Trying to decide between a lawn tractor or a zero turn mower? It can be a big decision and with an average zero turn mower costing nearly 2000 dollars more, the temptation is to go cheap. We can help with zero turn mower financing though, even with bad credit, so before you make a decision, look at some zero turn advantages.
A More Efficient Cutting Pattern
The biggest advantage of a zero turn is its ability to pivot 180 degrees. You have undoubtedly seen people operating them and seemingly turning around as if they were on a turntable. No lawn tractor can match the maneuverability.
What this means is that it can have a much more efficient cutting path. With a lawn tractor, you have to either cut over areas that have already been cut or you have to stop and back up to avoid missing patches. This is because it has a much wider turning radius.
This more efficient cutting pattern of the zero turn can result in cutting times that are about half of what a lawn tractor can do. The ability to cut two acres in 45 minutes versus an hour and a half is huge, making the zero turn well worth the price.
Attachment Availability
There are no shortage of attachments available for the zero turn mower. Attachments can allow you to bag clippings, mulch, blow snow and transport raw materials. If you can imagine a lawn task, there is probably an attachment to accomplish it.
Yes, the lawn tractor has most of the same attachments but many people feel that a zero turn is lacking in this department. It is not, although you may have to add an aftermarket hitch to your zero turn.
Easier To Drive
You might think that a lawn tractor would be easier to drive with its car like steering wheel and pedals, but this is not really the case. You might be more familiar with a lawn tractor but it is certainly not any easier to drive.
Although a zero turn looks intimidating at first, once you get used to it, they are easier to drive. A zero turn can be handled very easily and some people would even call them a pleasure to drive. Easily work around obstacles and smoothly accelerate, turn and stop.
Ease of use makes your cutting time fly by and can turn a chore into a hobby.
Longer Lifespan
Zero turns are more expensive, but they also have generally longer lifespans.
Most machines will have higher horsepower engines that do not have to work as hard as the smaller engines found on lawn tractors.
In addition, you have to remember that your cutting time is reduced by about half with a zero turn. This means that you will put half the hours on your mower each year compared to a lawn tractor. That is a big difference in longevity and in maintenance and fuel costs.
They Are Cooler
We have to say it. It might not be a big factor for you, but you will look cooler on a zero turn.