Americans are proud to have a lawn. A large, lush lawn with healthy grass is as American Dream as a white picket fencing. Owning the best zero turn mower for the money is the fastest way to make that dream come true.
For those of us still using push mowers or the old clunky riders, mowing the lawn has to be one of the most menial, boring chores around the house. Its dirty, its sweaty, and if you have allergies, it can turn a Saturday into the worst day of the week.
Zero-turn mowers are quick and easy to use, allowing you to focus on more important tasks.
Quick Look: Top Zero Turn Mower
Over the past few years, zero turn lawnmowers have been gaining popularity among residential families that are eager to take advantage of their features. They can quickly remove obstacles and have large decks that make it easy to mow even the largest lawns.
This guide will compare some of the top zero turn mowers out on the market right now. In addition, it will show you mowers for those of us with hilly terrain, residential specific concerns, and even discuss the best budget-friendly mowers out there.
Best Zero Turn Mower Features
Mowers For All Terrains
So why have zero turn lawn mowers become so popular? The primary reason is their ability to turn 180 degrees at the drop of a hat, making a lawn cutting job significantly faster and more efficient than a traditional riding lawn mower would.
This means that regardless of the terrain, a zero-turn lawn mower will do the job faster, more efficiently, and look more professional.
Residential users, despite having relatively smaller yards, can still benefit from the time saving features of a zero turn lawn mower. Those who have hilly yards may have a difficult time with riding tractor mowers, but many zero turn models will handle that obstacle with ease.
Zero turn mowers are often misunderstood as too expensive for residential use. They are meant for commercial use. Many quality zero-turn mowers are available for as low as €70, making them affordable for most families.
Mowing The Hills
Zero turn lawnmowers have a rear-wheel drive as one of their most important features. The front wheels can be used to slide around zero turns. They are caster wheels. This can cause the mower to drift in the direction of a hill without adjusted steering from the operator.
Fortunately, there are some zero turn mowers out there that, because they are more heavy in the front, are better for mowing for a hilly terrain. Although no zero turn mower or tractor mower is suitable for mowing a hill steeper than 15 degrees, using a zero turn to tackle your hilly yard may yield some great results if you get the right model.
Lap Bar Vs. Steering Wheel
A lap bar is used as a steering device for zero turn mowers. It is controlled by pushing the opposite side, not pushing the other. This works in the same way as a shopping cart. This intuitive method of steering is much more precise and quicker, even though it can take some time to get used to.
There are some zero turn mowers on the market that are steered with a traditional steering wheel and foot pedals. These are a little more front heavy, and as such may be more suited for hilly terrain. It all comes down to preference-as with all products, its essential that you try out some of these different mowers to get a feel for what is best for you.
Engine Power And Speed
Where zero turn mowers really differ from traditional riding lawn mowers is the speed at which they move. A tractor riding lawn mower will typically top out at a mowing speed of 3-4 miles per hour. On the other hand, a zero turn mower can cut at speeds of 5-13 km/h, with commercial models pushing speeds as high as 23 km/h.
These mowers are able to cut at these speeds without compromising quality. They do this because, for the most part, they are equipped with twin cylinder engines that provide power to the rear wheels only, which benefits handling but also benefits speed.
Better Quality Lawn Care
Zero turn mowers dont just make your job easier and faster-itll make it better quality as well. These mowers are extremely versatile and can maneuver around your yard with ease. You’ll be able cut neat lines in your yard in no matter how small or large they are. Perfectly swerving around any trees, bird baths, or boulders that may in the way is a piece of cake.
There are many options for zero turn mowers. Zero turn mowers are great for those who have large, open yards. They can be as big as 152cm in residential models. Commercial options offer even more space. ), making a previously grueling chore easy. There are models that have smaller decks and allow for better handling, which is great for those who have more intricate details like plants or art.
The turning radius of tractor lawn mowers is wider, so you will need to cover your tracks and mow areas you have already mowed. Not only does this waste time, it makes the lawns cut appear messy, uneven, and asymmetrical. With a cut from a zero turn mower, your lawn will definitely appear more clean, healthy, and attractive.
How Do You Choose?
Choosing the perfect zero turn mower for your situation may feel tough, but this guide should help you. You may be able to benefit from any combination of these zero-turn mowers depending on your yard size, yard composition, and budget.
Fortunately, this guide will suggest the best models for residential turn mowers, mowers for hilly terrain, and the best zero turn mowers for the money.
Read our comparisons below to get a better feel for which product is best for you.
Which Model Is Best For You?
Residential Zero Turn Mowers
People who are looking to buy a zero-turn mower for their home have different needs. These mowers come in a variety of sizes and features, from smaller decks to greater user control. These three zero-turn residential mowers are great options for anyone looking for an efficient way to maintain their lawn.
The Troy-Bilt Mustang 54 has a large, 137cm mowing deck. It also includes four extra deck wheels to improve turning efficiency. This no-frills, professional level mower is great for residential users because it is sturdy without being too big.
We like this:
- 25 horsepower twin cylinder engine
- A tractor riding mower will be able to travel 7 miles per hour faster than you.
- Comfortable ride in a high back chair with dual suspension springs
- Troy-Bilt offers a limited lifetime warranty on frames
The Mustang 54 is an excellent mower for residential customers who mean business. It is affordable and does the job well. Although it’s not designed to cut through thick or overgrown grasses, it can handle the typical residential yard.
Husqvarna is a popular manufacturer of a wide range of tools and equipment. They excel at making lawnmowers too. The 26-horsepower, twin-engine Kohler 7000 Kohler engine powers this mower. It will zip along your yard at up to 8 miles per hour.
What we like:
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The 137 cm deck is compact and strong, ideal for residential yards
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Powerful Kohler 7000 twin engine can easily handle tough jobs
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Attractive design
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Anti-scalping rollers on mowing deck
Although the Husqvarna mower is slightly more expensive than its Mustang 54 counterpart, it still offers a more polished product. The mower has a durable frame and a dual-hydro EZT transmission that will protect your investment.
Poulan Pro P54ZX
The final mower on this list of residential zero turn mowers puts a premium on durability. The mower comes with a 10-year warranty and a sturdy deck frame of 137 cm. It also has an electric clutch and 24 horsepower engine, more than enough to make residential jobs a piece of cake.
What we like:
- Deck with triple blades, 137 cm in length. Extremely strong
- You can maneuver the mower around grass features and plants with ease.
- The industry’s best warranty
- EZT transmission and drive system
The Poulan Pro P54ZX should be on every residential customers list. It offers the features and durability of much more expensive machines, and is sturdy enough to handle tough jobs. While it maintains the industrial-grade quality, it is priced as a budget mower.
Zero Turn Mowers For Hilly Terrain
You don’t have to mow your lawn just because you live in a mountainous region. Unfortunately, many zero turn lawnmowers arent great for hilly terrain-the sliding wheels on the mower deck that make it possible to have a zero turn radius are also very poor for traction.
However, there are zero turn mowers out there that are able to mow on hills of 15 or less, so they are still an option for these areas. The following three mowers have features that make them better on hills than others.
One of the most important aspect of a zero turn lawn mower that is capable of handling hills is a heavy front end frame. The Husqvarna MZ61 is a beast-its heavy 155 cm cutting deck will keep the front end sliding wheels more grounded than most mowers. The 27 horsepower engine allows it to tackle tough jobs easily.
We like this:
- Premium three blade cutting system
- 27 horsepower V-Twin engine
- Three settings allow for customizing the pedal lift cutting deck.
- Affordable industrial model zero turn mower
Although a pretty heavy duty lawn mower for the typical residential consumer, for those of you that have steep hills, tough terrain, or require a little more horsepower, you may want to consider the Husqvarna MZ61. It will set you back a pretty penny. It is a good deal for the value it provides.
Z-Beast’s mower has a lot of features and a strong front frame that gives you traction on steep hills. The Z-Beast mower is a great mower for hills because it comes with a roll bar, which is something that few other mowers offer.
We like this:
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The 157 cm wide cut deck is one of the most popular residential-style models
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26 horsepower Briggs & Stratton dual engine
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Premium features include halogen headlights and leather seats.
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Blade rotation speed of nearly 19,000 per minute
The 62ZBBM15 is the largest of all the cut decks on this list. Its 7-gauge commercial steel welded structure will provide more traction than smaller, less sturdy decks. This will prevent the slipping and sliding down hills that many zero turn lawnmowers suffer from.
Troy-Bilt zero turn mowers offer a feature thats different than any of our other items on this list; a steering wheel rather than steering bars. The thought is that a wheel offers more stability, a perfect feature for those that will need to mow up hills.
What we like:
- Comfortable 46 cm seat, adjustable knob
- Top speed: 7 miles per hour
- 25HP Kohler 725cc twin cylinder engine
- The steering wheel gives you control over steep hills or slippery terrain
Although the mower isn’t as heavy as some others, the steering wheel steering system compensates for the loss of traction. It also costs a lot less than the other two hill-capable mowers on this list.
Best Zero Turn Mowers On Tight Budgets
For most residential consumers, heavy duty, commercial grade zero turn lawn mowers arent really necessary. The general public will be more interested in a basic mower that can speed up their lawn care without breaking the bank. These three mowers have all the features you need while being reasonably priced.
Husqvarna 967323903 V-Twin 724
This Husqvarna mower will give you all of the quality of more expensive Husqvarna products in a smaller, more budget-friendly package. The frame measures 117cm and is ideal for residential yards. It also has superior maneuverability which will allow for greater speeds than traditional tractor-riding lawn mowers.
We like this:
- 13 gauge stamped steel cutting deck
- Electric clutch
- Three anti-scaling roller wheels are used to protect your lawn.
- Attractive design
This mower contains all the features that make zero turn mowers fantastic products. Ergonomic control panel, intuitive steering, and powerful motors that allow you to cut through large swaths of grass quickly are all included in this smaller machine, and its perfect for a consumer on a tight budget.
Although the name Ariens Zoom 34 is well-known, it offers many features and a small deck of 86 cm. It keeps price down by having a smaller engine at only 19 horsepower, but its more than enough to power the smaller frame.
We like this:
- It is extremely affordable, despite all of the features.
- The 86 cm frame is ideal for small- to medium-sized yards
- Handling is effortless and slip-free
- Kohler 19 horsepower engine
Although the Zoom 34 isn’t fast or powerful, it can cut small to medium-sized yards with precision. This machine is also great for budget-conscious people. With such a small size, its also going to be easier to store. Although it doesn’t seem like a significant feature, it can be quite frustrating to store a large lawnmower in a garage.
Poulan Pro P46ZX mower is powerful for such a low price. It has a 117 cm deck but includes a 22 horsepower v-twin pro engine, far more powerful than some of the other mowers of this price. It also comes with a 16 Liter fuel tank and a 10-year warranty for the cut deck.
We like this:
- The powerful motor of 22 HP allows for fast operation
- Transmission EZT and electric clutch
- Extremely affordable
- High quality steel construction
The Poulan Pro mower rides like it’s expensive.
The motor feels expensive and will handle any medium-sized to large residential job you give it. Poulan Pro P46ZX is a great example of how quality doesn’t have to be at the cost of your budget.
Conclusion
Purchasing one of the best zero turn mower will definitely change the way you look at lawn care projects. Mowing your lawn will no longer be a chore. Zero turn mowers are precise and fast, which will reduce the time it takes to weed and trim.
We have covered three possible scenarios in which you might be looking for a zero-turn mower.
For residential uses, we think the Troy-Bilt Mustang 54 offers the most for your money, and its able to handle intense residential jobs.
For cutting grass on a hilly terrain, look no further than the Husqvarna MZ61, which has a 27 horsepower engine that will give all power you need while handling jobs on steep terrain.
For budget-friendly mowers, we suggest the Poulan Pro P46ZX, which is able to feature a 117 cm cut deck and a 22 horsepower v-twin motor without breaking the bank.
It’s clear why zero-turn mowers have gained so much popularity among residential customers. These mowers cut down on the time required to trim your lawn. They also leave a professional-looking finish that will be noticed. We hope that this guide helped you in your search for one of these helpful machines.
Check out our Best Lawn Roller article for another amazing product to help maintain a beautiful lawn.
