Riding Lawn Mowers Can Do A Lot More Than Cut Your Grass

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Getting the most out of your riding lawn mower? If you're only using your investment to trim your lawn in the warmer months, then the answer is probably no. After all, they're not a cheap yard tool. On Amazon alone, prices start at around $4,000. It's time to stop leaving this pricey piece of labor-saving outdoor equipment sitting unused in your shed or garage for most of the year. Luckily, there are plenty of ways outside of lawn mowing to get the most value out of these powerful machines. You can use them to tow yard scraps, carry logs and firewood, aerate your grass, and plow snow. For most of these purposes, you'll need to buy specific attachments that hook to the back — or sometimes the front — of your riding mower. However, the money you'll save over time on professional yard care services could make these extra expenses worth it.

Before trying any of these tricks for using your riding lawn mower more creatively, consider the vehicle's towing capacity. Otherwise, you could damage the machine. Typically, the formula is half the unit weight plus half the operator weight — for example, a mower that weighs 270 pounds could tow up to 250 pounds. Another helpful calculation is the towing gross vehicle weight rating (towing GVWR), which is the total weight of your trailer plus its maximum load capacity. However, this varies across makes and models, so check the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm the (likely factory tested) limits. Look up the weight limit on the attachment while you're at it. Most riding lawn mowers have slope restrictions. You need to know how to mow your lawn on a steep hill the safe way with an attachment because maneuverability changes. Finally, make sure your vehicle has a hitch designed for towing, too.

Ready to make yard maintenance a whole lot easier — and potentially cheaper in the long run? Lawn scrap removal is a great place to start. Whether you've recently trimmed some trees or pulled out some aging, scraggly shrubs, you can attach a dump cart to your riding lawn mower and use it to haul away the debris. Alternatively, use it to transport firewood, animal feed, concrete blocks ... anything heavy, really. It's much easier than doing the work yourself with a wheelbarrow and reduces the strain on your body. The Agri-Fab Tow-Behind Poly-Dump Swivel Cart costs a bit over $300 and has a 700-pound capacity. You'll find other well-known brands, like John Deere, Craftsman, and Ohio Steel, at home improvement stores like Lowe's or Home Depot. If you can only invest in one attachment, make it a dump cart.

Can't decide between buying a zero-turn or riding lawn mower? What makes them different and which is best for you depends on the attachments each will allow. Whether or not you can attach a lawn sweeper may be the deciding factor. Ditch that rake and drive around quickly picking up leaves, grass clippings, and twigs. Other specialty turfgrass-related attachments include de-thatchers (front-mounted or pull-behind), aerators, and lawn rollers. Live somewhere that gets snow? Say goodbye to your snow shovel! One smart way you could be using your lawn mower in the winter is by turning it into a snow plow. A 46-inch Wutist Black Steel Snow Blade Attachment costs about $390. Other ideas include spreading salt and pulling sleds. Just note that the extra wear and tear could prematurely reduce the vehicle's lifespan, while the excess moisture could lead to corrosion.