Garden Tractors

1. How large is your garden?

If you've got a garden under an acre in size, I would recommend a garden tractor that is 2-3 horsepower.

For gardens which are over an acre in size, a garden tractor of 15 to 20 horsepower is a much better option. The benefit of this is that you'll be able to safely tackle jobs such as moving heavy obstacles.

2. Keep your garden tractor well maintained. Any moving vehicle will be a death trap if you don't take care of it. You'll also save on expensive fuel if you keep the machine in tip-top condition. Fuel and air filters, the condition of tires and brakes - these are all things which should be checked regularly.

3. Don't forget the seat belt, chum! Seat belts are provided to keep you safe as you go about the chores on your tractor.
4 Before you start up the garden tractor, especially on a new section of land which hasn't been worked before, check the area to remove sticks, stones, pieces of metal (old farm machinery, for instance), so that you don't damage yourself or the garden tractor by colliding with them.

5. Garden tractors are not designed to bus your family around the garden - they are designed to be used by one person and it's extremely dangerous to allow more people to ride on the machine.

6. Just as you would do in your car, always apply the handbrake when you stop the garden tractor. There is a danger of the tractor running away if you don't put on the handbrake - and it would be awful if it ran over someone or caused damage to your lovely garden.

7. Check the recommended maximum load for your model - and don't exceed this. Also, observe the recommendations on driving the garden tractor on slopes. Safety first!