We are living in the age of technological evolution. Things our ancestors deemed or believed to be impossible, we have almost all of them; and of the things, once our ancestors once would have indeed wished for were the best zero turn mower.
- Comparison Table of the Best Zero Turn Mowers
- 1. Husqvarna Z254
- 2. Troy-Bilt Mustang
- 3. Ariens 915213
- 4. Swisher ZTR2454BS-CA
- 5. Troy-Bilt Super Mustang XP
- 6. Husqvarna MZ48
- 7. Ariens IKON-X Zero
- 8. Husqvarna MZ61
- 9. Ariens Zoom Kohler 6000
- 10. Toro TimeCutter SS4225
- Buyer’s Guide -- Best Zero Turn Mower
- Zero Turn Mowers Brands
- Do You Know?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Comparison Table of the Best Zero Turn Mowers
To help you sort out your needs for mowing your lawing, we have listed below the top ten mowers along with the zero turn mower reviews to make it easier for you to select the mower you need.
1. Husqvarna Z254
Husqvarna is the top horse in the lawnmower industry and makes the mowers that can also keep you on top of your game. Z254 is Husqvarna’s pride that will swiftly mow your lawn without any hassle with robotic precision.
Pros
- Powerful Engine
- Speedy
- Affordable
- Covers wider area
- Durable
- Easy operation
- Best for home usage
Cons
- Gas-powered engine pollutes
- Noisy
2. Troy-Bilt Mustang
A single word of ‘Mustang’ makes the heart of every car lover throb with excitement. Mustang is the epitome of muscle cars with a sturdy body and a heavy-duty engine that can leave everyone in the dust once enraged.
Following the very legend of Ford Mustang, Troy-Bilt introduced their version of this racing monster. Let’s hear what this beast holds and then check out what it is capable of.
Pros
- Powerful Engine
- Larger Size
- Easy Start
- Efficient on hills
Cons
- Noisy
- Gas powered engine pollutes
3. Ariens 915213
Ariens is one of the top brands in the market when it comes to making lawnmowers. They have competed for quite a while and are among the top contenders for the throne of the best. 915213 is one of their all-time best and has some fascinating features to boast off. The width of the cutting base is 42 inches and houses some super sharp blades that when revolve, can shred extended grass blades into pieces.
This cutting base has a hydraulic transmission system that can be used to adjust the distance of the bottom from the ground and hence the length of the grass rooted in the ground.
Pros
- Electric Start
- Hydro Transmission
- Swift
- Can go reverse
Cons
- Smaller Size
- Gas engine cause pollution
- Lower tank volume
4. Swisher ZTR2454BS-CA
The era we live in is based on speed. Time is more significant than every currency here and holds power to destroy everything.
The more the time you have, the richer you are and eventually, the most powerful. Contrary to this, mowing the lawn using traditional and conventional methods means that you are merely wasting your time that is of not that paramount importance.
Pros
- Powerful Motor Engine
- Excessive tank fuel volume
- Fast
- Reliable
- Comfortable
- Foot assisted deck lift
Cons
- Heavy
- The gas engine creates pollution
- Difficult to control on hilly terrain
5. Troy-Bilt Super Mustang XP
Just as we have mentioned before, Mustang is what runs in the veins of the car enthusiasts. Following the legacy of the mighty GT Mustang, Troy-Bilt has introduced not one but two of their models named after the same legend.
Mustangs are known for their brute strength and build quality where only an engine rev can make everyone either love it or fear it.
Pros
- Powerful Engine
- Sleek Design
- High-Grade Transmission System
- Comfortable seating
Cons
- Relatively less wide cutting deck
- Gas-powered engine causes pollution
- Lesser volume of the fuel tank; 3 gallons
6. Husqvarna MZ48
Husqvarna zero turn mowers are said to be the best when it comes to being a package, and the MZ48 models stay true to that. MZ48 can clean your yard at magical speeds.
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Comfortable ride
- Massive fuel tank
- Perfect for domestic usage
Cons
- Pricy when compared to other models
- Noisy
- Side discharge
7. Ariens IKON-X Zero
Ariens is among the top reputed brands in the garden and related equipment and accessories. IKON-X is the commercial-grade mower they produce with the zero turn technology.
Even though this machine is best suited for business purposes because of the high-end characteristics, but all these add-ons do not stop it from being the very gentleman of the generation.
Pros
- Powerful 23 HP engine
- 52 inches wide cutting coverage
- Efficient design
- High Speed
Cons
- Gas-powered engine causes pollution
- Smaller volume of the fuel tank
8. Husqvarna MZ61
Husqvarna zero turn mowers are what you can call the kings of the industry. Their products are complete in all aspects and allow the user to achieve the best results and give a professional touch to your project.
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Swift
- Resilient and durable
- Comfortable
Cons
- Extremely wide for residential usage
- Not good on hills
- Difficult to clean
9. Ariens Zoom Kohler 6000
Ariens Zoom series is what every landscape business owner wants for themselves. These are the commercial-grade mowers that one have always dreamt of. They have everything you would want in a commercial-grade zero turn lawnmower.
Pros
- Durable and reliable
- Best for commercial usage
- Strong and fast
- Rustproof
Cons
- Heavier than most
- Not for people with a budget
- Not suitable for residential usage
10. Toro TimeCutter SS4225
Husqvarna, Ariens, and Troy – Bilt are on the top of the pyramid of the lawnmower industry, but Toro has also been working hard to find themselves in the limelight.
Toro TimeCutter is not an ordinary lawnmower but also performs the undercover duties of a tractor. The tractor feature is an added test program but has also been the cause this mower has been able to gain such fame and positive reviews.
Pros
- Powerful Engine
- Washing Ports
- High-Grade Transmission
- Fast
- Comfortable
Cons
- Slimmer cutting width
- Only 3 Gallon fuel capacity
- Unable to work on hills
Buyer’s Guide -- Best Zero Turn Mower
For homeowners, keeping their lawn and yard all maintained is nothing short of a dream. The amount of time and the degree of patience, resilience, and strength needed for an aesthetically pleasing lawn is not what every man is capable of.
These zero turn mowers offer zero effective radii and provide a majestic and yet soothing look to your yards and lawns.
In addition to all of this, these mowing vehicles are sturdy as armored vehicles that are pretty much designed to cut all of the unwanted grass and weed in its way.
Apart from being handy, these mowers are amazingly fast and very easy to use. They come with built-in adjustments that can be used to change the height of the cutting deck and hence alter and even fine-tune the length of the grass in your lawn as per your wishes and desires.
These zero turn mowers usually have a width exceeding 50 inches and even wider cutting boards that house a razor-sharp set of blades.
These blades can be adjusted by the use of the hydraulic transmissions to regulate the height of the grass in the field.
Even though the basic functioning principle of these advanced mowers is very much same, there are hundreds of brands with thousands of models, each offering an additional feature or a value-added service along with the basic models.
The basic models start from a modest range of something around $2000, but while going for such basic and stock models, the buyers might have to give up on the value-added comfort, speed, precision, and even fancy features.
Therefore, before you even consider buying yourself a zero turn mower for a neater and prettier yard, know what you need. So let’s get started with that.
Basic Working
The function of these zero turn mowers is the same as any other lawnmower, but with the technological advancements, we are making things easier for everyone.
Unlike the traditional lawnmowers which use their front wheels to make a turn, zero turn mowers pivot around the rear wheels and hence have a zero turning radius.
This zero turn radius saves the user from all the hassle of either leaving smaller patches or going reverse till you make it right.
Zero turn mowers are usually equipped with three blades at the bottom of the cutting board. This board is attached to a hydraulics system with its lever on the deck that can be easily used to change the height of the board and the blades from the ground as per the user’s desires.
Residential Usage
Zero turn mowers are generally suited for commercial purposes where the ground area to be mowed is massive. But this picture fits some residential areas as well and for that, some smaller models allow you to mow lands or fields on a smaller scale.
The average optimum area for residential graded models of zero turn mowers is usually between 1 to 2 acres of land.
Residential versions are usually cheaper than the commercial ones but will never be an investment that goes into the trash after a while. These mowers are the best zero turn mowers under $5000.
Commercial Usage
The recommended usage of the zero turn mowers is for business purposes because they are pricey and large enough to be incompatible with most of the lawns and pretty much useless for their owners.
The commercial-grade zero turn mowers are nothing short of tanks for your yards that leave nothing unscathed on this miniature battlefield.
These models are faster, more efficient, and the sturdiest when compared with their lower-grade versions, like the ones for home-usage.
These models come with the most powerful engines and the robust and durable chassis that anyone could wish for. These are usually all metal and almost no plastic which adds to their build quality.
However, some models stand somewhere between the basic residential ones and the fancy, high build commercial ones.
These said models are the best ones for the businesses that are on a budget or the homeowners who have larger yards and don’t want to spend an extra hour using the residential models.
Engine Power
The engine is the powerhouse of almost every machine. From trains to airplanes, everything is powered by an engine. Even for the smaller things, there are motor engines that power them; like the toys. In a context very similar to all of this, the zero turn mowers are also powered by the same physical phenomenon of the engine.
Engines are the most vital thing in this machine, and they have a whole range of sizes, but if they were to be explained in simple terms: the bigger, the better. A larger engine is capable of generating more power that means your chores will be done in no time and that too, with unmatched efficiency.
Higher horsepower will allow you to power through the unwanted weed and the giant grass shards and have that beautiful lawn in no time at all.
However, high power comes with a higher price and therefore, for the ones with properties lesser than or around an acre or something, lower-powered motors will do the magic too.
Fuel Capacity
It would not be a lie if we call engines the heart and the soul of these zero turn mowers and just like a heart needs blood to survive, the engines need fuel too.
Some brands have introduced the electric motors that operate on batteries. These new versions are relatively more environmentally friendly and quieter. However, the ones powered by fuel are still the talk of the town.
For these engines to generate some power, they need food; just like humans. And gas is the food for engines.
Holding enough gas to mow the lawn perfectly is a challenge in itself, and for the same, there are these fuel tanks, usually installed at the bottom of the deck. And as usual, the perception of bigger the better is accurate; but that with some reservations in this regard.
A bigger tank will no wonder be able to hold surplus fuel for a couple of runs in your yards; however, this excessive fuel storage will prove to be the additional weight that will reduce the speed and also be a handicap on steep areas.
Cutting Width
The only thing you would want your mower to do is to cut grass because it will be either a very scary or a hilarious sight otherwise.
And the engine itself will only make a difference when the blades cover enough width to not to sabotage the efficiency of the engine.
People usually believe that the greater cutting width would be more beneficial in terms of speed and quality of cutting.
However, this is not the case in all of the situations. When using a wider cutting board, you will have to keep in account the obstacle or the garden areas in the yard.
These obstacles can range from decorative plant life to pathways and the ease of maneuverability. Smaller mowers even though take some extra time but are easy to go around in smaller areas and at corners.
Weight
A healthy body is key to a longer life, and maybe the same can also be said about machines. Even though heavier machines are thought to be durable and sturdier than the lighter ones; however, the heavier ones are more energy and fuel consuming.
Furthermore, more massive bodies will be a disadvantage when using the vehicle on slopes or hilly areas. In addition to all this, a heavier body will make the transport difficult when needed, especially for commercial purposes.
Transmission
Transmission is what people believe to be the trickiest part in all of the vehicles, and the case is no different in zero turn mowers. The transmission can be rated as either high grade or low grade.
The low graded transmission might be effective for use in residential type zero turn mowers. However, for the owners of relatively larger estates or the commercial ones, the use of low-grade transmission can be very destructive.
A low-grade transmission will destroy or tend to destroy the inner mechanisms of the mechanical mower. In addition to all this, the cost of repairing or getting yourself a new transmission set will surpass that of what you might have saved by going for a cheaper one.
On the other hand, going for a mower with a durable and high-grade transmission will mean that you have saved yourself from all that hassle and the trips to mechanics afterward.
Zero Turn Mowers Brands
The moment you decide to buy anything, you will be given with hundreds of options that you can choose from. There is no difference in the case of zero turn mowers either.
Once you have decided to treat yourself with a zero turn mower, you will be served with innumerable options to choose from and what is really confusing about this is that each one of them claims to be the best in the market.
However, there are five companies that stand out when it comes to the best in all rounding performances.
Husqvarna
This brand speaks for itself. Husqvarna is one of the top brands and one of the top choices to go for when buying gardening and related devices. They are the top investment you can make.
They offer a vast range of options to choose from when going for zero turn mowers, with an impressively high number of models.
Majority of their choices are directed towards the homeowners and therefore offer residential grade equipment and appliances. And yet for the residential usage, their machines are powerful and efficient.
Ariens
Unlike Husqvarna, Ariens is known for producing its commercial cut appliances. Ariens’ tools are much quieter than other brands and offer machines that are second to none in terms of strength, power, efficiency, and quality.
However, the appliances and equipment they offer can be considered relatively expensive and pricy. If you are unable to find yourself a Husqvarna, Ariens is the brand you should go to.
Troy-Bilt
Ariens and Husqvarna claim the throne for the top brands that provide ‘the’ best quality products, especially the zero turn lawnmowers. Following these two giants, there stands Troy Bilt, the new masters of the industry.
Troy Bilt is the new superstars who have the ability to compete with the olden giants and have even been able to challenge them at several times.
But what is even more surprising is the sturdiness of their commercial range and also the amazingly low prices of their products. They are building their name in the industry and are certainly one to look out for.
Do You Know?
The first automated lawn is said to be invented by Max Swisher. He would tie his lawnmower to the tree in such a way that the rope will get rolled over the tree. This would, in return, reduce the radius of the rope, and by the end, it would have mowed the lawn perfectly in a brilliant circle.
He is also believed to be the pioneer of the zero turn mowers. Instead of steering the ride-on mowers via the front wheels, the zero turn mower pivots about on the rear wheels. The first zero turn lawn mower was allegedly reported in 1956.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a zero turn mower?
A zero turn mower serves the same function as of any other lawnmower, but the point where it differs is the turning radius. Unlike other mowers, the effective radius of a zero turn mower while turning is zero.
How can zero turn mowers have a zero turning radius?
The usual ride on mowers turns by steering their front wheels, while the zero turn mowers use their rear wheels to pivot around.
Why should I go for a zero turn mower?
These mowers are faster and more efficient than the basic ones.
How good are zero turn mowers for hills and sloppy areas?
Zero turn mowers show exceptional results even on slopes, provided that these slopes do not exceed 10 to 15 degrees of angle. For hills exceeding this angle, lawnmower mowers can either topple over or get dragged down because of their weight.
What is the minimum area I should have before I need a zero turn mower?
Zero turn mowers are designed and recommended for larger areas because they are quite expensive. The minimum recommended area for residential zero turn lawn mowers is at least 1 acre.
How do I maintain my zero turn mower?
The most crucial part of the zero turn mower that needs maintenance is the blades and the cutting board they are attached zero turn. For maintaining the blades, one will have to lift the deck up, and for that, one should use a lifting jack.
Conclusion
Zero turn mowers have made the dream of having a tidy lawn possible without any fatigue. Zero turn mowers are the new cool that can make your yard a masterpiece in no time at all and takes zero effort.
All you have to do is to sit on the mower, adjust the height of the blades with a lever, and ride your way to the other end. Having a neat yard was never this easy, but now it is; thanks to the zero turn mowers.
These mowers, however, come with so many extra features that would make anyone go crazy. And this is where we come to help you! Make sure you give our reviews, and the buyer’s guide a good look before you get yourself a zero turn mower.
Last update on 2020-07-03 at 16:27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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