Buying guide for best zero-turn mowers
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If you have a large property and you're still breaking a sweat pushing a lawn mower around, maybe it's time to consider a zero-turn riding mower. The time and energy you'll save will change mowing from a "got to" to a "get to."
Every mower is different — sizes, controls, seat styles and more all go into making the decision as to which is right for you. It's a huge investment, purchasing a zero-turn mower, so ensuring you have the one that fits your specific needs is paramount.
We love the Husqvarna MZ61 Zero-Turn mower. It's built for at least 5 acres of mowing, handles more like a car than a lawn mower and turns a dreadful chore into a weekend stroll, literally.
What is a zero-turn mower?
A zero-turn mower is a lawn mower with a mowing deck that is in front of the mower, rather than underneath it.
It’s called a zero-turn mower because its turn radius is zero, which means that the mower can pivot on its back wheels to turn much more quickly than other types of mowers.
Most zero-turn mowers have four wheels, with two swiveling tires in the front and two large drive tires in the back. The wheels operate independently of one another, and the mower usually doesn’t feature a steering wheel. Instead, they usually have two levers that connect to the rear wheels’ motors.
If you push both levers forward, the mower moves forward. If you pull them back, the mower moves in reverse.
For a right turn, you push the left level forward and leave the right lever alone. For a left turn, you push the right lever forward and leave the left lever alone.
What are the benefits of a zero-turn mower?
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With a zero-turn lawn mower, you can mow your lawn more quickly than with other types of mowers. That’s because you can move around trees and other obstacles more quickly and change direction easily.
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A zero-turn mower allows for better maneuverability when you’re mowing the lawn because the wheels operate independently of one another.
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Because it doesn’t take as long to mow your lawn, you’ll use less fuel with a zero-turn mower – and save money as a result.
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Since you don’t need to run the mower as long as other types, a zero-turn mower usually lasts longer than other types of lawn mowers.
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A zero-turn mower allows for a cleaner cut because its blade tips move at a higher speed than other types of mowers.
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You can often mulch more effectively with a zero-turn mower because its high speed blade tips make easy work of leaves.
Zero-turn mower grades
Entry-level
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Appropriate for most homeowners but not suitable for daily use.
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Can greatly reduce your mowing time.
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Fairly affordable because it’s constructed with less expensive materials than higher grade mowers.
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Durable and dependable.
Mid-grade
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Features more expensive materials and components than entry-level models.
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Usually provides a greater number of engine options than entry-level models.
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Offers a heavier duty transmission and larger wheel motors than entry-level models.
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Often features foot-controlled height adjustment for the deck.
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Can be fairly expensive.
Semi-pro
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Suitable for professional landscapers who are just starting their businesses or homeowners with a large property.
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Meant for daily use.
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Feature a heavy-duty transmission, larger fuel tank, and heavier gauge steel construction than entry-level and mid-grade models.
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Offers greater acceleration than entry-level and mid-grade models.
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More comfortable with a high back seat and adjustable arm rests.
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May be equipped with cruise control.
Commercial
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Meant for professional landscapers.
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Can be used daily.
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Feature the most powerful engine, largest fuel tank, largest mowing deck, and fastest acceleration of all zero-turn mowers.
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Highly comfortable and dependable.
Zero-turn mower features
Deck size
A zero-turn mower’s deck is the lower portion at the front of the mower that contains the blade. Zero-turn mowers tend to have larger decks, but they can vary in size from 30 to 60 inches in width.
In general, the larger your yard is, the larger the deck you’ll want for your mower in order to make cutting the grass as quick as possible.
However, if your property has a variety of obstacles on the lawn, such as trees or garden beds, you may prefer a smaller deck, so you can navigate those items more easily.
It’s also important to consider the area where you plan to store your mower. A model with an extremely wide deck requires more storage space.
Engine size and power
Like other lawn mowers, a zero-turn mower’s engine power is measured in horsepower. More powerful engines can make easier work of thick, tough grasses and larger yards. They’re also better equipped for handling rocky or hilly terrains.
Zero-turn mower engines typically range in power from 14 to 27HP.
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For a small yard, choose a model with at least a 14 to 16HP engine.
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For a mid-sized yard, choose a model with a 16 to 18HP engine.
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For a large yard, choose a model with at least an 18HP engine.
Speed
The faster your zero-turn mower can go, the more quickly you can finish cutting your grass.
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An entry-level model will likely top out at 5 to 6 miles per hour, while a mid-range mower can usually reach 6 to 7 miles per hour.
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A semi-pro model can usually reach 8 to 9 miles per hour, while a commercial mower can hit up to 13 to 14 miles per hour.
Controls
Zero-turn mowers don’t have steering wheels. Instead, most are controlled by two levers – you push them forward to move ahead, and pull them back to move in reverse.
To make a turn, you push the opposite lever forward. To stop the mower, you pull both levers to the neutral position. Some higher end zero-turn mowers feature joystick controls, which are often easier to use and allow for greater maneuverability.
When it comes adjusting the cutting height of the mower, look for a model with a hand lever and a foot assist, so you have extra leverage that allows you to raise the deck quickly if you’re about to go over a large obstacle, like a fallen branch or large rock.
Avoid models that require you to get off the mower and manually adjust the cutting height, which can add to your mowing time.
Comfort
Most zero-turn mowers feature a seat, and while you can mow your yard more quickly than with a traditional riding mower, you still want to ensure that the seat is comfortable.
Make sure that the seat has sufficient back support because you’ll be leaning back against it rather than over a steering wheel. Check that you can easily see and reach the controls from the seat as well.
Zero-turn mower prices
Zero turn mowers vary in price based on their size, grade, and other features, but you can typically expect to spend between $1,500 and $10,000.
For an entry-level zero-turn mower, you’ll usually pay between $1,500 and $2,500.
For a mid-grade zero-turn mower, you’ll usually pay between $2,500 and $3,500.
For a semi-pro zero-turn mower, you’ll usually pay between $3,500 and $6,000.
For a commercial zero-turn mower, you’ll usually pay between $6,000 and $10,000.
Tips
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To ensure that you have the hang of using a zero-turn mower, take it for a test drive in your driveway before driving it out on the lawn. Move in straight lines and curves, and practice backing up and turning around so you can handle your lawn easily.
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A zero-turn mower can be fairly noisy so it’s a good idea to wear earplugs or earmuff-style headphones to protect your hearing. Protective safety glasses are also a good idea in case of flying debris.
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For safety reasons, don’t use a zero-turn mower on slopes that are greater than 10 degrees. Use a walking mower on those areas, or landscape your yard so there’s no grass on the slopes.
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If your property has any ponds, streams, or other water features, be sure to keep the zero-turn mower at least one mower’s width away from the edge to avoid falling and slipping into the water.
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Be careful when running a zero-turn mower over curbs. Going over them too quickly can ruin the mower.
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Keep a zero-turn mower from gouging your lawn by avoiding sharp turns or pivoting the mower in one spot.
FAQ
Q. How difficult is it to learn to use a zero-turn mower?
A. Getting comfortable driving a zero-turn mower definitely takes some practice, but it’s fairly straightforward. It can be somewhat confusing because there’s only one set of controls for both steering and braking. Before mowing your lawn, practice going straight, turning both right and left, and backing up in your driveway before actually driving over grass.
Q. What type of yard is a zero-turn mower best for?
A. While a zero-turn mower can work for just about any yard, they offer the biggest advantage in a large yard. In a landscape where you have to make a large number of turns to cut the grass, they can drastically reduce your mowing time.
Q. How long does a zero-turn mower usually last?
A. If properly maintained, a zero-turn mower typically lasts up to 3,000 hours of mowing. For residential use, that usually means the mower will last a lifetime.
