Zero-Turn Mowers
Have you ever mowed around trees, buildings, flower planters, etc., and thought to yourself: “I wish my lawn mower could turn tighter so I don’t have to make so many passes around these same objects?” Have you ever looked out upon a rolling expanse of yard and wondered: “How am I going to get this mowed before the rainstorm hits?”
If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, a zero-turn mower might be the solution you need.
WHAT IS A ZERO TURN MOWER?
If you’re coming from the realm of lawn and garden tractors, you might not immediately recognize a zero-turn mower as a member of the mowing family. They differ sharply in design and appearance.
For starters, the engine of a typical zero-turn mower is tucked in the back, under and behind the seat. This allows the front of the machine to be dominated by the mowing deck and provides a clear view of the cutting area ahead.
Now here’s the bigger twist: Many zero-turn mowers kick steering wheels to the curb. The front wheels are essentially large casters free to pivot on their own; steering is achieved by operating the rear drive wheels at different speeds (or in opposing directions), a technique called differential steering. The speeds and directions of the drive wheels are controlled by a pair of levers on either side of the seat, one lever for each drive wheel.
MANY ZERO BENEFITS
The advantages offered by zero-turn mowers are numerous and include the following.
IMPROVED MANEUVERING: Because the drive wheels can operate independently of each other, a zero-turn mower can spin in place by allowing one wheel to drive forward and the other in reverse. This makes zero-turn mowers highly efficient at mowing around objects and into tight places. It also simplifies the process of mowing neat patterns (such as stripes), because you don’t need a wide turnaround space at the end of each mowing row.
HIGHER MOWING SPEEDS: Zeroturn mowers are designed to operate at higher speeds than regular mowers — around 6 to 10 miles per hour. This means you can cover more ground in less time.
If zero-turn mowers sound too good to be true, we should mention that there are a few disadvantages to keep in mind.
SUBPAR PERFORMANCE ON SLOPES: Having the engine in the back shifts a zero-turn mower’s center of gravity toward the rear, increasing the risk of flipping over when climbing hills. Steering can also be compromised by sloping ground, because differential steering requires drive wheels to maintain proper traction, and zero-turn mowers have a tendency to slip and slide on slopes. The lack of direct control over the front caster wheels can also be problematic, though zero-turn mowers equipped with steering wheels can remedy this by providing control over the orientation of the front wheels.
LESS MULTITASKING VERSATILITY: Zero-turn mowers are designed specifically for mowing. That’s not to say you can’t use one to tow a lightweight yard cart full of leaves, but pulling heavy loads or implements typically isn’t recommended. Compared to garden tractors, zero-turn mowers are less adaptable; you’re buying a mower, not a jack-of-all-trades mower/tractor/snowblower/etc.
HIGHER COST: Generally speaking, a zero-turn mower is more expensive than a similar lawn tractor.
DO YOU NEED A ZERO TURN?
In many cases, a lawn or garden tractor is sufficient for handling mowing on a farm. They perform better on slopes and can be used for other tasks in between mowing jobs, giving you more for your money.
But if you need to mow many acres of reasonably flat fields, or if you want to speed up and simplify mowing an obstacle-laden yard, a zero-turn mower can be a worthwhile investment.