Quick Navigation:

  1. Overview
  2. Riding Comfort
  3. Engine
  4. Mower Handling and Performance on Hills/Rough Terrain
  5. Quality of Cut
  6. Accessories
  7. Conclusion

 

 
 

Overview

The Poulan Pro riding lawn tractor with a 17.5 HP engine by Briggs Stratton is a decent size and pretty good quality of cut for a much more affordably priced mower. I will also speak to a few issues and concerns, though this mower has significant “above standard” value, while still being what you need from a budget friendly model.

 

 

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Comfort

 

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Quality of Cut

 

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Price

 

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Handling/Performance

 

 
 

Riding Comfort

This Poulan Pro can be a little jerky in the beginning mostly due to the clutch. Also be careful when releasing the brake. This seems more or less to resolve itself over time with use and patience when turning on your mower. Not an issue to really worry about.

The seat has a low back and may not be comfortable for people of all heights when leaning up or especially downhill. It is best to know your yard and not fly up or down it in order to ride more safely. It is more reliable if you use this mower on flatter or more level yards because of the higher center of gravity combined with the low-rise seat makes. As always, the owner’s manual highly recommends not driving on hill grades over 15%. I would definitely be careful on any grade hill using this mower.

Additionally, there are levers placed on either side of the seat, yet this doesn’t really hinder getting on and off the mower. It is just something some consumers noted.

Less of a discomfort issue with the body of the lawn tractor than an audible discomfort, the engine is pretty loud. This isn’t uncommon in certain lawn mowers. It is recommended to wear ear protection while riding this Poulan Pro lawn tractor.

 

 
 

Engine

You will see a pretty strong performance out of this 17.5 HP Briggs & Stratton single-cylinder overhead valve engine. Briggs and Stratton are well known for making good residential use engines and are also known for being a rather durable choice. This particular model comes with a torque of 26.1, an agreeable number of torque for an engine and mower of this size. It has that get up and go.

Please be careful when refilling your gas if the engine was recently on because the gas tank and engine are next to one another. This was mentioned by a few consumers as something to be aware of.

Speaking of the gas tank, it is only 1.5 gallons, so something to consider.

Depending on how familiar you are with lawn tractors, this one may or may not be the one for you if your level of maintenance experience is on the amateur side. Some people felt that this Poulan Pro mower requires more maintenance than others. Something to consider prior to purchasing, though others felt just fine with the product performance and amount of maintenance for the price.

This model is California CARB Compliant for any of you Californians out there looking for a mower.

Here is a video giving an overview of the engine. Pay attention to the engine on the left, that is the one in this mower.

 

Click here to read the full warranty on the Poulan Pro 42″ PP175G42
Service Manual for the Poulan Pro 42″ PP175G42

 
 

Mower Handling and Performance – Hills/Rough Terrain

WARNING: You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for mowing hills, usually that means don’t mow a slope over 15 degrees. Try to attack the slope in an up and down manner instead of side to side (if you have to lean halfway off the mower to feel stable you’re probably exceeding recommendations!)

The Poulan Pro PP175G42 mower is a manual transmission and it will travel at a forward speed of 5.1MPH.

Unlike some mowers in this price range, the Poulan Pro 42 in. lawn tractor has the ability to reverse at up to 1.6 mph. This feature allows for better movement around the yard. Technically, you can mow while in reverse, though this is not highly recommended. It is still a convenient feature.

While not zero turn, the turning radius is still a nice, tight 16 inches, which is perfect for maneuvering around trees, poles, and other objects that may be in the way.

You will be mowing along on 20 inch rear tires and 15 inch front tires. With an overall weight of 393lbs and the tires size, don’t expect great traction on hills. Really, this mower is best suited for less than 2 acres of mostly flat lawn.

 
 

Quality of Cut

There is a lever behind the steering wheel (attached to the steering wheel column) that engages the blades. While this did not turn people off from buying the lawn tractor, it was just something a handful of reviews had difficulty with or felt was awkward when first handling this Poulan Pro model.

This Poulan Pro lawn tractor seems to cut even higher lengths of grass well. The quality of cut seems to be satisfactory across the board. Nothing fancy – just an expectedly decent cut by the two blades under the 13 gauge stamped steel deck.

Some consumers complained about scalping when on a hill. For an even more ideal and even cut, you could add anti-scalping wheels. This would definitely help the cut in areas that are more hilly or rough.

The cutting height ranges from 1.5 to 4 inches over 6 adjustable spring lift assisted positions.

 
 

Accessories

There are not many additional features to this Poulan Pro lawn tractor model. Though it does not come with any bells and whistles, it does have a garden hitch on the back so you can use the normal variety of accessories like a tow-behind utility cart, broadcast spreader, tow behind sprayer and many more.

 
 

Conclusion

Despite the few mentioned issues about the low-back seat, initial jerkiness, deck and belt slippage, this riding mower still seems to perform pretty well for most consumers. It is a good run of the mill level yard lawn tractor with a good engine.

It is an economy mower at an economy price. If you’re looking for something a little bit better or that can handle hills I’d suggest something like the Poulan Pro 46″ Mower.

You are covered by a pretty standard two year warranty.

As always, I recommend that you use the mower and try it out before making any adjustments or buying any upgrades or accessories. You may like the original mower’s functionality and stock setup just fine.

 

 

Affiliate Disclaimer – if you decide to purchase a mower based on my review, I do get a small piece of the sale. It helps to keep the lights on around here. I am very passionate about lawns and mowers and offer my unbiased review towards everything that goes on this site. I research several pages, specs, videos, forums and other reviews of each mower before I post about it so you don’t have to. If I wouldn’t buy it myself, I wouldn’t recommend it to you either.

– Brandon

Brandon

I am very passionate about lawns and mowers and offer my unbiased review towards everything that goes on this site. I research several pages, specs, videos, forums and other reviews of each mower before I post about it so you don't have to.