Many people who switch to a zero-turn mower find they can cut their mowing time in half. These mowers have faster drive speeds and greater maneuverability, plus the small turn radius makes each cutting pass go more quickly. So long as you don't need to cut on steep slopes, they can make lawn mowing much faster and easier compared to walk-behind models and lawn tractors. It's no wonder so many homeowners and lawn care professionals prefer cutting lawns with a zero-turn mower.

But which mower should you get? Here at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower, we carry zero-turn mowers from top-quality brands including Scag, eXmark, and Toro. Any of them would be a reliable choice for your yard. Still, not every mower will be equally suited to what you need, and so today we're going to help you narrow-down your selection.

Buyer's Guide to Zero Turn Riding Mowers

What To Expect From A Zero-Turn Mower

The main thing to know about zero-turn mowers is that they can turn within their own footprint. They get the name “zero turn” from this turning radius of zero inches, or a zero-degrees. The tight turn radius gives the mowers excellent maneuverability.

Zero-turn riding mower designs put the deck out in front with the engine behind. That means there's nothing to obscure your view while cutting. Coupled with the improved maneuverability, this means you can cut very quickly around trees, outbuildings, gardens, and other obstacles in your yard. You'll also be able to cut more closely to these obstacles, saving you time on trimming.

One thing zero-turn mowers aren't great at is cutting on steep slopes or uneven terrain. You should not use them on slopes greater than 10 degrees. If you're mowing on bumpy or uneven lawns you many need to slow down quite a bit to avoid painful jolts.

We can sort zero-turn mowers into loose categories based on cutting deck width, engine power, and price. Homeowners with a moderate size lawn will do quite well with an Entry-Level or Mid-Grade mower. Professional landscapers will most likely prefer a larger Mid-Grade or a Commercial size model.

Entry-Level

If you're a homeowner looking for a quality zero-turn mower that is a bit less powerful, and less expensive, an entry-level mower could be just perfect for you. Generally, they have smaller cutting decks, less powerful engines, and smaller fuel tanks than other models. They're not designed for every-day use but they're still high-quality mowers.

Some of the mowers in Toro's Timecutter series fit into this category. The smaller models with a 32-inch or a 42-inch cutting deck have many of the same features Toro's other Timecutters but in a lower price bracket. The narrower cutting decks also make them easier to store. Smaller deck size means it will take a bit longer to mow a yard, but that's not really an issue if you don't have a huge lawn.

These Toro mowers feature a Smart Speed Control System for enhanced maneuverability and better control, as well as a parking brake that sets automatically when the control arms are in an outward position. These models have an 18-inch high seat and are powered by 452cc engines. The fuel tank capacity is 3 gallons.

Mid-Grade

Moving up to mid-grade, or semi-pro, mowers, you get larger deck sizes, more powerful engines, and larger fuel tanks. Those features make it easier to cut faster and tackle larger lawns

Mid-grade models include Toro's 42- and 50-inch Timecutter with their 726cc engines. These mowers have heavy-duty transmissions, IronForged™ fabricated decks, and 18-inch high-back seats. You can choose to get models that feature Toro's MyRIDE® suspension system that makes mowing uneven terrain much more comfortable.

Exmark's Quest Series mowers are premium residential zero-turns with professional-grade construction. The 34-inch or 42-inch cutting decks are easy to adjust. These machines feature 708 cc engines, comfortable seats, and 3-gallon fuel tanks.

Most of Scag's mowers fall in the commercial-grade category. The Liberty Z mower, however, brings the same level of quality to the mid-grade market with 36-inch to 61-inch cuttings decks. They carry a higher price than many of the other mowers in this category, but they're just about the highest quality you can find. If you're a homeowner with a large yard or you want an extremely reliable mower this could be a great choice for you. They also work well as commercial mowers.

Commercial

We carry a wide range of mowers in the commercial bracket. These high-performance machines give you the power and reliability you need to quickly mow client lawns, golf courses, and other residential and commercial properties.

Toro's Titan series offers powerful, commercial-grade cutting performance. Mowers in this category are built study, with IronForged™ fabricated decks and a bull-nose front bumper. The frame is seamless for added strength, and the tires are wide for extra stability. They're powered by 708cc engines and have 5-gallon capacity fuel tanks. You can also get them with the MyRIDE® suspension system. Cutting decks come in 48-inch, 54-inch, or 60-inch sizes.

Exmark offers three series of durable, reliable, and comfortable mowers for professional lawn care. Cutting decks in the Radius, Laser Z, and Navigator series range in size from 42-inches to 96 inches. These mowers offer features including powerful engines, maintenance-free spindles, full-suspension operator seats, and heavy-duty welded steel cutting decks. Large 7- or 8-gallon fuel tanks provide long run-times.

Most Scag mowers fall in this commercial-grade category. Scag mowers all have the highest quality commercial-grade parts and features. The Cheetah series is fast, up to 16 miles per hour on the larger models. Turf Tiger models give you multiple engine and fuel choices, offering your choice of air-cooled, liquid-cooled, gas fuel-injected, and diesel or propane engines up to 35 horsepower. Tiger Cat and Freedom Z mowers are the more compact and maneuverable options, with Freedom Z mowers featuring more powerful engines since they are designed for maintaining large lawns.

If you're looking for a new zero-turn mower, we can help. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you have and help you find the perfect mower for your needs. Just stop by or contact us to learn more.