Best Lawn Tractor Under $2000 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Why you are looking to buy a best lawn tractor under $2000? Budget problem or something else?

Since lawn mowers exist, the lives of many people have become easier. Mowing with hand tools is one of the most stressful tasks you can imagine.

Thanks to these incredible machines, a single person can have the same performance of 10 men using hand tools. However, when the area is too large, a simple lawn mower isn’t enough to finish the job the same day.

You need something bigger and more powerful, with a performance exceeding 10 lawn mowers working at the same time. And for that purpose there isn’t anything better than lawn tractors. In addition to being more efficient, a lawn tractor is a practical and easy-to-use tool.

You won’t have to push your lawn mower several times in the same place to get the best results. A single pass of a lawn tractor is enough for professional results.

If you don’t have much money, but you desperately need one of these machines, don’t worry. Today you’ll know the top 7 of best lawn tractors under $2000. In addition, you’ll learn how to differentiate between a good machine and scrap metal.

What is Lawn Tractor?

A lawn tractor is a machine that serves for cutting lawn. Basically it’s a small tractor that includes a cutting case in contact with the ground. Most models use gas powered engines to move and cut. However the best diesel lawn tractor has a better performance.

The horsepower and the cutting width of the machine are the main features that condition the performance of the machine.

How to Use Lawn Tractor?

Using a lawn tractor is as easy as driving a car. You just have to insert a key, turn the switch and start working. Depending on the model, you can adjust the cutting height manually, with a lever or a button.

To cut, you just need to move on the lawn following a straight path. At the end of the cutting row, you turn around and start cutting in the opposite direction. Repeat the same procedure to cover the entire area.

Why are You Looking to Buy Lawn Tractor Under $2000?

If you’re reading this, surely your lawn mower doesn’t give you the comfort and performance you need to cut your lawn without problems. However, you surely know that most of the known models cost more than $4000.

You may not have enough money, but you urgently need to find an efficient and powerful model that suits your budget.

Top 7 Best Lawn Tractor Under $2000 Reviews

Finding a best lawn tractor under 2000 in today’s market isn’t an easy task. In fact, most of the most popular models exceed $4000. Knowing this, some brands have started their own production line of cheap models.

By considerably reducing their prices, these 7 models have managed to match the quality and performance of the most successful lawn tractors.

1. Husqvarna YTH24V48 24 HP 48-Inch Riding Mower

More power for less price. That’s what a Husqvarna YTH24V48 gives you. In addition, it’s safe, compact and easy to maneuver. The best commercial riding lawn mower you can find.

Equipped with a 24 HP Intek engine from Briggs & Stratton. This machine is superior than best zero turn mower for hills. You can control the speed and direction through pedals. That way, your hands will never separate from the steering wheel.

With an adjustable seat and cup holder to provide greater comfort to the operator during work. You can engage the cutting blades easily with the touch of a button. Its cutting deck reinforced with steel provides maximum durability.

Its air induction system improves grass lift for a clean and residue-free cut. Two headlights allow you to work in the dark without any problem.

To clean the cutting deck, you just have to attach your hose to a connection, turn on the water and start the engine. The machine does the rest for you.

2. Husqvarna YTH22V46 22 HP 46-Inch Riding Mower

Cheaper than its 24 HP counterpart, Husqvarna YTH22V46 gives you enough power to cut on any surface. This machine has nothing to envy to higher models, because it also includes their best features. This is maybe the best lawn tractor for hills.

Its 22 HP Intek engine from Briggs & Stratton gives you enough power to move on any surface without problems. This machine is ideal for cutting lawns on irregular or too steep areas.

You can adjust the cutting height with a single lever. The cutting deck is powder coated and reinforced with steel for maximum durability. You can engage the cutting blades manually, manipulating a lever on the right side of the steering wheel.

You can control the speed and direction using pedals, so that your hands remain on the steering wheel. When driving in reverse, cutting blades are automatically deactivated to prevent accidents.

It also has a safety switch under the seat that turns off the engine and the cutting deck when the operator leaves the seat.

3. Craftsman T150 19 HP 46-Inch Riding Lawn Mower

The best garden tractor of all time. The Craftsman T150 moves smoothly over any surface and cuts better than the most expensive lawn tractors on the market. A good option to invest your money.

Equipped with a 19 HP engine from Briggs & Stratton. It starts smoothly and moves easily over rough terrain. You can maneuver confidently on sloping terrain without the risk of overturning.

Its 20X8 inches wheels give more grip and control. Too wet soil is no problem for this big boy. Its cutting deck reinforced with steel provides maximum durability. Their cutting blades are sturdy and stay sharp for longer.

For professional finishes, you can purchase the mulching kit separately and adapt it to your machine.

4. Husqvarna YTH18542 18.5 HP 42-Inch Riding Mower

Powerful and fast. Its 18.5 HP of power is sufficient for cutting lawns in large areas in a short time. Husqvarna YTH18542 is smaller, but more powerful than similar models.

Equipped with an 18.5 HP Intek engine from Briggs & Stratton. You can control the speed and direction using pedals. Its safety switch under the seat deactivates the engine and the cutting deck when the driver leaves.

Its air induction system above the cutting deck lifts more grass for a clean finish on every pass. The cutting deck is also powder covered and reinforced with steel for maximum durability and corrosion resistance.

You can easily control the cutting height by manipulating a lever on the left side of the seat. Its ergonomic seat is detachable and adjustable. Its frontal headlights allow you to work in the dark without problems.

5. Cub Cadet XT1 18 HP 42-Inch Riding Mower

A powerful machine for an incredible price. That would be the best description for Cub Cadet XT1. Easy to start and maneuver. It’s so fast that you could use it for an outdoor ride.

Equipped with an 18 HP 5400 Series engine from Kohler. This wonder can reach a maximum forward speed of 5.5 mph and 3.1 mph in reverse. It moves smoothly on any surface and always makes perfect cuts.

Its cutting deck reinforced with steel provides maximum durability. In contrast to other models, Cub Cadet XT1 has 12 different cutting positions. Its twin blades provide more efficiency and guarantee a better finish with a single pass.

Its front tires of 15X6 inches and rear tires of 20X8 inches provide better grip and control. It doesn’t matter if the ground is dry or wet, it will always move smoothly. Its front LED highlights allow you to work in the dark without problems.

In addition, the striking yellow color of this machine will make you the center of attention of all your neighbors.

6. Husqvarna LTH1738 17 HP 38-Inch Riding Lawn Mower

The most compact Husqvarna model. With enough power and features to leave your lawns even and perfect. If you don’t need a machine that is too big, Husqvarna LTH1738 is perfect for you.

Although it isn’t as fast as other models, you can perfectly cut any kind of lawn. Its air induction technology lifts the cut grass for a clean and even finish. You won’t need to go through the same place twice to get the best results.

You can control the speed and direction using pedals. It starts like a car, just turn the key and go. It’s lightweight and moves easily on flat surfaces. However, it isn’t advisable to use it on too steep terrain.

Its cutting case is powder coated and reinforced with steel. If the blades collide with a stone, the impact won’t break the case.

7. Snapper 2911525BVE 11.5 HP 28-Inch Riding Mower

At first sight it seems like a go-kart, but it’s much more than that. The Snapper Classic Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower is practical, easy to store and very light. Maintaining a lawn tractor has never been easier.

What most attracts the attention of this model is its compact design and low weight. You can stand it vertically for better storage and maintenance.

It has nothing to envy the most powerful models. Due to its low weight, it works perfectly with an 11.5 HP Intek engine from Briggs & Stratton.

The combined effect of its blade and its circular cutting deck generates sufficient suction to expel the greatest amount of grass in each cut. It can reach a maximum forward speed of 4.5 mph. You can control the speed and direction using pedals.

You can adjust the cutting height between 1.5-4 inches. This machine is ideal for moving through hard to reach areas. If you want to move smoothly between the trees of your garden, this is the ideal equipment for you.

Lawn Tractor Under $2000 Buying Guide

If the pains in your back and joints make cutting the lawn a tortuous experience, it’s essential that you buy a lawn tractor. However, it’s true that buying one of these can be a luxury for some, knowing how expensive they’re.

However, several well-known companies are producing cheaper models for the common citizen. You no longer need to have more than $4000 to take home the best riding lawn mower for hill. With the passage of time, economic models begin to flood the market.

Most of them use parts made of poorly resistant materials. After a couple of uses, you’ll surely begin to experience problems. Cutting blades broken, defective belts and useless engines. Most dissatisfied customers complain about this.

However, the fact that a lawn tractor is cheap doesn’t necessarily imply that it’s bad. You just have to verify each and every one of the product features before making a decision.

Obviously, if you aren’t an expert to evaluate the quality of the materials or the performance of the machine, it’s better to trust someone who does. Fortunately, the answers to all your questions are in this article.

From choosing the best model to saving extra money on your next purchase. Following very simple tips, you’ll be able to choose the most economical, durable and efficient model. This is the most complete buying guide to buy the best lawn tractor for less than $2000.

Horsepower

Engine power means everything. A greater horsepower means that your lawn tractor can perform heavy duties without problems. If you plan to use your machine on uneven or too steep terrain, you need more than 18 HP to move smoothly.

The bigger the lawn tractor, the heavier it will be. Obviously, with a considerable increase in weight, the machine will need a powerful engine to shift its own weight plus the driver’s weight.

If you’re thinking of buying a model that is too large, but you notice that the engine doesn’t have enough power, you better not buy it. Using that machine will be the closest thing to riding a turtle.

It’s also true that the most powerful engines are usually larger. Therefore, it isn’t advisable to buy huge machines with too small engines. You may have trouble moving or cutting too thick lawn.

Cutting Width

If you need to cut the grass in an area that is too large, for example about 2000 square meters, doing so with a walk behind lawn mower would take days. Just when you finish pruning in one place, the grass begins to grow in another.

At the end of the process, you have different areas with different grass heights. If you want everything to be at the same height, you must finish all the work on the same day. And to do that, you’ll need a lawn mower tractor.

These tractors make the difficult job of mowing the lawn a pleasant experience. Instead of pushing your mower everywhere, you just have to sit, push the pedals and control the steering wheel.

One of the main features that significantly affects the performance of the machine is its cutting width. In simple words, the cutting width is what determines the effective cutting area. The greater the cutting width, the less time it will take to mow a certain area.

Usually, models with greater cutting width are heavier and difficult to maneuver. If you intend to cut the grass of a flat area, you won’t have problems. However, on irregular surfaces, the performance of heavy machines decreases.

Cheap Budget

For example, heavy equipment needs too much power to climb a hill. Obviously, for more power you need a bigger engine. You’ll need to invest more money if you want more power.

If your device will move too slowly on uneven surfaces, it’s better to opt for other options. For that reason, the largest and most expensive machine isn’t always the best.

Some smaller and cheaper models move better on difficult surfaces. With one of these you could obtain a higher performance than with a heavy machine with a greater cutting width.

Turning Radius

The turning radius defines the distance a lawn tractor travels to change direction. Although it’s an aspect that doesn’t affect performance, it can affect the maneuverability of the machine and the time you spend on a particular task.

For example, imagine that when you finish mowing a row of grass, you want to rotate 180 degrees and start pruning from the outer edge of the same row. Small machines with little turning radius can do this with a simple turn of the steering wheel.

However, machines that are too big can’t do it. As the turning radius is very large, you have to perform some extra maneuvers to position the edge of the cutting case just off the row of cut grass.

With a smaller machine, you would save the time it would take to position yourself correctly with a larger machine.

Torque

Many people think that most of the efficiency of the machine is due to the horsepower of the engine. But they’re wrong. The horsepower mainly affects the displacement capacity of the lawn tractor.

However, what tells you if a lawn tractor is truly efficient for cutting thicker grass is torque. The more torque, the more chance blades have to cut grass in a single pass.

If you don’t want to go through the same place several times to ensure a clean and uniform cut, make sure the engine generates enough torque.

Transmission

The type of lawn tractor transmission also affects performance. Usually, you’ll find in the market lawn tractors with the following types of transmission:

Manual transmission works with gears. Every time you need to change a gear to change the speed, you need to stop the machine. Machines with this type of transmission aren’t suitable on sloping terrain.

When you make the gear change on a hill, for example, the machine momentarily loses its power. Sometimes it’s unable to move on.

Hydrostatic transmission uses hydraulic fluid instead of gears. The hydraulic fluid generates more torque on the wheels, making better use of engine power. With this system, you can climb the steepest hill without problems.

However, lawn tractors with hydrostatic transmission are much more expensive. Therefore, if you want a machine capable of moving on any type of surface, you’ll necessarily have to pay more.

Maneuverability

The performance of a lawn tractor doesn’t only depend on the engine. It also depends on the interaction between man and machine. Maneuverability defines how well you can control your lawn tractor in different circumstances.

Most lawn tractors have no maneuverability problems on flat surfaces or moving in a straight line. Most problems start with the turn. For example, the steering wheels of some models tend to get stuck when turning.

The more pronounced the turn, the harder it’s to return the steering wheel to its original position. The same can happen when you try to change direction on a too inclined surface.

If the steering wheel is difficult to turn even when moving on flat surfaces, it’s clear that the equipment has poor maneuverability. If this happens, you’ll waste too much time trying to orient your machine in the right direction.

For example, if you need to create too precise patterns on the lawn, you can’t buy a lawn tractor with poor maneuverability. As in other cases, the best way to not make mistakes is to test the product before buying.

Garden Tractors or Lawn Tractors?

Usually, lawn tractors have the only function of mowing grass. Some models include other accessories to provide comfort to the operator, but basically their main purpose remains the same.

However, in some cases a simple lawn tractor might not be enough for you. For example, during the winter, a lawn tractor is virtually useless. However, you can use a garden tractor without problem, regardless of the height of snowfall in your yard.

Garden tractors are usually larger and more powerful than lawn tractors. In addition, you can adapt special accessories to perform different tasks. An example of this is best John Deere garden tractor.

Garden tractors can remove snow, dig furrows or till the soil with the right accessory for every case. Therefore, before investing your money in a specific model, analyze what other functions you need to perform with your machine.

If you’re only going to mow, choose a lawn tractor. Instead, if you need to do several things with the same machine, choose a garden tractor.

Headlights

Some lawn tractors don’t have headlights. As with the Snapper Classic Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower. This is a major disadvantage, especially if you usually mow the lawn just before dark or very early in the morning.

If you don’t want to crash your machine in the dark, make sure it has powerful headlights. LED headlights are the best, because they emit more light and consume less electricity.

Some models include only front headlights. However, this feature could be a problem when you’re driving in reverse. If the machine has rear headlights, much better. Some models also include side headlights that point to the ground.

This allows you to look how the grass looks like as you move on the ground.

Seating

Interestingly, the design of the seats is one of the features that most worries buyers. Most people who buy lawn tractors do so for comfort reasons. Many people suffer severe back pain after using their lawn mowers.

Most models in the market have small seats. Normally, the back support of the seat only covers the lower part of the back. For some it’s comfortable, but for others it isn’t.

If back pain is your biggest concern, it’s recommended that you visit a physical store and take a test drive on the machine you want to buy. That way you’ll know if you can handle a whole working day on the seat.

Also make sure the seat has an ergonomic design, which adapts to the curves of your back. Some seats are too flat and it’s a real torture to be on them too long.

Some models allow you to adjust the inclination of the seat. You can even buy armrests separately to prevent pain in arms and shoulders.

However, an uncomfortable seat shouldn’t be a major obstacle to buying a good machine. Most seats are detachable. If you aren’t satisfied with the comfort, you can adapt a larger seat at the base of the original seat.

Assembly

You must ensure that your new tractor is easy to assemble. That way you can do it for yourself when the package arrives at your home. Usually, lawn tractors come inside wooden racks. Assembly instructions are in the user manual.

Some people prefer that other people do the assembly work, because they don’t understand the instructions very well or don’t have the right tools. However, doing that is a serious mistake.

On the Internet, many people complain about the short life of some parts in their new lawn tractors. Most of these users purchased their previously assembled machines in department stores or hardware stores.

It’s true that many times, who assemble these machines, usually replace some parts with others of lower quality. Then they keep the original ones.

If you don’t want to take that risk, don’t let someone else assembly your new lawn tractor. If you don’t have the necessary tools, you can ask them to a friend.

Cutting Case

The cutting case is a critical area in every lawn tractor. It’s constantly subjected to friction, high impacts and other external factors. Every time the cutting blades hit a rock, the second impact goes directly to the cutting case.

For this reason, the cutting case must be of the highest quality steel. Make sure the walls of the cutting case are thick enough to withstand large impacts without deforming.

Water and other corrosive substances are the worst enemies of steel. For maximum durability, the steel must be powder coated.

Don’t accept a lawn tractor with cutting cases of materials less resistant than steel, such as iron or aluminum. If the steel cover has begun to break, don’t buy the product.

Manufacturer Company

Is incredible to know how many different brands of lawn tractors currently exist in the market. Each time a different model appears, a different brand also appears.

Don’t buy a too cheap product. Especially if you don’t know anything about the manufacturing company. Only well-known companies offer warranty for their products.

This is a great advantage, especially when the product is defective from the factory. The guarantee of a product allows you to obtain technical advice and free repair.

Make sure your lawn tractor brand has offices and representatives near where you live. This will make it easier to send for repair.

On the other hand, if you choose an unknown brand, you run the risk of having no guarantee. If you don’t know who manufactured the product, it will be more difficult to obtain some kind of technical advice.

Drive Belts

Before buying any lawn tractor, check the condition of the drive belts. The main purpose of the drive belts is to transmit the movement of the engine to the moving parts of the machine, such as cutting blades.

When the drive belts are in good condition, they’re flexible, resistant and have the right color. If the drive belts are dry, fluffy or have an unusual color, they’re defective. Many people complain that cutting blades don’t move with the first start of the machine.

This happens when drive belts break. If you don’t want to spend more than an additional $250 on new drive belts, be sure to check them out. Obviously, to do this, you’ll have to purchase your lawn tractor at a physical store.

Price

This is perhaps the main reason why you’re reading this. How to find the best riding lawn mower for the money. To achieve this you have to use the Internet. On the Internet you’ll find a lot of different offers for the same product.

Always choose reliable websites to buy. If you don’t know where to look, you could end up buying an imitation. The best place to start searching is the official website of the product you want to buy.

Usually, there you’ll find the best prices. If you buy directly from the official website, you can be sure that you’ll receive exactly what you requested. Original parts, durable and resistant.

Sometimes, reliable shopping websites offer even lower prices than the official product website. During the search, make sure you’re as specific as possible so as not to make mistakes.

Type and Brand

Type the brand, model and other important features in the search bar. Then, choose products that have good reviews from buyers. Also make sure that the seller of the product has a good reputation.

Verify that the features of the product offered are the same features on the official website. If all is well, start reading the reviews of the buyers. Make sure you know the bad and good opinions about the product.

That way, you’ll avoid taking unexpected surprises after using the lawn mower tractor. If the product has a rating higher than 4 stars and most reviews are good, it’s time to make the final decision.

Lawn mower cost is depend on type, size and power. A lawn mower shop can give lawn mower sale. So, definitely a mulching lawn mower or Toro lawn mower price will be lowest. Remember reel mower and lawn mower are not the same thing.

Lawn Tractor Under $2000 FAQs

You may not feel safe to choose for yourself the best lawn tractor. These FAQs and their answers will help you clear up any questions you still have.

Q. How to know if you need a lawn tractor with a lot of horsepower?

If you’re going to use a lawn tractor on uneven and too steep surfaces, you’ll need more power. You’ll also need a powerful lawn tractor in too large areas.

Q. Does a bigger cutting width make the most efficient machine?

Not necessarily. A machine with greater cutting width will surely be heavier. In irregular terrain, a heavy machine will move slower, affecting performance.

Q. Can I adapt a larger seat to my lawn tractor?

Yes. Most models have detachable seats. You can change for a new one or modify the original if you wish.

Q. Does a lawn tractor have a warranty?

Most lawn tractors manufactured by reliable companies have warranty. If the product you’re going to buy has no warranty or it’s less than 3 months, it’s better not to buy.

Q. Do all lawn tractors have headlights?

Not all models have headlights. Be sure to check this in the product features.

Q. Is it convenient to buy a pre-assembled model?

Many times it’s better to assemble the equipment by yourself. Third persons could replace some parts with others of inferior quality.

Q. Manual transmission vs. Hydrostatic. Which is better?

Hydrostatic transmission in much better. You won’t have to stop to change the speed. In addition, hydrostatic transmission generates more torque on the wheels.

Q. The lawn tractor turns on but the cutting blades don’t move. What happened?

Drive belts may be failing. Check that and change them if necessary.

Q. Does a lawn tractor need regular maintenance to operate?

Yes. You should regularly change the oil, filters and belts. Follow the instructions in the user manual to extend the life of your machine.

Q. What to do if the engine doesn’t work?

If the warranty time still applies, contact a dealer and request a repair. Otherwise, you may have to pay for the repair.

Verdict

Not all lawn tractors have the same performance in any circumstance. As you can see, the type of terrain can significantly reduce the performance of machines with greater power. For that reason, it isn’t always convenient to choose the biggest model.

Always check the reviews from other users about a specific product. So you’ll check if it’s worth buying a lawn tractor or not. It’s always convenient to try the product before buying it. That way you’ll avoid unwanted surprises.