Are Columbia Mowers Any Good? (Explained for Beginners)
As the owner of a 10-acre property, I’ve owned Columbia mowers for more than 5 years. I’m happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. My property has both rough and smooth terrain, as well as obstacles like a pool, a pond, and several gardens. I have both a zero-turn mower and a push mower so I can get the cut I want in various sections of my property.
So, Are Columbia Mowers Any Good Really?
Yes, Columbia mowers offers great value for the price. Although a less well-known brand, Columbia will give you a great cut and manicured lawn for both small suburban lots, and large country properties.
How Do I Choose the Right Columbia Mower?
Choosing the right Columbia mower requires a bit of an analysis of your needs. If you have a small lot that you plan to cut once a week, the Columbia 21-inch 159cc OHV Gas 2-in-1 Push Lawn Mower is likely all you need. I have this model and it works great. I use it around the pool area and near my back patio, to get a nice clean cut where the kids play the most.
For bigger properties, you’ll want a lawn tractor or a zero-turn mower. If you have a lot of rough areas or gardens/ponds, as I do, a zero-turn will probably better suit your needs. I use the Columbia 50-inch 23 HP Kohler Dual Hydrostatic Zero-Turn and I’m quite happy with it.
Are Columbia Mowers Easy to Use?
As mowers go, Columbia is about as easy to use as any other brand. The zero-turn mowers take a bit of getting used to if you haven’t used one before. All it takes is an afternoon of cutting and you should be mowing like a pro! The controls are easily accessible and clearly labeled so you can get the job done in less time and get on with the rest of your day.
What Type of Warranty do Columbia Mowers Have?
The mowers come with a 3-year limited warranty. This is not the best warranty in the industry, but it’s not the worst either. Keep in mind this applies to new mowers only.
When you buy through an accredited Columbia dealer, they’ll help set up the warranty for you. I bought my Columbia mowers brand new and I haven’t had any issues with them that required a repair under warranty.
You can access this website for more information about Columbia Mowers Dealers.
Are Columbia Mowers Durable?
I’ve had my Columbia mowers for more than 5 years now, and I found them to be quite durable. I’m in Ontario, so winters can be pretty harsh. I keep mine under a tarp outside (my garage is full) and I have been able to rely on them year after year.
I spend about 30 minutes each week in the spring and summer, changing the oil and doing minor maintenance on both mowers, and this helps keep them in good running condition.
I’ve had to have the starter replaced on my zero-turn, and have minor repairs done to my push mower but that is to be expected with any mower that gets regular use.
Replacement parts can be purchased from your local dealer or from big box stores like Home Depot. They can also be found online at sites like Amazon.ca.
What Accessories Are Available with Columbia Mowers?
There are limited accessories that can be purchased with Columbia mowers. Bags for collection, cup holder kits for lawn tractors and zero turns, arm rest kits, fender kits, and a few more options.
I think other brands, like Cub Cadet and John Deere offer much more in the area of accessories, but if all you’re doing is your own lawn and not using it for business purposes, this is all you should need.
Accessories are not overpriced, they range in price from $30 – $100.
Read More about Cub Cadet Mowers and John Deere Mowers.
Are Cub Cadet Mowers Good? (Explained for Beginners)
Are John Deere Mowers Good? (Explained For Beginners)
Are Columbia Mowers Comfortable to Ride?
My zero turn has a fully upholstered, high-back seat that gives me the comfort I need when mowing my property. At 59, I have aches and pains that my 23 year old self never had. It takes me about 3 hours to do my entire property, and I am never sore or stiff once I’m finished.
Do Columbia Mowers Give a Good Cut?
Simply put, yes Columbia gives a good cut. If you’re picky about how manicured your lawn looks, then a Columbia mower is sure to please. Like anything, the better you keep your mower maintained, the better your mower will work; i.e. change the oil regularly, keep the blade sharpened, etc.
A Columbia mower will help your home become the best-looking one on the block! If you’re concerned about having the best lawn in the neighborhood, a Columbia mower can help. I’ve gotten compliments on the look of my front yard from friends and neighbors, although that is not the number one reason I like a nicely manicured lawn.
What Deck Sizes are Available?
Generally speaking, the larger the deck size, the faster you’ll get the job done. Columbia mowers come with deck sizes ranging from 34” to 60”. Be careful about choosing a bigger size just because you want to get done faster. A ½ acre lot will suit a 40” deck size, while a 3-acre lot will do better with a 60” deck size. Is your property one large area, or are there several pieces/parts you have to cover? If your property is broken up into smaller bits, a smaller deck size may be better suited and give you a better result.
There is a good article here about factors to consider when deciding on a deck size.
How Much do Columbia Mowers Cost?
The costs range from $699 for a push mower to about $6,000 for a zero-turn mower. Accessories and options will obviously increase the cost, as will extended warranty options.
That investment will do you well, though, in the long run. You’ll have a well-manicured lawn and a mower that is reliable and durable.
There are always used models for sale as well, usually for a fraction of the price of a new mower.
What are Some of the Features of a Columbia Mower?
The Zero turn mowers are equipped with Briggs & Stratton engines, with an average of 22HP.
Other standard features on the zero turn mowers include:
· ZT 2200 transmission
· High pressure deck wash system (patented)
· 50” stamped cutting deck w/triple blade
· Electronic fingertip engagement PTO clutch
Standard features on push mowers include:
· Honda or Briggs & Stratton engine
· 21” steel deck
· Push button electric start (if electric)
· 3-in-1 options of side discharge, mulch, rear bag
· Rear wheel drive system
Features on lawn tractor models include:
· Hydrostatic transmission w/ foot control.
· 46″ heavy duty cutting deck w/twin blades & deck wash
· 22hp Columbia EFI twin cylinder engine or Koehler 22hp V-twin engine
Features may vary on various models within the same category, but generally I think you get a good set of standard options on all models.
What do the Reviews Say?
I looked at 3 different sites for buyer reviews:
Consumerreports.org
Bestproductlists.com
Popularmechanics.com
I didn’t find a lot of reviews compared to other brands. There were about 25 reviews, and Columbia received an average rating of 3 out of 5.
Most buyers like the quality of the cut Columbia mowers provide and the relatively reasonable price.
Some buyers were unhappy with the warranty length and the fact that they are not well suited for landscaping businesses, in the sense that they are not as durable as other brands.
Still other were not happy that Columbia seems to be more difficult to purchase in the U.S.
Who Makes Columbia Mowers?
Columbia mowers are made by a company called MTD. Founded in 1932, MTD manufactures other mower brands like Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt. Their headquarters are in Ohio, but have manufacturing plants all over the globe.
Columbia mowers are available from dealers across the country, and from stores like Home Depot. These mowers are readily available in Canada, but less so in the U.S. I’m located in Ontario so I have never had an issue finding or purchasing Columbia products or replacement parts.
Although MTD is an American-owned company, Columbia mowers are made in Kitchener, Ontario Canada.
Is a Columbia Mower a Good Investment?
All in all, a Columbia mower is a good investment if you’re looking for a reliable and durable mower for your lawn. Whether you have a small lot that you plan on mowing Saturday mornings, or you have a large country property like I do, you’ll get good results with a Columbia mower.
If you’re looking for a mower that’s built for commercial or business use, you may want to look at other, better-known brands, with better warranties. If you’re going to use these mowers all day long on several different properties, it may not give you the results you’re looking for. These are not meant for business or commercial use, at least in my opinion.
Sources
https://www.mtdproducts.com/en_US/our-brands/
http://townandcountrysales.ca/columbia-lawn-mowers.html
https://bestproductlists.com/review/columbia-riding-lawn-mowers-reviews
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/determine-size-cutting-deck-needed-riding-mower-100711.html