower with several blades is placed on a tractor.
(If you’re looking for a top-notch riding mower perfect for 2 acres, read this review next!)
Average Weight of Lawn Tractors
Many lawn tractor engines weigh over 80 lbs. However, the deck and deck shell account for the bulk of a lawn tractor’s overall mass.
Lawn tractors can range in weight from the low 400s to the high 600s, depending on the model and features. Normally, a lawn tractor weighs 470 pounds.
A small tractor uses single-cylinder engines that produce 18 horsepower, while the larger ones use twin-cylinder engines that produce up to 25 horsepower.
Average Weight of Electric Riding Lawn Mowers
One benefit of using an electric mower instead of a gas-powered one is that it weighs less. These riding mowers are lighter since they lack motors and decks, typical features.
But electric mowers have heavy batteries. These make them comparable in size and weight to gas-powered mowers.
Average Weight of Zero-Turn Mowers
An average zero-turn mower weighs around 650 pounds. Premium zero-turn mowers tip the scales at around 900 pounds, while the heaviest models clock in at around 1450 pounds.
Professional riding mowers, built for larger lawns, can weigh over a ton.
Average Weight of Rear Engine Mowers
Many designs exist for gas and electric rear-engine riding lawn mowers, with most featuring 34 inches decks or fewer. Also, their top speed during mowing is only about 5 miles per hour.
I’d suggest using these machines on lawns that are no larger than an acre. They’re akin to small tractors with engines that range from 11 to 15 HP.
A typical range for their weight is 300–450 pounds, with most models weighing around 350 pounds.
Advantages of a Riding Lawn Mower
User-Friendliness
The first time I hopped on a riding mower, I’ll admit, it was a bit intimidating. But after some practice, I got the hang of it. Trust me, these machines require far less effort than your typical push mowers.
Every aspect of a riding lawn mower can be modified with a button, from tweaking the cutting decks to altering the mowing pace for a more precise cut.
Efficiency and Versatility
Riding mowers are convenient for large lawns because of their maneuverability and versatility. The slower speed of the lawn mower helps maintain healthy, attractive grass
A zero-turn or riding mower may be your best bet for larger lawns. Maintaining a large lawn with a push mower, like the Craftsman 304-14CR push reel lawn mower, is a chore no one enjoys. Riding mowers are efficient and effective, allowing for rapid coverage of huge areas.
I highly recommend riding mowers for larger lawns due to their robust engines’ ability to cut grass efficiently across larger spaces.
Interesting Read: How Many Lawn Mowers Are Sold Annually?
Significance of Your Riding Mower’s Weight
Fuel Capacity
Gas lawnmowers are heavier than electric and battery-powered models because they hold more fuel, often a gallon or more adds more weight. A gas lawn mower has a deck size of 20 inches and can weigh anywhere from 80 to 90 pounds, depending on the type.
Fuel Consumption and Efficiency
There could be various issues contributing to your increased fuel use, but a heavy mower could be one of them.
Larger machines require more fuel to operate. Even if yours is electric, it may require stronger batteries to keep it running. Therefore, I suggest learning more about your lawn mower battery’s voltage to choose the best one for your machine.
Safety
When safety measures are overlooked, riders of riding lawnmowers put themselves in danger. Creating and enforcing a training course for riding lawn mower safety, with documented procedures and rules based on manufacturer warnings, would keep workers safer and reduce incidents.
Based on research, more than 9,000 American children are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually after being injured by lawn mowers. High-powered lawn mowers could pose a significant risk.
Towing
This function of a riding lawnmower beyond its primary function of mowing grass is one of its greatest advantages. But first, determine the maximum weight the machine can pull before attempting to haul anything heavier than a leaf blower or a tree trunk.
The actual towing capacity depends on the mower’s torque [1] and the type of machine you have, with larger mowers generally able to pull more. For instance, the maneuverability of zero-turn lawnmowers makes them a poor choice for towing.
Transportation
A mower has different weights, and moving the machine may require driving it into a flatbed truck or attempting to tow it on a trailer. The larger the lawnmower, the more of a chore to pull it about the yard.
Maintenance of the Mower
Oil change intervals, oil types, and weights are all recommended differently by different engine manufacturers based on the temperature of the surrounding air. You should consult the engine’s manual.
Maintenance on a mower can be challenging and if you are uneasy about tackling it, it’s best to get help. Maintenance included replacing the oil, spark plugs, and air filter, lubricating all grease spots, sharpening each blade, inspecting all belts, and more.
Key Factors That Contribute to a Riding Lawnmower’s Weight
Type
If you’re in the market for a riding mower, you may often choose between electric, zero-turn, and models that use gasoline engines.
Even though they might look similar in size, zero-turn models are generally heavier than the gas and electric ones. It’s mainly due to the complexity of their engine that adds to the weight.
Since their engines are so close, electric and gas mowers weigh about the same. The batteries used in electric vehicles are substantial and can contribute as much weight as a car’s gas tank.
Cutting Deck
Riding lawn mower weight need not increase proportionally with the size of its mower deck. On the chart above, I’ve included some machines with larger or wider decks that were lighter in weight.
However, other components like the blade, gauge wheels, spindles, deck shell, chute, and belt might add weight to the mower.
Blades
Due to the steel construction and increased blades, riding lawn mowers are relatively heavy.
Spindles
The weight of a riding mower will increase proportionally with the number of blades it has. Mowers with three spindles weigh 120 pounds or more.
Outer Shell
The outer shell is typically constructed of metal, like steel or aluminum, adding to the mower’s overall weight.
Engine Size and Capacity
Most motors with 12 horsepower weigh about 330 pounds which could be as much as a fourth of the total weight of a riding lawnmower. A 24-horsepower engine, on the other hand, can pull as much as 550 pounds due to the larger number of internal parts.
Even though the mower now weighs more, it can travel faster and more dependably because of the additional horsepower. Even better, engines with more horsepower tend to be more economical with gas.
Wheels
The tires of a lawnmower can affect how much it weighs overall. Lawnmowers with smaller wheels tend to be lighter than those with larger wheels. The four wheels are adjustable, but its front wheels are generally shorter than the rear wheels.
Adding heavier wheels can be a simple way to increase the overall mass of riding mowers.
Nonetheless, I advise supplementing the mower with components made specifically for a heavier machine.
How to Tweak Your Riding Lawnmower to Your Desired Weight
Replace the Deck
Determine if you can install a new deck on your vehicle, but don’t do so unless necessary.
Replace the Tires
The total mass will shift slightly due to this, because wheel weights can go up approximately 70 pounds each.
Conclusion
How much does a riding lawn mower weigh? Likely, the weight of your mower hasn’t entered your mind very much, but by learning what contributes to the overall lawnmower weight, you’ll be better able to fine-tune the mower to your specific lawn care needs.
You can get specific weight details of these robust engines by checking the brand’s website. Regardless, I hope this gives you a clearer picture, and that you’ll make an informed decision when choosing a riding mower.
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
