Rear Engine Riding Mower Buyer's Guide

Life is like a box of chocolates.

But, with a rear engine riding mower, you pretty much know what you’re gonna get.

Even Forrest Gump is smart enough to select a rear engine riding mower.

You just need to make two simple decisions when shopping:

Mulching vs. Bagging
Don't limit yourself. Choose a mower with 3-in-1 capability (mulch, side-discharge or bag). If you mulch your grass clippings, they will naturally fertilize your lawn while decomposing.

For a really pristine lawn, get a hi-vac mower. These have a unique rolled-deck edge, which creates a powerful airflow that literally vacuums the clippings off your lawn. This is your best option if you prefer to bag.

Manual vs. Automatic Transmission
Rear engine riders have two styles of transmissions. A disc-drive, which is found on most rear engine riders, is an efficient, cost-effective and simple-to-maintain transmission. However, you have to change the gears manually.

A hydrostatic transmission, which automatically changes gears as you accelerate or decelerate, provides a gentler ride, but comes with an added price tag.

Electric Riders Electric riding mowers are one of the newest additions to the lawn mowing industry. Powered by a rechargeable battery, they can mow for up to 3 hours on a single charge. Unlike gas-powered models which utilize a single cutting blade, electric riders employ a twin-blade system for a more consistent, even cut. With similar top speeds as gas-powered rear engine riders, electric riders main advantage is they require no maintenance, meaning you can forget about oil changes and tune-ups. They also produce no emissions while operating. Another benefit of mowing with an electric riding mower is they produce about half the noise as a gas-powered model so you can mow early or late, without upsetting your neighbors. Shop All Electric Riding Mowers