Riding a lawnmower is a crucial piece of equipment for homeowners who have a large lawn to maintain. Riding a lawnmower, also named a lawn tractor, saves time and effort by keeping the property in good condition.
But like other mechanical equipment, riding lawnmowers have a limited lifespan. It wears out with time, but certain factors determine the average lifespan of a lawn mower.
Let’s find out how many hours should a riding mower last and a detail of the element on which it depends.
How many hours should a riding mower last?
A riding lawnmower’s average lifespan is between 1000 to 1500 hours of use. But this could not be taken as true because the average lifetime of a lawn mower depends on different factors like the quality of the material used in its design, maintenance, frequency of usage, and storage conditions. The frequency of usage relies on the number of hours a lawn mower is active, regardless of whether it is cutting grass.
Maintenance of Riding Lawnmower:
Maintenance is the most integral point which plays a significant role in determining the lifespan of a riding lawnmower.
A well-maintained lawnmower lasts longer than a poorly-maintained lawnmower. Maintenance protects the lawnmower from wear and tear, and It also protects it from damage.
Cleaning dust and debris, sharpening blades, and changing the oil and spark plugs are some critical points included in maintenance.
It would be best if you read the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule to learn about how many hours should a riding mower last and how frequently you need to maintain it.
Frequency of usage:
Another significant factor affecting a riding lawnmower’s lifespan is how frequently you use it. If the usage is excessive, then it would damage and wear out quickly.
A large lawn needs more usage of; a lawnmower than a smaller lawn. If the mower is active for a long time, then it will also be overheated, which is unsuitable for the internal components of the engine and will wear out.
Quality Material:
The material used in the manufacturing of lawnmowers also indicates how many hours should a riding mower last. When buying a lawnmower, if you choose a law quality lawnmower just because it is less expensive than a quality lawnmower, this idea would not be in your favor.
A low-quality lawnmower requires more replacements and repairs, so eventually, you must spend money on it. Cheaper lawnmowers may sound better initially, but they cannot last long. So it is better to pay one-time money for a quality lawnmower.
Storage Conditions:
Storage condition is another essential factor in determining the lifespan of a riding lawnmower. Lawnmower would damage speedily due to certain conditions like moisture exposure and extreme temperature.
It also affects the internal components of the lawnmower. Engine, blades, and tires are also affected by these storage conditions. To extend a lawnmower’s lifespan and boast its performance, it is necessary to keep it in a dry and sheltered area like a shed or garage.
Type of Engine:
The engine of a riding lawnmower can affect how long it will last. Different designs of riding lawnmowers have other machines. There are two basic types of engines for riding lawnmowers: two-stroke and four-stroke engines.
Four-stroke engines are larger and more potent than the two-stroke engine. But the advantage of the two-stroke engine over the four-stroke engine is that due to their small size and less power, they are easy to maintain and are more efficient.
But on average, they can last 500 hours compared to larger four-stroke engines, which can last up to 1500 hours with regular maintenance.
Conclusion:
The lifespan of a riding lawnmower varies as it depends on several factors like usage, maintenance, material quality, and other specific conditions.
The average time a riding lawnmower lasts is between 6 to 10 years of use or 500 to 1000 hours of running time. Ultimately, how many hours should a riding mower last is dependent on how well you maintain it.