Shopping for the Best Zero Turn Lawnmower -ri Choosing the Best Machine for Your Lawn
If you own a large property with a huge lawn, you know what a pain it is to mow it regularly, but you have to do it since it will be even more of a problem if you neglect it. The worst part about it how much of your time it can take up – mowing a three or four-acre property can take up an entire afternoon. It’s even more troublesome if you have a lot of trees or other obstacles around the place.
Well, zero turn lawn mowers were made to solve that problem and save your time. Unlike lawn tractors, they can cut tight contours without the need to go in reverse, and at the same time, they also offer better visibility, allowing you to know exactly where you’re going and what you’re cutting. Their usefulness is incredible, and here’s why you should get one.
Why Buying a Zero Turn Lawnmower?
You might wonder what’s so special about zero turn lawnmowers, what makes them stand out. Well, there are multiple benefits that they offer over other similar lawn maintenance equipment.
For starters, their maneuverability is unparalleled for a riding mower, allowing you to cut down on time needed to maintain your lawn. With a lawnmower like this, you will have to spend significantly less time fixing up remote corners and edges with a push mower or a trimmer. This is achieved by the mower being steered through the front wheels, pivoting around the back wheels and thus turning smoothly.
They are also far easier to use than other riding lawnmowers. The zero turn mowers have highly responsive control levers that you simply push in the direction you want the mower to go. No more fiddling with steering wheels or foot pedals. It takes a short while to get used to, but it proves to be a much better and smoother control method. You can even spin completely in place if you use the levers properly.
Another thing they offer is the wide variety of additional features and attachments they can have, allowing them to ease your burden even more. You can choose what fits you and make your mowing job even easier and faster.
There’s plenty more to talk about, like how comfortable they are and so on, but we don’t want to keep you here all day. We believe this was enough to help anyone realize how useful a zero turn lawn mower can be.
The Man on Zero Turn Mower Cutting Grass on a Sunny Day with The Sun Low in The Sky
However, not all zero turn lawn mowers are equal in performance or quality, and some might just be a waste of your money rather than a good investment. Spotting a good one in the sea of mowers on offer can be a daunting task, but we wrote this article to help you with that. We will compare and contrast some of the best products out on the market right now, and offer you our sincere opinions on them as well as the reviews of multiple users. With that, you should be able to pick the right mower for you with no problems. So, let’s take a look at the products we picked!
Meet the Best Zero Turn Lawnmowers
No products found.
No products found.
The Good: It has great specs, especially its massive cutting width and great horsepower.
The Bad: The shoddy construction and flimsy parts are not acceptable, especially since it’s expensive.
The Bottom Line: This is a solid unit with some great specs but it is too costly and badly constructed, making it a hard sell.
This is just a quick summary – for complete info about these products, keep reading.
All of the Factors Considered
Lawnmowers like these are complex machines with a lot of different moving parts and plenty of various features that might or might not be necessary. Picking a good one can be a difficult task, considering all the things that can break down in a zero turn mower – one might seem great at first, but something inside it that you didn’t even consider might go bad and you’re left with a piece of junk. To help you avoid such a scenario, we will list the most important things to consider when picking a zero turn lawnmower.
Cutting Width
Probably the most important aspect when it comes to mowers like these is the cutting width or the width of the deck more accurately. Having a mower that can cut a wider swath in one go is obviously beneficial, especially if you have a large property since you can finish the job much faster.
However, having a wider mower is not always that great, especially when it comes to zero turn lawnmowers. You see, maneuverability is a big selling point of zero turn lawn mowers and the wider it is, the less maneuverable it becomes. If you can’t use it to cut around trees, edges, and corners, then there’s no point to it, and it doesn’t do you much good.
So, you should look at your yard, consider what you need, and find a lawnmower that has the width you need, while remaining maneuverable enough to cut the grass in every part of your property.
Engine Power
The strength of the engine (or engines) determines how efficient your zero turn lawn mower will be and influences almost every other aspect of it. It mostly affects the speed at which the blades can turn, how fast they reach maximum rotation, how good the mower will be at moving over obstacles and up inclines as well as the top speed.
The strength of a motor is usually measured in horsepower since almost all zero turn lawn mowers use gas engines. The engine displacement is also important, however, as the larger the ‘cc,’ the larger and more powerful the engine is.
In essence, it’s important to have a stronger engine most of the time. Still, if you want a smaller mower that is more maneuverable, you could compromise and get one with a slightly smaller engine. Smaller engines also produce fewer vibrations and less noise, so that might be something to consider. It all comes down to what you need.
Speed
The top speed at which a lawnmower like this can move influences greatly how quickly you can get the job done. But, that is just the most obvious benefit of having a faster mower.
The other benefit is that fact that it can more easily go up inclines and hills, something that might be sorely required if you have a large, uneven property.
In essence, the larger your property, the faster the speed you need your zero turn mower to move at, for maximum efficiency. If your yard isn’t that large, you can get one that isn’t that fast since they are usually not that expensive and you won’t need the speed that much.
Durability
Another important feature when it comes to lawn mowers like this is how sturdy they are. These mowers are a serious money investment, and picking one that will give you years upon years of use without breaking is crucial. You should carefully consider the materials the mower is made of and how it’s put together. Flimsy materials like a lot of plastic parts or weak aluminum just won’t do for a heavy duty machine.
Shoddy construction is also something you should try to avoid, and you should look for products made in countries known for quality, rather than cheap Chinese tat. You should also check the bolts and screws and how they fit since one of those falling out can spell disaster for a machine such as this.
In short, you should do everything you can to ensure that you get a reliable product that will last for at least a few years, if not for decades.
Additional Features
Plenty of zero turn lawn mowers offer a lot of additional benefits – some can be rather useful, while others are just fluff. Some of the best additional features are usually those related to the comfort of the user, as these machines are meant to be used for a long time. Yes, you’re sitting in them, but they can still prove to be uncomfortable after a few hours of work. Vibration and noise dampeners can come a long way in improving comfort, for example.
Another important thing when it comes to additional features is how adjustable the mower is. Adjusting the cutting height of the mower to exactly what you need is something a lot of people value and is an important extra feature to consider. Adjustable speed modes that give you more control with the levers can also be a great boon.
Then, there are also the various attachments and modes that allow a zero turn mower to mulch the grass or collect it in a bag for use as compost and so on.
Picking the right extra features that will make the work easier and faster for you is something you should consider carefully.
Now that you know what you should consider when buying a mower like this, here’s how our products of choice rank in those areas.
In-Depth Reviews of 3 Zero Turn Lawn Mowers
Key Features
Fantastic Cutting Width
The cutting deck of this mower is 54 inches wide, allowing it to cut your lawn in almost no time at all while still being able to maneuver around trees and other obstacles and get into tight spaces.
Strong Gas Engine
The gas engine of this unit has 24hp and 724 ccs, and is also equipped with a dual hydro-gear transmission. It features great air filtration as well as chrome plated valves with huge cooling fans for optimum performance.
Incredibly Fast
The top speed of this machine is 6.5 miles per hour, allowing to easily get up slight inclines and finish mowing your lawn in record time.
Reinforced Construction
The cutting deck of this unit is reinforced with flat-stock steel that grants additional durability and strength. It has a robust frame, and sturdy casters are ensuring durability and reduced pressure upon the chassis, making this unit last for years with no issues.
A Host of Comfort Features
The control panel is ergonomically designed and easy to reach at any time, while the chassis contains a removable foot pan that allows easy access to the top part of the cutting deck. The foot area is reinforced and slip-resistant, and the automatic parking brake, as well as the rear engine guard, will keep you safe.
Customer Reviews
Who Should Buy This Product
This product would be well suited for most users as it offers a nicely balanced host of features while not having any incredible downsides. It has great power and cutting width while remaining maneuverable, it can go rather fast, and it’s quality-made. It also provides excellent comfort and is almost free of noise and vibrations. It’s great all-around.
What to Watch Out For
There are a few minor issues with this one, but they are not negligible. The lack of armrests might be inconvenient for some people, and there’s no reason not to have them. The same goes for the fuel gauge on the control board – having one would be incredibly helpful, but it’s not there. A heat shield on the back would also reduce the possibility of the engine burning the grass when operating in top form.
The Conclusion
This is an amazing product all-around, having great power, good speed, and nice cutting width. It’s also extremely durable and has a host of nice comfort features, all at a decent price. However, there are problems with it, including the lack of some comfort features, like a fuel gauge, but other than that it’s amazing. It’s easy to recommend to almost anyone.
Key Features
Powerhouse Engine
The engine of this unit has 24 horsepower of strength. With that much power, it can cut an amazing8 acres per hour of operation using the three blades in its cutting deck.
Wide Cutting Deck
With a cutting width of an impressive 54 inches, this lawn mower can still get into tight spots and go around trees, while also being able to do the work that any other mower can do.
Great Speed
With a top speed of six miles per hours, this machine can work through almost any yard in a flash. It doesn’t even have problems going over rough terrain.
Sturdy Construction
What makes this mower extremely durable are the sturdy caster wheel and the rugged welded frame. The cutting deck is also made of reinforced steel.
Superb Comfort
This mower has an incredibly comfortable design with a great chair that has great padding and a good position for the back and arms. In addition to that, it’s also rather adjustable, especially when it comes to cutting height, allowing you to optimize to perfection.
Customer Reviews
On flat terrain, however, it works just fine, and if that’s how your property is, this should be good for you. It will cut down on the time you spend mowing if you use it. If you want anything more, though, you’ll need to invest more money.
Who Should Buy This Product
For people who have huge properties with some rougher terrain, this lawnmower will be a great asset. It has a huge fuel tank meaning that it can run uninterrupted for an incredibly long time, allowing it to work over a huge amount of terrain. It’s no slouch when it comes to other specs either, so it will do the job efficiently and with no breaks.
What to Watch Out For
While this machine can handle uneven terrain just fine, it has some real problems getting up inclines, and it is just unable to get up even medium-sized hills. For people working on flat or slightly uneven terrain this won’t be an issue, but if you have a property with a lot of hills, this mower won’t work well for you.
The Conclusion
This is a great zero turn lawnmower, especially for people with large properties as it can run for days. It’s also great in almost every other area, so it’s good for other purposes too. However, the problem is that it lets out a lot of fumes and can’t get up hills, almost at all. That, paired with the unconventional control method makes it a tough sell, even though it is a good product overall.
Key Features
Massive Cutting Deck
The cutting width this unit has – a full 61 inches – is almost unparalleled on the market right now. With that much width, it can get through a lawn in no time, though it might not be as maneuverable as smaller mowers.
Incredible Motor Strength
It measures up at 27 HP which is simply massive for a unit of this size. It also features hydrostatic gear transmission, making it even more efficient. With that much power, it is easily able to cut anything using its three blades.
Incredible Top Speed
This unit is easily able to reach the incredible speed of 8.5 mph, making it faster than almost any other lawn mower out there. Combined with the huge cutting width this mower can work over a lawn faster than anything.
Constructed to Last
It’s mostly made out of sturdy, reinforced steel, ensuring that it will last for a long time without any issues.
Made for Comfort
What makes this mower supremely comfortable is its back seat with great armrests as well as the adjustable and ergonomic steering levers. The speed, as well as the cutting height, is completely adjustable, making it simple and easy to use.
Customer Reviews
Who Should Buy This Product
This one is great for people who have incredibly huge properties as it can get through an enormous terrain in short time due to its incredible cutting width and the huge speeds it can reach. It’s just a great boon for that and massively lowers the time needed to mow all that grass.
What to Watch Out For
The problems with this machine come to its construction. For example, it is incredibly bad on any rougher terrain and might stall even on flat terrain because its tires are far smaller than they need to be for a machine this massive. The blades are also flimsy, and there’s a high chance they will break. For a machine this expensive, that is just unacceptable.
The Conclusion
What sets this machine apart from its peers is just how incredible its specs are. The engine is astoundingly powerful, and its cutting width is almost unrivaled. However, the problem is the flimsy construction that leads to it not being that worth the high price point at which it is sold. It’s still a decent machine, but it’s tough to recommend.
The Best Pick – Husqvarna 967324101
There are plenty of different products out there right now, and it’s hard to say with certainty which one is the best, overall. Different people have different needs – the ideal mower for a person with a small, flat lawn might be the worst product imaginable for someone who has a large property full of hills and trees.
However, when you narrow down the choice to just the mowers from this roundup, picking the best one is much easier. For us, that is with no questions the Husqvarna 967324101. The reason is that it offers balanced stats in almost every possible area while not having any glaring flaws. Sure, it does have issues, but they aren’t major like with other products here, and that makes it our top pick.
The Conclusion
As you can see, that is the best zero turn lawn mower for us – but it doesn’t have to be the best one for you. Depending on what you need, some of the other products presented here could be the right ones for you, and you shouldn’t discount them just because we picked this one as the best. Consider everything you learned here and pick carefully. If you found this article helpful, and we hope you did, share it around so other people could find it. Have a nice day and good luck mowing your lawn!
Recommended For You
The Best Leaf Shredder Reviews in 2018 – Shred Leaves for Compost
Homyden
We are home and garden enthusiasts, we share our unique knowledge and expertise. If you have home and garden ideas, feel free to write for us. However, your articles must be unique, informative, made of short and straightforward sentences.
I think this is one of the best blog so far about gardening. It’s all complete down to the details. People will get convinced of buying one as well.
All the lawn mowers features here looks so fun to drive. You’d forget about all the hassles of gardening because you’re having so much fun doing an efficient job on the lawn mower!
I have never used a lawn mower on my own and I will always depend on a professional to do lawn mowing for the aesthetic purposes. They do it beautifully. I have seen the lawn mowers using but never have paid close attention. But now I am thinking of buying one myself and do the maintenance work myself and I will absolutely go by your suggestion of Poulan Pro P46ZX Briggs V-Twin Pro 22 HP Cutting deck Zero Turn Radius Lawn Mower. It has a powerful engine and I think this will be suitable for me and meets all my demands. Thanks for the wonderful article.
Using a lawn more and cutting your own grass sometimes can actually be very stress relieving at times. The humming of the mower and the exposure to the fresh air of nature can really calm your mood…well at least it does for me.
For gardening tips, I have always relied on your suggestion and without a doubt, I will try the Poulan Pro P46ZX Briggs V-Twin Pro 22 HP Cutting deck Zero Turn Radius Lawn Mower. Your tips are great and have found this at the right time where I am thinking of replacing my old lawn mower I correctly landed here and like I thought it saves the day. Engine power and safety are the main things I see any lawn mower and this is perfect. Thanks for the wonderful article.
Driving one of those mowers through the garden will surely make one have lots of fun while doing the job around the house. Any of them will trim the grass in a flash which means saving lots of time. The medium duty mower would fit well into my gardening expectations.
I don’t know much about lawn mowers other than the ones I see in movies of course. But this article is sure as hell giving me all the info I need to know the best ones in the market today. Great one!
HUSQVARNA MZ61 27 HP ZERO TURN MOWER seems the most impressive for me. I think I can buy that one for now, my old one is just not cut out for further work. Hopefully the price is good!
Wow, love to read your blogs. I only know lawn mower to help with gardening but I never thought that we should consider before buying it. If you will buy one, you should consider buying mower that are efficient and this is the best one.
The maneuverability of the zero turn lawn mowers caught my attention right there! Anyone who has ever tried to mow in tight corners will know the extreme value of this. Great article, will share on Twitter!