Zero Turn mowers are a different slant on their more traditional cousins. “Regular” lawn mowers have historically been bulky machines to operate. Those who have lawns with lots of trees, flower beds, and other obstacles can easily grow frustrated with the lack of maneuverability offered by traditional mowers. In light of this, it should come as no surprise that the zero-turn mower has rapidly grown in popularity since its invention during the 1960s. Where it was once viewed predominantly as a machine ideal for commercial use, it has since been embraced by the general public as well. The zero-turn mower is available in either a riding mower style or a walk-behind form. Even so, there are also legitimate reasons why a zero-turn radius mower may not be right for you, so you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. In this post, we give you the information you need to decide whether the zero-turn mower is appropriate for you and your lawn.
A Zero-Turn Mower from Toro
Benefits of the zero-turn mower
The main advantage of the zero-turn radius mower is obviously revealed in its title. As its name makes obvious, the main trump card of the zero-turn mower is that it turns on a dime. This makes it far more capable of squeezing into tight spaces. The zero-turn mower is also much faster than the traditional mower. While this is perhaps not a great benefit if you have a small lawn, it is very handy for those who operate commercial lawn mowing businesses. One advantage that everyone can appreciate is that the zero-turn mower is easier to operate, since it is steered simply by using two levers that are connected to the rear wheels. The more open design (there is no hood, steering wheel, or cumbersome dashboard) also makes it so that the operator has much greater visibility than if they were using a traditional riding mower.
Disadvantage of the zero-turn radius mower
The unusual design of the zero-turn radius mower means that there are some disadvantages to the machine. First, because the tires spin faster, the zero-turn radius mower is not particularly well-equipped to handle wet condition. In addition, they have greater difficulty handle steep gradients, so if you yard has a slope of greater than 10 to 15 degrees, you will probably have to consider another mowing option.
In the end, the zero-turn mower is a great option for those who mow large yards or fields, as well as lawn owners who have to deal with cramped areas. If you have a steep yard, you should probably consider a different style of mower, but for most other lawn owners the zero-turn mower represents a great option.
