Best Riding Lawn Mower For Leaf Pickup
I have a question for you.
“What’s worse – overgrown grass or a lawn covered in leaves?”
Both, in my opinion!
That’s why you need to find a lawn mower that can collect leaves. Most traditional lawn mowers come with a bagger; however, that’s rarely the case with riding lawn mowers.
But that’s not to say you can’t install one; just expect to pay money for an additional part.
Guess that’s the price you pay for the performance of a riding mower.
Anyhow…
I’ve spent many hours researching and testing the best riding lawn mowers for leaf pickup. This article goes into detail about my findings; comparing the 5 top picks in 2022.
5 Best Lawn Mowers For Leaf Pickup
1. Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E (Best Overall)
Specifications:
- Cutting Deck: 42″
- Battery Life: 1.5 hours
- Speed: 5.5mph
- Charging Time: 4 hours
- Cutting Height: 1-4″
If you’re looking for an electric lawn tractor that climbs hills with ease, the Cub Cadet XT1 won’t let you down. As with nearly all riding mowers, it doesn’t come with a leaf bagger, so you will need to purchase it separately.
You can check out my recommendation below.
Back to the mower…
It’s got a shorter than normal battery life compared to gas mowers (1.5 hours), but the 42” cutting deck makes up for this slight downside. It also means you can cut larger areas in shorter time periods.
It’s also very powerful for an electric mower. Don’t be afraid to hook up a trailer to the back; this thing can handle it without issue.
While this machine works great on hilly terrain, it’s a little bumpy – so be prepared.
What I Like…
- Perfect for hills
- Longer battery life than most electric mowers
- Large cutting deck saves time
- Great power
- It can tow stuff
What I Don’t Like…
- A bumpy ride
- Uncomfortable seat
2. Cub Cadet CC30H (Compact Design)
Specifications:
- Cutting Deck: 30″
- Fuel Capacity: 1.3 Gallons
- Speed: 4mph
- Charging Time: N/A
- Cutting Height: 1.5-4″
Cub Cadet seems to be taking over this article with all their amazing mowers, huh!?
Unlike the XT1, this one is not powered by a battery. Instead, it’s a traditional gas mower that you find in most households.
So is that a good or bad thing?
Depends on what you’re looking for.
I would stick with the XT1 unless you have leaves covering a large area. In which case, the CC30H is a lifesaver thanks to its gas-powered engine.
This mower works best on flat terrain. In addition, the 30” cutting deck is relatively big, so you don’t spend too much time cutting the lawn. However, it’s not so big that it can’t fit through your garage doors, which is a major plus.
So how about comfort?
You’ll be glad to hear it’s super comfortable. The seat has a high-back design, which isn’t the case with all riding mowers. That means your back has more support, allowing for a more comfortable ride.
One of the only downsides I found is that getting replacement parts is difficult, but definitely not impossible.
What I Like...
- Gas-powered engine
- Best on flat terrain
- 30” cutting deck
- Fits in most garages
- Super comfortable seat
What I Don't Like...
- Tricky to get replacement parts
- Not for hilly terrain
3. EGO Power+ ZT4204L (Best Electric)
Specifications:
- Cutting Deck: 42″
- Battery Time: 2 Acres
- Speed: 8mph
- Charging Time: 2 hours
- Cutting Height: 1.5-4.5″
The EGO Power+ ZT4202L and Cub Cadet XT1 have the same size cutting deck (42”). While this is pretty big, the EGO Power has a slight upside.
It can reach a top speed of 8mph.
Make sure you don’t get caught speeding in this mower, huh!?
And that’s while being powered by batteries. Not only can you pick up leaves at a rapid rate, but the engine (or battery!) noise is almost non-existent.
Sounds like some nighttime mowing is in order!
In addition, there are multiple driving modes to choose from, which is uncommon for riding lawn mowers…
Control, standard, and sports modes are all available.
It’s beginning to sound more like a Ferrari than a lawnmower, right!?
To reach top speeds of 8mph, sport mode should do the trick.
It’s also zero-turn, so you don’t have to waste any time turning around. This is excellent for people that have leaves covering a large area.
The cutting deck can be adjusted between 1.5-4.5”. This gives you plenty of options when it comes to grass length. Most riding lawn mowers can only cut to a maximum height of 4”, giving you an extra half an inch.
So how about the downsides?
Because of the large cutting deck, it may not fit in your garage. It’s important to measure your garage entrance before purchasing. If it’s larger than 40”, I recommend the Cub Cadet CC30H instead.
What I Like...
- Zero-turn design saves time
- One of the fastest mowers
- 3 Different driving modes
- Many cutting height options
- Quiet performance
What I Don't Like...
- May not fit in your garage
- Zero-turn mowers require a learning period
4.Troy-Bilt Pony 42X Riding Lawn Mower (Best Gas Pick)
Specifications:
- Cutting Deck: 42″
- Fuel Capacity: 1.36 gallons
- Speed: 5.5mph
- Charging Time: N/A
- Cutting Height: 1.5-3.75″
The Troy-Bilt Pony is one of a kind. Not only does it have a large cutting deck, but it’s also got a tight turning radius.
Perfect for people who want to save time.
There are 5 cutting heights to choose from. These range from between 1.5-3.75”, which is a little less than other riding mowers on the market.
The thing I like most about the Troy Bilt Pony is the comfort aspect. I admit – it doesn’t have a high backrest.
However…
There is plenty of legroom, ensuring you stay comfortable for longer periods. I recommend purchasing one of these for larger lawns.
So how about the power and performance?
It has a Troy-Blit engine, which is known for its excellent durability and power. It boasts a whopping 547CC of power, putting it a level above most riding mowers.
There are not many downsides to this mower.
The only thing is that it’s not eco-friendly, and can pollute the environment. This is not ideal for the plants on your lawn.
What I Like...
- Tight turning radius
- 5 cutting heights
- Plenty of legroom
- Powerful engine
- Durable
What I Don't Like...
- Not eco-friendly
- No high backrest
How To Choose The Best Riding Mower For Collecting Leaves
Cutting Width
The cutting width of a lawnmower is super important when you attach a leaf bagger. The bigger the cutting deck, the faster you can pick up leaves.
And the faster you can pick up leaves, the quicker you can watch baseball and enjoy a beer!
But sometimes you will need to substitute a large cutting deck. For example, if you have a small garage, a large cutting deck may prevent the mower from gaining entry. This is because the cutting deck is the widest part.
Type Of Terrain
Different mowers work better on different terrains.
Here’s the breakdown…
If you want something that can climb hills, it’s best to go for a rear-engine design. Rear-engine mowers provide better traction and power, making it easier to climb steep inclines.
So how about electric mowers?
In general, I wouldn’t recommend electric mowers for climbing hills. However, the Cub Cadet XT1 is the exception to this rule.
If you’re picking up leaves on flat terrain, both rear-engine and front-engine mowers work great.
Battery Life
How many leaves do you have on your lawn?
If the answer to this question is “A lot”, then you need a mower with longer battery life (if it is electric). Electric mowers don’t last as long as gas mowers but should be sufficient (depending on the size of your lawn!).
For gas mowers, you don’t have to worry about this, as you can easily refill them with fuel at any time.
Other Ways To Collect Leaves With A Riding Lawn Mower
Tow-Behind Trailer
A tow-behind trail is a great alternative to a leaf bagger attachment.
But a word of warning…
Stick with front-engine lawn mowers, as they are much better for towing. Rear engine mowers do a better job at cutting the grass.
Mulching Kit
A mulching kit won’t collect your leaves per se, but it will chew them up and disperse them on your grass.
The purpose of this is to help your lawn stay healthy. It provides your grass with nutrients, helping promote healthy growth.
Here’s the good news…
Sometimes, mulch kits are included with riding lawn mowers, so you wouldn’t need to spend additional money.
Final Word
Nearly all riding lawn mowers are sold without a bagger attachment. That means you will need to purchase one yourself.
Although this costs more money, it means you can always pick up those annoying leaves taking over your lawn!
Still unsure which mower is best?
You can’t go wrong with the Cub Cadet XT1. It’s electric, powerful, and works on hilly terrain. Attach the MTD double bagger to the back and picking up leaves will be effortless.