What is the best ride on lawn mower


The 6 Best Riding Lawn Mowers of 2022

Our top pick is the RYOBI 48V Brushless 38 in. Electric Riding Lawn Mower

By

Camryn Rabideau

Camryn Rabideau

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer specializing in decorating and design. She covers home products for The Spruce.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/15/22

Reviewed by

Barbara Gillette

Reviewed by Barbara Gillette

Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Fact checked by

Richard Scherr

Fact checked by Richard Scherr

Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. The Baltimore native also covered the technology scene for LocalBusiness.com and has been a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

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The Spruce / Camryn-Rabideau

A riding lawn mower is ideal for anyone with a large yard, requiring less time and energy to operate than a traditional push mower. Over the last four years, we've spent hours researching and testing riding mowers from the top brands, evaluating maneuverability, safety features, noise level, and overall value. 

Our favorite is the RYOBI 48V Brushless 38 in. Electric Riding Lawn Mower, a stand-out for its quiet operation, easy maintenance, and performance, especially on rough terrain. 

Here are the best riding lawn mowers.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

RYOBI 100 AH 38" Electric Riding Mower at Amazon

Best Gas:

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 42 in. Gas Riding Lawn Tractor at Home Depot

Best Zero Turn:

Toro 42 in. TimeCutter Gas Zero-Turn Riding Mower at Home Depot

Best Lawn Tractor:

John Deere 42 in. Gas Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor at Home Depot

Best Small:

Cub Cadet 30 in. Electric Riding Lawn Tractor at Home Depot

Best for Hills:

Troy-Bilt Bronco 42 in. Gas Riding Lawn Mower at Amazon

In This Article

Courtesy of Home Depot

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

Who else recommends it? Bob Vila also picked the RYOBI Electric Riding Mower,

What do buyers say? 1,300+ Home Depot reviewers rated this 5 stars.

It may surprise some people, but our top pick is this battery-powered model from RYOBI. The zero-emissions model easily matches gas mowers in terms of power, cutting through thick grass with ease while demonstrating impressive maneuverability. Plus, it's fume-free and practically silent, generating only minimal noise. (Our tester put a similar model from RYOBI to work on her 10-acre farm and was blown away by the results.) 

The RYOBI electric mower has a 38-inch deck, and its 48-volt batteries can run for two and a half hours per charge, allowing you to cut up to two and a half acres in a single session. The two-blade deck has 12 different cutting heights, and the mower offers convenient features like cruise control, LED headlights, and USB charging. There are no belts, spark plugs, or filters, making it easier to maintain than a traditional riding mower. 

Our only complaints? The seat gets uncomfortable if you're mowing for long periods, and it doesn't have a mulch setting. Still, if you're in the market for a reliable ride-on mower and ready to switch to a battery-powered model, this is your best bet.

Price at time of publish: $3,199

Cutting Width: 38 inches | Power Type: Battery | Weight: 678 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres

Home Depot

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What We Like

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For a powerful—and versatile—gas mower, you can’t go wrong with the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT Lawn Tractor. It’s powered by a 541cc engine that offers 19.5 HP, and its 42-inch deck has a twin blade system that side-discharges grass clippings. The tractor and deck are made from heavy-duty materials, and Cub Cadet backs it with a three-year warranty with no hour limit.

This mower has a hydrostatic transmission that eliminates the need for shifting—just push the pedal and go—and there are 12 cutting height positions to choose from. It has a tight 16-inch turning radius as well as cruise control and LED headlights, and because it’s a lawn tractor, it can be outfitted with a variety of multi-season attachments.

Price at time of publish: $2,499

Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 570 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.5 to 2 acres

Courtesy of Home Depot

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

The Toro 42-Inch TimeCutter Gas Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower is ideal for anyone who has a large yard with many obstacles. Its zero-turn design gives you the ability to turn on a dime, and it’s powered by a 22.5 HP engine that can handle virtually any condition. Plus, the 42-inch steel deck allows you to cut wider paths, and the brand claims this model can help reduce your mowing time by up to 50 percent. 

This lawn mower offers speeds up to 7 miles per hour in mow mode and 5.5 miles per hour in towing mode, and it’s decked out with features to keep you comfortable, including an under-seat storage compartment, built-in cupholder, and step-through front end. The zero-turn mower comes with white glove delivery, saving you from having to do any assembly, and the brand offers a three-year residential warranty with unlimited hours.

Price at time of publish: $3,599

Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 502 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres

The 10 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2022

Courtesy of Home Depot

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What We Don't Like

Lawn tractors like the John Deere S120 offer more flexibility for homeowners—in addition to mowing, this gas-powered machine can be used to spread grass seed, sweep your lawn, and even snow blow in the winter. It’s compatible with a wide range of multi-season accessories, and it’s also a solid riding mower with a 22 HP engine and 42-inch deck. 

This lawn tractor has a fully-welded steel frame and 13 different cutting heights. The seat can be adjusted to 10 different positions to keep you comfortable, and the tractor’s 30-second oil change system makes it easier to maintain. The mower has a new easy-read fuel gauge, and it even has cruise control for effortless mowing in large yards.

Price at time of publish: $2,599

Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 444 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.5 to 2 acres

Courtesy of Home Depot

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

For a riding mower that won’t take up too much space in your shed, this battery-powered model from Cub Cadet is small yet powerful. It has a 56-volt battery that offers up to 90 minutes of runtime, and it actually charges back up in around 4 hours—much faster than larger models. The mower has a 30-inch deck that can side-discharge or mulch grass clippings, and it also boasts a tight 18-inch turning radius that lets you navigate around obstacles with ease. 

This compact mower is designed to easily fit through gates, and the brand claims it only takes up the space of two garbage cans. It has a high-back seat for comfort as well as cruise control and two USB charging ports, and you can’t beat its low-maintenance design.

Price at time of publish: $3,199

Cutting Width: 30 inches | Power Type: Battery | Weight: 362 pounds | Cutting Options: Mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres

The 6 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers of 2022

Courtesy of Home Depot

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

You’ll be able to power up steep hills with ease on the Troy-Bilt Bronco 42-Inch Gas Riding Lawn Mower. It has an automatic transmission (just like a car!) that makes it easy to drive, and its 20-inch rear wheels offer superior traction for sloped terrain. The lawn tractor has a 42-inch deck with anti-scalp wheels to prevent turf damage, and the machine’s 19 HP 544cc engine will make quick work of overgrown grass. 

The Troy-Bilt Bronco has a step-through frame that offers more leg room, and it offers a mid-seat back and rubber footpads to keep you comfortable. The machine has a rear hitch to pull garden carts, sprayers, and spreaders, and there are also bagging and mulching accessories available separately. However, the one downside is that this mower only offers five cutting heights, with the lowest setting at 1.25 inches.

Price at time of publish: $2,099

Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 520 pounds | Cutting Options: Side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 to 2 acres

These Are the Best Lawn Mowers to Maintain Your Yard

Final Verdict

The RYOBI 48V Brushless 38 in. Electric Riding Lawn Mower is a top choice among riding lawn mowers thanks to its two-and-a-half-hour runtime, powerful performance, and ease of maintenance. If you prefer a gas mower, consider the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 42 in. 19.5 HP Gas Riding Lawn Tractor, which boasts a hydrostatic transmission and can be used with a variety of multi-season accessories.

Power Source

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to buy a gas- or electric-powered riding lawn mower. Gas mowers are generally more powerful, but they’re louder, less eco-friendly, and require more maintenance. Electric mowers, on the other hand, are typically less powerful with a shorter run time, but they’re quieter, easier to start, and better for the environment.

Deck Size

The deck size of a lawn mower dictates how wide a path it cuts—larger decks cut wider paths on each pass. A deck size of between 30 to 60 inches is recommended for most homeowners. Bigger decks are better for lawns with few obstacles and turns, while smaller decks will be helpful if you have to mow around trees or garden beds.  

Grass Clipping

Don’t forget to consider how the lawn mower handles grass clippings. Some machines simply spit clippings back out onto your lawn, while others have options to bag or mulch the cut grass. The best option for you simply depends on how you prefer to handle your clippings.

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor for The Spruce. As someone who grew up on a 70-acre farm and owns a 5-acre parcel herself, she’s no stranger to lawn mowers, and she’s written extensively on them. She’s also personally tested the RYOBI 38 in. 75 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower and used other riding lawn mowers from RYOBI and Husqvarna.

While selecting lawn mowers for this list, she looked at factors such as their deck size, power source, special features, comfort, and warranty period. She also spoke with Caroline Skelton, Go-To-Market Manager for Riding Lawn Equipment at John Deere, for insights on choosing and maintaining a riding lawn mower.

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. The best riding lawn mower for hills and uneven yards. Bob Vila. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-riding-lawn-mower-for-hills/

John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor Review

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

You can't go wrong with the John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor. It has everything you need and makes cutting your lawn a downright pleasurable experience.

Pros

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Editor's note: The John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor is now unavailable and has been replaced by the John Deere S180. We are currently working on reviewing this updated product.

The John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor is a durable mower that navigates difficult terrain. Designed with professionals and serious lawn-care devotees in mind, the E180 Lawn Tractor has several features that make it an attractive option for heavy-duty jobs, and also one of the best rider lawn mowers you can buy. For example, this lawn tractor boasts a front-mounted V-twin engine that delivers 26 hp to take on hilly and uneven terrain. 

The riding mower tops out at 5.5 mph for an easily controlled ride. The fuel gauge sits in easy view as you mow so that you always know how much gas you have left. If you're wondering what you need for your specific space, check out our guide to what to consider when buying a rider lawn mower . 

We've also broken down the difference between rear riding lawn mowers, lawn tractors, zero-turn riding lawn mowers, and more.

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John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor: Mowing experience

This lawn tractor features a cutting width of 54 inches – no other mower we reviewed has this wide of a cutting path. The impressive width subtracts the number of passes over your grass to finish mowing faster.

The blades adjust to 11 different positions between 1 inch and 4 inches high for a custom cut. This allows you to get the exact lawn height you want. And it’s easily adjustable, so if you have zones in your yard that you want to keep at different lengths, it only takes a few seconds to adjust so you can get on with mowing.

With a wide turning radius of 18 inches, this riding mower works best in large, unobstructed yards or open fields. Some mowers can turn as tight as 14 inches, while others such as the Cub Cadet employ zero-turn technology for navigating around trees and other obstacles.

The John Deere E180 has a comfortable riding experience.  (Image credit: Home Depot)

A pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission frees your hands from fiddling with a shifter knob while you steer. Cruise control allows you to set the speed you like and focus on what's in front of the riding mower instead of your speed.

The headlights on this riding lawnmower are bright and provide good visibility in low-light situations such as at dawn and dusk. However, you should never mow in completely dark situations. Even these powerful lights won’t make it safe enough to do that.

Like many riding lawn mowers, this model has a soft, ergonomic seat for strain-free riding. A cup holder lets you stay refreshed on long jobs. The deluxe padded 14-inch steering wheel keeps your hands feeling fine throughout the day.

John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor: Main features

The mower's deck uses strong 11-gauge steel for stability and endurance. A covered tray protects your tools until you need them to switch out accessories or perform routine maintenance on the riding mower. The mower's durability extends to the finish, which is coated with powder to protect the famous John Deere green and keep it looking new.

This riding lawn mower is equipped with a 2.4-gallon fuel tank – plenty of fuel to finish a lawn, but about a gallon smaller than the largest tank in our comparison.

The John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor has mulching capacities.  (Image credit: Home Depot)

On the right fender, you’ll find a small storage compartment. This is convenient for storing a drink and emptying out your pockets while you mow.

The power and versatility of this riding mower make it great for professional maintenance and landscaping jobs, and the tractor can haul a yard-striping accessory for sports fields and outdoor events. John Deere currently makes 16 tow-behind tools compatible with the E180 Lawn Tractor, so you can use it in virtually any mowing job.

The John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor comes with a two-year, or 120-hour ride time warranty to protect your investment. This is standard fare among the riding lawn mowers we reviewed. However, we did see some with three- or five-year warranties.

Should you buy the John Deere E180 Lawn Tractor?

A few small quibbles aside, this is the best riding mower you can buy. If you have an average-to-large yard, it’s hard to go wrong with anything made by John Deere, but this model in particular is an outstanding choice that no one will regret making.

If you want a more sustainable choice for your backyard, check out our guide to the best electric lawn mowers .

Today's best John Deere E180 deals

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Danny Chadwick is a former Top Ten Reviews Multimedia Editor with a wealth of experience in Video Editing and Production. He specializes in all things multimedia editing, and his written on subjects ranging from video and audio editors right through to photo scanning and lawn mowers. There are few subjects Danny won't write about.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT LAWN MOWER - which is better

Lawn mower is profitable. It significantly simplifies the care of the site: it mows evenly, does not tear the grass, and does not take strength in the hands. Working with her is a song.

That's just what you want to tighten, depends on the convenience and nuances of the device. We will tell you how to choose a lawn mower to serve for many years.

The principle of operation of the lawn mower

The concept of operation of electric and petrol models is the same. The motor is placed on a structure with wheels. He launches a knife, which, rotating around its axis at high speeds, cuts the grass.

Mowing flies to the side and mulches the ground, protecting it from drying out, fertilizing it. Or collected in the grass catcher. Periodically, it needs to be cleaned, and the grass stored to rot. Get a good organic fertilizer for the beds. Some devices additionally grind blades of grass to the smallest fractions. Also good. They are also composted.

Operate the lawn mower with a handle that can be adjusted in length for comfortable operation.

Brushcutters are double-sided (that is, the blade itself is located both in front and behind), and there is a small hole in the center. It is she who is “put on” on the ledge in the body of the machine.

To fit the blade into the mower:

  1. Stop and turn the mower.
  2. Clean the protective cover (hood).
  3. Remove it (because otherwise you can't reach the insides).
  4. Loosen the mounting bolt.
  5. Insert the knife on the adapter.
  6. Tighten the mounting bolt. This should be done as tightly as possible - during operation, it will unwind as much as necessary.
  7. Put the cover back on.

On lawn mowers, the cutting height can be adjusted with just a few clicks. They automatically raise the body or the blades by a few millimeters: this results in different cutting heights.

According to the type of mowing, lawn mowers are divided into 3 types.

1. Rotary - the most popular
A knife in the form of a disc is mounted on a rotating shaft. The faster it spins, the better the sharp edge cuts the stems. Thanks to its high speed, it can cut grass even with blunt blades: you just have to walk several times. They are sharpened with a file, grinder or sandpaper.
2. Cylindrical - cuts grass like the wind
The working surface is in the form of a cylinder, which is surrounded by horizontal knives. When rotating, they can even cut twigs, not like grass. The mower has a wide grip, but the blades become dull quickly. Will have to sharpen regularly. The mowing force is such that it can cut off anthills and even aerate the soil (drain the top).
3. Segmented mower
2 lines of segmented blades work like the headers of a combine harvester. Cut neatly, so the grass is quickly restored. The device is designed for harvesting hay. Grass catcher is not included.

Likbez: How to choose a walk-behind tractor for your land?

Electric lawnmower

Working radius limited by cord length (2-5 meters). You have to use an extension cord to increase the front of activity.

The undoubted advantages of an electric mower include five factors.

  1. Environmentally friendly - no gas emissions or oil stains on clothes.
  2. Efficiency - electrics are cheaper than gasoline.
  3. Quiet operation - half as quiet as the petrol model: 50 dB (talk level) vs. 90-100 dB (sounds like a subway ride or thunder).
  4. Compact - lightweight (up to 10-15 kg) and takes up little storage space.
  5. Easy to care for - it is enough to clean the grass collection compartment in a timely manner.

Disadvantages:

Read: How to choose a cultivator - country assistant

Mechanical lawnmower

Based on a base unit with wheels, inside which are blades for cutting grass. The knives are launched into work due to the rotation of the wheels when the mower is moving. For ease of movement, a handle is fixed at the top, which can be adjusted to the desired height.

The operation of cutting knives is similar to scissors: a fixed blade is constantly in one position, while several moving ones move along a given path.

Devices are characterized by ultra-light weight (up to 10 kg) due to the fact that there is no battery, motor and other parts responsible for supplying energy to the knives. But the speed of work leaves much to be desired. An area that other mowers mow in 10 minutes, mechanical models will process in half an hour.

Advantages of mechanical devices.

  1. Complete autonomy and environmental friendliness - no dependence on electrics and gasoline.
  2. Budget - no need to pay for energy, just push the device.
  3. Quiet operation - sounds like cutting fruit or paper. No buzz.

There are also enough minuses.

  1. Low performance, calculated on human strength.
  2. This mower does not handle tall grass.
  3. The load on the operator, you have to push the colossus.

Petrol

The mower-rider looks like a small machine, at the bottom of the base there are blades for working with grass. Its principle of operation does not differ from electric ones. The only thing is that you will have to monitor the gas tank, regularly fill in fuel, and carry out technical inspections.

Self-propelled mowers are also common among petrol lawn mowers: they do not need to be pushed forward. They will go by themselves, and the operator only needs to turn and stop in time.

Depending on the location of the engine, gas mowers are divided into two modifications:

are highly manoeuvrable, ideal for flat surfaces;

are less manoeuvrable, but work easily in hilly areas.

The pros and cons of a petrol lawn mower are summarized in the table:

Household petrol mowers have an engine ranging in size from 2 to 6 liters. Often, such units are used to work with a plot of up to 10 acres. The resource of the engine is calculated within 700-1000 hours. After he “accumulates” this time, the mower must be brought in for inspection and the worn parts must be replaced.

Semi-professional models are equipped with an engine from 5 to 8 liters and will drive 1300-1500 hours without repair. This option is considered by those who do not have enough conventional mowers, but do not yet have enough funds for a professional device.

Pro lawn mowers with 7+ liter engine. Rated for 3000+ hours of service. Such models are used by private cleaning services, public utilities or owners of large plots.

Rider is a mix of mini-car, lawn mower and even snow blower. It is enough to start the motor, turn on the mower function and the device is ready to work. In many models, there is a mount on the back where you can attach a plow, seeder, snow attachment or a small trailer.

To the topic: How to choose a motor cultivator

Robot mower

The robot looks like a regular mower, only without a handle. It is not needed, the device is controlled via the remote control or through tracking sensors.

This device is powered by a battery. And it charges at the docking station, like a robot vacuum cleaner. Such devices are able to go around obstacles in the event of a collision with asphalt or stone. But they do not have a grass catcher. Mowed vegetation will remain on the lawn.

The robot is effective on flat areas with uniform terrain. It is better not to use it on hilly terrain. It can roll over, intercept, or not mow some area. Sometimes such models confuse grass and flowers, cutting off the latter.

The cost of robots starts from UAH 25,000.

An interesting article: How to choose a cultivator

Cordless

Differs in maneuverability and independence from sockets. The only thing to do with a cordless mower is to put it on charge in time and replace the battery every several thousand hours (often an approximate figure is written in the instructions. With careful work, it can even be a little more than stated).

Informative article: How to choose a minisink?

Corded

The simplest and most affordable manual lawn mower. It only takes three steps to get started.

  1. Check that the required knives/line are available. If there are none, insert the appropriate ones (often the instructions say what parts the device works with).
  2. Switch on the lawn mower.
  3. Start work.

In machines like Bosch Rotak 32, you don't have to worry about regular spark plug changes or battery capacity. But here the user will be "connected" by wires. If the built-in cable is not enough to some point, you will have to use extension cords.

What to look for when choosing a lawn mower

When you decide on the type of mower, you need to think about seven criteria that affect the functionality and practicality of the unit. To understand which lawn mower is better in a particular case, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the characteristics that are described in the table below:

To choose the right lawn mower, you need to soberly assess the amount of work - this is a fundamental criterion.

  1. Electric models are suitable for small areas.
  2. For mowing per hectare (especially if the plot is neglected), it is advisable to choose petrol-powered devices.
  3. If the lawn is without design frills, a self-propelled device or a robot is suitable.
  4. For owners of huge areas (stadiums, golf courses, utilities), riders are perfect. With such devices, you can immediately engage in both cleaning and sowing the territory.

Useful article: How to choose a chainsaw: types and applications

Which gasoline is best for a small engine or lawn mower?

Looking for the best gas or fuel for your external power equipment? Briggs & Stratton experts share tips for choosing the right type of fuel and storing your small engine for maximum efficiency.

Which gasoline is best for a small engine or lawnmower?
Tips for safe fuel storage

WARNING ! Fuel and its vapors are highly flammable and explosive. Always handle fuel with extreme care. Find all engine warnings

What is the best gasoline for a small engine or lawn mower?

Fuel for your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment must meet the following requirements:

Note . WATCH BEFORE YOU DOWNLOAD! Do not use an unapproved fuel (such as E85 ethyl gasoline) or modify your Briggs & Stratton engine to run on alternative fuels. These actions may damage small engines and void Briggs & Stratton's warranty.

Not all fuels are the same. If you are having trouble starting or running your mower or equipment, try using a different supplier or brand of fuel.

High Mountain Fuel Recommendations

When operating above 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) above sea level, gasoline with an octane rating of at least 85 / 85 AKI (89 RON) is acceptable. In order to comply with air emission requirements, the equipment must be adjusted for high altitude operation. Operation without this adjustment will result in poor performance, increased fuel consumption and increased emissions.

It is not recommended to operate a high altitude engine below 2500 feet (762 meters).

Small Engine Oil & Fuel Blending

Do not know what type of engine you have? See your Briggs & Stratton engine manual or contact your local service dealer.

Small Engine Fuel Storage Tips

Gasoline stagnates if you store your mower or power equipment for more than 30 days. Fuel stagnation causes engine damage due to the formation of acidic and tarry deposits in the fuel system or carburetor. Damage to the carburetor or engine due to poor fuel will void the engine warranty. Keep your lawnmower gasoline fresh with Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer, specially designed for small engines.

When handling fuel, you don't have to pump expensive gasoline out of a small engine to store equipment safely. For proper storage, simply follow these steps:

If no stabilizer has been added to the fuel, drain the fuel into a suitable container.


Learn more