Ten top ride-on tractors which can handle wet grass

Keeping large lawns looking anywhere near decent has been very difficult with the very wet June.
But some ride-on tractors are better at coping with long wet grass than others and here we have listed our ten top ride-ons for coping with the current conditions.

Our Lawnflite Mini Rider 60RDE Ride-On Mower is a great little machine with three different options for getting rid of the cut grass.
You can either discharge it to the side, handy when cutting orchards or paddocks or mulch it and return as finely chopped grass to be absorbed into the lawn or collect it at the rear.
This machine has been designed so that even with damp grass it can be collected.
It has a 4.7 hp Briggs & Stratton engine which is super reliable and fuel efficient and easy to fire up.
There is a Transmatic Shift-on-the-Go (6 Speed) gear system, and a turning circle of only 46 cm making it easy to drive in restricted places. The cutting width is 60cm.
This MD mower costs just £1,499, is delivered free within two to three working days and has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Mountfield 1430M Lawn Tractor has an 82 cm cutting width with twin blades which not only give a very smooth cut but are super-efficient even when the grass is wet.
There are seven cutting heights and the cutting deck is designed to give increased airflow and better grass collection. Plus there is a handy audible alarm which sounds when the 240-litre grass box is full.
When it is full it can be easily emptied by a telescopic lever.
The engine is a 432 cc model well engineered with more efficient lubrication system for a longer life.
Six forward and one reverse gears give better control, plus there is a very large fuel tank – more time mowing and less filling up.
The seat is padded and has a high back for added comfort over longer periods.
A grass deflector kit and mulch plug are available which extend the versatility of this mower.
If you chose this machine there is a huge range of attachments which can be obtained to turn it into a real year-round workhorse, like a steel tipping trailer, leaf sweeper and roller, all at very special prices.
This model costs ££1,749, £200 less than the manufacturer’s recommended price, delivery is free within three to five working days and there is a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee.

Another really handy little lawn tractor is the Lawnflite 603 XT-S Lawn Tractor designed to tackle a huge range of tasks on properties up to two acres in size.
This one has infinitely variable speed through all its seven gears giving much better control in confined spaces and around borders and beds.
ThorX OHV powered it has an adjustable seat and soft-grip steering-wheel for a comfortable ride and cut.
The fan assisted collection enables you to carry on mowing even when the grass is damp and the 2-in-1 combi design lets you choose between collecting or rear-discharging clippings.
Twin headlights mean you can carry on working when it gets dusky. This great little machine costs just £1569, and that’s £130 less than you would normally expect to pay, plus there are very useful attachments available at special prices when you buy this machine.
Delivery is free within three to five working days and there is a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Lawnflite 703 XT-S Lawn Tractor is a real top quality machine ideal for grounds of up to two acres.
This model has a direct-collect cutting system unique to Lawnflite designed to collect clippings in both the wet and dry.
The grass box can be removed within seconds without fetching the toolbox so you can quickly turn it into an efficient multi-purpose lawn tractor.
There is a twelve-speed drive system designed so you can switch gears on the move. And the Briggs & Stratton engine has an electric key start and is quite in running.
Buy now and you can save £200 on the manufacturer’s recommended price as it is only ££1,699.00. There is a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and delivery is free within three to five working days.

The Snapper SPX100 Lawn Tractor is from an American manufacturer and features a 500 cc engine delivering loads of power combined with great fuel economy.
There is a six-litre fuel tank, very useful if you have a larger lawn to cut.
The hydrostatic transmission gives great control and no gear changes and the cutting deck is operated by a power take-off for greater ease of use.
Twin cutting blades give a great finish and the machine has been designed so that the clippings are lifted on air currents straight to the 280-litre grass box.
An optional mulching kit and a twin-bag, grass collector is also available.
There are seven cutting heights from 38 to 102 mm controlled with a lever.
It has a 35 cm turning circle and large rear wheels which mean it is very easy to manoeuvre.
This model costs £2499, £300 less than the manufacturer’s recommended price.
Delivery is free within three to five working days and there is a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

For keeping large lawns neat and trimmed even in damp conditions the AL-KO T16-102HD Edition Lawn Tractor offers great value.
There is a twin cylinder Briggs & Stratton 656 cc engine designed to emit fewer emissions while delivering high torque.
Even the fuel tank has been designed to prevent loss of fuel by evaporation.
The Briggs & Stratton Advanced Debris Management technology is a clever system which ensures your tractor gets an impressively lengthy service-life.
The cutting deck has a width of 102 cm and a lever controls five cutting heights between 30 and 90 mm.
Twin headlights enable you to keep working when it gets dark and there is a front bumper to protect the machine from knocks and bumps.
This model costs £2,499, that’s £500 less than the maker’s recommended price, delivery is free within two to three working days and there is a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
A mulching kit and rear grass deflector are also available at extra cost.

Lawnflite has a great reputation for garden machinery and the Lawnflite 908LH Lawn Tractor is definitely one for the short list when it comes to selecting a lawn tractor to deal with both rough and maintained grass.
Briggs & Stratton own 18.5hp engine is reliable and easy to start, giving a great performance with minimum vibration.
The cutting width is105 cm and there is a vast 300-litre grass box. A High-vacuum deck ensures fantastic bagging-performance and prevents clogging even in damp conditions.
There are five cutting heights and anti-scalp wheels prevent turf damage even on bumpy lawns.
A Hydrostatic drive gives smooth control around obstructions
This one costs ££2,699, £250 off the manufacturer’s price, there is free delivery within three to five working days and a five-year maker’s warranty.

Next have a look at the Westwood T80 Garden Tractor (Excludes Deck & Catcher), a top quality machine from a British manufacturer powered by a Kawasaki 603 cc engine.
There is a choice of a special 92cm cutting deck that can mulch the clippings and return them to the lawn or a 122cm that can discharge them at the rear.
There is an optional 300-litre capacity, powered grass collector which uses a power take-off to drive brushes to sweep clippings directly into the grass box, very useful for wet conditions.
Hydrostatic drive gives precise speed control and better manoeuvrability and nine cutting heights give the machine its ability to tackle all types of conditions.
There is a very comfortable adjustable seat to make major tasks less of a chore.
And a wide range of attachments you can use this machine for a variety of tasks through the year.
It is delivered free within three to five working days, there is a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and it costs ££4,299.
The next one is a real workhorse suitable for larger areas and for rougher terrain as well as smooth lawns.

The Cub Cadet XT3 QR106 Garden Tractor has a 22 hp Kawasaki engine and features a unique Twin Collect system which works in both wet and dry conditions.
It too has a hydrostatic drive for very smooth transmission and excellent speed control.
Unusually it is also designed to let you cut grass when in reverse.
The machine has a power bag lift for easier emptying of the huge 360-litre grass collector as well as a bumper to prevent accidental knocks.
There is also an attachment to fit a garden hose which allows you to wash down the deck after use.
It costs £4,999, comes with a free two years maker’s warranty and is delivered free within three to five working days.
And finally one from a well-known manufacturer of farming equipment.

The Westwood V25-50HE Garden Tractor (Excludes Deck & Catcher) is the perfect machine for maintaining really large grassy areas with a 726cc Kawasaki engine with a key start which is reliable and cheap to run.
It has a really wide 107cm deck but also can be fitted with a 127 combi cutting deck easily raised and lowered using a single lever (optional)
The deck is designed for really efficient grass collection when wet and dry and has an optional mulching kit for formal lawns as well as a deflector for use when cutting longer grass.
A pivoting front axle makes it particularly suitable for rougher work as well as on banks and slopes.
Hydrostatic drive gives excellent speed control and combined with a tight turning circle makes it really manoeuvrable.
It has a Parking-brake maximises user-safety, comfortable steering wheel and an ergonomic, comfortable seat to make it suitable for use over long periods.
This machine costs £5,899 and there are optional accessories.
There is a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and free delivery in three to five working days.
Cutting grass when wet has been a problem for us all this year but these machines will make it easier if you have a large area to keep tidy.
And remember, we have Europe’s widest selection of garden machinery online, so give us a ring if you need any advice.

This blog updated June 2016

Updated again Feb 2018