Zero Turn Vs Riding Mower, Differences & Best Solution for 2020
Maintaining a lawn is easier said than done! Thankfully, the advent of technology has allowed convenience to take center-stage. And when it comes to lawn maintenance, a mower surely feels like a blessing! But there’s more to the story. Even before you can set your mind on a brand, you have to decide whether you […] The post Zero Turn Vs Riding Mower, Differences & Best Solution for 2020 appeared first on Homesthetics - Inspiring ideas for your home..
Maintaining a lawn is easier said than done!
Thankfully, the advent of technology has allowed convenience to take center-stage. And when it comes to lawn maintenance, a mower surely feels like a blessing! But there’s more to the story.
Even before you can set your mind on a brand, you have to decide whether you need a zero turn mower or a riding mower for your yard. This decision is particularly difficult for those who wish to purchase their first-ever mower.
For your convenience, we bring you the main differences between a zero turn (ZTR) and riding mower. And trust us, there’s nothing that you won’t understand.
What’s more, we’ve also listed the few best mowers for both the categories, so that you can head straight to the store after reading this guide.
Let’s begin with the proceedings!
Zero Turn Vs. Riding Mower | The Differences
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top PickOur Top Pick
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Troy-Bilt 540cc Riding Lawn Mower |
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Husqvarna YTH18542 |
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
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Troy-Bilt Neighborhood Rider Riding Lawn Mower |
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top PickOur Top Pick
|
Husqvarna Z254 |
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 |
Snapper 2691402 |
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 |
HustlerTurf Equipment Raptor Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower |
|
VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
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Maneuverability
The most important difference to know is how these two mowers go about their job. Riding mowers generally have a wide turn radius. What this means is that it can cover a fairly good amount of your green space. However, to do this, the operator has to back up and then turn in the desired direction.
Quite often, this may lead to overmowing, as you tend to run over already cut grass.
Zero turn mowers, on the other hand, are capable of turning 180-degree from the same point. Hence, a significant advantage is that it saves time, as you don’t need to steer back for making a turn.
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Terrain
Riding mowers are equipped with larger wheels with better center of gravity. This makes them suitable for slopes, as they offer superior grip for climbing up and down any hilly terrain. However, many zero turn mowers on the market are also designed to have better performance on slopes.
For flatter terrains, you may opt for either one, but a zero turn will definitely save you a lot of time. In addition, it’s easier to mow around tight spots and obstacles like trees and flower-beds with a ZTR at your disposal. With a riding mower, you risk leaving behind unattended spots, especially near the corners and borders of the yards.
On a side note, both these mowers are available in two-wheel and four-wheel configuration. Again, what you choose will depend on the size of your yard and type of terrain.
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Speed
Generally, the standard riding mower offers a speed of around 4mph, while some other models have a top speed of 5.5mph. Spend a few more bucks, and you may be able to get your hands on a unit that can be operated in the 6-7mph.
When you compare this with ZTRs, you’ll find that the speed is not too different. But what makes the latter faster is its zero-turn ability, particularly for yards that have a lot of barriers.
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Versatility
That mowing is the primary function of both riders and ZTRs goes without saying. However, the former does add a touch of multi-purpose utility to its operation. With a host of compatible attachments, you can easily complete a number of additional tasks such as gardening, spraying, seeding and even snow removal!
In hindsight, riding mowers are equipped to work for the overall land management with the ability to perform multiple jobs.
Now we are not saying that technology has not worked for ZTRs’ advancement. There are a lot of add-ons available for these units too, but they are meant primarily for mowing and it’s better to let them stay true to their purpose.
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Cost Factor
Everything else will come across useless if we don’t talk about the price tag, so here it is.
To start off, riders have better resale or exchange value as compared to ZTRs. So if you are someone who likes to frequently upgrade their arsenal, riders are there at your service. Having said that, it’s also necessary to mention the additional costs of acquiring all those attachments required to turn your regular rider into a multi-purpose beast.
However, don’t think of this as a deal-breaker. Just imagine the kind of productivity that you can get from a rider for optimum maintenance needs. High ROI, we say!
And no, we’re not saying that ZTRs are not worth it. If mowing is your only priority, then there’s nothing like a zero-turn unit. As we’ve mentioned earlier, these units too are capable of performing some extra jobs. The only thing to keep in mind here is that it might not be as efficient as its rider counterpart.
Now that we are in this section, allow us to debunk a myth. A lot of people assume that the majority of ZTRs cost more than the riders, which is not at all true. There are a plethora of entry-level zero turners that cost as much (or should we say as little) as a standard mower.
It’s also good to know that with all the engine checks, oil changes and filter replacements, the maintenance needs are pretty much equal for both these machine types.
Pros and Cons
To simplify it further, let’s summarize the advantages and disadvantages of both types.
Riding Mowers
- Better for hilly terrains
- Versatile
- Good average speed
- Higher trade-in value
- Not suitable for obstacles
Zero Turn Mower
- Better for flatter terrains
- Swift maneuverability
- Fast
- Time saving
- Less efficient on slopes
Best Solution
Both riders and zero turners are champions in their own way. Even though we’ve pointed out the basic differences, it’s essential to factor in the condition of the lawn and its subsequent needs before making that purchase.
As promised, we are now going to talk about some of the top-rated riders and ZTRs in this section.
Riding Mowers
This riding mower from the house of Troy-Bilt is a popular, reliable and productive unit meant for your toughest lawn care needs. So what makes this worth the hype?
- Powered by a reliable 19 HP/540cc Briggs & Stratton Intek...
- Featuring power and operator comfort, this automatic mower...
- Soft touch steering and a mid-back seat for ultimate comfort
- Equipped with a large 46-inch side discharge mowing deck and...
Another of our top picks is the Husqvarna YTH1854, which delivers quality performance in a compact size. Let’s take a quick look at its highlights.
- 18.5 hp Briggs and Stratton Intek engine offers powerful...
- Foot pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission allows you to...
- Tight 16 in. turning radius allows you to mow in tighter...
- 42 in. reinforced cutting deck with air induction mowing...
As you may have guessed by now, Troy-Bilt is a reputable name in the rider category, and the Neighbourhood Rider is one of our recommendations. Let’s find out why.
- Powerful and dependable 382cc Troy-Bilt single cylinder...
- 30in. cutting width with adjustable 1 1/4in. to 3 3/4in....
- Versatile 6-speed transmission allows you to mow at your own...
- Manual PTO for fast and easy blade engagement
Zero Turn Mowers
The high customer ratings for this ZTR speaks volumes about its efficiency and user-comfort. Let’s have a sneak peek at its highlights.
- 26 HP Kohler engine provides reliable startups and a max...
- A patent-pending park brake system automatically activates...
- Air induction mowing technology draws air from the top and...
- Reinforced steel stamped cutting deck is made of heavy...
Fast, effective and easy to use, the Snapper 2691402 is worth your consideration – whether you’re a first-timer or a pro. Let’s take a glance at some of its features.
- A fully-welded steel frame, thick-walled front axle,...
- High performance engine options mean you will have reliable...
- A durable fabricated steel mower deck for non-stop mowing...
- The commercial-style foot-operated mower deck Lift easily...
The last of our selection is the Hustler Turf ZeroTurn Mower. Let’s see its praiseworthy features that convinced us to include it in this list.
- Powerful Kawasaki 23 HP V-Twin engine delivers smooth...
- 52 in fabricated steel deck and frame offers superior...
- Exclusive SmoothTrak Steering for precise and smooth...
Final Words
With all the intricate details discussed above, we hope that it becomes easier for you to make a decision.
Now that you have a fair understanding of how the two are different in their capacity, all you need to do is assess your requirements and head out to buy! And if you’re tempted by a brand per se, then don’t worry as most of the top mower brands cater to both the categories.
It’s now time for us to say goodbye, as we hope you find the best deal.
We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
Till next time!
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