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Consumer Guide To Environmentally Helpful Outdoor Power Equipment: Lawn & Garden Tractors

Lawn and garden tractors offer multiple combinations of convenience, versatility and comfort, especially for gardeners and property owners with large acreage and varied landscapes.

Today's new generation of lawn and garden tractors are equipped with front-mounted, low-emission four-cycle gasoline engines that meet -- and exceed -- federal and state emissions standards. Engine sizes range from 11hp to 26hp with the added benefits of greater fuel efficiency, increased horsepower, quicker throttle response and improved starting over older models.

Both lawn tractors and garden tractors are available with a variety of grass cutting decks from 30" to 60" wide including: side discharge, rear discharge and mulching decks. Side and rear discharge decks can also be fitted with side or rear discharge grass collection systems.

There are many different styles of lawn and garden tractors on the market today. Many are equipped with automatic or shift-on-the-go transmissions, all-wheel steering, headlights, tail lights and many other features and attachments that are best evaluated by visiting your nearest outdoor power equipment retailer for comparisons.

Bottom line ... today's new lawn and garden tractors are durable, attractive and now powered by clean-running engines that produce significantly less smog-forming emissions than 1990 models.

In colder climates where snow is a factor, lawn tractors and garden tractors can use a dozer blade or snow throwers attachment for easy snow removal. Snow cabs are also available for extra operator comfort in stormy conditions

Safety Reminder
 
REMEMBER: Before operating, make sure all children and pets are out of the work area. Never give anyone a ride on your tractor, especially young children. When backing up, carefully check behind your machine for people, especially young children, or objects before you shift into reverse.

Garden Tractors

Garden tractors are ideal for larger properties, 3 to 5 acres or more, or where there are a variety of grounds care needs besides mowing such as garden tilling, hauling, digging, moving soil or removing snow. These versatile, heavy-duty workhorses feature powerful low-emission engines ranging from 14hp to 26hp.

The main difference between a garden tractor and a lawn tractor is the garden tractor's ability to use either a front or rear power take-off (PTO) shaft to operate a variety of attachments. Garden tractors also use mowing decks that offer wider cutting capabilities compared to lawn tractors, with deck sizes ranging from 36" to 60" or more wide.

A garden tractor with a PTO will allow you to use implements like a plow, tiller, disc harrow, row cultivator, small backhoe, bull-dozer blade, front-end loader, snow thrower and other accessories to perform a variety of tasks.

Garden tractors may also be used with carts or wagons on large lots to haul supplies and materials.

Lawn Tractors

A lawn tractor is a good choice when the primary task is cutting and collecting, or mulching grass on 1 to 3 acres. Engine sizes vary from 11hp to 18hp. Options include rear and side discharge grass collection systems, lawn sweepers, dump carts, and dethatchers. In addition to side and rear discharge cutting decks, a mulching deck offers the opportunity to recycle fertilizing nutrients back into the yard.

Mulching saves considerable time and expense by making grass cutting easier without having to stop to empty bags. Plus, mulching actually reduces the amount of commercial fertilizer needed by as much as 25%.

Safety Features
 
Lawn and garden tractors are equipped with important safety devices to help prevent serious accidents. They usually include a key safety start interlock switch to prevent accidental start-up, in addition to an OPC (Operator Presence Control) that automatically stops the engine and powered attachments (rotating blades, tillers, etc.) when the operator leaves the seat.
 
Other safety features include controls that are specially shaped and color-coded so they can be identified by feel or quick glance and safety guards to protect against objects thrown out by the blade.
 
Lawn and garden tractors with power take-off (PTO) attachments for tilling or snow throwing have a PTO safety interlock switch. And, most models are equipped with parking brakes and headlights.
 
Owners should always refer to the operator's manual provided by the manufacturer to read about important safeguards and special safety instructions before operating a lawn or garden tractor.