Ride-on mowers come in a vast range of makes and models, offering a variety of different features and attachments, so you need to look beyond the price tag to ensure you get the one that’s right for you.

Jim Wreaks of Gatmans Agricentre.

Brought up on a Matakana sheep and beef farm, Gatmans Agricentre managing director, Jim Wreaks, is familiar with the demands of rural lifestyle and has a keen interest in machinery. A former sales manager for the Silverdale based company, he says it’s important to give retailers all the relevant information about how you plan to use your machine so they can give you the best advice.

Once you’ve identified the mower you think is right for you, they’ll often agree to demonstrate it on your property so you can be sure you made the right choice.

How much land you’ve got to mow, its contours and what obstacles you have to get around, are the key elements that will dictate the size and style of your mower, Jim says.

You have a choice between a standard lawn tractor style of ride-on or a zero-turn machine. The lawn tractor has a conventional steering wheel, the motor in front and a mid-mounted cutting deck below the seat.

Most zero turn mowers are designed for reasonably level ground where there are lots of trees and garden edges to mow around. The cutting deck is mounted in front and two levers control the steering. Zero turns are extremely manoeuvrable and (as the name implies) can turn within their own space, making them faster and more efficient than other ride-ons.  The Walker mower however is exceptionally good on sloping ground and has a very low centre of gravity making it very safe. Also, Cub Cadet have recently released a zero turn lawn tractor combining the features of both machines, having very good traction on hills.

The power and size of mower you require generally relates to the amount and type of land you have to cover. Machines range from a low 11hp with a 28-inch cutting deck up to 30+hp with a 72-inch cut and are priced accordingly. A key consideration is horsepower rating to the width of cut, he says.

Generally the wider the deck, the less time it takes to mow and the greater the durability of the machine. A small mower may do the job, but will wear out more quickly.

Drive systems vary from gearbox, auto-drive or hydrostatic drive. Hydrostatic drives are popular because you can control forward and reverse speeds with one foot pedal or levers. Manual transmissions are not as user friendly but offer a price advantage.

Mulching, catching or side throwing are options available. Ask for advice on what will suit your conditions.

Thanks to Gatmans Agricentre for their assistance in preparing this article.