A tractor mower, often referred to as a lawn tractor or garden tractor, is an essential piece of equipment for maintaining large lawns, gardens, and agricultural areas. These powerful machines combine the versatility of a tractor with the functionality of a lawnmower, making them a go-to solution for both residential and commercial landscaping tasks. Whether you’re a homeowner with a vast yard or a professional landscaper, understanding the key aspects of a tractor mowing equipment is crucial for efficient and safe operation.

We are Keith’s Tractor Mowing, serving the Greater Fort Worth area with outstanding and professional acreage mowing. Call us today for a free quote for your lot mowing.

1. What is a Tractor Mower?

A tractor mower is a riding mower designed for cutting grass and maintaining large, open spaces. Unlike traditional push mowers, tractor mowers are powered by an engine that allows the operator to sit comfortably while driving the mower. The mower deck is mounted beneath the front of the tractor, and a spinning blade within the deck is responsible for cutting the grass. Tractor mowers are typically equipped with larger engines and can handle heavier workloads compared to regular lawnmowers, making them ideal for yards that span several acres.

2. Key Features and Components

Engine Power
The power of a tractor mower is one of its most important features. Tractor mowers are equipped with engines ranging from 10 to 25 horsepower or more, depending on the size and complexity of the machine. Higher engine power allows the mower to handle tougher terrain, larger areas, and additional attachments with ease. The engine’s power also determines the cutting speed and how effectively the mower can handle thicker or longer grass.

Transmission
Tractor mowers come with two types of transmission: manual and automatic. Automatic transmissions are more common and make driving the tractor mower easier by allowing the operator to focus on steering and cutting without needing to shift gears manually. Some high-end models offer hydrostatic transmissions, which provide smooth and easy control over speed and direction, especially on varying terrains.

Mower Deck
The mower deck is the part of the tractor grass cutter that houses the blades responsible for cutting the grass. Tractor mowers often feature wide decks ranging from 30 inches to over 60 inches, depending on the model. A wider deck allows for quicker mowing, reducing the amount of time spent cutting large lawns. Most mower decks are adjustable, allowing the operator to raise or lower the deck height based on the desired grass length.

Cutting System
Tractor mowers typically use a rotary cutting system, where the blades rotate horizontally beneath the deck, creating a scissor-like effect to cut the grass. Some models also come with features like mulching capabilities, which allow the mower to chop the grass into small pieces and distribute it back into the lawn as natural fertilizer. Other tractor mowers may feature bagging systems, where the grass is collected into a rear or side bag for easy disposal.

3. Attachments and Versatility

One of the most significant advantages of tractor mowers is their versatility. Many models offer the option to attach additional tools or implements, transforming the mower into a multifunctional piece of equipment. Common attachments include:

• Snow Blades and Plows: Ideal for clearing snow during winter months, making the mower usable year-round.
• Tiller: Perfect for garden work, allowing you to till soil for planting.
• Cart or Trailer: Useful for hauling tools, materials, or leaves.
• Aerator and Fertilizer Spreaders: Enhance lawn health by improving soil aeration and evenly spreading nutrients.

These attachments make the tractor mower a valuable asset not only for mowing but for year-round landscaping, gardening, and light-duty farming tasks.

4. Choosing the Right Tractor

When selecting a tractor mower, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure that the machine fits your needs:

• Yard Size: For smaller yards (under an acre), a smaller tractor mower may be sufficient. For larger properties, look for a model with a more powerful engine and a larger deck.
• Terrain: If your yard has a lot of hills or uneven ground, it’s important to choose a tractor mower with good traction and stability.
• Budget: Tractor mowers can range in price, with basic models starting around $1,000 and high-end models reaching $4,000 or more. Consider your budget and the features you need.
• Comfort Features: Since tractor mowers are typically used for long periods, comfort features such as adjustable seats, easy-to-use controls, and ergonomic design can make a big difference.

5. Safety Considerations

Like all machinery, tractor mowers can be dangerous if not used correctly. Some safety tips include:

• Always read the owner’s manual and familiarize yourself with the mower’s controls.
• Never mow on steep inclines or rough terrain without proper training.
• Wear appropriate safety gear, such as closed-toed shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
• Keep hands and feet away from moving parts, especially the mower blades.

Conclusion

A tractor mower is a robust and versatile tool for managing large lawns and gardens. Whether you’re maintaining your own property or working on landscaping projects, understanding the components, features, and safety aspects of a tractor mower is essential for effective and safe operation. By selecting the right model and using it responsibly, you can ensure that your tractor mower serves you well for many years to come.

A final word about Keith’s Tractor Mowing

Keith’s Tractor Mowing is locally owned and operated, the leader in all mowing jobs one acre or larger including pipeline mowing, ranch mowing, cemetery mowing, etc. Call us!

Purchasing a tractor mower can be a major investment.  It would only be natural if you were a bit nervous beforehand.  Our goal, in this article, is to help you relax a bit by spelling out the basics of tractor mowers; call it a Primer on tractor mowers, if you will.

We are Keith’s Tractor Mowing, serving the Greater Fort Worth area with affordable acreage mowing. We’ve been steering our tractor mowers across the landscape of Tarrant County for quite some time now, so settle in, get comfortable, and let’s talk tractor mowers.

Tractor mower by brand.

Everyone knows the John Deere tractor brand name, but most do not realize there are actually dozens of tractor manufacturers to choose from, leaving you more confused than ever. Just a sampling of the brands available are Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Kubota, Case IH, Mahindra & Mahindra, Fendt, Claas, the aforementioned John Deere, Bobcat, and that’s just scratching the surface.

Perhaps now would be a good time to discuss exactly what you plan on doing with the tractor mower. How large an area will you be mowing?  Do you really need a tractor mower, or can you get by with a residential riding mower? These questions will greatly affect price, which is the next category awaiting our discussion.

Tractors by price.

You can spend $4000 on a riding mower, or you can spend $40,000 or more for a tractor mower. The choice is yours. What we can tell you is that price does not necessarily reflect the quality of the machine. We have used top of the line mowers, and we have used those priced in the middle of the pack, and oftentimes price does not indicate the quality of the product. What we do believe is important are the criteria we list in the next section.

Important criteria to consider.

What is the quality of the steel in the blades of the mower? How heavy are the blades? What revolutions can you expect?  How many attachments are available for the tractor mower? How wide is the cutting swath? How reliable is the dealer you are buying from? Will they stand behind their product?

And then we have questions for you, the buyer, to consider.  What will the mower be used for? Is it worth the heavy investment? A tractor mower of the type we use can mow fifteen acres in an hour, but do you need that capability? If all you are mowing is a quarter acre, and you only plan on mowing once per month, would it be better to simply rent a tractor mower rather than purchase one?

We understand we have not given you definitive answers, but that is because there is no “one size fits all” with tractor mowers.  You need to spend a good amount of time considering what we have told you, and then make the best buying decision for you.

A final word about Keith’s Tractor Mowing.

Keith’s Tractor Mowing is locally owned and operated.  What do you need done? Ranch mowing? HOA services? Cemetery mowing? Pipeline mowing? Farm mowing? Whatever you need, if it is over one acre in size, and within seventy-five miles of Fort Worth, we can handle it. Call us for a free quote.

Choosing a tractor mower means considering a major expense.  Let’s face it, tractor mowers are not cheap.  As such, it is important to understand the options you have; armed with pertinent information, you can then make the best decision for your particular situation.

We are Keith’s Tractor Mowing, serving the Greater Fort Worth area with outstanding, and affordable, acreage mowing.  When the job is too large for you to safely handle, but you need it done professionally, Keith’s Tractor Mowing is the name to remember.  Call us today for a free price quote for tractor mowing services anywhere within a seventy-five mile radius of Fort Worth.

Tractor mower options.

The term “tractor mower” is a bit misleading.  Most people, when they think of tractor mowers, they think of an actual tractor, one of those large farm implements we see while driving down the highway.  Actually, in the retail world, riding lawnmowers are considered tractor mowers, and that means a great range of options for you to consider.

Riding lawnmowers are fine for what we consider to be small acreage situations, generally one or two acres.  Any area larger than that and time must be considered.  At the other end of the spectrum we have the quintessential tractor mowers, the type found on farms, the large John Deere’s, which are capable of mowing fifteen acres in an hour.

As a rule of thumb, the larger the tractor mower, the more powerful the engine is and the sharper and heavier the blades are.

Tractor mowing machine costs.

You can find riding lawnmowers which cost a couple thousand dollars at Home Depot.  You can find tractor mowers for the big jobs which cost $100,000 or more.  We do not mention any of that to discourage you, but we do think it’s important that you weigh need vs cost when making this decision.

What are your specific needs?

What do you need done, specifically? If you are mowing a golf course, or a minor league baseball field, you will want good equipment, and thus you need to plan on a major cost.  If you are simply mowing an acre behind your home, simply to keep it “looking good,” a riding mower is most likely all you will need.

We cannot answer that question for you, but we can offer this observation and warning: the larger the piece of equipment, the more power it generates, and the more power it generates, the more the danger factor increases.  We are big on safety at Keith’s Tractor Mowing.  We have known, personally, people who have attempted to operate big equipment without training and without safety precautions being taken, and it did not end up well for them.  And we do not want injury happening to you.  If you have a big mowing job of multiple acres, and either you don’t have the money for a large tractor mower, or you do not feel safe operating one, please consider finding a qualified professional to do the job for you.  Yes, it will cost you money to hire the job out, but it won’t cost you as much as a trip to the hospital emergency room.

A final word about Keith’s Tractor Mowing.

Keith’s Tractor Mowing is locally owned and operated, a trusted name in Fort Worth for any mowing job over one acre in size, from ranch mowing to church mowing to HOA mowing to pipeline mowing, the bigger the job the more we shine.  Call us today and we’ll run out to your place and give you a fair quote.