Mini ride-on mowers and compact lawn tractors are worth serious consideration by anyone whose lawn is slightly too big for their walk-behind mower, but not quite big enough to justify the purchase of a full-sized garden tractor.
They offer excellent productivity, enabling you to spend more time enjoying your garden rather than working on it; and many are supplied with a tow-hitch, which makes it possible to work with any of the multitude of trailed attachments available through MowDirect.
So here are our ten top ride-ons and tractors for the mid-sized lawn:
First is the Mountfield 827M Ride-On Lawnmower.
This machine has a narrow 66cm cutting-width, which makes it easy to work around and between obstacles, and will allow you to drive safely through a standard garden-gate.
Great things come in small packages: Mountfield 827M Compact Lawn Rider
This versatile ride-on comes with a spacious 150-litre collector, but can also be configured to mulch or rear-discharge clippings, with the purchase of the relevant accessories.
Further flexibility of use is conferred by Mountfield’s provision of six preset cutting-heights and a five-speed transmission (4+1).
Power is supplied by a smooth-running, clean-burning and highly efficient Mountfield four-stroke overhead-valve engine, which stops automatically when the driver’s seat is vacated.
Suitable for areas around 2000m2, this ride-on costs just £1849 – that’s a huge £250 saving on the RRP!
We can deliver it in as little as one working-day, with a full PDI.
The second is from a leading American manufacturer and has a wider cut.
Mini Rider – Maxi Performance: MTD 76-SDE Ride-On Mower
Despite being slightly larger – it has a 76cm working-width – the MTD 76-SDE Ride-On Mower nevertheless retains the nimble agility of its more compact counterparts.
A tight, 46cm turning-circle provides excellent confined-area manoeuvrability; while a clever Transmatic drive – foot-pedal operated – enables super-smooth acceleration.
The MTD 76-SDE Ride-On Mower is a fast and efficient performer on long grass, as, instead of bagging clippings, it side-discharges them in neat rows back onto the lawn. If you’d prefer to collect or mulch, you can do so, with the relevant accessories offered separately.
This superior ride-on will arrive fully assembled and ready to use when you order through MowDirect!
Next, a real bargain!
High-quality but affordable: Feider FRT-75BS125 Ride-On Mower
From MowDirect-exclusive brand, Feider, this one is available for an incredible £650 under the RRP!
The Feider FRT-75BS125 Ride-On Lawnmower has a 76cm width-of-cut, so again, you’ll enjoy great tight-area manoeuvrability, while at the same time being able to get the job done fast.
It can either bag, mulch or rear-discharge cut grass, with the collector, mulching-kit and deflector all included in the price.
Power comes from an ultra-dependable, high-capacity 340cc key-start engine from US engineering-giants, Briggs & Stratton.
Back to Mountfield for the next one.
Easy driver: Mountfield 827H Compact Lawn Rider
With its hydrostatic transmission providing infinite increment ground-speed control via a foot-pedal, the Mountfield 827H Compact Lawn Rider is ideal for complicated, obstacle-packed lawns where great manoeuvrability is a must-have.
There’s sizeable 224cc engine, which delivers a hefty 4.8hp to the blade and rear wheels; and you’ll get a capacious 150-litre catcher, which you can empty from the comfort of the driver’s seat.
This one has a 66cm cutting-width – that’s a good match for lawns up to 2000m2.
Again, it’s offered at a substantial discount, coming-in at £180 below the RRP.
Delivery is within seven working-days.
Next up, a side-discharge ride-on that’s ideal for longer grass.
A MowDirect exclusive: Racing 6196PR Compact Ride-On Mower
Another one available in the UK only through MowDirect, the Racing 6196PR Compact Ride-On Mower has a 61cm cutting-width – that’s smack in the middle of the 66cm/76cm cuts on the machines previously discussed, and makes it ideal for lawns around 2800m2.
It’s a fast-worker, with its side-eject function meaning you won’t have to keep driving to the compost-heap to dump clippings.
A five-gear transmission – four forward; one reverse – makes it possible to adapt to the grass-length you’re tackling; electric key ignition takes all the hassle and effort out of getting started.
This 196cc model is priced £300 below the manufacturer’s suggested selling-price!
Given the quality of their products, it’s no surprise we once again turn to Mountfield!
One of the smallest lawn tractors: Mountfield 1330M Lawn Tractor
The 84cm Mountfield 1330M is one of the most compact twin-bladed lawn tractors in production. The interaction of the blades not only ensures a neat, even and consistent finish; it also creates a powerful airflow that forces clippings into the grassbag with no clumping or clogging – even with damp grass!
Electronic PTO activation makes it easy to stop and start the blades; while Mountfield’s provision of five forward gears provides a suitable ground-speed for every situation.
The Mountfield 1330M Lawn Tractor is equipped with a large-displacement 352cc STIGA motor with a fuel-saving and emission-cutting OHV configuration.
It will arrive with you assembled, tested, fuelled-up and ready to mow!
Now for some some Swedish innovation!
Better access and improved visibility: Stiga Park 120 Front-Cut Ride-On
This compact ride-on from well-known Swedish brand Stiga has a front-mounted rather than mid-mounted deck – this not only provides a better view of the cutting-path for safer and more accurate mowing; it also enables access to areas that can’t be reached with a conventional machine (under low-hanging branches, for example).
A mulching-blade turns clippings into a free, organic lawn-feed and means they won’t show on the turf; 50:50 articulated steering brings superior manoeuvrability and makes it a delight to drive.
The Stiga Park 120 Front-Cut Ride-On has a working-width of just 85cm; and comes equipped with a sizeable 414cc Stiga engine outputting a hefty 9.5hp.
Delivery is free within seven working-days, and you’ll get a full demo on handover!
Now a tractor from a leading US brand.
All-American: Lawnflite RC125 Lawn Tractor
Designed and built in the US to exacting standards, the 76cm Lawnflite RC125 is the smallest fully-blown lawn tractor on the market!
It might be small, but it in no way compromises on features – you’ll get a fan-assisted deck, which ensures clump-free damp-grass bagging; a cup holder for on-hand refreshment; and a Transmatic transmission for instant speed adjustment with no need to stop to change gear.
When you buy the Lawnflite RC125 Lawn Tractor through MowDirect, you’ll save £250 on the RRP!
It’s to Italy we look for the next machine!
Italian style: Efco Tuareg 92 EVO Professional All-Terrain Garden Tractor
Something of a departure from the machines already discussed, the Efco Tuareg 92 EVO Garden Tractor is also compact – it has a 92cm cut – but is capable of handling scrub and rough grass across challenging terrain.
Its combination of a stepless hydrostatic drive with a small 65cm turning-circle works to optimise manoeuvrability; an 18hp Briggs V-Twin engine provides the power required to manage dense, well-established vegetation.
There’s a self-locking diff and deep-tread tyres for high-grip traction; and an extra-high maximum working-height setting (120mm), which ensures the very longest grass can be cut.
And finally, it’s back to Stiga for a clean, green alternative to petrol!
Environmentally friendly: Stiga Estate 384E Battery Lawn Tractor
The first battery-powered lawn tractor to come to market in the UK, the Stiga Estate 384E offers the same performance as petrol models within the same class, but without the exhaust emissions, maintenance hassle and neighbour-annoying noise!
It has an 84cm cutting-width and is capable of covering up to 3000m2 on one charge.
Being electric, there are no gears, so you’ll enjoy super-smooth acceleration, and will find it easy to safely work around obstacles.
The Stiga Estate 384E Battery Lawn Tractor offers collection and mulching as standard, but can be configured to rear-discharge with the purchase of the optional deflector.
This one arrives crated for quick and easy assembly.
We have a huge selection of ride-ons and lawn tractors on our site, and if you want more help when choosing one, please give us a ring on 0345 4588 905 – we’re here to help!
