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Having a neatly maintained lawn requires us to dedicate our time and efforts. However, the machines such as mowers also play a very vital role. If you are falling short of the right machine, you might end up having below-average results with more time and effort spent.
It is essential to have a good understanding of the lawn mower to buy depending on the terrain. Your terrain’s size is also one of the key features to consider when purchasing a lawn mower. We intend to suggest the best lawn mower for 3 acres with hills and plains in this blog.
In a hurry? We have picked best lawn mower for you
Best Overall
Best In Quality
Must Have
Husqvarna 26 HP Zero Turn Riding Mower – Z254
Why Husqvarna outperforms others?
The Z254 from Husqvarna is a high-performance zero-turn riding mower with a 26 HP engine. The homeowners and the professionals’ rate this turn riding mower relatively high on the performance front.
Smooth slicing through the grass with a max speed of 6.5 MPH along with air induction mowing technology are a few of many upsides. Together with an efficient deck, easy assembly, and top-notch safety features, Z254 indeed ranks high.
Table of Contents
Our Top 5 Picks
Husqvarna Z254
26 HP Zero Turn Riding Mower
Key Features
- Superior grass cut through air induction mowing technology.
- Heavy flat-stock steel for maximum durability
- Max Speed of 6.5 MPH
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Best Overall
Our Pick
Poulan Pro P46ZX
22 HP Zero Turn Riding Mower
Key Features
- Compatible with a different type of tool attachment
- 46-Inch stamped reinforced deck 10-year warranty
- 22 HP Briggs and Straton v-twin pro engine
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Best Value For Money
Ariens 915223
23hp Zero Turn Mower
Key Features
- Powered by Kawasaki engine generating max 23HP
- Can achieve the speed of 7-mph
- 13 adjustments lying between 1.5 inches and 4.5 inches
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Best for Large Terrain
Poulan Pro PP155H42
15.5 HP Riding Lawn Mower
Key Features
- Auto Hydrostatic Transmission makes speed adjustments.
- 155 HP Briggs & Stratton single cylinder Overhead Valve Engine
- 6 Cutting Positions for different sizes of grass
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Best Ease of Use
Snapper
11.5 HP Riding Mower
Key Features
- Briggs & Stratton Power Built 4-Cycle OHV Engine with a max power of 11.5 hp
- Vertical Stand-on-Edge Capability
- Powered with Electric Push Start
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Best Fast Mower
Buying Guide
10 Things To Know Before Buying The Best Lawn Mower For 2-3 Acres
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Drive System to Match The Yard Size
The smaller size of the yards is manageable with the push mowers as well. These mowers are relatively lesser in price and work merely perfect for the smaller area. However, for the bigger yards having a self-propelled mower is a good idea.
If the terrain is rough, has hills, and is quite large, then a self-propelled mower is a good idea. For the steep slopes and hills, you might even consider the rear-wheel-drive option. The front-wheel might start losing the grip once the bag is filled with grass on the rear side. To climb up the hills, you will need a powerful engine and rear-wheel drive.
Adjustable cutting height is a necessity
Not all the grasses in the terrain are of the same height, and therefore mower with adjustable cutting height is preferable. Moreover, these height adjusting levers should be easily adjustable. While moving the mower, if it is taking a lot of effort to adjust the height, you can get slow in the task at hand.
Having a self-propelled mower with an adjustable cutting height will save you a lot of time and give a clean cut.
Safety features minimize the risk
While the older generation of lawn mowers does not come with many safety features, newer ones are loaded up. The newer generation of mowers has more safety features, but they are also simpler to use.
You might very well end up buying the robot lawn mowers if you want complete ease of use with safety. Often, we tend to go for the lawn mowers with maximum features. You should, however, always go for the mower that has the features you need. Several safety features such as blade-brake clutch system, reverse awareness system, throw guard system are available in the right lawn mower.
Mulching is an essential feature for healthy grass as more nutrients are released. Essential minerals such as potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous are released, which is good for the soil.
Some mowers have two bags for both bagging and mulching that can be changed according to usage. Overall, the idea is to ensure that the mower should come with mulching properties for healthy and nutrient-rich soil.
There are mulching options available in different lawn mowers. However, depending on the terrain, thickness, and grass’s size, you should pick the right mulcher.
Blade Brake Clutch For an Easy Operation
Hassle-free cutting and mulching require that you do not have to stop the lawn mower frequently. Every time stopping and picking up the sticks or the toys could be frustrating and lower your efficiency.
To have a smooth mulching experience in less time, you can go for Blade Brake Clutch or Blade override system. Both these systems enable you to halt in between while the engine is still running. A slightly on the higher side in pricing, the feature is worth stretching your budget a bit.
Managing, The Deck, Should Be Simple
The deck of any mower should be highly efficient in terms of technology, width, and sturdiness. However, cleaning and maintaining the deck should also be easy because the mower’s performance depends on the deck.
A hard to clean or maintain deck will eventually mean reduced efficiency of the blades to cut the grass. An unattended deck can also be a carrier of a lot of soil and plant diseases.
Depending on the number of hours a mower has been functional, the servicing time is decided. There are lawn mowers that come without an hour meter. Although you can get the hour meter fitted externally, buying the one with the installed meter is always a better idea.
We strongly recommend having an hour meter rather than just guessing the hours.
Efficient Speed For Good Manoeuvrability
A lawn mower with good speed will always ensure that you perform the task in lesser time. Whatever the budget you have decided, having a good speed is always recommended.
The average riding lawn mower has a speed of 5-6 mph. If you stretch your budget a bit, a decent speed of around 11mph is also available in some budget-friendly mowers.
Larger Wheels Equal Better Control
Not many first-time buyers pay close attention to the wheels’ size. However, if you ask an experienced one, they will agree that larger wheels make mowing easy.
For better navigation, handling, and control, larger wheels are always preferable. Moreover, if your terrain is uneven, larger wheels are the way to go for easy maneuverability through the ditches and stones.
Self Propulsion Rather Than Push
The reason why we put this significant feature towards the end is that it is a no-brainer. If your terrain is flat, then pushing on the mower could be picked up. However, if the terrain’s size is significant, even when flat, self-propulsion mowers are preferred.
Moreover, if the terrain is uneven and has hills, pushing the mower upscale could be a real challenge and time-consuming. Therefore, having a self-propulsion mower is a great idea.
Best Lawn Mower For 3 Acres
Reviews
Husqvarna Z254
26 HP Zero Turn Riding Mower
One of the best machines from Husqvarna can achieve a 180 degrees easy turn with this lawn mower. At 54 inches, the stamped deck is made of flat-stock steel reinforcement, ensuring durability.
You get the innovative park brake system in this lawn mower capable of activating or deactivating when the steering levers are moved either way. One of the most impressive features is the air induction mowing technology. The technology derives the temperature from the bottom and the top resulting in a superior cut.
The professional-grade engine does not throw tantrums in any season and runs smooth. High on the speed at 6.5 mph, you can mow approximately 2.8 acres per hour in the hilly terrain. You will have to buy the mulching kit or the bagger separately as it does not come in the box.
Next, you get the option of ejecting the grass clippings through the chute or mulched to enhance the nutrient value of your lawn. The ejection of the clippings is done quite nicely via chute to prevent clumps.
9.5Expert ScoreBest Overall
Our Pick must to have in your yard
Pros
- Powerful engine with a max speed of 6.5 mph
- Air induction technology for cleaner cuts
- Broad flat stock steel deck for better cutting
Cons
- A lot of parts make assembling a bit difficult.
- It does not have a self-propelled feature
Poulan Pro P46ZX
22 HP Zero Turn Riding Mower
This mower from the house of Poulan is perfect for those who want an entry-level but efficient mower. There are many convenient features, such as a powerful 22 HP Briggs V-twin engine capable of even towing the smaller items.
In addition to that, this lawn mower comes equipped with an efficient set of blades for a clean cut. Further, the stamped reinforced deck is 46 inches wide for efficient mulching and cutting. Dual wheel hydro transmission of the lawn mower enhances the user’s movement and control of the machine.
Moreover, it is possible to control the wheels independently in this machine, making it easier to go in any direction with minimum effort. The mower comes with a fuel tank of a decent capacity of 3.5 gallons for small to mid-sized yards.
Further, there are two levers for controlling both speed and rotation instead of the steering wheel. This lawn mower comes with a powerful engine and is light in weight for lifting.
9.2Expert ScoreBest Value For Money
Pros
- Competitive pricing without compromising the features.
- Zero turning radius makes maneuverability easy.
- Compatible with multiple attachments
- Works effectively on even the bigger yards
Cons
- The cutting deck is a bit smaller in comparison
- Not amazingly useful on the steep slopes
Ariens 915223
23 HP Zero Turn Mower
The mower merely performs perfectly mid to large yards with its powerful 23 hp Kawasaki 726 cc FR V-Twin engine. Powered by one of the most powerful engines in the corded electric lawn categories, the mower can clean trimming.
The Ariens 915223 gives you multiple options when it comes to cutting. Depending on the nature and purpose of the yard, you can shuffle between different cutting modes.
Further, two hydrostatic EZT transaxles also give the user better control of trimming to the user with reduced reaction time. The comfortable backrest and armrest of the mower give better operating comfort. At the top speed of 11 mph, the lawn mower comes with a gearbox that works smoothly even on steep slopes.
Also, the mower is sitting on a fully engineered welded platform that enhances the performance. Additionally, the mower’s vibration curbing feature ensures that there is a smooth cut of the grass. In total, there are 13 cutting height settings with an increment setting of 1.5 to 4.5 inches.
8.7Expert ScoreBest for Large Terrain
Pros
- Powerful Kawasaki engine with the max speed capacity of 11 mph
- Clean cutting and mulching
- Strategically designed deck to be more efficient on the edges
- Versatile cutting options
Cons
- No headlights in the mower
- Short wheelbase
Poulan Pro PP155H42
15.5 HP Riding Lawn Mower
This lawn mower from Poulan Pro has one of the best in class features and power. One of the best features of the mower is its automatic hydrostatic transmission that enables comfortable speed change. Additionally, you get six cutting positions in total for a perfect cutting.
Yet another feature is the air ventilation option at the bottom with a warranty of whopping 12 years. Coming to the engine, the mower is powered with Briggs and Stratton, a 155 HP single-cylinder engine with an overhead valve. Further, the air filter design also ensures that the engine remains cooler and cleaner.
According to the terrain condition, the lawn mower from Poulan Pro comes with six cutting positions in the total match. Other features such as a reinforced vented deck, oscillating front axle, and easy speed adjustments make operating the mower comfortable.
8.5Expert ScoreBest Ease of Use
Pros
- Oscillating front axle for better operation
- 6 cutting adjustments for clean cutting and mulching
- Powerful Brigs and Stratton 155 HP engine
Cons
- The seat could be a little shaky
Snapper
11.5 HP Riding Mower
The well-tried and tested lawn mower from Snapper is perfect for all types of lawns. The engine is powerful, packing 11.5 HP, therefore, cutting the time taken to mow the lawn. Simple design and simple controls are something the users will like in this lawn mower a lot. For instance, an electric switch ensures that anyone can operate the mower efficiently.
The Briggs and Stratton 4-cycle engine packed with OHV technology ensures the best performance and speed. The powerful engine ensures that the mower efficiently cuts the grasses irrespective of the grass’s length and thickness.
Further, there is a foot pedal to shift and choose between the 5-speed drive. The company has also ensured that the stamped mowing deck comes with the rolled edges for better cut and draw the grass clippings efficiently. Adjustable mid-back seat adds to the comfort while operating the machine.
8Expert ScoreBest Fast Mower
Pros
- Powerful Briggs & Stratton engine for better performance
- 5-speed drive and reasonable control while driving
- Cleaner and convenient cuts
- Rolled edges for better suction of the grass clippings.
Cons
- It could be a little bigger from a storage point of view
Mulching Versus Bagging Versus Side Discharge
Different lawn mowers come with various features that a user can select from. While some prefer mulching as the option, bagging or side discharge could be the feature that the other is looking for.
However, if you are new to buying a lawn mower, then there are chances of you not being entirely aware of the difference. To understand the feature that you should go for in a lawn mower, let us discuss the differences, upside, and downside of each.
Bagging
If your terrain is filled with long grass and weeds, then bagging could be a preferred feature in your lawn mower. With the bagging feature, you would not have to worry about grass clippings and weeds.
You can remove the dead grass and weed with the bagging option, which otherwise looks odd in the freshly mowed lawn. All you have to do is run the mower over these grasses to draw them in the bag. Moreover, the bagging option also lets you remove the debris or any unwanted thing on the lawn.
In your lawn mower, the bag will either be placed on the rear or the side. The bag’s location is decided to ensure a clean cut without leaving the cut grass and clippings outside. As the mower cuts the grasses, they fly straight into the bag. For those composting, the bag full of grass can directly be emptied into the compost pile as a whole bagging feature in the lawn mower makes this very easy for the user.
The only downside that we could think of with the bag is that you will have to empty it in a bin. Since there is a load, chances are you might spill the grass clippings.
Side Discharging
The next feature that we want to talk about is the side discharging option in the lawn mowers. For the uninitiated, side discharge means that the grass clipping is scattered outside as the mower cuts.
However, if you are buying the lawn mower for a larger property, then collecting the grass clippings later could be a problem. More and more homeowners are also preferring other features like bagging over the side discharge. Talking about the professionals, they still prefer the side discharge feature in the lawn mower.
The professionals are concerned about clipping and mulching the grass. Storage and disposal are not mentioned in their contract. Side discharge lawn mowers have more power since they do not carry the heap. If you are a professional, several hours required for a job are a more critical aspect.
Moreover, the cut’s quality is also better in the side-discharge mowers compared to the other types. Moreover, as the clippings keep on discharging, there is no concern over grass build-up around the blade. Since the blades are held higher in the side discharge lawn mowers, the cut quality would be more superior.
The apparent downside of side discharge is the mess created once the cutting is completed. In a small yard, where it is easier to collect the grass clippings later, side discharge could be less of a problem.
Mulching
Lawn mowers with the mulching option are top-rated for the benefits of mulching are known to garden lovers. The overall system works better since the grass clippings are used for enhancing the goodness of the yard. In mulching, the grass is broken down and fed back to the soil, increasing the land’s quality.
The grass clippings in mulching work like a feeder for your lawn. As the lawn is fed with the nutrients, you will get lusher, healthier, and greener grass. Moreover, the grass clippings from mulching can also be used as compost for the plants.
Last but not least, you need not worry about how and where to dispose of the grass in mulching. It does not mean that mulching is without its shortcomings. Effective mulching depends on the length of the grass and other such conditions. For instance, it is impossible to mulch if the grass is too long. You will have to make your mower work for more time to break those long clippings in the smaller once. However, over mulching of the grasses lets them lose their nutrient property.
Further, mulching requires you to bag and then spread the clippings throughout the yard before the process starts.
Overall, there is no clear verdict between the three options that you choose from. It ultimately depends on several factors, as we discussed, along with the type of care you want for your yard. The type of terrain, height, and thickness of grass, and the amount of time you can spend should be counted while selecting one among three options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
With a wide range of options to choose from, some commonly asked questions were asked by the users.
What is the ideal speed of a lawn mower for 3 acres?
Most of the lawn mowers you get for residential purposes will have an average speed of between 5-6 mph. The speed also gets affected by the type of terrain and therefore should be considered. Some lawn mowers can give the speed of up to 11 mph. We have already discussed the one here that has a max speed of 11mph.
What is the excellent Horsepower for a lawn mower?
Depending on the size of the yard, you can choose from the lawn mowers with different Horsepower. Usually, for 3 acres or more garden mower of 18-24 HP is considered an idea.
What Should be the Deck Size of a Lawn Mower?
The deck size of the mower depends on several factors, with one being the lawn’s size. Here, since we are talking about 3 yards or above, the ideal size could be a 46”-54” deck with the engine capacity mentioned above.
Should I buy gear driven or automatic Lawn Mower?
If your yard has little to no obstacles, a gear-driven lawn mower is a better option. Gear-driven mowers and tractors offer a steady speed at which the grass is cut. However, if the terrain is rough with more enormous obstacles or steep slopes, automatic transmission mowers are better suited with multiple speed options.
Should I get twin cylinder or single cylinder lawn Mower?
The twin-cylinder engine has a horsepower of 16HP or more and comes with a better balance and power. The single-cylinder engine fitted lawn mowers are generally used for smaller yards or lawns. Again depending on the terrain and size of the lawn, you should choose between the two.
Conclusion
We have covered most lawn mower’s aspects that you should consider while buying the best lawn mower for 3 acres. A well-maintained lawn increases the aesthetics of your home and is beneficial for soil and plants. Our definitive buying guide will ease out the entire buying process for you.
Article Author
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