The task of moving everything out of your yard before a cut can be daunting. The lucky reality is that there are a large range of zero-turn lawn mowers that are affordable, yet also easily maneuverable as to help save time cutting your lawn.
Ride-on mowers with steering wheels can be tiresome to turn repeatedly and even uncontrollable when traveling at higher speeds. A zero turn mower (or z-turn) is able to turn in place so that you have full control at all times.
Choosing the correct zero-turn mower means finding the one that specialized to what you specifically need it for. There are models with large cutting decks that are better for commercial use or large areas of land. Smaller mowers are best for places with many nooks that need attending to.
Let’ take a look at several of the best zero turn mowers on the market.
Troy-Bilt Riding Lawn Mower – Best Zero Turn Mower For Small Businesses
The Troy-Bilt Zero Turn Lawn Mower is versatile with powerful specs. Its engine can reach top forward speeds of 4.25 miles per hour smoothly thanks to its 6-speed transmission. The variety is showcased in its 5 varying blade levels.
One of the better features is the fuel sight window. This comes in handy when you want to double check the amount of gas that is left before leaving the garage. Depending on your yard size the 1.3-gallon tank should be enough to last many cuts.
I recommend this mower to those who may mow grass commercially, but cannot afford a large business mower. Large businesses will need upgrading, but for a small-business owner this can be a viable option.
Appearance
Make an appearance with this ride on lawnmower with its superior paint finish and sleek guise. The steering handles have soft grip handling and the seat is adjustable for many different body sizes.
Comfortability and style is very important in this Troy-Bilt model. The paint is even of highest quality to prevent rusting and sun-damage. The mower is equipped with a hitch for hauling or pulling additional equipment or yard waste. Also featured is a commercial sized cutting deck which finishes residential jobs in half the time.
Rough Riding
I recommend this mower for a more level yard, this mower can get to be a bumpy ride in a more varied landscape. Prolonged periods of mowing can easily become tedious on the Troy-Bilt. The seat may be comfortable for an hour then become somewhat painful with longer use.
The seat will; however, adjust to shorter individuals which is hard to find in many large mowers.
Pros
- 2-year Warranty
- Fuel Sight Window
- Sleek Appearance
- High Speed
- 30 Inch Cutting Deck
- Large Gas Tank
Cons
- Does poorly on uneven terrains
- Seat comfort
Toucan City Toro TimeCutter Zero-Turn Mower – Best Zero Turn Mower For Large Lawns
The Toucan City Toro TimeCutter is a zero turn lawn mower that has the power of commercial mowers in smaller packaging. Unfortunately, the pieces may arrive at different times as parts are shipped in different boxes.
There are seven available cutting positions that range from an inch and a half to four inches. And with a 215 mph blade tip speed, the same as their professional models, this mower is sure to give you a clean and commendable cut.
I would recommend this for residential use since it’s cutting deck is averaged size, but its adjustable modes will give your yard a professional look in little time (depending on its size, of course).
Large lawns are not any trouble and if you are looking for the best for your price, this zero-turn mower is the optimal option on the list.
Ease of Use
This mower can reach up to 7 mph while on its higher setting and with a 32-in cutting deck you can cover a lot of ground quickly. But when necessary the trim mode is available to slow down and hit the edges accurately. There are seven different settings to get the cut you are looking for.
To stop the mower, there is a very simple parking system. By moving the steering handles outward the machine will go into parking mode. It even comes equipped with a hitch compatible with any Brinley-Hardy attachments and an easy clean floor mat.
Comfort
The seat is not average; it is extra tall at eighteen inches to fit all sizes comfortably and give you a better view of what is up ahead. The base is heavy and made of quality steel to keep you not only grounded, but provide a smooth ride. The Toucan is great on uneven or hilly spaces and produces minimal jostling.
Pros
- Cutting positions
- Tall Seat
- Mow, Tow, and Trim Modes
- Sturdy Frame
Cons
- Pieces Ship Separately
- Unavailable in California
John Deere Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Mower – Best Zero Turn Mower For Dependability
John Deer’s Zero-Turn Riding Lawn mower is known for delivering high-quality cuts at high speeds. The machine can reach seven miles an hour and the clean job is achieved by its wide forty-eight-inch cutting deck. Which makes this mower great for those with a larger area that needs to be mowed quickly.
John Deer is a leader in farming and gardening equipment and it shows. This product is built for the consumer including an extra comfortable seat that adjusts to your comfort with armrests.
I recommend this zero-turn mower to all lovers of luxurious equipment and those who take extra comfort from buying a household name.
Mulching and Trimming
Mulching with this riding lawn mower is easily accomplished with its 22 HP V-Twin John Deere branded engine. Even during the bumpy, motion-filled process of mulching you can adjust the seat for comfort and stability through their various position motion control levers.
The control over this machine is incredible, which makes trimming a breeze. The intuitive multi-position control levers are built to make control convenient and comfortable.
Maintenance
A ride on mower is usually bought for its convenience and superior cutting abilities, it should cut down the time you spend maintaining your lawn. Many people do not consider that the machine itself will need cleaning and upkeep to preserve everything running smoothly.
The John Deer Zero-Turn Mower has a foot platform that flips upwards for easy access to any clogs or regular maintenance that may need done. Also included is a wash port to make rinsing underneath before storage quick and simple.
Pros
- High Speeds
- Equipped to Mulch
- 48-inch Cutting Deck
- Motion Control Levers
Cons
- Small Gas Tank
Swisher Zero-Turn Mower – Best Zero Turn Mower For Varying Terrains
The Swisher Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower is for those who need exceptional turning optimization. This is because of their newly designed rapid response control system. Since the cutting deck is a large fifty-four inches, this control is quite remarkable.
The cutting deck is fabricated and even will come with three Gator mulching blades.
I recommend this product to those with large areas to mow that have plenty of agriculture they’d like to avoid during the cut. If you’re looking for a large zero-turn mower with easy riding capabilities, the Swisher is the clear choice. Especially if you enjoy special add-ons!
Smooth Ride
The ability of to mow a continuous path without reversing through a lot of stops-and-go is possible with the Swisher. It achieves this through a sturdy steel frame, a 2800 transmission, and a powerful 24 HP Briggs and Statton Engine.
The sturdy frame is grounded by an impressive fifty-four inch cutting deck. But this beast is designed to use its size and a low center of gravity to produce outstanding control and mobility.
Amenities
Some features are simply added because they are cool or add a little more personalization and comfort. On the Swisher mower there is a cup holder and even a 12-volt charging adapter. There are hitches on the front and rear of the machine for towing/hauling.
Looking to store simple tools or attachments in the mower? This is the machine for you. The back fenders have storage containers that can fit anything you’d like—even some beverages for the ride. Take advantage of this space even when the mower is being stored and never lose track of your grass cutting accessories in your scattered garage.
Pros
- Fuel Capacity
- Reverse Speed
- Easy to Operate
- 3 Mulching blades Included
- Comfortable Ride
Cons
- Limited Shipping
- Expensive
Ariens Zero-Turn Lawn Mower – Best Zero Turn Mower for the Average Residence
The Ariens Zoom Zero-Turn Mower is a much more affordable option of z-turn mowers. Most of the specs of this riding lawn mower are well below its counterparts on this list, but it is a basic design that still does a decent job for private uses.
The adjustments are simpler and only have four settings. Depending on your needs this can be plenty. There are some spaces larger ride-on lawnmowers cannot reach and may cause you to take the push mower out of the garage for additional touching up.
Simple
I recommend this simple designed zero turn mower for those who would like the amenities and advantages of a ride-on mower with easier steering, but do not need all of the bells and whistles on more expensive models.
The speed of the lawn-mower is 6 mph in forward motion, so it will still cut in a timely matter. The reversal cutting works as well, albeit only at three mph.
All maintenance can be done easily because of the modest design. When parts need replaced they can be easily restored at your home if you are the do-it-yourself type. The best part is that the replacement parts are not expensive to purchase new from the company.
Compact
The Ariens is compact with a forty-two inch cutting width. The height is only forty-three inches which may not be the best choice for customers that are on the taller side. This zero-turn mower is a great personal mower that can be stored in small areas.
Like all of the small specs of this device, the fuel tank only has a two gallon capacity.
Pros
- Affordable
- Grass-Catching Bag
- Easy to Store
- Simple Design
Cons
- Small Gas Tank
- Less Impressive Engine and Transmission
Husqvarna Zero-Turn Mower – Best Zero Turn Mower For Multi-Purpose Use
The Husqvarna Zero-Turn Mower is perfect for those who need a mower that has enough strength to efficiently mulch and dig compact soil. The riding lawn mower is impressive and cuts grass well, but the shining feature is how well it can mulch.
I recommend this mower to those who want to use the mower for work outside of the regular grass cutting. It has most of the capabilities of the more expensive and professional mowers, but because of this strength it can easily tear your lawn up of you do not know what you are doing.
The additional amenities that make the Husqvarna an even more versatile device can be purchased additionally, but the prices are steep. It does not come with a bag for clippings, but that is one of the less costly add-ons.
Engine Power
The commanding 23Hp Kohler Confidant Engine will work efficiently to give your grass a professional cut. It is best to be tested on a small area of your land before full use because of the machine’s strong capabilities.
A strong engine is definitely needed to effectively run its forty-six inch cutting deck. This specialty engine is built to last, but once particular parts get damaged or worn, they can cost a pretty penny to replace.
A Long Ride
On even terrains it can be one of the fastest z-turns on the market. However, the hill handling capabilities leave much to be desired on this mower; it does not handle slopes well. It is very comfortable for prolonged cuttings and can even be used for small businesses. Long periods of working on this machine are possible without excessive wear and tear.
For a conveniently fast start, the controls have top-of-the-line engagement. That means the clutch deck is electric and has a fast response to the driver’s directions.
Pros
- Powerful Engine
- Easy Assembly
- Great for long uses
- Great Reverse Mowing
Cons
- Tricky to steer
- Additional Items are Costly