If you're a homeowner, odds are you spend a lot of time tending to your yard. Trimming hedges, pulling weeds, and, of course, mowing the lawn, are likely all regular elements of your yard routine.

A little prep beforehand goes a long way ...

Want a sensational lawn without the sweat? This year’s options include two pricey tractors that coddle you with carlike comforts. But Consumer Reports’ tests of 116 tractors, mowers, and riders ...