Owning a zero-turn mower can make lawn care season fly right by. These machines are designed to provide superior maneuverability and speed, allowing users to make quick work on even the largest lawns and landscaping projects.
For residential homeowners, a zero-turn mower can make lawn care tasks faster, easier, and more enjoyable. With a traditional riding mower, turning can be a frustrating process, but with a zero-turn mower, users can quickly change direction and navigate around obstacles with ease. This can save homeowners a significant amount of effort, leaving them with more time to enjoy life outside of lawn care.
For lawn care professionals, a zero-turn mower is a must-have tool for providing high-quality service to clients. These machines are designed to be durable and reliable, allowing professionals to tackle large jobs day after day. The speed and maneuverability of a zero-turn mower also allow professionals to complete jobs more quickly, letting them to take on more clients and increase their earning potential.
So, the question isn’t whether or not you should have a zero-turn mower. It’s what kind will work for you? That’s where our zero-turn mower comparison comes in. At Ty’s Power, we carry a variety of brands. Find out which one will meet your needs.
Zero-turn mower comparison: Acreage
Using zero-turn lawn mowers on an acreage can be a game-changer when it comes to lawn maintenance. Not only can it save you time and effort, but it can also help you achieve a more precise, professional-looking cut. Highly maneuverable zero-turn mowers can make tight turns and easily navigate around obstacles like trees, bushes, and flower beds. This is especially important when you’re working with a large area like an acreage.
If you’re consistently mowing an area that is five acres or more, consider the Hustler FasTrak® which offers excellent durability, a wide frame, a heavy-duty deck, as well as SmoothTrak steering that makes navigation simple. Also, with a mowing speed of over 12 mph, it can help you get the big jobs done quickly.
When you’re mowing up to five acres, something a bit simpler (but no less powerful) is best. The Hustler Raptor® line meets these qualifications, offering easy access to all its components and a strong, quality frame. It also offers a mowing speed of up to 7 mph.
Let’s say you’re dealing with slightly difficult terrain such as hills. You’ll want to be sure that your zero-turn mower comes with enough traction that you’ll find on heavier models as zero-turn mowers use the rear wheels to drive.
In these instances, a Cub Cadet® with a steering wheel will give you more guidance on a hillside or you could consider a stand-on, such as a Wright, (because you can weight shift more easily).
Zero-turn mower comparison: Small or medium lots
If you’re working with less area, zero-turn mowers can still offer a lot of benefits. Typically more maneuverable and easier to handle than traditional riding mowers, a zero-turn mower is a great choice for those with limited experience operating lawn care equipment or if you have physical limitations that make it difficult to operate a larger mower.
Decisions as to what size of zero-turn mower you’ll get often comes down to gate opening size or other constraining obstacle. The grade or terrain will also dictate which style or size of mower is required. For this, the best thing you can do is compare the size of the mower deck and the weight of the machine. With its wide, strong design, the Raptor X is perfect for everyday homeowners, providing an excellent cut as well as a three-year, 300-hour limited warranty.
Zero-turn mower comparison: Smooth rides
Terrain can offer a few bumps, but there’s nothing like a smooth ride to make mowing the lawn feel like less of a chore. For some homeowners, a smooth ride is a top priority and luckily, there are a few brands that have made it one.
In particular, we’d recommend either Ferris® or STIHL® for those seeking a smooth ride on their power zero-turn mower because they have built a suspension system into many of their units. Keep in mind that you might give up a bit of toughness to gain a better ride. But if a comfortable ride is high on your list, you don’t want to miss these units.
On the other hand, add-ons can be supplied for your Hustler including flex forks, seat add-ons, or even tire air pressure adjustments to ensure it provides you with a smooth ride.
Zero-turn mower comparison: Best all-around
With all of the options available to you, you might wonder if there is a brand that stands out from its competitors. In truth, it comes down to the specific issue you want to solve. A large acreage requires more power than a smaller residential lawn. The type of terrain you’re working on might encourage you to find a smooth ride over a fast one.
In general, the Hustler® line offers great value for many of our residential and commercial clients. In addition to offering many of the bells and whistles they want, it has a durable mowing deck.
While several brands offer a deck made from stamping a sheet of steel into a deck, Hustler products use a fabricated deck which means deck parts are cut and then welded into a mower deck, creating a stronger deck. This means you can spin the blade faster resulting in a nicer cut. They also bury a metal rod in the front of the frame to ensure it remains strong throughout its lifetime.
Zero-turn mower comparison: Highlights
No matter what type of power zero-turn mower you choose, there are a few things you’ll want to compare. Having a serviceable transmission is big with these mowers. Less expensive options will allow you to change oil in the engine, but not the transmission. That said, it’s a great feature to have.
You’ll also want to check warranties and corresponding hours. On average, homeowners mow for a total of 30 hours per season. This may rise or fall depending on the size of your lawn, but having a rough idea of how much time you spend mowing will help you determine what type of warranty is a fit. Come into Ty’s Power to learn more about the power zero-turn mowers we offer or to shop our zero-turn mowers.
