What's the difference between a lawn tractor and a garden tractor?

What is a lawn tractor?

A lawn tractor is a riding mower built for one main job: cutting grass. It’s designed to help homeowners maintain medium to large lawns more quickly and comfortably than a walk-behind mower. While some models can handle light towing or basic attachments, their real strength is in routine mowing for a healthier lawn.

Lawn tractors typically have mid-range engine power, a more compact frame, and simple controls—making them easy to operate even if you’re new to riding equipment. They're a popular choice for residential properties that need regular mowing but not a ton of heavy-duty yard work.

Common features of a lawn tractor

Most lawn tractors are built around the same core features, though size and specs can vary by brand and model. Here’s what you can usually expect:

• Mid-range engine power (typically 15–22 HP)

• Cutting decks usually between 42–54 inches

• Designed for mowing and light towing

• Compatible with limited attachments (like baggers, carts, and dethatchers)

• Two-wheel drive with a smaller frame than garden tractors

The design prioritizes maneuverability and ease of use, making lawn tractors well-suited for lawns with trees, landscaping, or tight spaces.

What lawn tractors can—and can't—do

Lawn tractors are ideal for regular lawn care and basic yard tasks, especially if your property is mostly flat or gently sloped. They can tow small yard carts, spreaders, or aerators without much trouble.

However, they’re not built for heavy-duty work. They typically can’t support ground-engaging attachments like tillers or plows, and their lighter frame and transmission aren’t designed for rough or uneven terrain. If you need to break ground, grade a driveway, or manage large garden beds, you’ll want to look beyond what a lawn tractor can handle.

What is a garden tractor?

A garden tractor is a step up from a lawn tractor—both in size and capability. While it can handle mowing just fine, it’s really designed for more demanding yard work. With a stronger frame, more powerful engine, and support for heavy-duty attachments, a garden tractor is built to take on a wider range of property maintenance tasks.

Garden tractors are a good fit for homeowners who manage larger plots of land, work with uneven or soft terrain, or use attachments that require more power and traction than a lawn tractor can deliver.

Common features of a garden tractor

Garden tractors are noticeably more robust than lawn tractors. They're engineered for durability and performance, especially when paired with ground-engaging attachments or used on tougher terrain.

• More powerful engines (usually 20–30+ HP)

• Heavier-duty transmission and chassis

• Larger rear tires for better traction

• Support for ground-engaging attachments like tillers, plows, and aerators

• Available with locking rear differentials and sometimes 4WD

That added strength comes with a larger frame and more weight, but it also means the tractor can handle serious jobs year-round—not just routine mowing.

What garden tractors are built for

If you do your own landscaping, manage large garden beds, or need to prep soil, a garden tractor is up to the task. These machines can pull a wide range of attachments, including:

• Rear-mounted tillers

• Disc harrows

• Moldboard or box plows

• Lawn rollers and core aerators

They’re also better equipped for snow removal in winter with snow blowers or blade attachments. Thanks to their rugged design and often enhanced traction systems, garden tractors can work across uneven ground, hills, and soft soil without slipping or bogging down.

That said, garden tractors are heavier and more expensive than lawn tractors—so they make the most sense for homeowners who plan to use them for more than just mowing.

Which one is right for your yard?

It really comes down to what you need your machine to do.

Go with a lawn tractor if:

• You mostly need to mow a lawn up to a few acres

• You have mostly flat or gently sloping terrain

• You want a simpler, more budget-friendly machine

• You don’t plan to use many attachments

Choose a garden tractor if:

• You need to handle tough yard work like tilling or grading

• You own several acres with mixed terrain

• You want a long-term investment with more versatility

• You’ll be using ground-engaging or heavy-duty attachments

What lawn and garden tractors have in common

While lawn and garden tractors differ in size, strength, and capabilities, they share many of the same basic maintenance needs. Whether you’re cutting grass with a mid-sized lawn tractor or hauling a tiller with a heavy-duty garden tractor, keeping up with repairs and seasonal maintenance will help extend the life of your machine.

Routine maintenance you can do yourself

Both types of tractors need the same basic upkeep:

• Sharpening or replacing the mower blade

• Changing the air filter and spark plug

• Inspecting and replacing belts as needed

• Cleaning the mower deck to prevent buildup

• Checking tire pressure and battery condition

Most of these tasks are simple with the right parts and a bit of guidance. We can help you find the lawn tractor and garden tractor maintenance parts, belts, and blades you need to keep your equipment in top shape.

Common repairs

Many of the repair processes are the same regardless of whether you’re working on a lawn or garden tractor. For example:

• Need to replace a blade? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to replace a riding mower blade.

• Having issues with vibration or noise from the mower deck? You might need to swap out the mandrel assembly. Here’s how to replace a riding mower mandrel assembly.

The main difference in repair work typically comes down to accessibility. Garden tractors tend to have larger components and heavier-duty systems, which may take a little more time or effort to service—but the basic how-to remains the same.

Not sure which one you have?

If you already own a riding mower and aren’t sure whether it’s a lawn tractor or garden tractor, a few quick checks can help you figure it out.

Look for these clues:

• Frame and weight – Garden tractors are typically heavier, with a more rugged build

• Rear tires – Larger and more aggressive tires often point to a garden tractor

• Attachments – If it supports ground-engaging tools like tillers or plows, it’s likely a garden tractor

• Transmission – Features like ground speed control or locking differentials are usually found on garden tractors

Still not sure? Look up your model number on Sears PartsDirect to find a detailed parts list and manual for your exact machine—plus any available attachment info.

Lawn tractors and garden tractors serve different purposes, but they share plenty of common ground when it comes to maintenance and day-to-day operation. Whether you’re mowing a couple of acres or managing a mix of landscaping and garden work, knowing what your machine can do—and how to take care of it—makes every job easier.

From mower maintenance parts to DIY repair help, and blades to belts, Sears PartsDirect has what you need to keep your tractor running right—whatever kind it is.