How Many Hours On A Riding Lawn Mower Is A Lot 2022

Riding lawn mowers are built to last longer than traditional push mowers. A riding lawn mower can last longer than 10 years, which equates to around 500 to 1,000 hours. You can extend the longevity of your lawn mower by keeping it well-maintained and storing it appropriately.

Have you ever been concerned about the prices of lawn mowers, especially when you’re not sure whether it’s going to last you a long time? Lawn mowers are most definitely investments, but before you get shopping, it’s absolutely crucial that you understand a couple of important factors. This includes how long you can expect it to last and what factors may affect its longevity.

Keep reading to find out more about how many hours you can expect to get out of your lawn tractor and how to make sure you get the most out of your machine.

Average Life Expectancy Of A Riding Lawn Mower

There are so many different types of riding mowers out there and there are so many factors that influence a lawn mower’s longevity so it’s hard to determine an exact number of hours of use. However, most riding lawn mowers can typically last around 10 to 15 years. If it’s from a good quality brand and well-maintained regularly, you can expect it to last between 15 to 20 years. 

Most lawn tractor manufacturers claim that their machines will last about 10 years. It’s quite difficult to equate years to hours of use because, ultimately, the intensity of usage will determine how many hours it will last. For example, if you use your riding mower on a flat lawn without any obstacles to navigate, it’ll probably last you much longer than if you were to use it on a sloped, uneven lawn.

The good thing about getting a riding lawn mower from a popular manufacturer is that if a specific part gets faulty, you’ll be able to find replacement parts very easily. 

Buying a riding lawn mower is an investment that you’ll only have to make once every decade or so. But this roundabout life expectancy only applies to lawn mowers that are taken good care of, stored properly, and made by reputable manufacturers. If your riding lawn mower is used haphazardly, stored incorrectly, and made by a manufacturer that uses poor quality materials, you’ll probably need to replace it much sooner!

Bear in mind that every manufacturer will prescribe a different life expectancy for their riding lawn mower. Here’s a general guideline to follow if you’re interested in these popular brands:

John Deere: These riding lawn mowers can last between 10 to 15 years if cared for properly and maintained regularly. John Deere’s smaller single-cylinder mower lasts between 500 and 1,000 hours. John Deer’s large and power riding lawn mower, which has 2-cylinders, can last for as long as 1,500 to 2,000 hours. 

Husqvarna: Husqvarna lawn tractors are meant for smaller-sized yards and for normal use, which is once every couple of weeks as opposed to every second day, for example. Depending on how they’re used, a Husqvarna riding mower can last between 400 to 800 hours.

Briggs and Stratton: Most mowers with the Briggs and Stratton engine are small in size and aren’t really meant for use on large lawns or uneven terrain. According to the manufacturer, you can get at least 500 hours out of these riding mowers. I think that if you take good care of it and make sure it’s maintained regularly, you can even get up to 1,000 hours of out of it. 

Cub Cadet: Cub Cadet riding lawn mowers are similar to Husqvarna’s in that they’re also made for smaller yards. You can expect to get between 500 to 1,000 hours out of a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower. 

In the market for a new riding lawn mower? Check out this helpful article on when is the best time to purchase one!

How To The Max Lifespan Out Of Your Riding Lawn Mower 

There are several factors that can negatively influence how long your ride-on mower will last. Luckily, most of them are quick, cheap, and easy to take care of! Here are some of the most common methods to keep your own ride-on mower working like a well-oiled machine (literally!)

1. Clean the air filter. Make sure you check your riding mower’s air filter at least once every season. Air filters can get clogged with dust and tiny bits of debris, resulting in a far worse and more expensive problem. Cleaning and replacing the air filter is quick and inexpensive.

Not sure how to replace the air filter? Check out this helpful video by Sears PartsDirect on YouTube for easy-to-follow steps on how to go about it!

2. Change the oil regularly. Old and dirty oil will eventually break down and damage your engine. Changing the oil will help your lawn tractor operate with more power and efficiency. 

3. Sharpen the mower blades. Lawn mower blades should be sharpened every 30 to 40 hours of mowing to keep them in tip-top shape. Blunt blades will affect the overall health and aesthetic of your lawn because they essentially tear off the tips of the grass blades instead of slicing through. 

4. Check the spark plug. Spark plugs play an important role in the functioning of mowers. They ignite the fuel-and-air mixture inside the cylinder of the mower engine. A faulty spark plug can be quite risky because it can lead to damaged cylinders, a short-lived engine and unburned fuel so make sure you check them regularly and replace faulty ones when needed.

FAQs

How Many Hours Is High For A Riding Lawn Mower?

A high number of riding lawn mower hours could be between 500 and 750 for a single cylinder. A well-maintained mower can definitely last you much longer. Most regularly maintained, good-quality lawn mowers can last up to 1,000 hours.

Is 300 Hours A Lot For A Riding Mower?

300 hours is not a lot for a riding mower. Most riding mowers can function well for as long as 500 to 750 hours. If your riding lawn mower only lasts for 300 hours, it is either poor quality or hasn’t been maintained well since it’s been in use.

Is 800 Hours A Lot For A Mower?

800 hours is a lot for a mower with a single cylinder. Most single-cylinder mowers are usually prescribed by manufacturers to last between 500 to 750 hours. Many riding lawn mowers can be fully functional for up to 1,000 hours, though. 

Ready To Make The Most Out Of Your Ride-On Mower?

Now you know how many hours to expect from riding mowers and what you can do to make the most out of it! Remember that these prescribed hours are only guidelines to give you an idea of what to expect. 

At the end of the day, the longevity of riding mowers depends on how well they’re taken care of and whether they’re maintained regularly.

I hope this article has given you valuable insight into whether your money is going to be worth it! If you found this helpful, please leave us a comment below and share it with a friend.