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I grew up watching my dad use sunscreen, sunglasses, and his classic Panama hat whenever mowing to protect himself from all the summer heat Texas has to offer.
Later on, he was diagnosed with terrible skin cancer and he was advised to use more protection when cutting the turf (He was never the type to easily abandon his favorite pastime).
That was my first encounter with lawn mower umbrellas and mower canopy tops.
Truth is, an umbrella helps greatly when mowing on a hot summer day- it’s also a nice way of keeping a spring shower at bay when on the job.
Below we review the best ride-on garden tractor umbrellas to point you in the right direction if you’re shopping for a quality umbrella for riding lawn mower
Umbrella for riding lawn mower – 3 top picks [reviews]
Husqvarna Universal Lawn mower Sun Shade,Black
This is the best bet for your Husqvarna riding mower- it fits on pretty much all Husqvarna tractors perfectly.
To be clear, it fits Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mower models TS 354D, YTH22V46, YTH18542,YTH24V48, LTH17538,YTH24V54,LGT48DXL, TS 146X,TS 142X, TS 142,TS 148X, TS 248XD,TS 248G, TS 242XD,TS 254XG,YTH2042, TS 354XD, TS 146XD, and TS 348XD.
It also fits most Poulan Pro riding lawn mowers (of course, Husqvarna makes Poulan Pro riding mowers)
There is a lot we like in this umbrella for riding lawn mower including its rugged construction – the UV-resistant nylon material it is constructed from is extremely durable.
And yeah, the powder coat paint finishing comes in handy in keeping it free of rust and scratches.
The mesh rear flap is an amazing feature- it helps shield the back of your head and neck from the scorching sun.
It’s not arduous to install (typically takes less than thirty minutes) and even cleaning it is a breeze- The shade cleans nicely with only soap and water.
The shade is 34-inch wide x 43-inch long and there is ample head room (there is a 38-inches clearance from the tractor seat).
Now you can mow your lawn in the middle of a sweltering summer day comfortably thanks to this very solid pick.
Pros
- Fits even with a bagger on.
- Installs/removes quickly.
- The frame is very well built.
Cons
- It may bounce a lot (or be blown by strong wind) when you’re operating the mower- bungee cords can help fix the issue.
- Not height adjustable so you have to be careful when mowing under tree limbs.
Craftsman Collapsible Ride-on Lawn Mower Shade Attachment
This Craftsman riding mower sun shade attachment is designed to collapse so you can mow under low branches without worrying about it getting ripped off the mower.
More importantly, this product provides adequate shade coverage to protect you against getting sunburned while mowing large lawns.
We also like its head clearance- if you’re tall, you’ll enjoy enough clearance here.
The steel frame (again powder coated) plus the heavy duty breakaway hinges mean it outlasts most of the competitors.
Simply put, this fine garden tractor umbrella attachment offers superior fit, performance, and durability.
Keep in mind that it fits most craftsman riding lawn mowers (from 2010 and after), including popular models such as 13APA9CT010 and more.
And oh, it can fit other tractors including some Troy Built, John Deere, Cub Cadet, and Poulan pro lawn tractor models though a few modifications and fabrication may be necessary for some units.
Overall, we are hugely impressed and would highly recommend it- there is a great value for money in this sun shade.
Pros
- Easy to store- folds up for storage (storage bag included).
- Convenient collapsible design.
- Significantly sturdier.
Cons
- This tractor umbrella parts not readily available.
Great Day TAP1000 Big Top ride on mower canopy
This riding lawn mower canopy Fits John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Ford, and nearly all popular brands of ride-on Tractors and can be an outstanding addition to your mower.
We appreciate that its main vertical structures adjusts in both width and height- the roll-bar angle also adjusts to fit most tractors with rollbar(ROPS).
Besides, it’s really constructed tough – the UV-resistant top is made of 0.180” polyethylene while the metal frame is made of aircraft-grade aluminum. The accessory is powder-coated painted too to ensure years of reliable service.
Note that the roof is 1-piece (you bolt it to the aforementioned metal frame).
With regard to measurements, it measures 36-inch wide x 46-inch long and fits rollbars widths of 29-inch to 36-inch wide.
It’s also worth mentioning that it weighs only 24lbs.
Installation is a piece of cake- it installs without needing any special tools.
Overall, this is far much better than a homemade lawn mower canopy and it is worth every penny.
Pros
- Universal fit lawn mower canopy.
- Easy, super quick installation.
- Looks pretty good once installed.
Cons
- The brackets that come with it are a little small for the roll bar in some models and you might need to purchase larger brackets to be able to mount it.
Umbrella for riding lawn mower – special mentions
There are a few other options that we feel are worth mentioning.
Here they are (in no particular order):
- John Deere tractor umbrella – it is specially built for John Deere riding mowers.
- Kubota tractor sunshade– works best on Kubota tractors 25hp (and less)
- Tractor Sun Shade Umbrella (universal lawn tractor sunshade)– available in canvas/vinyl.
- Femco Tuff Top Sunshade – originally built for zero turn mowers but fits any mower provided that the rollbar is 2″
Wrapping it up
The above umbrellas/shades/canopies will make a world of difference when mowing under the sun and searing heat (or under the rain).
That said, it is important to remember that compatibility is the biggest concern when shopping for umbrellas for lawn mower so check if your mower is listed by the seller in the description.
Another way you can verify if it will fit your mower by going through the reviews by other buyers (most mention the names of their lawn mowers in the comments).
Your final option is messaging the seller directly for clarification.
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