Your garden is only as good as the upkeep. If you want to show off your home, it needs to have a presentable garden, and the best garden tractor with locking differential is the best option.
Having a tractor is a huge advantage for grass cutting as it helps keep your back yard looking appealing while preventing future bugs and creepy crawlies living in there.
Garden tractors are increasingly replacing lawn mowers as the preferred option for maintaining your back yard.
Expect to pay less in garden tractors, and with the new generation of tractors, it will suit small gardens. The locking differentials are fantastic features that will increase its function.
What Is a Locking Differential?
Locking differentials, or lockers, are devices that lock both axles together so that you are delivering 100% of your tractor’s torque to both wheels.
The locking differential acts like an open differential, allowing the wheels to turn at different speeds. However, when you need traction, the locking differential will mechanically lock the two axles together, so that the two tires turn at the same speed.
This is hugely valuable when driving on an uneven surface with low traction, or when one tire has lifted off the ground.
So, what this means is that when it is engaged, the wheel that is off the ground receives no torque (because it is not providing any traction), and the wheel that is on the ground receives all the torque! And forwards the tractor goes!
How Do Locking Differentials Work?
The locking differential system on your riding mower really determines how it will operate.
Locking differentials can either be automatic or driver defined.
Automatic Locking Differentials
Automatic locking differentials lock the axles when torque is applied.
Some operate as open differentials, locking the axles when the mower loses traction and reset to unlocked when the tractor regains traction.
Others come locked and unlock when turning, with re-locking capabilities when no longer turning.
Driver-selectable Locking Differentials
Some differential lockers are more complicated—driver-selectable lockers are manual. The driver has to press a button, flip a switch, or pull a lever to engage the locker.
Most manual lockers use an electric button and an electromagnetic assembly to engage a collar that locks and secures the axles.
Others are called air lockers. The air locker uses a vacuum diaphragm that engages a clutch and locks the axles.
Air lockers and their components tend to be more expensive with a more complicated design. Air lockers have an air compressor and airline plumbing.
What Are the Disadvantages of Locking Differentials?
Some lockers are loud and can be hit or miss in the wet snow.
Regardless, drivers are typically willing to overlook minor issues because they have better locking abilities.
Mostly, the lockers are used on racing and other high-traction applications.
Garden tractors have lunchbox lockers that are inexpensive and simple to put in.
However, realize that their operation totally depends on the manufacturing company.
The lockers also become less efficient if you modify the vehicle with power adders or even if you put bigger tires on.
Best Garden Tractors with Locking Differential
The following are some of the good garden tractors with locking differential available in the market.
Husqvarna TS 242XD (42″) 21.5 HP Kawasaki Garden Tractor
Even though it’s small in size and very affordable, the Husqvarna TS 242XD does a great job of taking care of your lawn.
It has a 21.5hp Kawasaki FR Series OHV engine that performs well all year round in any condition.
While going up and down slopes the tractor will automatically deploy its rear locking differential to protect you from turning over in the event of slipping.
The 242XD’s chassis is built of heavy alloy steel. Below the drivers seat is a 42” fabricated steel cutting blade that works on all grasses.
The tractor also has a brush guard and deck washout port fitted to it.
Additionally, the oversized steering wheel makes it easy to navigate corners at high speed, and the seat is plenty big enough to accommodate individuals with large builds.
Key Features
- 21.5hp Kawasaki engine
- Alloy steel chassis
- 42” fabricated steel cutting blade
- Oversized steering wheel
- Automatic rear locking differential
Pros
- Value for money
- Robust design
- Easy to operate
- Powerful engine
- LED headlights for night use
Cons
- Some people complain that when you turn up the lock differential, it rips up the grass.
You can turn on the energy-efficient LED headlights when mowing under low-light conditions to increase visibility.
Simplicity Prestige Riding Mower
If you’re on the hunt for a garden tractor, you want something that’s well designed and has performance to match! Look no further than the Simplicity 2691418 mower.
With power steering, a Briggs & Stratton engine, and automatic traction control, the Simplicity mower can take care of your lawn maintenance all year long.
The full-power steering allows you to quickly and easily turn and maneuvers around obstacles when mowing.
The Briggs & Stratton commercial Series v-twin has either electronic fuel management (Efm) or electronic fuel injection (EFI), making it easy to start when mowing your grass, and also provides great starting reliability.
When using EFI, you will notice not only good starting reliability, but also fuel economy, due to how EFI promotes fuel efficiency.
In addition to fuel efficiency, the tractor also has a sealed fuel system, which allows your gas to remain more refreshed longer than other tractors, and load sensor that detects the demand and changes the power output when you are cutting bulky items, thereby increasing power output.
One of this tractor’s best features is the suspension comfort system.
This mower is equipped with front and rear shock absorbers that can reduce impacts by up to 25% compared with a conventional tractor.
So, as you cut your lawn to a premium standard you’ll feel more comfortable.
This feature is less effective while cutting tall grass and when driving over uneven ground.
Key Features
- Briggs & Stratton v-twin engine with electronic fuel injection or electronic fuel management
- Automatic traction control
- Power steering
- Suspension comfort system
Pros
- Easy start
- Excellent fuel economy
- Impressive suspension system
- Reliable engine
- Versatility
Cons
- It is bulky
- Small fuel tank
Additionally, you can use this tractor as a lift. Its dashboard has a mounted hydraulic lever for controlling front and rear tractor attachments.
Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
If you’re a property owner looking for a tractor that has good design and unique ergonomics, the Husqvarna MZ61 is the best option for you.
It combines a number of helpful features with the company’s unbeatable ergonomics.
The powertrain has a 27hp v-twin Briggs & Stratton engine that can reach a top speed of eight mph moving forward and 2.1 mph when in reverse.
It has hydrostatic transmission with electric cutting blade height adjustment and an oversize cooling fan. This is what makes this among the best garden tractors in the business.
In terms of high-level performance, this model has a strong 52″ cutting deck that allows you to cut grass at good speeds and evenly across all types of terrain.
The rear locking differential and large rear tires allow you to mow up hill at termperatures of above 10 mph without risking tipping.
With a zero degree turning radius, the hydraulic wheel drive ensures great performance when it comes to maneuverability.
The mower can even turn on its axle while stationary.
Key Features
- 27hp V-twin Briggs & Stratton engine
- 61” fabricated steel mower deck
- Electric blade engagement
- Ergonomic steering wheel
Pros
- Quiet engine
- Durable 52” cutting deck
- Chokes start
- Robust, heavy-duty front axle
- Cruise control
Cons
- It doesn’t come with washout connectors for a hose. This makes cleaning beneath the mid-blade area quite tricky.
Husqvarna zero-turn mowers provide comfort in a few ways. First, rubber isolators actually separate the rider from the chassis, which decreases operator fatigue.
Next, the seats new and comfortable to use while operating the equipment. Also, ergonomic adjusters also, which makes steering and operating while in motion easier.
Lastly, this tractor has an hour meter telling you when you need to service it after it’s been used for a while.
How to Choose the Best Garden Tractor
Here are the factors you need to consider when choosing a garden tractor with locking differential.
Garden Size
You’ve gotta make sure you get yourself a garden tractor that’s the right size for your garden.
If you’ve got a big, open plan garden you’re gonna want to go for equipment with a wide cutting width.
If your garden is a small shape then it’s going to be good to get a tractor with a small cutting width since these will be better in small spaces.
It also helps to measure the amount of space in your garden and leave enough area to maneuver the tractor.
Accessories
Tractor accessories increase tractor capability.
For example, the locking differential defined above, improves traction.
Accessories are often a matter of whether you need it now or later.
There’s no use in buying something you can live without and ignoring something that is required to operate your garden smoothly.
Transmission
A garden tractor is either hydrostatic transmission or manual transmission.
Manual tractors request you engage the clutch before shifting gears – just like your manual transmission vehicle.
But hydrostatic transmission works similarly to an automatic transmission. Hydrostatic transmissions are also more efficient and better at shifting around of obstacles.
Some hydrostatic transmission systems that also feature cruise control. This enables you to improve movement in widely dispersed areas (open space) and enhances fuel consumption.
Cutting Blade Positioning
It’s simple to mow under trees, bushes, and garden benches with tractors that have their cutting blades in front of the driver.
With front cutting blade positioning, you save the time that would normally be taken to move the blades when you are looking after your garden.
Tractors don’t all have their cutting blades in front of the driver. Tractors with their cutting blades under the driver’s seat are good for trimming hedges.
While front cutting blade positioning gives you better sight lines over the mowing area, tractors with this positioning do not collect the grass clippings. It is advisable to select differently positioned tractors, if managing clippings is important.
Ease of Operation
Take into consideration your needs when selecting a garden tractor.
While many features provide added functionality to your garden tractor, all machines you will not be accustomed to starting, stopping or be able to operate.
You will have to spend some of your time getting used to operating the tractor before you can use the tractor to its full capability.
In contrast – Tractors that are more straightforward in design, tend to have less features.
Is It Rear Collecting?
As the name indicates, with rear collecting tractors they collect the cut grass clippings as you cut the lawn.
It then transfers the waste into a collection bag that can be emptied by either a fleet behind lever, a button, or by simply taking the bag and disposing of the waste yourself.
Alternatively, you can use the clippings to restore mulch or simply add nutrients to your grass.
Most garden tractors with rear collecting are provided with mulching but they may need to be purchased separately.
Is It Side Discharging?
Side discharging is a great way to recycle grass clippings.
They are so effective that you will barely see the waste once you have used the tractor to finish your lawn.
They cut the grass, and spread it evenly over your lawn so you can let the grass wilt naturally.
These equipments saves the time you would have otherwise used in dealing with the clippings. You save fuel because you are never stopping to dispose of the waste.
Also – The clippings are adding nitrogen and potash to your soil. This application of natural fertilizer to your lawn will help the health and appearance of your grass.
Storage
Best practice is to put your garden tractor in a safe shed.
If you leave it outside, even if it’s covered, you’ll sacrifice durability and performance.
Additionally, you increase the likelihood of theft from increased exposure. Your storage shed should be conveniently located.
Servicing and Maintenance
Warranty length are different depending on the manufacturer. Some warranty stipulate that you are require to take the equipment for servicing to void the warranty.
Most manufacturers, on the other hand, will void the warranty if you attempt to repair the tractor yourself or hire an unauthorized person to do a repair for you.
So, it is advisable to check out the user’s manual and find out what the manufacturer says about a warranty.
Then, you will know what to do if the equipment breaks down in a faulty form before the warranty period has expired.
Wrapping Up
A locking differential could be the difference from riding along comfortably or being unable to mow your yard on uneven ground!
If you want a garden tractor to use on any ground possible, make sure to consider a model with this useful feature.
Our extensive review of the best garden tractor with locking differential should help you choose a genuine model for your garden.