How big of a yard do you think is reasonable to have a riding mower. I kinda want one I push mow now and it takes 1.5 hours on a good day mostly because of the shape and obstacles in the yard like trees, driveway, trampoline, fire pit, swing set. I say I get one the women says its to small a yard but the neighbors yard is smaller and he has a riding mower. Plus I'm kinda lazy I just wanna sit down have a beer and mow.

over 2 acres unless you have no balls and or obese

When the kids move out, that's when I'll get one.

I have 15,000 sq ft of grass and I typically push it because it leaves better lines (my lawn is another of my hobbies). If I miss a mow and it becomes too long to push, I have a rider but I really don't like to use it. I do use it in the fall for a last, short mow and to bag the leaves though. When I push, I'm usually out there 1.5-2 hrs which includes trimming the rock walls, driveway etc...

Although since my elbow surgery my boys have been doing it so I don't really care how long it takes...

People in my neighborhood have riding mowers and they fall into the latter of these categories.

 

over 2 acres unless you have no balls and or obese

 

If you have a lot of obstacles, you will need to get one of the zero turn deals or you will be spending as much time trimming the areas you couldn't get to as you would if you push mowed. 

 

My thought is unless i am burning an entire tank of gas on one mow then I can push.

Do you get a lot of snow?  Do you have to shovel walkways and a driveway?  If so, get a riding mower that will accommodate a snow blower.  You'll appreciate it more for dealing with snow than for mowing the lawn.

 

 

 

 

When the kids move out, that's when I'll get one.

 

That sums it up right there.  My son is 16, which means, I got about 2 years before I park my rear end it a John Dear or Husquivarna tractor.  I've got about an 1.5 acres.  Not big but it takes time to cut. 

The Z-Force drastically cut down my mowing time & Increased my Fishing time.

 

Win - Win right there.

 

A-Jay

 

Toro and Exmark make 30" push mowers, or you could get a 36" walk-behind.  Both of these options run a little under $1000 used. 

How big of a yard do you think is reasonable to have a riding mower. I kinda want one I push mow now and it takes 1.5 hours on a good day mostly because of the shape and obstacles in the yard like trees, driveway, trampoline, fire pit, swing set. I say I get one the women says its to small a yard but the neighbors yard is smaller and he has a riding mower. Plus I'm kinda lazy I just wanna sit down have a beer and mow.

 

No matter the size, having to mow around all those obstacles is just as bad when you are sitting down.  Look for a "zero turn" or "four wheel steer" mower which will cut down your time.  My JD is a LX280 with four wheel steer and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to run over the couple of acres of yard. 

 

Should I mention the by-pass to that stupid "can't mow in reverse" safety feature?

When to get one is when you want one, nothing more nothing less.