| ng a good manufacturer of a lawn tractor is like | | | | 1. DEERE & COMPANY |
| choosing a good car brand. There are several things | | | | One of the leading manufacturer of agricultural |
| to keep in mind when choosing a lawn tractor. Of | | | | equipment, commercial & consumer equipment, |
| course, when you buy this type of machinery, you do | | | | construction & forestry equipment in the United |
| not just buy something impulsively, even if it is not what | | | | States, it has been in the business for more than 170 |
| you really need. Knowing more about the specifications | | | | years. Established in 1837 from a one-man blacksmith |
| of the tractor and the reason behind purchasing one | | | | shop, it has grown into a corporation that employs |
| will help you in choosing the brand that will suit your | | | | approximately 52,000 people. The company is |
| needs. | | | | committed in providing quality products and services, |
| A nice and beautifully manicured lawn and garden is | | | | so that life will be easier and comfortable for most of |
| definitely a sight to see whether it is in a farm, a big | | | | the people around the world. The company only wants |
| estate, or a house in a simple community. Looking out | | | | the best for its consumers and strives to develop |
| your window seeing your lawn well taken cared of will | | | | products, where in, through research, it can provide the |
| help ease all the tension from your mind even if it is | | | | best of what technology has to offer. |
| just for a while. To accomplish this, there are things | | | | PRODUCTS AND SERVICES |
| you need to consider when purchasing a lawn tractor. | | | | • Manufactures a full line of equipments for |
| There are several things to keep in mind when | | | | usage in lawn and ground care such as riding mowers, |
| choosing a lawn tractor. Of course, when you buy this | | | | push mowers, and commercial walk-behind mowers. |
| type of machinery, you do not just buy something | | | | Plus, Zero Turn mowers are also available |
| impulsively, even if it is not what you really need. It is | | | | • Manufactures equipments that are used for |
| better to buy quality tractors as a long-term | | | | agriculture, construction, and forestry. |
| investment. In fact, there are several types of tractors | | | | • Manufactures engines and powertrain |
| you can choose from; this will depend on the type of | | | | components. |
| job you will be using it for: | | | | MANUFACTURING |
| • Lawn Tractors – with an engine power | | | | • Factories are located in Argentina, Brazil, |
| that ranges from 12 up to 18 horsepower, it is the most | | | | Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Mexico, |
| lightweight and cheapest of its kind. Specifically made | | | | New Zealand, The Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, |
| for mowing lawns. Thus, it may include a front blade or | | | | Spain, Sweden, and the United States. |
| a snow thrower. | | | | • Associated companies manufacture John |
| Cost: $2000 - $6000 | | | | Deere products in the United States and South |
| • Yard Tractors – with a horsepower | | | | America. |
| that ranges between 14 and 20, it is a cross between | | | | This means that if you are looking for a good lawn |
| a lawn tractor and a garden tractor. It has a front | | | | tractor, you do not need to look any further. John |
| blade, snow thrower, and sometimes a towing cart. It | | | | Deere Tractors will provide you with quality products, |
| has more gear choices as compared to your typical | | | | without sacrificing ease and comfort. At the same |
| lawn tractor. It even has larger and more heavy-duty | | | | time, they can assure you that your lawn will look its |
| transmissions. | | | | absolute best. With the help of their knowledgeable |
| Cost: $3500 | | | | dealers, you will be able to find the right machine at the |
| • Garden Tractors – equipped with more | | | | right price. |
| attachments, such as rototillers, garden tractors a have | | | | 2. THE TORO COMPANY |
| a greater ground clearance, larger tires, and a heavier | | | | This company was established in 1914 with the desire |
| frame as well as a front axle. Its engine power has a | | | | of helping its consumer care for their surroundings. |
| range of 14 up to 22 horsepower. | | | | With quality products and services that beautify the |
| Cost: $4500 + $600-$1000 for additional equipments | | | | environment, the Toro Company is a household name |
| Some manufacturers make tractors that may have a | | | | for those who know what excellence is all about. |
| mixture of the characteristics of the tractors | | | | Products and Services |
| mentioned above and are usually called mid range | | | | • Manufactures products such as mowers, |
| tractors. In purchasing a tractor, it is important to know | | | | compact utility loaders and vehicles, aerators, sprayers, |
| about the features of the product. Here are some | | | | trimmers, blowers. |
| pointers on important tractor parts: | | | | • Provides a state of the art irrigation system. |
| Engines | | | | • Guarantees high quality customer assistance. |
| Majority of people think that the higher the horsepower | | | | Purchasing your lawn tractor from Toro will definitely |
| the better the machinery. Do not be fooled because | | | | make you proud of what your lawn will look like. You |
| the efficiency of your tractor will also depend on its | | | | are ensured that what you bought will last long, is |
| other parts. A tractor with a lower horsepower can | | | | dependable, and worth every penny. |
| also do what a higher-powered machine can but only | | | | 3. MTD COSUMER PRODUCTS |
| slower. | | | | It was in 1958 when the company produced its first |
| Another thing to keep in mind about your engine is its | | | | lawn mower. However, it was founded in 1932 and |
| cooling system. Those with a liquid-cooled engine might | | | | started as a tool and die supplier but as time passed |
| cost more than your air-cooled engines. Nevertheless, | | | | with hard work and the devotion in achieving |
| the life of your liquid-cooled engine will last longer, | | | | excellence MTD became well known that helped the |
| making the cost worth it. | | | | company expand. In fact, MTD is now one of the |
| Mowing Decks | | | | leading manufacturers of outdoor equipments for both |
| A larger mowing deck does not necessarily mean that | | | | commercial and residential markets. With brands such |
| it will get the job finished faster. This is unless you plan | | | | as Cub Cadet Yanmar, GardenWay, and Troy-Bilt |
| to mow acres of land. A smaller blade may rotate | | | | under their wings, MTD products can be bought |
| faster than a larger one, making the mowing speed | | | | anywhere, from your independent dealers, farm stores, |
| and forwarding speed faster. | | | | to hardware stores. |
| Thus, discharges of clippings will depend on the tractor | | | | With Cub Cadet as one of its popular brands when it |
| deck. It can be on the rear, side or as a type of mulch. | | | | comes to lawn tractors, it is proud to produce a line of |
| Side discharges are not usually safe because it can | | | | equipment that will suit your every need in improving |
| fling rocks like a bullet, so rear discharge and mulching | | | | and beautifying your lawn. Cub Cadet also offers a |
| is preferred. | | | | five year warranty to its products making it very |
| Transmission | | | | attractive to its customers. |
| The most popular type of transmissions is the | | | | 4. SWISHER MOWER AND MACHINE COMPANY |
| “variable speed” and the “full | | | | With the sole committed to making products that will |
| hydro”. The hydrostatic transmission is the most | | | | beautify your garden and lawn, this family owned |
| expensive but the strongest. It actually makes the | | | | company was noted to be established in the year |
| tractor move faster and it even has a forward and | | | | 1945. Their desire in making the job done easier, faster, |
| reverse gear position. On the other hand, the variable | | | | and at the same time enjoying the chore, have |
| speed transmission requires shifting and has one | | | | produced a line of equipments that do just that. |
| reverse gear and several forwarding gears. | | | | Hence, the Swisher Company is considered amongst |
| Standard gear or straight line transmissions have | | | | the top ten manufacturers of agricultural and gardening |
| limited gear rations but are simple and strong. | | | | equipments. With more than 60 years in the business, |
| Frames, Axels, and Bodies | | | | the company continues its vision of creating the |
| One piece frames last longer than those that are | | | | groundbreaking lawn and garden mower while giving |
| assembled with bolts and screws because once these | | | | its customers value and purpose in its products. |
| screws get loose, everything else will follow. Always | | | | Thus, products of the Swisher Company has been |
| remember the frame is the foundation of your | | | | featured on national TV and published in the Country |
| machine. | | | | Journal, National Gardening, and Popular Mechanics |
| Turning Radius | | | | among others. |
| It is an advantage to have a small turning radius | | | | 5. KUBOTA MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA |
| because it will help in the process of maneuvering | | | | Although the company has its roots in Japan, the |
| around the lawn easier and faster. A smaller turning | | | | desire to have quality and high performance tractors |
| radius will not leave a big circle of uncut grass which | | | | with a smaller set up in the U.S., the Kubota Company |
| you need to go back to later on. | | | | introduced the Kubota 21 horsepower L200, which filled |
| Resale or Buying Used | | | | the product void in the US market. Hence, in the year |
| Quality tractors that are made by a national | | | | 1972, the Kubota Tractor Corporation was born. |
| manufacturer, once sold, even after using your tractor | | | | Today the company has expanded its product line |
| for 3 years, can still guaranteed you a half of the price | | | | with compact lawn and garden equipments, |
| value. This is unlike those bought from a mass dealer. | | | | construction equipments, pumps, and many more. In |
| Safety | | | | addition, last 1988, the Kubota Manufacturing of |
| Most lawn tractors have features that when you get | | | | America was formed. At current, it manufactures and |
| off the seat, the engine automatically shuts off. In | | | | assembles lawn tractors, loaders, sub-compact |
| addition, be sure to check that the engine and battery | | | | tractors, and many others. |
| is separated from the gas tank. | | | | Thus, with the company’s desire for continued |
| With all the products available in the market it is hard to | | | | excellence, in the year 1999, they also produced a line |
| find quality ones. Although most manufacturers have | | | | of compact gasoline and diesel engines for agricultural, |
| their products made outside of the US, only a handful | | | | industrial, and construction applications under the |
| still make their products in the States. With all of these | | | | Kubota Engine of America. Engines that are |
| pointers in mind, it is best to ask your manufacturer on | | | | liquid-cooled or have low vibration and produces |
| the best tractor suitable for you. Here are the top | | | | minimal noise are available, making the Kubota Lawn |
| manufacturers of lawn tractors based in the US: | | | | Tractors a good prospect for the task. |