Buying A Zero Turn Lawn Mower?

Answer 1

Not all riding lawn mowers are created equal; they are purpose built. This means that the designs are meant for specific use by the consumers who purchase them. One lawn tractor design is perfectly suited for one job and woefully inadequate for another. This is often overlooked when buying a zero turn lawn mower.

Tractor versus mower

Many consumers want a multipurpose machine that mows the lawn in the summer, and has other uses such as snow removal capability in the winter. A mower is designed to just mow the lawn even if you can ride on it. A lawn tractor has a hitch to pull carts and lawn sweepers, as well as use accessories to blow or push snow and even till garden soil.

Zero turn mowers do better on flat turf

A mower that has a zero turn radius typically has very small steering wheels that literally allow the mower to turn on a dime. They are great for mowing around trees, poles and flowerbeds, but are often inadequate for mowing hilly terrain. The design of the mowers usually does not offer the stability and center of gravity for safe use on inclined lawns. Tractors are not made to traverse steep inclines sideways either, but normally outperform zero turn mowers on up and down inclines.

Most zero turn mowers have control arms instead of a steering wheel. Move the control arms to a specific spot to get access to the seat. Do not let the control arms entrap you during use during emergency situations. Learning to use levers to steer

Zero turn mowers usually use levers to control left and right steering. A steering wheel is more intuitive than levers for most people to use. There is an initial period of adjustment when learning to use the two levers in front of you like handlebars to steer. The levers allow for rapid maneuvering around ground objects such as trees and flowerbeds, but it takes some practice to get proficient.

People interested in the ability of a zero turn mower to go around objects and change direction fast are disappointed when they learn that the machine is just for mowing. If you want a tractor, there are some models that are available as a tractor with a steering wheel and tight turning radius. Think it through; do you want a mower you can ride on and turn quickly, or do you have a need for a tractor for other chores. Is your lawn flat, or does it have steep hills? Ask these questions before making your final decision.