You see them pop up everywhere nowadays – outside offices, schools, parks and homes. So why have zero turn mowers seemingly taken over the market? What makes them so attractive? What makes them better than other traditional ride-on mowers? Well, let’s take a look.
Is a Zero Turn Mower What You Need?
Unlike different types of riding lawn mowers that are built based on front-wheel steering designs, zero turn mowers pivot around the rear wheels and have the ability to turn on a dime. Most zero turn riding lawn mowers don’t come with a steering wheel; instead, they are controlled by two levers with motors that connect to each rear wheel.
If you have a lot of flat ground to cover, zero turn mowers are super fast and efficient compared to traditional ride-on mowers. So let’s look at its many advantages, and some of the disadvantages you’ll want to consider before purchasing a zero turn mower.
Pros and Cons of a Zero Turn Mower
As mentioned above, zero turn mowers love zipping around flat ground. They have far superior maneuverability and can often cut into narrower areas than other ride-on mowers. You won’t have to constantly be doing 3 point turns or more with a zero turn mower.
Again a testament to their maneuverability, zero turn mowers are able to mow much closer to objects such as landscaping, trees, weeds and fencing.
Zero turn mowers are often faster too. Manufacturers equip these mowers with this capability because they are safer at high speeds due to them having a lower centre of gravity. They also often come with a large surface area deck, meaning you can cover greater amounts of ground in fewer passes.
Yet despite zero turn mowers sounding like they’re superior in almost every way, there are some drawbacks. The main one is that if you have more hilly terrain to cover, zero turn mowers may not be a good choice because they are more likely to roll over than other ride-on mowers. If you only have a few hilly spots, you could consider bringing out a walker mower or trimmer for those areas.
Wet terrain also increases the chances of the mower slipping and losing control, so it’s best to only mow when the lawn is dry enough.
Tips when Buying a Zero Turn Mower
For some people, it can take a couple of turns on a zero-turn mower to get comfortable at the helm of a zero-turn mower. Because there are a few different variations on the basic steering system configuration, it’s a good idea to give it some more serious consideration and ask to take it for a test drive before you spend your hard earned money on one.
One zero-turn mower we at Coastline Mowers thought you might like to consider as a starting point is Bobcat’s XRZ Pro RS ZT, which is nothing short of stunning. These mowers come with a 6-year warranty and cover over as much as 1200 hours of operation, they are known for their durability and high-performance. Its FX series engine is rated to reach 23.5 HP and can hit speeds up to 10mph. The drive wheels are more slip resistant than most so you can use them on steeper terrain.
To check out the impressive Bobcat and more of our comprehensive range of zero-turn mowers and extensive garden product offerings, visit Coastline Mowers. Not only do we have one of the largest showrooms in Australia, but we also have more than 35 years’ experience in advising and supplying quality products to all of Rockingham and Perth. Contact one of our experts here or in-store, or on (08) 9528 7111.
