Best Zero Turn Mowers

Husqvarna is a popular brand in power tools and a true leader in outdoor power equipment for yards and gardens. When it comes to mowing machinery, Husqvarna always takes top positions and ZTR mowers are not an exception. The manufacturer constantly strives to maximize mowing performance by combining high construction quality, durability, and power.

The Z248F zero turn mower is one of the best models in residential line that will bring your lawn mowing experience to a completely new level. Right off the bat, the Z248F offers an all-steel design paired with a commercial-grade hydraulic system, robust engine, and heavy-duty cutting deck. The zero turn technology along with a hydrostatic transmission provides superior maneuverability around edge spots and obstacles. The engine delivers 24 HP of power to speed the unit up to 6.5 mph. Though it is not the highest speed rating for a mower in this range, it is still enough to cover 2.5 acres per hour. Meanwhile, the 48” wide cutting deck allows cutting at one of 6 heights adjusted between 1.5” and 4”. Equipped with 11” front wheels and 18” rear wheels, the machine features good traction and ensures a smooth ride on dry and wet surface alike. All of the above makes this model suitable for a variety of residential mowing needs and a great choice for medium to large yards.

In addition, what set this Husqvarna mower apart from its rivals is the brand-specific SmartSwitch™ technology that will let you start the mower without a key. What’s more, a spring-assisted sliding seat, vibration-free levers with padded grips, and a foot-activated deck lifting system take care of your ultimate comfort during operation

Any landscape contractor knows that all lawn, garden, and yard surfaces are different. Some are pretty even and feature soft soil while others are all unforgiving terrain with a rough underground. A good zero turn mower should perform great on any type of terrain and be able to maneuver around the obstacles and tricky spots, all the while making you feel comfy. And the Ferris zero turn mower is just the model in point.

First things first, in contrast to other riding lawn mowers, this model is pretty compact and lightweight, which makes it more agile and easier to navigate across a lawn with trees and flowerbeds as well as easier to get closer to lawn edges for precise trimming. Yet, despite a smaller size, the machine doesn’t trail behind bulkier rivals in terms of performance and even outshines them in certain aspects. Thus, you’ll get a top-quality Kawasaki engine that normally comes with commercial models. It offers consistent failure-free operation and quiet work. The only minor negative is the low engine power of 21 HP. However, it’s an average power rate for a mid-grade ZTR mower. Besides, in combination with the 5.5-gallon fuel tank, this machine will let you cover large areas without stopping for a refill and is still suitable for extensive daily use.

The next essential feature to bring to notice is the mowing deck. This model comes equipped with a heavy-duty fabricated deck 48” wide. Accompanied by zero turn technology, it will let you trim medium to large lawns much faster and with better precision. In addition, the deck boasts multitasking ability, allowing for grass collection, rear or side discharge, and mulching (including two mulching modes). Whatever your lawn care strategy and garden needs, the Ferris mower will deliver them.

Using an ordinary lawn mower, whether its a handheld or push model, is an easy task feasible pretty much for everyone. Meanwhile, driving a ZTR mower is a completely different experience that needs some kind of skill. Hence, if you have little to no experience with zero radius lawn mowers, the best recommendation for you is to start with a model that is easy to operate and control, like the one from Ariens.

What makes this model a great beginner's choice straight away is that it comes fully assembled. It means that despite its bulky size, it comes ready-to-use right out of the box. No need to attach, fix, or bolt any components. Just unpack it and get to mowing. The next thing you will like is its intuitive controls located within easy reach close to the seat. All control switches, push buttons, and levers are clearly named to help you follow the instructions and grasp the operation principles more quickly.

To make steering a breeze and the trimming process way more manageable, the model features dual EZT hydrostatic transaxles. Besides, the mowing deck is held by a commercial-style 4-point hanging system with twin arm lifts. Not only does it ensure many times better deck stability but also allows cutting the grass evenly across the whole lawn's surface. Other than that, the Ariens mower offers as many as 13 cutting height options. You can choose between 1.5” and 4.5” with ¼” increments by simply turning the dial. Whether you want your lawn to look like a plush carpet or like a grassy meadow, you can easily achieve it with the Ariens. Meanwhile, the cutting width of 52 inches will let you quickly trim both age-old yards and golf courses or football fields that makes this machine a match for amateurs and professionals alike.

Having a large carpet-like lawn is rewarding. It’s a pleasure to play Frisbie with kids or walk down the paths in the evening or simply sit on a terrace and glance over your property or watch your dogs gamboling on the grass. A big homestead with a large piece of land around it is a really nice place to live. Yet, maintaining the well-groomed look of an oversized lawn is not an easy task. It might become a real challenge and a pain in the neck unless you have a zero radius mower from Swisher. Specifically designed to take care of larger lawns and fields, this model has a lot more to offer than many other competitors.

What you’ll get is a powerful machine driven by the 24HP Briggs and Stratton engine. Running quiet, it is highly durable and reliable and will easily withstand regular daily use. Meanwhile, to maximize the engine service life, a built-in hour meter will alert you when the scheduled maintenance is needed.

Unlike mid-grade mowers, the Swisher boasts an extra wide mowing deck. Made from fabricated steel and distinguished by extremely sturdy damage-proof welded construction, the deck is 54 inches wide allowing you to trim a significantly larger area at a single pass. More than that, you can adjust the cutting height in one of seven positions from 1.5” to 4.5” to precisely meet your lawn needs.

Moving on, this machine stands out for the capacious fuel tank. Holding 8L of fuel (that is twice as much compared to other models), it will feed the engine for hours of work and help you cover many acres of land in one go without the need to refill the tank. Besides, oversized wheels including 12” front wheels and 20” rear wheels add stability and provide grippy traction on any surface, be it a lawn with a soft sandy underground or a thick grass carpet on a tough ground.

Build like a rock, the Swisher mower is not deprived of comfort features for a convenient ride. The patented Rapid Response control system makes the unit operation a breeze. You will also like a roomy padded seat with a supportive back, integrated headlights for a safe ride under low-light conditions, and an automatic parking brake.

As we’ve already mentioned, a zero turn mower is a pretty high investment that can hit your budget. However, that’s for a reason since you actually buy the kind of vehicle packed with heavy-duty functionality. Normally, ZTR mower price tags go over a couple of thousands of dollars and greatly depend on the design quality and performance you’ll get for the price. The Troy-Bilt Mustang riding mower stands out from the crowd for the premium-grade quality offered at a bargain price.

The engine and mowing deck are the prime features to check in any ZTR mower, and in this model, they are on par with more expensive rivals. A 24HP Kohler engine is a commercial-level model that can endure regular daily use and rather long mowing sessions. It delivers enough power to trim from 3 to 5 acres of flat land in one go. All made of durable top-quality steel, reinforced frame hosts a robust 50” deck with 3 rugged cutting blades that work perfectly on any type of grass including long and very thick grass. Thus, you can cut a wider strap at a single pass and mow a large lawn at a fraction of the time you would spend with an ordinary lawn mower. Meanwhile, the electric power take-off ensures instant and easy blade engagement when needed and a heavy-duty front axle delivers flawless performance on hard terrain.

Similar to top-rated competitors, the Troy-Bilt can be operated in a side discharge, collection, or mulching mode. Side discharge mode is set by default while for the latter two modes, you will need to buy separately a bag or a mulching kit. Adjustable cutting height option is also there. You are free to set the deck in one of 8 positions between 1.5” and 4” to customize the cut and trim the lawn your way.

Functional and powerful, this model offers a comfy ride. There is a premium large seat with ample leg space in front and adjustable lap bars matching all body types. Besides, dual suspension springs will absorb all shocks and vibrations for a smooth ride.