How Long Do Riding Lawn Mowers Last? You Might Be Surprised

Most people looking for riding mowers either have a whole lot of land to mow or not enough time for any sized lawn. Regardless of why you’re getting a new riding lawn mower, you should know how many years you’ll get out of it before it’s time for another.

Riding lawn mowers last for 7 to 8 years. Proper maintenance can allow the mower to function well over a decade. Clean it regularly, inspect the engine components, and don’t forget to choose the correct size.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following information about riding lawn mowers and their life expectancies:

• Exactly how many miles you’ll get out of it
• How you can maintain your riding mower
• The different types of riding lawn mower engines
• How many hours each mower lasts

How Many Hours Will My Riding Mower Last?

Getting a riding lawn mower is no minor investment, which is why you’re probably wondering how many years you’ll get out of it. According to Bobvila, adequately scheduled maintenance could ensure that an average riding lawn mower lasts between 7- 8 years.

Although, by design, lawn mowers come with manufacturer ratings. A 200-hour rated lawn mower might just be in service for a few years depending on how frequently you put it to use. A pricier lawn mower could be designed to last 500 hours or more. Of course, the higher the hourly rating, the higher the life expectancy.

Regardless of the manufacturer rating or life expectancy of a riding mower, some variables could inhibit its performance and ultimately shorten its life span.

Let’s have a look at some of the factors that could cause a riding lawn mower to go out of service too soon.

1. Bad maintenance routines: Just like your cars or other vehicles with engines, riding lawn mowers also require maintenance. It should be known that a riding lawn mower will break down too quickly if not properly maintained.
2. Subjection to harsh conditions: If you routinely wait until the grass in your yard is thick and about 4-5 inches long before cutting it down, you may be subjecting your lawn mower to severe conditions. Consequently, debris and clippings will build-up, and the life expectancy of the equipment may be shortened.
3. Size of the lawn: The size of the lawn to be cut will determine the type of riding mower that will produce the best results. It would be inappropriate to use a light-duty mower in tougher terrains. A typical example would be the case of a 200-hour rated mower that is being used on a large lawn that takes several hours to cut. Continual use of the mower for this purpose will undoubtedly shorten its service life.
4. Manufacturer deficiencies: The maneuverability, construction, and durability of a lawn mower will be critical to its longevity. Lawn mowers that lack these essential components will definitely break down quickly. When acquiring a riding mower, you would have to look out for well-constructed blades and reels, good and well-braced bearing, etc.
5. Mechanical Faults: This would include bad spark plugs, clogged air filters, dull loose, or bent riding lawn mower blades. With these faults in place, a quick break down is imminent.

Maintaining a Riding Lawn Mower

Having looked at the variables that can shorten your riding lawn mower’s life expectancy, it’s also imperative to explore countermeasures that could help the equipment to last longer.

One question to ask at this point is, “What maintenance practices will ensure that your riding lawn mower lasts longer?”

Here are some crucial things you must do:

• Change engine oil every 50 riding hours, as stated by Tractor Supply.
• Ensure that blades are properly sharpened such that they actually cut down grass rather than beating it. If you’re trying to create mulch with a mower, it needs to be sliced evenly rather than bruised and bent.
• Check bearings and drive belts to confirm that they are in the appropriate condition.
• Before mowing operations, ensure that the lawn to be cut is free of sticks, rocks, and other damage-causing debris.
• To prevent deck corrosion, ensure that you evacuate accumulated grass and debris beneath the deck. You could also engage spray lubricants to prevent the further build-up of dried grass. Learn more about lawn mower decks in my article here.
• Clean spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters, and change them when necessary.
• Tighten all loose parts and apply lubrication on the mower where needed.
• Ensure that you always use the right size of riding lawn mower for your desired application.

With the above-listed steps, you are almost guaranteed to get a longer life span from your riding lawn mower.

Different Engine Types

Let’s have a look at the different types of lawn mower engines.

Single-cylinder engines are widely referred to as thumpers based on the sound produced when their piston moves along the vertical direction to and fro. They are known to have linear power delivery such that there is almost never any sudden surge in the engine’s power band, ensuring the mower always operates smoothly. This characteristic is similar in twin-cylinder engines, despite the difference in crank rotations produced.

Another difference between both engine types is that unlike the continuous vibrations produced by the single-cylinder engines, the twin-cylinder engine is designed such that two pistons cancel out each other’s vibrations.

This action produces a higher revolution. Generally, single-cylinder engines are also known to produce high torque and less horsepower, while their twin-cylinder counterparts produce low torque and high horsepower.

However, the single-cylinder engines are known to be cheaper to maintain since they have fewer parts, consume less fuel, and give better handling with lighter weights, unlike the twin model.

It is also worth noting that the single-cylinder type stays cooler than the twin model, resulting in less overheating issues. Nevertheless, if you have a landmass with thick grass, a mower with twin-cylinder engine ensures you have a smooth ride through cutting it,

How Long Can You Drive a Riding Mower?

The life expectancy of a riding mower usually depends on the type of engine: single or twin cylinder. Typically, a single-cylinder mower that has clocked up to 750 miles is regarded as a high-miler, with its twin equivalent expected to do at least double that.

As the engine oil requires changing at least once every 50 hours of operation, it’ll be wise not to operate the machine more than 2-3 hours at a stretch more than once a week, ensuring the machine does not overheat and burn out too soon.

Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Motor Oil is an excellent choice. Note: Before choosing any type of oil for your riding mower, consult the manufacture’s recommendation.

The fuel efficiency of riding mowers usually varies based mainly on the type of engine and the load it carries. On average, with light to medium loads, riding mowers consume between 0.4-0.6 gallons of gasoline per hour, while heavy loads consume about 1 gallon per hour.

Thus, an average engine with a 4-gallon tank can last between 4-5 hours, ensuring you get your lawn well-trimmed at minimum fuel costs. It is essential to ensure fuel optimization by regularly changing out spark plugs alongside air and oil filters.

Wrapping It Up

Riding lawn mowers are convenient, easy to use, and perfect for saving your time and energy. They’re designed to last for plenty of years, which is a breath of fresh air compared to low-quality manual motors.

Throughout recent years, advancements have made it possible to ride your lawn mower for over 5 years before needing a new one. Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of your riding mower for up to a decade.

Remember that cleaning your lawn mower, replacing its parts, and listening to strange mechanical sounds can be the simplest methods of getting the most out of it. Good luck!