Home > Lawn & Garden > Commercial Horticulture > Equipment > Mowing > How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Engines [Image: vertical shaft engine] One of the factors that most affects both the capability of a lawn/garden tractor, and the price, is the engine. Safe Operation of Riding Mowers and Lawn/Garden Tractors [Image: mower discharge chute] Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are large and powerful. They can be dangerous if not used safely. How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Power To Implements [Image: belt drive to mower deck] A mower deck can’t cut grass unless it is connected to the tractor engine. This is usually done in one of two ways, with some possible permutations. Thrown Objects Safety With Rotary Cutters [Image: chain guards on rear] All rotary cutters are inherently dangerous. The thrown object hazard is not fully recognized by everyone, yet it can cause injury, blindness or even death.  more articles... Adjusting Finishing Mowers [Image: finishing mower with 4 wheels] Finish (or grooming) mowers typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They are not designed to cut tall, weedy grass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping. Adjusting Mid-Mount Tractor Mowers Mid-mount mowers for lawn, garden, and compact tractors typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They are not designed to cut tall, weedy grass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping. Adjusting Rotary Cutters Many people use a rotary cutter (often referred to by the copyrighted name “Bush Hog”) to cut grass and weeds, but, in too many cases, the implement is not correctly adjusted. This can cause premature wear, poor quality of cut, and an excessive power requirement. How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Transmissions [Image: gear transmission] There are three primary transmission systems used in riding mowers and the various classes of mowing tractors. How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Quality Versus Price [Image: welded front axle] Do you get what you pay for when buying a mowing tractor? There is certainly a wide range of prices; in fact, you can easily pay twice as much for a lawn tractor at a major farm equipment dealer as you would pay for a lawn tractor with the same horsepower and mowing width at a discount store. What do you get for the additional money?