If you’ve got the space to put up a DIY steel and metal building, you probably have enough property to think about ways to decrease the time spent on mowing and landscaping maintenance. Riding lawn mowers and zero-turn-radius mowers are the perfect solution.

It’s a purchase decision you don’t want to make without being informed. Riding lawn mowers can cost up to $4,000. Here’s what you need to know.

Time-Savers

Most riding lawn mowers remain gas-powered – although there are electric versions on the market. If you do plan to go green and purchase an electric riding lawn mower, remember that you’ll need a source of electricity to recharge the battery system.

Regardless of its source of power – gasoline or electricity – most of today’s noncommercial riding lawn mowers can cut a swath of grass up to 54 inches wide in a single pass. Accessories allow you to bag the grass. Or, you can equip your riding mower with specific blades that will mulch the cut grass before discharging it.

Keep in mind that if you do purchase accessories for your riding lawn mower, you’ll also need the appropriate space to store them. Consumer Reports advises readers to consider a riding lawn mower if you have yards larger than ½ an acre to take care of.

The organization also says that while today’s riding lawn mowers are easier to maintain, they generate exhaust emissions that require even larger storage space. You’ll be spending a lot of time on your riding mower, too, so look for one that features a comfortable, high-backed seat – and which gives you easy access to engaging and adjusting the blades. It’s a big hassle to have to stop, dismount, and make these changes.

Zero-Turn-Radius – What’s That?

Your choice of riding lawn mowers includes a type known as a zero-turn-radius mower. Instead of a steering wheel, you control direction with a pair of levers. Push one forward and it causes the mower to turn in place.

These types of mowers are favored by property owners who need to maneuver in tight places. They also tend to have a higher speed than standard riding mowers. You can make quick work of mowing a large property.

On the downside, these types of riding lawn mowers tend to be more expensive because you’re paying for the complex steering mechanism and rear-wheel propulsion.

Rear-Engine Riders

Is storage space big on your list? Consider a rear-engine riding mower. They’re less expensive because they have narrower mowing decks – meaning they cut less grass – but they’re more compact.

A Place for Your Lawn Equipment

If you’re going to invest in a riding lawn mower, you’ve also got to consider where you’ll store the mower and its accessories. Check out our gallery of prefabricated building kits. Creating storage space on your property is less expensive than you think.

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