Zero-turn mowers rival tractors for snob appeal

If one-upmanship weren’t a national pastime, fewer Americans would lust after 1,000-horsepower sports cars, 103-inch plasma TVs, and mowers designed at least in part to make the neighbors feel a little less significant.

Riding mowers are the biggest and priciest mowers by far. Front-engine lawn tractors from Craftsman, John Deere, and other big brands still make up most of this wide-cutting slice of the mower market.

But rear-engine, zero-turn-radius mowers—known as ZTRs by the cognoscenti—are challenging that turf. Independently controlled rear-steering wheels let these landscaper-inspired machines spin tight circles for trimming around trees, posts, and other obstacles. And some models can cut a 60-inch swath. Those features and lower prices (about $3,000 versus $4,000 to $9,000-plus for pro versions) have helped ZTRs grow to more than 10 percent of the nearly 2 million consumer mowers that are shipped annually in this country. (The Cub Cadet RZT 54 is shown.)

But as we found in our recent mowers and tractors roundup, using a ZTR’s lever steering smoothly and precisely takes practice. Front casters can make straight tracking on hills challenging, while the rear-steering wheels frequently tear up turf on turns.

If you value better mowing over trendy products, take heart: Several lawn tractors outperformed the best ZTR we tested, including two from John Deere and Craftsman that cost about $1,600.

Another option if you have a big lawn studded with obstacles: Lawn tractors that combine the tight turns of a ZTR with a familiar steering wheel. Two we tested include the $3,500 John Deere X304 and $3,400 Cub Cadet i1046. The top-scoring Deere provides more-even mowing, better mulching, and much better side-discharging (a bagging kit will add $300 to $900 to the price of these machines). The Cub Cadet offers zero-turn capability with much better hill stability and won’t tear up grass as lever-steer models do.

If you have a smaller lawn or want to spend less, consider an electric mower. In our tests, many plug-in electrics delivered fine mowing with less noise, less maintenance, and zero exhaust emissions for about $300. Several gas-powered models mowed even better, if more noisily, for as little as $230 for push mowers and $270 for self-propelled versions. And all gas-powered mowers run more cleanly and efficiently than they did only a few years ago

The bottom line: Decide on a push or self-propelled mower, a lawn tractor, or a zero-turn-radius model based on the size of your lawn and the terrain. Check our Ratings for push mowers,  self-propelled mowers, and tractors (Ratings are available to subscribers) for the models that did best in the mowing mode you use most.

Mow safely and mow regularly (at least once a week in most regions) so you don’t harm the grass by slicing off too much of it at a time (no more than a third of its height). And see “How to fix the top 10 lawn problems” for expert advice on how to get a great-looking lawn.—Bob Markovich

Comments

[Ed Burke]

This is my second time writing this, hopefully the system will actually post the comments this time.

The John Deere model 300R was just purchased by me and I offer my experience to anyone wishing a lawn tractor that can mow powerfully, allow you to trim around obstacles with either the left or the right side of the mower deck, and still bag the clippings with a very capable 8 bushel bag that can be dumped without you getting off the tractor. The "R" is for REAR and this is what sets this unique tractor apart from even its more expensive rear wheel steer cousins.

The two cylinder engine starts easily, is very powerful ,and unlike my old John Deere does not require me to get off the tractor to empty the grass catcher. I simply back it up where I wish to dump the grass clippings, and reach behind me (rightside) to grasp a lever that easily and completely dumps the clippings that are discharged, as the mower cuts, back between the two rear wheels of the tractor into a blower that then packs them forcefully into the rear bag for dumping.

If trimming around obstacles AND bagging the clippings is essential to you, do not overlook this tractor. I know of no other like it. Also the rear bag/dump can be detached quickly if pulling a cart or spreader is needed.

List price was 3800, I paid 2800 and consider myself owner of a real bargain. I have 1 year to pay for it NO INTEREST !

[RalphJackson]

I bought a Gravely ZT1534 mower with a 2-bucket rear bagger three years ago and have had great luck with it. My dwarf fruit trees and my grape trellises are too close for anything bigger than a 34-inch cut. And it didn't take me long to get used to the zero-turn steering. I also got the sun shade so I don't get my head fried when I mow. The total cost was $2650 which beats all of the other ZTRs I have seen. I use a reel mower for any areas that the ZTR can't reach (around mailbox, tight corners). I do have to get off the mower to dump the clippings into the compost bin, but I have to get some exercize sometime.