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... How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Cost and Life Two questions of interest to prospective purchasers are: How much do riding mowers and small tractors in the various classes cost and how long can I expect one to last? Lawnmowers - Mulch, Bag, or Throw [Image: mulching mower] Walk-behind rotary lawnmowers can handle clippings in one of three ways: they can mulch them, bag them or discharge them to the side. Some mowers can do any of the three with minimal adjustment. Any of the three modes can be useful in some situations. Safe Use of Lawnmowers [Image: use of lawnmower on slope] Walk-behind home lawnmowers are covered by safety standards and regulations, but the real responsibility for safety rests with you, the operator. Do You Need a Power Lawnmower? [Image: self-propelled lawnmower] If you have a small lawn and are willing to get a little exercise while mowing, a good manual push mower can be a good alternative to a powered mower. 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. Lawnmower Safety Standards [Image: operator presence control] When you buy a walk-behind lawnmower, you benefit from safety standards and regulations from two sources: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 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. Picking Up Lawn Waste [Image: grass catcher] Maintaining quality turfgrass sometimes requires that lawn waste be picked up. This trash can include leaves, pine needles and grass clippings as well as twigs, seed pods from trees and pine cones. Click for more information...