Shopping for Commercial Lawn Mowers
Professional lawn care providers and landscapers are sure to be familiar with just how long it can take to give a lawn an acceptable cut, let alone weave pleasing patterns and ensuring professional level of detail and quality. It’s no wonder the pros look at specialized commercial lawn mowers to handle their work. When it’s time to cut the grass, and you have acres upon acres, it pays to understand what equipment to look for. At Scott’s Power Equipment, we understand finding the right equipment for your work is important and the first step to getting the job done. In that spirit, we’ve put together this short guide to use when shopping for commercial lawn mowers. Read on for more information or head into one of our dealership in Missouri and Illinois. We’re proud to serve the areas of Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri.
Why a Commercial Mower?
There are many differences between commercial and residential mowers, most significant of which will be size, durability, and pure cutting performance. Durability is perhaps the most important, since any business has to run in terms of return on investment. If you need a mower that’ll last the test of time and hard work, then a residential model just won’t cut the mustard — or the lawn! Quality parts on a commercial mower, from engine down to the tires, will help it last much longer than residential mowers.
Commercial mowers will also have cutting decks constructed from tougher alloys, which allows for higher blade speeds and reduces clumping. These cutting decks also provide a much wider cutting area, which translates into fewer passes and more efficient operating time. These wide cutting decks are also better (though not necessarily totally suited) for taking care of taller grass.
Bigger equipment means the need for stronger engines, and commercial mowers are no exception. These engines are, like other parts of the mower, more reliable than those found on residential models. A professional-grade mower should have an engine with two cylinders, larger displacement, and plenty of horsepower to achieve both the cutting power and speed you need.
Even miscellaneous and smaller parts of a commercial mower are going to be higher quality and thus more durable than their counterparts on smaller mowers. Handles, tires, and controls also have significant differences on commercial mowers, lending themselves to a multiplicity of uses. Best of all, these parts will likely be under warranty, and commercial lawn mowers generally have extensive warranties of their own.
Types of Commercial Mowers
There are a couple options when it comes to professional-grade mowers, including lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. Here are a few points to consider when figuring out which would be best for you and your business.
Lawn Tractor
Upwards of three times faster than a walk-behind, lawn tractors are a great option for landscapers looking for a utility mower that cuts mow times down while also getting a little something extra in the form of a mini tractor. They’re great for lawns of all types and are excellent at keeping traction on hills and slopes. Some models even have PTO or other forms of power to hook up implements for even more utility, or you can simply hook up a trailer for some extra cargo space! Lawn tractors are easy to operate, due mostly to their classic steering wheel, and are comfortable for riders. Unfortunately, most lawn tractors need a few additional components or implements to truly shine, and their wide turning radius makes mowing patterns quite difficult to pull off.
Zero-Turn
As their name suggests, zero-turn mowers are capable of pulling off turns with an effective radius of zero. That means you can finish a pass on a lawn and simply turn perfectly to line up with the line you’ve just cut. They’re also quite quick, with speeds that make lawn tractors look like, well, tractors! Many landscapers and other professionals use these mowers for quick work that deliver great-looking cuts time and time again. They’re also adept at working lawns that have a lot of obstacles, like flower beds, trees, rocks, etc. With their speed and maneuverability, the operator can easily turn and mow around these obstacles.
Zero-turn mowers do have their fair share of drawbacks, primary of which is their higher price tag. They’re also harder to steer, since they use two levers in a tank-style setup rather than a simple steering wheel (though some models now have steering wheel controls available). Losing traction on hills and slopes is another issue, and although they’re quicker than other mower, you’ll still want to mow at lower speeds to ensure a quality cut.
When you buy a commercial lawn mower, you’re buying a time-saving piece of equipment that’ll give lawns you work on that professional quality your clients will appreciate. Just remember to consider your operation’s needs before deciding on a type and model of commercial mower. If you have more questions, or you just want to check out the best new and used commercial lawn mowers around, head into Scott’s Power Equipment at one of our dealerships in Missouri and Illinois. We proudly serve Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri. Come in today and speak with our team of courteous experts and let them show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction!