Summer is 'Funner'

Lawn tractor or 'Z'ero Radius Turn Mower?

There are a number of factors to consider before one leaps to the 'Z' phenomena. These questions are part of how we quiz our customers, to ensure they know what they want, and why.

1. Are you adept enough to be able to run one of these machines?  Some people have a hard time switching their shoes... they don't like change at all, while others are adventurous and jump at the very word 'different' !
   The biggest difference in driving a 'Z' is that those 2 sticks in front of you are your drive, steering, and brake controls, all at the same time!  They do take some element of time to get used to. For most people, you can easily get the hang of it in minutes, and then master the art over hours.

2. What is your terrain? You will find in most operator manuals for lawn mowers, that 15 degrees is the maximum recommended angle of mowing. This is even more true for Z mower, because your rear wheels are the drive, steering, and brakes all at the same time. If you are traversing down a steep hill, and your rear wheel(s) loose traction, you are going for a ride - uncontrolled.  Gentle rolling hills that flatten out at the bottom are one thing, but ski slopes that empty in the road, or worse yet, a pond, are a problem.

3. What is your goal? Are you looking to save time and mow fast like the pros do?  If you are, remember this: a consumer 'Z' generally can only mow about as fast as a tractor. Your time savings is in maneuverability.  If you want a pro looking cut, the better consumer units perform nearly as well, but still fall short. If you simply want to get the lawn done as fast a possible, and have it looking great, then you have to buy what the big boys buy.  Remember: you can't do what they do, unless you buy what they buy.

4. Can you still convince your wife that mowing the lawn is hard work?  I find that mowing with a 'Z' is actually fun. (Mowing, fun?) I'd even go so far as to say it's therapeutic!

Lawn tractors have less beef, and are intended for mowing and light chores. Great for yard cleanup with a trailer, etc. They are certainly better for pulling things around the yard than a 'Z', but are not as strong as a true garden tractor. Of course, you get to keep more of those greenbacks in the process. Most lawn tractors start with a 42" deck and move up from there. Unfortunately, if you need something narrower, you may need to rethink your options.

Garden tractors are for the moment fading out of existence in many of the tractor lineups. The perception of the manufacturers is that most people who want a big tractor would benefit from a big Z for not much more money. So far, they have been right most of the time. Who knows, they may come back some day.

Zero-turn mowers generally all have at least one distinct advantage... maneuverability. Instead of mowing a 6 point turn around a tree, you can go around it in one fell swoop. The same with plantings, and more. I've seen people cut their mowing time in half, just switching to a consumer level 'Z'. This is why Toro calls them a Timesaver©.  I've also seen people cut that time in half again, switching to a commercial level 'Z'.

Commercial 'Z' for Homeowners

If you have a larger lawn, or just want to get the job finished more quickly, you need to look at 'near pro' , or 'full pro' level machines. 

The difference in design would be:

• Separate pumps and motors (2 pumps, 2 motors vs. 2 pump/motors.)
  Results is a stronger, more reliable, and predictable drive. Makes it easier to turn with finesse. Handles hilly areas better. Ground speed is greatly increased.

• Heavy duty frame that holds up better over time.

• High lift deck and blades sucks the grass blades up before they are cut, and discharges them further and more uniformly after they are cut.

• Higher blade tip speeds add to the suction factor. Also allows you to mow successfully at higher speeds.

You can get quite a bit of machine for the buck many of the new machines built for heavy duty homeowner, or lighter application professional use, such as:

1. Gravely PM44Z
2. Bobcat 220ES

You can make your lawn look like a golf course with a quality walk behind mower! We have a great selection of walk behind mowers; from the economical to the classic.  
Most mowers today can muliplex easily. Now you can switch between mulch, side discharge, or rear-bag in minutes. Steel decks are generally on the most cost-effective models (with the exception of Ariens, who has a terrific strong steel deck that mows exceptionally well).  Although cast decks typically are more expensive- generally they last longer, and cut the best.  Like anything else, you get what you pay for. There is also electric start available on various models. 
 

Things to look for:

• Rear wheel drive mowers are generally easier to use than front wheel drive mowers because of weight distribution. Their is a lot of weight up front to ensure traction on the front drive wheels, which means you have to loft that weight every time you want to maneuver. This is also tough on your handlebars, which seem to bend over time.

• Is the bag easy on, easy off ?

• Are the wheel quadrants (wheel mounts) made of thin metal, plastic, or beefed up steel?

• Is the machine actually designed to mulch, or does it perform this function by default because the output of the deck is closed off?
  (The best mulchers actually push the clippings down into the grass.)

Our Thoughts:
Short of hiring a goat, I try and make my mowing experience as pleasant as possible. If that means better equipment, then so be it. Because in the long run, I save money because I don't have to replace the machine nearly as often. I save time because I don't have to run around trying to find parts or service from a product purchased at a big box store that barely supports their product.