Choosing a Zero Turn Lawn Mower

One of the greatest inventions in the recent past for lawn care and landscaping is the zero turn lawn mower. These machines allow for a quicker cut time and easy maneuverability due to an ingenious design. A zero turn lawn mower uses the rear wheels to turn instead of the front, making them a great departure from the traditional riding lawn mowers.

How does this happen? Usually, each wheel of a zero turn lawn mower is connected to a hydrostatic transmission, a fancy name for a system that uses fluid pressure to restrict and accelerate the turning of a wheel. If one wheel is restricted from moving and the other is accelerated, essentially, the mower turns “on a dime.” These mowers are quite similar to bulldozers, though instead of a set of two tracks they use two wheels. Comparisons are also made to military tanks, and some commercial zero turn lawn mowers are not far from military grade.  

Zero turn mowers are now utilized by everyone from the typical suburbanite to the professional golf course groomer. They come in a wide variety of sizes and price ranges. It is almost assured that if you are in the market for a new zero turn lawn mower you will find one that meets your budget, needs, and expectations. Several popular models are made by Cub Cadet, Sears Craftsman, Simplicity, Snapper, Husqvarna, and Ariens. These zero point mowers range from about $3000-$7000, depending on options, and most offer 18 horsepower motors, a 40-50 inch cutting deck, a 2-3 year warranty, and ground speeds up to seven miles per hour.

Whatever zero turn lawn mower that piques you interest, be warned that you may never return to the tradition riding lawn mower. More and more people are moving over to the zero turn side, without regret or desire to go back.