Stiga Tornado 398 M Lawn Tractor – Side Discharge Ride-On Mower for Larger Gardens
The Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor is a petrol-powered, side-discharge ride-on mower designed for homeowners who want to maintain larger lawns quickly and efficiently, without the need to collect clippings. With a 98 cm twin-blade cutting deck, powerful 352 cc STIGA engine and robust chassis, it is ideal for lawns and paddocks up to around 4,500 m² where mulching or side discharge is preferred over collection.
Available from Masseys in Swadlincote, the Stiga Tornado 398 M side discharge lawn tractor sits in our extensive
Stiga lawn tractors range
and forms part of our wider selection of
ride-on mowers and lawn tractor mowers at Masseys.
It is a strong choice if you want a reliable side-discharge tractor with the option to mulch using an additional plug.
Key features of the Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor
STIGA ST 350 engine: 352 cc single-cylinder petrol engine with a net power output of 6.5 kW @ 2,800 rpm for dependable performance on larger domestic lawns.- 98 cm cutting deck: Twin-blade deck with two anti-scalp wheels to protect the turf on uneven ground and give a consistent finish.
- Side discharge as standard: Ideal for areas where clippings can be left to break down naturally, such as rough grass or paddock-style areas.
- Optional Multiclip mulching: Fit the optional Stiga mulching plug to finely chop clippings and return them to the lawn for a more formal finish without collection.
- Seven cutting heights: Manually adjustable cutting height from 25 – 80 mm across 7 positions, using a lever next to the seat.
- Mechanical 5 + 1 transmission: Lever-operated, 5 forward and 1 reverse gear, giving you a suitable ground speed for most mowing conditions.
- Electric blade engagement: Electromagnetic clutch lets you engage or disengage the blades at the press of a button.
- Deck wash port: Washing link allows you to connect a hose and clean the underside of the deck to maintain airflow and cutting performance.
- Front bumper and solid frame: Front bumper helps protect the tractor nose, while the robust chassis is engineered for long service life.
- Designed for lawns up to 4,500 m²: A good match for larger domestic gardens, small paddocks and mixed grass areas.
Cutting performance, side discharge and mulching options
The Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor is designed primarily as a side-discharge machine. Grass is cut and ejected through the side deflector in neat rows, allowing longer or rougher grass to be managed without needing to stop and empty a collector. This makes it especially suitable for:
- Rougher lawns and paddocks where appearance is less critical.
- Areas that are allowed to grow longer between cuts.
- Properties where disposing of large volumes of clippings would be inconvenient.
For more formal areas or regular maintenance, you can fit the optional Stiga Multiclip mulching plug. In mulching mode, the twin blades recut clippings into fine particles, which are blown back into the turf. This helps to:
- Feed the lawn naturally with returned nutrients.
- Reduce the need to dispose of clippings.
- Improve the overall finish when mowing more frequently.
The seven-position height-of-cut adjustment (25–80 mm) makes it easy to raise the deck for the first cut of the season or longer grass, then lower it down for regular maintenance and a closer finish.
Comfort, controls and build quality
The Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor combines a compact chassis with practical ergonomics so you can work comfortably for longer:
- STIGA classic steering wheel with light steering effort for easier manoeuvring around trees and obstacles.
- Comfortable driver’s seat with safety contact breaker, so the engine cuts if the operator leaves the seat while the blades are engaged.
- Lever-operated mechanical transmission with 5 forward and 1 reverse gear, so you can choose a suitable mowing speed and reverse through tighter spots.
- Clear, simple controls for deck height, blade engagement and transmission, easy to reach from the driving position.
- Wide-profile rear tyres for good traction while remaining gentle on the lawn.
The strong steel frame, anti-scalp deck wheels and careful attention to ergonomics make the Tornado 398 M a solid workhorse for regular mowing on larger domestic properties.
Is the Stiga Tornado 398 M the right lawn tractor for your garden?
This side-discharge lawn tractor is best suited if you:
- Have a lawn or grass area of up to 4,500 m².
- Do not need to collect clippings and are happy for them to be discharged or mulched.
- Want a 98 cm cutting deck to cover ground efficiently without the size and cost of a larger estate tractor.
- Prefer simple mechanical controls and a proven STIGA petrol engine.
If you want collection rather than side discharge, consider a rear-collect Stiga tractor such as the
Stiga Estate 384 rear-collect lawn tractor
or the more powerful
Stiga Estate 598 W twin-cylinder lawn tractor.
If you like the Tornado concept but want more power or a wider deck, you may prefer the
Stiga Tornado 398 side-discharge lawn tractor
with a larger engine, or the
Stiga Tornado 5108 lawn tractor
for even bigger areas.
Compare the Stiga Tornado 398 M with other Stiga lawn tractors at Masseys
Masseys stocks a broad choice of Stiga lawn tractors, making it easier to match the tractor to your lawn size and cutting preferences:
- Stiga lawn tractor mowers at Masseys – overview of the full Stiga tractor range, including out-front mulching models.
- Stiga Tornado 398 side-discharge garden tractor – 98 cm side-discharge tractor with a 432 cc engine for more demanding conditions.
- Stiga Tornado 5108 W twin-cylinder lawn tractor – 108 cm cutting width and twin-cylinder engine for larger, tougher areas.
- Stiga Combi 166 compact collecting lawn tractor – narrow 66 cm deck for tight gateways and lawns where collection is essential.
- Stiga Combi 372 compact hydrostatic lawn tractor – collecting and mulching capability with a 72 cm deck and smooth hydrostatic drive.
- Stiga Estate 598 W rear-collect garden tractor – 98 cm rear-collect tractor with twin-cylinder engine and three cutting modes.
If you are unsure which Stiga tractor mower is the best fit, our garden machinery team can contrast the Tornado, Combi and Estate ranges for you and explain the pros and cons of side discharge, mulching and collection for your particular garden.
Technical specifications – Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor
- Brand: Stiga
- Model: Tornado 398 M
- Engine brand: STIGA
- Engine model: ST 350
- Displacement: 352 cm³
- Engine power: 6.5 kW @ 2,800 rpm (net power output)
- Power source: Petrol, air-cooled, 4-stroke
- Fuel tank capacity: 6 litres
- Battery: 12 V, 18 Ah (electric start)
- Maximum working area: approx. 4,500 m²
- Cutting width: 98 cm
- Cutting method: side discharge as standard
- Additional cutting method: Multiclip mulching (optional mulching plug)
- Number of blades: 2, untimed rotation
- Cutting height range: 25 – 80 mm
- Cutting height positions: 7, lever-operated
- Deck wheels: 2 anti-scalp wheels
- Minimum uncut radius: 70 cm
- Transmission type: mechanical, lever-operated
- Gears: 5 forward + 1 reverse
- Traction: rear-wheel drive
- Blade engagement: electric (electromagnetic clutch)
- Deck wash port: yes
- Front bumper: yes
For full manufacturer details, including any running production updates, you can also refer to the
official STIGA Tornado 398 M petrol garden tractor page.
Why buy your Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor from Masseys?
Masseys is a family-run independent business established in 1947, based in Woodville, Swadlincote. Over many decades we have built a strong reputation supplying and supporting garden machinery and lawn tractors across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and the surrounding counties.
- Specialist Stiga dealer: We carry a wide selection of Stiga tractor mowers in our showroom, with machines on display so you can compare sizes, ergonomics and features in person.
- Workshop-backed sales: Our
machinery servicing and repairs department
looks after routine servicing, warranty work and repairs using appropriate parts and lubricants. - Pre-delivery inspection available: With our “Ready to Mow” service, we can assemble, fuel, oil and run the tractor, then deliver it locally ready for use.
- Knowledgeable staff: The team at Masseys work with ride-on mowers and Stiga tractors every day and can offer practical advice based on real-world use – not just a catalogue description.
- Local delivery: Delivery is available to much of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Burton on Trent, Ashby, Coalville, Tamworth, Nottingham and nearby areas (charges and coverage available on request).
If you would like tailored advice on whether the Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor is the right choice for your garden, you are welcome to visit the showroom or call the garden machinery team for straightforward, experienced guidance.
FAQs – Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor
What size lawn is the Stiga Tornado 398 M suitable for?
The Stiga Tornado 398 M is recommended for lawns and grass areas up to around 4,500 m², depending on how intensively you cut and how complex the layout is. For significantly larger areas, it may be worth comparing it with the
Stiga Tornado 5108 lawn tractor
or other larger-deck models in our
Stiga tractor mowers range.
Does the Tornado 398 M collect grass?
No. The Tornado 398 M is a side-discharge lawn tractor as standard. It discharges clippings through the side chute, which is ideal for longer or rougher areas. For a similar-sized tractor with collection, consider a rear-collect model such as the
Stiga Estate 384 lawn tractor
or the
Stiga Estate 598 W twin-cylinder lawn tractor.
Can the Stiga Tornado 398 M mulch clippings?
Yes. The tractor is capable of mulching when fitted with the optional Stiga Multiclip mulching plug. This blocks the discharge chute and allows the blades to recut clippings into fine particles that are blown back into the turf, giving a cleaner finish when mowing regularly.
Is the transmission hydrostatic or manual?
The Tornado 398 M lawn tractor has a manual, lever-operated mechanical transmission with 5 forward gears and 1 reverse gear. If you prefer a pedal-operated hydrostatic drive for smoother speed control, look at models such as the
Stiga Combi 372 hydrostatic collecting tractor
or the
Stiga Tornado 5108 W hydrostatic lawn tractor.
What routine maintenance does the Tornado 398 M require?
Routine care includes checking and changing engine oil at the recommended intervals, keeping the deck clean using the wash port, checking the air filter, ensuring blades are sharp and balanced, and keeping tyres correctly inflated. Masseys’
garden machinery servicing department
can carry out annual servicing and any repairs required over the life of the machine.
Can Masseys deliver the Stiga Tornado 398 M ready to use?
Yes. For customers within our local delivery area, we can deliver the Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor fully assembled and pre-delivery inspected, with oil and fuel added and controls checked, so it is ready to mow on arrival. Please contact us for current delivery coverage and pricing.
Stiga Tornado 398 M lawn tractor – Ready to Mow is + £29.99
This includes delivery (within 15 miles of our store), build the machine and add the correct amount of fuel and oil. All for only £29.99.
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