Lawn Mower versus Compact Tractor: How to Choose

If you’ve got lots of lawn to mow, you might be wondering whether you should get a new riding mower or upgrade to a compact tractor. Both machines are very useful for the right circumstances, and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick comparison of the two vehicles and their fundamental differences, from your friends at Rivera’s Machinery, Inc. in Donna, Texas. We’ve got a great inventory of both, and we serve our neighbors in Harlingen, San Benito, and surrounding areas.

Riding Lawn Mowers for a Traditional Lawn 

When a property is smaller than about three acres and the grass in question can be described as a traditional lawn, a riding mower is an excellent choice. These machines are good for grass that gets cut regularly on a smooth landscape. They work on both flat and hilly terrain. Zero-turn mowers are an excellent type of riding mower for properties with more obstacles to maneuver around, and they are also more stable on slopes. 

Compact Tractors for Challenging Terrain

When your mowing terrain is not established, groomed lawns, you want a compact tractor. They are well suited to mowing uneven surfaces such as pastures, open fields, and other rough ground. 

Because they can mow both agricultural style and turf-style, they are more versatile. To mow a groomed lawn, attach a mid-mount mower deck implement. For agricultural mowing on open pasture, attach a rotary cutter to the back. 

Once you’ve got a compact tractor, a whole world of attachments opens up to you. In addition to the mowing devices, you can get a front loader or a blade to move gravel, dirt, manure or snow. You can put up fences with a post hole digger. You can break up soil with a rotary tiller, or spread amendments with a spreader. The list goes on! 

Comparing Your Options

Riding mowers can also operate some attachments, but the selection is smaller and the machines are less powerful. 

It’s also important to consider storage space. A compact tractor, or even a sub-compact tractor, will require a bigger parking spot than a riding mower. Every attachment you add also translates to more storage required. Whichever machine you choose, storing it indoors is highly recommended to ensure it lasts a long time and runs its best. 

Consider maintenance and repair costs and effort as well. As a more expensive and complex machine, a compact tractor requires more specialized mechanical attention. While both machines are made to last, a compact tractor is the more heavy-duty vehicle of the two.

Talk to the Experts

If you’re on the fence about the best decision for your property, come in and talk to the friendly and experienced staff at Rivera’s Machinery, Inc. in Donna, Texas, where we’ve been serving the farm and ranch communities of south Texas, northern Mexico, and beyond for over 42 years.