When I first saw the Yard Machines 190cc 24-Inch Rear Engine Riding Mower, I couldn’t decide if it was a lawn mower or a child’s ride-on toy. Of course, I being a little facetious here, but I do have to say that this mower is quite small. So if you’re a bigger guy who needs leg room, then this already might not be the rear engine mower for you. It also might not be the mower for you if you have a large yard because this mower only has a 24-inch cutting deck.
This mower does have a more than adequate 190cc Briggs & Stratton engine and a 6-speed transmission. When I first started using this mower, I noticed that it’s probably the perfect size to use in that space between my house and my outdoor shed, so I decided to give it a try and much to my surprise, I was able to squeeze the mower through it. Now I don’t have to use my weed whacker for that little alleyway anymore. And believe me, that’s a good thing.
I also noticed that it handled uneven terrain pretty well. While I wouldn’t use it on hills, I do have to say that it did a pretty good job handling the rougher terrain out behind my house. Which was a pleasant surprise to me. As far as cutting grass goes, it does a good job. Just don’t try to make it do heavy work because this little mower isn’t really suitable for anything but light grass cutting. It does have a good turn radius, however, and I could really zip around the trees in my back yard.
All things considered, this machine is not intended to be worked really hard or used on large stretches of land. I think that it’s durable enough for day-to-day use but I really wouldn’t push it too hard. After all, it still feels like a cross between a toy and a mower to me. I don’t really trust the build quality. It’s good for cutting the grass around a small yard but that’s all I’d use it for.
