Lawn Tractors or Zero Turn, which is best for you? Trying to decide on which mower would be the best for you and your property can be difficult. At Everglades Equipment Group we’ve put together a list of the Pros and Cons of both lawn tractors and zero turn mowers.
Lawn Tractors
Riding mowers are a great alternative to pushing your mower around the lawn, but how do traditional lawn tractors stack up against a zero-turn mower? We're pointing out some of the key differences between these machines so you can pick the type of lawn mower that works best for you.
Pros
Number one here is price. Lawn tractors are by and large much more affordable than a comparable zero turn mower because of their relative simplicity. These machines range from around $1000 to $2500, which is a steep drop from the cost of a zero turn mower (below). Lawn tractors are also easier to service and maintain compared to a zero turn mower.
Cons
Lawn tractors are slow compared to zero turn mowers. This isn't just a matter of miles per hour, because of the wide turning radius of a lawn tractor, you'll be forced to double back to get the edge of your lawn clipped. Like all riding mowers, lawn tractors aren't great for use on hills and slopes, as a rollover can be extremely dangerous.
Zero Turn Mowers
Zero turn riding mowers are made to give you precise turning control. Using independent power for each side of the mower, these machines allow you to spin on a dime and keep going.
Pros
As stated above, zero turn mowers are able to get a lawn clipped quicker than a lawn tractor. In part, this is because these machines are typically built with higher horsepower which allows them to zip through the job. The other reason that zero turn mowers are able to work faster is these machines can be found with wider decks (up to 5 feet wide) so you can cut more grass in a single pass. One other 'advantage' of a zero turn is more a matter of preference, but these mowers are really fun to use.
Cons
Zero turn mowers can be prohibitively expensive. If you're looking for a mower for a massive lawn, or commercial applications, you can probably justify the purchase, but if you're trying to trim up a suburban yard a zero turn is probably overkill. Like a lawn tractor, these mowers are also not a great idea when it comes to mowing a hill, so you may need to find an alternative if you've got a sloped lawn to mow.