Are you new to zero turn mowers or looking for an upgrade? How do you know what mower to buy or what you should be looking for? There are more manufacturers producing zero turn radius mowers than ever before and each one has their own unique selling features: heavy duty, cool paint job, padded seat, 35-horsepower engine, digital gauges, goes 100 mph, etc. All of these features might be selling point for some people, but the question I get most is what actually matters when choosing a zero turn mower?

Coming Soon: 5 Things That Don’t Matter When Choosing A Zero Turn Mower

1. Engine

Tip: Don’t be in awe at high horsepower engines. This is only one piece to the puzzle.

The engine is what powers your entire machine and is arguably the most important. You want to make sure your engine is big enough to support your deck width, machine weight and mower speed. Engines come built in a wide variety of ways that effect (or limit) performance, but the thing that remains constant is that reputable engine manufacturers with a history are always a win. Kawasaki, Kohler and Briggs & Stratton are all engine manufacturing giants, but their reputations are quite different and usually for good reason. There are also companies, such as Toro, who are manufacturing engines specifically designed for their mowers and have seen great results. This allows them to free up some dollars that they can spend on other areas of the mower.

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2. Transmission

Tip: Make sure you’ve got a little power to get yourself out of a tough spot.

Zero turn mowers use hydrostatic transmissions (HST) in order to drive the mower. The transmission is made up of wheel pumps that circulate hydraulic oil to create energy that is converted to energy in your wheel motors that ultimately drive the mower. The larger the pumps and wheel motors, the more power and torque each wheel has to get you out of a tough spot. Hydro-Gear is the leading manufacturer of hydro-drive components on zero-turns, especially on residential models. Typically, this size of system is not serviceable and acts as a “throw away” component. As the mowers get larger, they tend to go to a unitized system so they can continue to increase power and torque for larger machines. These systems also gain the advantage of being serviceable so that one component failure does not require the entire system to be replaced.

When choosing a zero turn mower, make sure you pay attention to the quality and size of your hydrostatic drive system.

3. Mowing Deck

Tip: Select a sturdy deck because you will hit things.

The mowing deck is where all the action happens. It makes tall grass short and that’s what you’re trying to do (and make it look good). They come in all different sizes, but the most important thing is that the frame of the deck is substantial. Like everything else, manufacturers have reduced their costs on some models by making their mower decks with thinner metal. The problem with that is if the mower deck hits anything, there’s a chance it will warp the deck and it will be impossible to get an even cut after.

4. Operators Platform

Tip: This is the area where you should splurge because it directly affects your health and how enjoyable mowing is.

This is often overlooked by many when deciding on a new zero turn mower. Until recently it was an afterthought for many manufacturers. The problem many people were and still are facing is that the mower beats them around so much they get off the mower with a sore back or just feeling drained. Solving this problem starts with a cushioned, high-back seat and then rests on suspension solutions. Some manufacturers have put shocks (springs) on each tire, much like how vehicle suspension works, others have focused on the operator’s seat and platform to make their improvements. Isolation mounts (mini springs) that are adjusted on a dial based on the user’s weight are widely used and do offer some improvements to the traditional model.

There are manufacturers who have really focused on user experience and have developed an entire suspended rider platform that is adjustable based on the user’s weight. There is tremendous value in the operator platform because it directly affects how enjoyable of a mowing experience you have and how you feel when you step off the mower.

5. Tires

Tip: Most people will be fine with the factory tires that come on the mower, however if your land has difficult to reach areas or has a lot of slope, look at some other tire solutions.

Tires fill two different capacities on mowers. First, they support the suspension on the mower. The “thicker” the sidewall of the tire, the more room there is for the tire to absorb shock. The second, and most important thing the tire does is provide traction to the mower. You want to be stable and in control of your mower no matter if you’re on flat or on sloped ground. The larger the tire, the more tire that’s in contact with the ground and that means more stability. The tread pattern on the tires also play a role in the traction ability. There are a wide variety of tires available, both OEM and aftermarket, that are specially designed for different terrains.

(Bonus) The Dealer

All of the features and components I’ve mentioned are useless if you don’t have a dealer to stand behind it. Odds are, you will encounter at least one problem with your machine that you will want fixed or a question you’d like answered. Product knowledge, warranty, parts and service all revolve through the dealer. What happens when you have a question about why the mower isn’t driving straight? How are you supposed to mow your yard if your mower breaks down and it takes three weeks to fix? The manufacturer’s role is to engineer and manufacturer products. As a consumer, you won’t find any answers there. The dealer’s role is to use those products and their experience to help customer’s find solutions to their problems. A dealer can be the greatest asset when choosing a zero turn mower to purchase, if you make it a priority.

Summary

Generally, a better mower can be built with more money, but that’s not practical for 99% of people. The goal is to find balance between expensive components, great engineering and a budget so you get the best bang for your buck. You can do that by setting a budget that you feel comfortable with (after all, you should feel good about your purchase!) and finding a machine best suited for what you’re trying to mow. The best way to do that is to find a dealer that understands what you’re trying to accomplish and helps you find the best solution, so you can spend more of your free time doing what you want to do and less time frustrated.

We want to help you on your next zero turn mower purchase. We’ve put together a FREE Mower Purchase Checklist for you to follow, so you’re prepared and get all your questions answered. You can download it at the link below. Please let us know in the comments how it works for you!