How to Determine the Size of the Cutting Deck Needed for a Riding Mower

Measure the approximate size of your yard. You can walk off the perimeters to get a rough measurement. Mark a starting line in the dirt. Walk 20 steps forward in a straight line. Use your normal stride to get an accurate result. Mark a finish line. Measure the distance from the starting line to the finish line. Repeat the walk three times to get an average.

Add the three step totals together. Divide the answer by three to get an average. Take the number of feet you walked and divide it by the average number of steps. Example: 40 feet walked in 20 steps equals a step of 2 feet.

Walk the length of your yard and write down the number of steps. Walk the length of the yard and mark down that number as well. Multiply the length times the width. Multiply that number by the feet in your step to figure out the approximate square footage. To give you an idea how much acreage you mow, one acre is 43,560 square feet. Divide the square footage by 43,560 to determine the acreage.

Choose a 38-, 40-, or 42-inch riding mower cutting deck if you mow at least a one-half acre of land and not more than one acre. Purchase a 42- or a 46-inch deck if your lawn measures one to two acres. A 46-, 50-, 52-, or 54-inch deck is appropriate for mowing two acres or more. If your yard is less than one-half acre, check into a riding lawn mower with a smaller cutting deck.