Riding lawnmowers are available in different kinds of dimensions — just as many as there are lawn maintenance tasks you would want to accomplish. One huge mower component is the cutting deck, which can come in different widths. So, the big question you could ask is: what is the average width of a riding lawn mower?
The average width of a riding lawn mower is 30-60 inches or 76-152 centimeters. The width varies from one specific make and model to another. You can find wider cutting decks exceeding 60 inches (152.4 centimeters) in commercial riding mowers.
In this article, you’ll know the 12 different types of riding lawnmowers with their dimensions. Stay tuned.
12 Types of Riding Lawn Mowers With Their Width and Height Dimensions
1. Lawn Tractor
A lawn tractor is an excellent solution for mowing medium to large lawns. It’s a ride-on type of mower with engine size ranging from 18-25 horsepower. The mower deck width for this mower type is between 42-54 inches.
This deck can work on large lawn fields up to 4 acres. Lawn tractors are versatile and, therefore, very popular. Besides mowing, the front-mounted engines can also carry out light grading and tilling.
You can attach various accessories to maximize the function of these tractors. Some of the attachments you can use on this mower include;
- Baggers: These are attachments necessary for collecting grass clippings
- Snow blowers: Used mainly during winter to clean snow clinging to the equipment.
- Tillers: Used to cultivate soil in your garden
- Mulching kits: These are essential if you want to mulch your lawn at the time of mowing.
- Carts and trailers: For light transportation of materials and implements around your compound.
With their larger engines, cutting tougher long grasses is a cinch. Ergonomically, lawn tractors are comfortable to handle, while their sturdy build ensures durability for regular, extended use.
Find Out: How Much Torque Does a Lawn Mower Have?
2. Zero-Turn Mower
Just like lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers are ride-on lawnmowers. Design-wise, these mowers boast a unique build that creates a zero-degree turning radius for increased maneuverability.
The 360-degree feature means you can effortlessly pivot and make sharp turns in tight spots. On top of that, the zero-turn mowers offer agility and speed.
Hence, it is the best option for professionals and homeowners who want to mow large, irregularly landscaped areas more efficiently with speed and precision. Few lawn mower types can give you a clean landscape on such tricky lawns.
The cutting deck offers a width range of 32-60 inches. This mower deck can work in medium to large lawn areas quickly. Additionally, this type of mower has a robust engine with an estimated horsepower range of 12-25 HP.
Controlling the machine is much easier with two lap bars or hand controls. You simply push one bar forward and the other backward to get the correct speed and direction. These controls also enable operators to make precise turns over tight obstacles.
So, if you want to maintain large lawns in open spaces more efficiently, this mower will work magic.
3. Rear Engine Riding Mower
Rear-engine riding mowers come as small and more compact than lawn tractors. They are a step above the ordinary walk-behind mowers as far as power and cutting efficiency can go. Nevertheless, they are compact and lightweight but equal to the task, just like the types discussed earlier.
That said, their deck sizes range from 30-33 inches in width. This deck size means the mowers can handle smaller lawns, usually less than 2.5 acres.
Regarding power ratings, you have a 10-15 horsepower—showing that they use mid-sized engines that still supply sufficient power for mowing moderate lawns. The engine of this riding mower sits at the back of the machine, under the operator’s seat.
You’ll marvel at the control and steering simplicity. To control or guide this mower, there are handlebars or a steering wheel that you can use, even if you have zero riding experience.
For the best usage of this mower, homeowners should consider;
- Lawns too large for the common walk-behind mower
- Lawns less than 3 acres to justify using larger, more expensive riding mowers.
In other words, you’re good to go with small to medium-sized lawns, especially when you’re looking to upgrade from a push mower.
4. Stand-On Lawn Mower
The stand-on lawn mower is another type with top speed and high efficiency. With many stand-on mowers incorporating a zero-degree turn function in their mechanism, they have become popular for being highly maneuverable.
The deck width for this mower can vary significantly for purposes of different applications and user preferences. For example, the deck can vary between;
- 36-48 inches for relatively smaller residential lawns and tight spaces
- 52-60 inches for medium-sized mowing tasks such as commercial properties
- 61-72 inches and more for extensive commercial applications like golf courses, sports fields, and large estates.
Generally, the operation of this mower involves someone standing on a dedicated platform at the back of the mower. The surface is usually stable thanks to the non-slip material that enhances safety and sturdiness.
To control the machine, you use a set of buttons, levers, and pedals installed on it. These controls do everything from starting to stopping the engine to controlling the speed and engaging the cutting blades, etcetera.
Mostly, stand-on mowers have different power ratings thanks to the varying engine types. For instance;
- Gasoline engines: Stand-on mowers with gas engines have power ratings of 15-35 HP.
- Diesel engines: These engines are usually fitted in commercial stand-on mowers. They have power ratings upwards of 20 HP.
- Electric motors: Their power ratings are usually measured in kilowatts or watts and vary due to electric system voltage.
The stand-on mowers are compact and highly maneuverable.
5. Push Mower
As the name goes, push mowers need a manual push across the lawn. So, you are responsible for the wheel action. As you push the mower forward, the motor turns the blades, cutting the grass.
Push mowers are the smallest and the most popular in the market. On average, the push mower deck size measures 16-25 inches wide. This is sufficient for small lawns and tight spaces in compact yards.
Additionally, push mowers are lightweight and straightforward to use. Storing these machines is easy as they don’t take up plenty of your space.
Moreover, the push mowers provide an output of around 3-8HP for the lower-powered engines. Of course, this power rating is only needed for mowing, not additional tasks like mulching.
This mower type may be helpful for homeowners who need help exercising. However, if you have any health complications related to physical exertion, it’s not a great tool for you.
6. Cylinder Lawn Mower
Most domestic lawns would make use of a cylinder lawn mower. The other name for this lawn mower is reel mower. The mower is designed with a fixed bottom blade with 5-12 front blades that rotate and trap grass clippings against the fixed blade for cutting.
Generally, you get more landscaping precision when the mower has a higher number of rotating vertical blades. Regarding deck width, smaller, compact models give you 12 inches, while larger decks can range from 24 inches or more.
Cylinder mowers are an excellent option for cutting flat lawns and soft grass. Hence, this mower type will be helpful when you want to mow your lawn more regularly, like once or twice a week.
7. Rotary Lawn Mower
The rotary type is great for many landscapers looking for the most common walk-along lawnmowers. It’s equipped with one horizontal blade that spins on a vertical axis at high speed. Some rotary lawnmowers may have multiple blades, though.
Most rotary mowers offer deck widths in the range of 20-30 inches for smaller models suited for residential tasks. If you want to work on more extensive lawns, you need larger models with wider decks.
8. Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
As the name goes, the self-propelled mower moves itself without needing a push. The operator needs to guide the mower in the right direction.
Since the mower can maintain a constant speed, expect a clean cut across your lawn. Most self-propelled lawnmowers have a deck width of 20-24 inches. Of course, these are primarily for residential use.
9. Hover Lawn Mower
A hover lawn mower is a simple type that operates based on the following principles;
- Air cushion: When mowing, the mower slightly lifts off the ground thanks to the air cushion created by the rotary blade
- Floating design: The mower usually glides over the grass and can work on uneven ground relatively efficiently.
- Maneuverability: These mowers offer high maneuverability as they can pivot and change direction quickly.
Typically, hover mowers have deck widths around 9-19 inches.
10. Electric Powered Mower
Electric-powered mowers come in two configurations: corded and cordless or battery-powered mowers.
- Corded electric-powered mowers: These mowers need an outdoor electric outlet in which you plug their electrical cord.
While the length of the cord can be limiting, you don’t have to worry about running out of power.
- Cordless electric lawn mowers: Equipped with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, these mowers offer more mobility as no cord restricts their movement.
Electric-powered mowers have an average deck size of 30-42 inches. However, depending on factors like lawn size and the terrain, you can have the deck widths also available in 42-54 and more for larger lawns.
11. Gas-Powered Lawn Mower
Gas-powered lawnmowers have been around for many years. Primarily, these machines run on petrol and are highly reliable even on larger lawns with thick grass.
These mowers provide more power, and controlling them is pretty straightforward. While the standard deck size for gas-powered lawnmowers is between 20-30 inches, bigger decks over 30 inches are also available for riding lawnmowers in this category.
12. ATV-Style Lawn Mowers
The all-terrain vehicle (ATV) mowers are designed to look and function like the ATVs. They are made for large lawns and rugged terrains.
Built on a sturdy frame, the ATV mowers have four wheels for stability. Usually, they have powerful, robust engines with power ratings in the range of 20-30+ horsepower.
In addition, the cutting deck width typically ranges from 48-60 inches and above. This means it can cut long, thick grass over large areas.
How Wide Is a 42-Inch Riding Mower?
A 42-inch wide riding mower is 42 inches or 3.5 feet wide in the cutting deck. However, the 42-inch width does not consider the mower’s dimensions.
The overall width of the riding mower, including its wheels and other components, could be slightly wider. Cutting deck width is critical when choosing a riding mower since it determines the mowing path.
How Wide Is a 38-Inch Riding Mower?
A 39-inch wide riding mower has a deck width of 38 inches or 3.17 feet. As mentioned earlier, for the case of 42-inch mowers, the 38-inch width covers the cutting deck only.
The 38-inch mower could actually be 45-50 inches wide overall. That’s inclusive of any additional attachments or features the mower may have.
Even so, you should always be open-minded about the dimensions. Notably, different manufacturers and models may have slight deck size variations in their measurements. Therefore, it’s vital to check the specs provided by the manufacturer for the width information.
Husqvarna Ride-On Mower Dimensions
Here are the approximate measurements of select Husqvarna ride-on mower models.
| Model | Cutting Width (Inches) | Length (Inches) | Height (Inches) |
| Husqvarna TS 354XD | 54 | 75 | 45 |
| Husqvarna TS 242XD | 42 | 70 | 47.2 |
| Husqvarana YT42DXLS | 42 | 69.3 | 45 |
| Husqvarana TS 348D | 48 | 42 | 49 |
| Husqvarana TS 342 | 42 | 70 | 41.5 |
| Husqvarana GT48DXLS | 48 | 71.3 | 42.5 |
