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Browse 798 expert reviews and buying guides covering riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors of every type. Whether you are comparing John Deere models, shopping for the smallest riding mower for a compact yard, exploring zero-turn options, or weighing new versus used machines, this category brings together detailed, hands-on guidance to help you choose with confidence. Each guide breaks down performance, cutting width, engine power, and value so you can match the right machine to your lawn size and budget.
A lawn mower backfires when unburned fuel ignites in the hot exhaust system. Common causes include a lean fuel mixture from a clogged carburetor or dirty air filter, incorrect ignition timing, a stuck exhaust valve, or shutting the engine off too quickly while it's still hot. This guide explains each cause and walks you through simple DIY troubleshooting.
Watering your lawn immediately after mowing is generally not recommended. Learn why a 24-hour waiting period protects grass health, reduces disease risk, and how to adjust for drought-stressed lawns.
Learn the safe, correct way to wash a lawn mower without damaging the engine, air filter, or electrical parts. This step-by-step guide covers gas and electric mowers, why pressure washers are a bad idea, and how to dry and lubricate afterward.
Stop mowing when grass stops actively growing, usually when soil temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C) in fall or after the first hard frost, and make the final cut at a height of about 2-2.5 inches to protect the lawn through winter.
Toro lawn mowers generally take high-detergent SAE 30 motor oil for warm-weather use or 10W-30 for a wider temperature range. The exact spec depends on the engine and climate, so check the oil fill cap and owner's manual for the final answer.
Learn how to diagnose and test your lawn mower starter with our step-by-step guide. We cover testing both electric starters on riding mowers and recoil pull-starts on push mowers using a multimeter for accurate results.
Learn exactly what gas to put in your lawn mower: fresh 87-octane regular unleaded gasoline, ideally ethanol-free (E0) or at most E10, plus the 2-stroke oil-mix rule and fuel storage tips.
For most cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue, the ideal mowing height is 2.5-3 inches. For warm-season grasses like Bermuda or St. Augustine, the recommended height is 1.5-2 inches. A crucial rule for all lawns is to never remove more than one-third of the grass blade's total height in a single mowing session to avoid stressing the plant.
The correct battery voltage for a lawn mower is determined by the mower's design and the manufacturer's battery platform. You must match the voltage specified by the mower's manufacturer, common ranges include 20V for small trimmers, 40V-60V for mid-size push mowers, and 80V+ for heavy-duty or ride-on models.
Learn the correct waiting period and grass-height trigger for the first mow of a newly established lawn to avoid damaging tender grass before it is established.
