Riding mower

{{Short description|Lawn mower on which the operator is seated}}

File:Wikimedia_Conference_2015_photo_by_Pine_-_36.jpg palace in Potsdam, Germany]]

A riding mower, also known as a ride-on mower, is a type of lawn mower on which the operator is seated, unlike mowers which are pushed or towed.

Riding mowers, which sometimes resemble small tractors and are in such cases called tractor mowers or lawn tractors, are larger than push mowers and are suitable for large lawns, although commercial riding lawn mowers (such as zero-turn mowers) can be "stand-on" types, and often bear little resemblance to residential lawn tractors, being designed to mow large areas at high speed in the shortest time possible. The largest multi-gang (multi-blade) mowers are mounted on tractors and are designed for large expanses of grass such as golf courses and municipal parks, although they are ill-suited for complex terrain requiring maneuverability.

Persons using a mower should wear heavy footwear, eye protection, and hearing protection in the case of engine-powered mowers.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be at least 12 years old before they are allowed to use a walk-behind lawn mower and at least 16 years of age before using a riding mower. They also should demonstrate proper judgement and maturity.{{cite web|url=http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/107/6/e106.full|title=Technical Report: Lawn Mower-Related Injuries to Children|author=Gary A. Smith|work=aappublications.org}}

Most commonly, riding mowers use gasoline engines rather than electricity as a source of energy, though some companies have begun to produce models that are fully electric.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}