Whether you have one acre or ten, a commercial zero-turn lawn mower will make cutting the grass a much more pleasant experience. These ride-on mowers are different than traditional lawn mowers or tractors in that they are capable of turning at almost a zero degree radius, making them ideal for heavily landscaped gardens with many obstacles that need to be avoided like shrubs, trees, or flower beds.
Driving a zero-turn lawnmower has a learning curve and takes some getting used to as, unlike the traditional steering wheels found on other ride-on mowers, these models have levers that create the zero-turn movement which allows the mower to turn in place.
Zero turn mowers are a great investment for commercial landscapers and most professionals have begun incorporating them into their must-have equipment list. These powerful machines leave conventional ride-on mowers behind in almost every way and if you don’t have one already, read on to find out more about what makes them so useful. We’ll also go over our top five picks for best zero turn mowers available in 2021.
When to Use a Zero Turn Mower
Homeowners with small to medium yards can get away with using a more conventional walk-behind or ride-on mower, but anyone with a large yard that needs cutting, especially landscaping professionals with lots of jobs to do, can benefit from adding a zero turn to their toolbox.
If you have to cut more than an acre of yard space with any regularity, you will definitely enjoy the convenience and time saved when using a zero turn mower.
Even if you have a smaller yard, a residential zero turn mower may still be for you. If you have many garden obstacles to mow around, such as bushes, islands, trees and flower beds you’ll definitely appreciate the ease-of-use and convenience of a zero turn.
With conventional equipment, you’d have to go back and trim around all these areas by hand. A zero turn mower can effortlessly and accurately cut closely around these delicate areas, leaving an even and beautiful-looking yard with only half the effort.
Considers Before Buying
I hope you’ve enjoyed this round-up of the best zero turn lawn mowers out there. Invest in the right one for your garden, and you’ll find grass-cutting becomes a pleasure instead of a chore.
To do that, think about the conditions your mower will need to handle. Is it flat or bumpy? Are there curbs to cut around? How big a cutting deck do you need?
How to Choose the Best Commercial Zero-Turn Mower for Your Needs
Deciding on which commercial zero-turn lawn mower to buy will largely depend on the type of landscape it will be used for. For rough or hilly landscapes, a lighter lawnmower with a 24hp or more engine will be able to manage these terrains, while those with many acres of land will need a mower that has a larger fuel tank that requires less refueling to finish the job. Other specifications to look out for are top speed, deck length, roll-over protection, and weight.
- Deck size: For 1–3 acres of land, purchasing a mower with a 42-inch deck size is suggested, while property over two acres would need a mower with a deck size of 48-inches or wider.
- Roll-over protection: Manufactures have come up with a safety feature called a roll-over protection structure (ROPS), which is basically a seat belt attached to a steel bar installed in the mower to help protect the driver in the event that the mower overturns.
- Top speed: Don’t expect to go racing with one of these things as top speeds only range from around 6–8mph, depending on your preference, but obviously a little bit of a higher speed helps get the job done quicker.
- Weight: Weights range from around 500–900 pounds, and knowing the weight of your machine will help when choosing a lift jack for lawn mower maintenance.
- Warranty: Generally, the commercial warranty is 3 months but may even go to a full year. The consumer warranty is 2 to 3 years on average, with some manufacturers giving a lifetime warranty on the cutting deck.
Benefits of zero turn mower
Here are some advantages of using a zero-turn mower:
The fabricated steel deck that is employed in most zero-turn mowers offers great durability to knocks and bump.
The engine power is great and is an ideal choice for fast mowing increased mobility.
Wide high-traction tires with deep treads offer better control even on wet terrain.
Zero-turn mowers can spin from a single point without having to move forward and reverse multiple times.
They are easier to operate on tight spots that require more maneuverability.
Some products have more comfort options and extra features that offer enhanced flexibility.
Our Top Picks:
Admittedly, there isn’t a large number of worthwhile commercial zero-turn lawn mowers on Amazon, but we managed to round up a list of the best five of them that had great specs, functions, and reviews for all types of terrains, and we even found the best mower lift for maintenance too.
1. Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Mower
The Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Mower is another great option for first time zero turn riders as it is unbelievably easy to operate and control even for a beginner.
You might have seen this mower being used for commercial purposes on the internet. Fair enough, it does live up to the hype with its premium designed features, built to provide comfort and swiftness.
The 23 Hp, Kawasaki FR V-Twin Engine gives you the ultimate power to mow your lawn perfectly for a highly professional manicured look.
The standard bagging system, great suction capability and heavy duty tubular construction is for sure a combo to never miss! With proper maintenance, this mower will last an eternity for sure.
- High torque even at low speeds
- Flawless grass cutting experience with carpet-like finished look
- Forward speed of 7mph and reverse speed of 3mph
- Works like a charm even in grimy conditions
- Fuel capacity of 10.5 liters
- No head lights
- Steering lever isn’t as calibrated and stable as it should be
2. Husqvarna MZ61 27 HP Zero Turn Mower, 61-Inch
If you’re looking for a comfortable, commercial zero turn mower with excellent engine support and superior level of productivity, then this mower is definitely the smartest choice.
With the excellent features and specifications, this mower promises you the maximum comfort, support and faultless safety.
Rides can be slightly rough on bumpy roads, but still, this mower will reduce your mowing time by half. This is a highly desirable attribute in terms of commercial mowing needs as time equals to money!
As a matter of fact, the riding experience is much smoother when compared to traditional mowers, thanks to its 27 horse power engine and durable 6-inch wide caster wheels with tough pneumatic tires.
- Unbeatable speed – 4.2 acres/hr with blade speed of 18500 fpm
- Controls are certainly accurate and sensitive – reduces fatigue too
- Great price tag for a commercial mower (You get what you pay for!)
- The engine is perfectly designed. Can be quite a money maker (for commercial uses) if maintained properly
- Mulching capability is appreciated
- The weight is quite heavy
- Not sure about the rollover protection
3. Mowox MNA152613 Zero-Turn Radius Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
If you thought all zero turn mowers were ride-on, think again. The Mowox MNA152613 is a self-propelled walk-behind model, good for people with less extensive areas to mow.
Powered by gas, there’s a handy electric starter to avoid having to pull a starter cord. It’s a particularly useful feature for anyone with lower levels of upper body strength. Just remember to charge the battery before you try to start it up.
The front wheel rotates through 360 degrees to make it easy to maneuver. There’s no need to lift the mower in order to turn it. And you get a choice of six different cutting heights.
The self-propelling feature takes the strain from up-hill mowing. Beware, though: if you’re cutting on steep slopes, you may have to deal with it slipping from time to time.
At a fraction of the price of ride-on mowers, this is well worth considering for gardens of up to half an acre. You will, though, need to be ready to do a bit of self-assembly when it arrives.
- Electric starter button for easy start-up
- The self-propelling function takes the hard work out of walk-behind mowing
- Hard work on gardens above half an acre or so
- Liable to slipping on steeper slopes
4. Swisher ZTR2454BS Response Zero Turn Mower
An altogether larger option than the Ariens Zoom 34, Swisher’s zero turn mower has a generous 54-inch cutting deck. That makes it a good choice for larger plots.
It’s fast too. The 24 horsepower engine by American manufacturers Briggs and Stratton powers it along at up to eight miles per hour. And unusually, it will attain that speed in both forward and reverse gears.
The frame is made of commercial grade welded steel. The cutting heights are a little higher than the Zoom 34, ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 inches. Again, the deck is raised and lowered with your foot.
This is a particularly good mower if you want to mulch your garden debris. It comes equipped with three Gator mulching blades, so there’s no need to buy a separate mulching kit.
There’s a debris shield at the front, so you won’t be covered in dust and cuttings. The design also assists air flow to stop the chopped up grass from clumping together.
- Patented Rapid Response Control System for effortless mowing
- Impressive top speed of 8 miles per hour in both forward and reverse gears
- Great for mulching, with no separate kit required
- Fairly bulky, so better for larger plots
- It’s not the cheapest, so you’ll need deep pockets
5. Snapper 560Z 61-Inch 24HP
The Snapper 560Z zero turn mower is a good choice for a commercial sero town mower, as it is easy-to-use, but does come packed with a number of enhanced features that you would come to expect from this brand. The mower comes with welded, all-steel construction, helping to make it a rugged and durable choice for a commercial mower that needs to take on a variety of terrain and a range of tough lawn jobs. This zero turn mower comes with a wide mower deck (either 52 inches or 61 inches), made from thick 10-gauge steel, to help with efficient and faster mowing. The mower can reach up to 9mph in speed, so it is a quick and efficient choice. The mower is well made and of quality materials, to help to ensure longevity.
There are a number of controls and deals, all within easy reach, including a fuel-level indicator. You can also easily fill up the mower with gas as there is a wide opening for this. The mower is powered by a Briggs & Stratton Commercial Series engine or a Kawasaki FR730V engine, so you can get all the power that you need and have a mower that will last for years to come.
The controls are fairly easy to use, and it has 3 cutting blades that can be operated at 12 different positions according to a height that ranges between 1.5″ and 4.5″.
- Comfortable and easy to run
- The gasoline can be filled easily as the tank opening is rather big
- Accurate and precision cutting
- No armrest installed
- Heavy
How Big Should Your Mower Be?
There are a couple of things to bear in mind here. First and most obvious is the area of grass you need to cut.
For anything above half an acre, a ride-on mower is a good choice. If your patch of greenery is smaller than that, a ride-on won’t represent value for money. And you’ll have to maneuver a bulkier machine than you need. Opt instead for a walk-behind mower like the self-propelled Mowox MNA152613.
Supposing you have a garden of more than half an acre, next consider the cutting deck width. Ride-on mowers will vary widely here – those on our list range from 34 to 61 inches wide. The wider the deck, the greater the area it will cover in a single pass. But it will generally be more expensive too.
The second thing to bear in mind is that you’ll need somewhere to store your mower. You’re going to be spending a lot of money, so it needs to be secure and protected from the weather. That means you’re going to need a lockable outbuilding.
Make sure you check the dimensions of your mower so you’re confident it will fit in your shed or garage! And if you need to pass gates or narrow passages to reach your lawn, don’t forget to measure those too. A slightly smaller mower might be a better option than tearing up gateposts and fences!
Safety Tips To Consider
Read the following tips to avoid any injuries or accidents while using the mower:
- Shut the engine off when you’re not using it, turn the blades off, and park the mower in a place away from inflammable stuff.
- This is a single-person ride, so avoid letting on passengers, especially kids, as there is a risk of falling over.
- When the mower is spinning, avoid changing or replacing any part of the mower, even if you think it’s not linked to the cutting system. It is better to turn off the engine and then work.
- Be sure to look out for traffic when using a mower on crossing roadways.
- For increased safety, we advise you to wear eye and ear protection equipment before mowing.
- Take extreme caution when working on uneven and rough terrain.
Conclusion
Making the choice of which commercial zero turn mower to get is a big one, as it can make a difference to your work and how quickly things can get done. With a little know-how, driving a zero turn mower can mean much faster mowing, and mean good things for your commercial mower needs.