The type of machine that is best for you is determined by several factors. The size of your yard, hills and terrain, and landscaping all come into play.
There are a few options to choose from to complete this mowing task: tow behind tractor mowers, livestock grazing, zero-turn mowers and lawn tractors.
In this article, we are going to focus on the latter two and compare zero-turn mowers vs. lawn tractors.
Before deciding between the two most common lawn equipment types for large yards, you need to become acquainted with the major differences between zero-turn mowers and lawn tractors.
Small Farm Canada is here to help you review the pros and cons of each to assist you in choosing the mower that best suits your needs.
Mobility
If you have a yard that spans ½ an acre or more with trees, bushes, and other obstacles, a zero-turn mower will undoubtedly save you time. This is thanks to the dual-hydrostatic transmissions controlled by two levers, which make the zero-turn mower responsive and maneuverable with a near-zero turn radius.
To move forward in a straight direction, you press both levers forward, making sure to apply even pressure to both. To turn the mower, you slow or stop power to one side by pulling the lever back, while the other side continues to move forward, allowing the mower to achieve very tight turns between obstacles. This gives zero-turns a mowing pattern that leaves far fewer patches of grass around curves and corners.
Lawn tractors, on the other hand, have a much wider turn radius which can make it awkward and inefficient when cutting in tight areas or when turning around. Often you will need to stop, reverse, and realign yourself to continue mowing.
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mobility
Maneuverability on Hills
Lawn tractors that have front-wheel-drive allows them to inch up slopes and hills with relative ease. In comparison, zero-turn mowers have a rear-wheel drive that can be difficult to control and make maneuvering slopes and hills challenging.
Zero-turn mowers and lawn tractors maneuver differently — whether the mower will pop a wheelie trying to ascend a hill, or zip down a slope out of control due to the lack of brakes — it is important that you demo each type of mower and make sure that it would be able to handle the slopes and hills on your small farm.
Simplicity
For those who value simplicity and just want to hop on a mower and enjoy the ride with a beverage, a lawn tractor’s familiar steering wheel, clutch and gas pedal will take very little time to get used to — operating a lawn tractor is similar to driving a car.
In contrast, the zero-turn will call for a bit of a learning curve since the controls can be sensitive.
Learning to time the manipulation of the levers when making turns can be tricky, but like most things, it just takes some time to get used to.
Overall, a zero-turn will require more focus and attention while using both hands, especially since you will be moving at higher speeds.
Deck Size
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deck size
The wider the deck, the more grass can be mowed at once, and fewer swaths will be needed to cover the grass. Most lawn tractors have decks that range from 42 to 54 inches wide, whereas zero-turn mowers have decks that span from 42 to more than 60 inches.
When choosing the right deck size or mower, it is important to not only consider the size of your yard but also the width of the narrowest spaces you will need to mow in between or around.
A smaller deck is required to preserve tight spacing between trees or flower beds. But if you have a 2- or 3-acre flat yard with no obstructions, pick the equipment with the largest deck you can afford.
Speed
Zero-turn mowers go faster, but slower speeds leave a cleaner cut. Zero-turn mowers can clean cut at 5 miles per hour (mph) and can reach speeds of more than 10 mph. The top speeds of a zero-turn however, are generally used for traveling to another part of the yard rather than actually mowing the lawn.
In comparison, lawn tractors mow at about 4 mph with a top speed of around 7 mph. In some circumstances, such as sloped or hilly terrain, lawn tractors may be able to maintain their traction and speed better.
But, depending on the layout and obstacles on your small farm property, the wider turning radius of lawn tractors can cause some inefficiencies when mowing lawn (as discussed in the mobility section of this article).
Versatility
Lawn tractors may earn their keep for the right buyer. Larger lawn tractors may be equipped with a loader and/or rear hydraulics that can be used for pull-type sprayers and manure spreading. If these are things that appeal to you then a lawn tractor may be a smart investment.
Most lawn tractors and zero-turns come equipped with a rear hitch — not only do they mow the lawn, but they may also be used to pull carts and other yard equipment.
Price and Availability
When it comes to price, lawn tractors are the more affordable of the two. A base model in some brands will start at around $1,200, but any accessories must be purchased separately. There are many options and brands to chose from, so do your research!
Zero-turn mowers on the other hand start around $2,500 and go well beyond $5,000. For yards that span several acres and/or have a wide range of trees and flowers that you need to mow around, a zero-turn model may be well worth it for the time it saves.