Choosing Between a Lawn Tractor vs. Zero-Turn Mower

Maintaining a large piece of property can get tiring, especially if you don’t have the right equipment for the job. Things get worse if you have a lawn to take care of. Fortunately there are lots of options for keeping grass under control, but with those options come choices in terms of equipment. Lawn tractors are a common choice, as are zero-turn riding mowers. Both are faster and more efficient than walk-behind or push mowers, but there are some particular features that could make a big difference depending on the specifics of your property.

Here at Scott’s Power, we know all the small differences can get in the way of you and completing your land management projects. When it comes to power mowers, there’s a bit of choice, so we’ve put together this short guide to help our customers find the right mower for them.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or come in to one of the Scott’s Power locations in Missouri and Illinois. Our staff of knowledgeable and courteous professionals will be sure to help you find what you need.

Zero-Turn Mowers

These mowers are a lot like your average riding mower, but rather than turning at an angle like other vehicles, they’re capable of executing a turn with an effective radius of zero. Otherwise they operate at the same level as most riding mowers with a bit of extra power and speed. The key feature beyond the turning is their agility, though, thanks to wide cutting decks, which also makes mowing quicker. They’re great at handling both big, even fields and uneven spaces with large obstacles that you have to navigate around. A zero-turn mower is going to give you professional lawn care every time!

Zero-turn mowers aren’t as proficient at dealing with grass that’s grown too tall. Anything over six inches will likely give a zero-turn mower some issues and might require multiple runs or else a beefier mower. And while they can certainly handle big, wide fields, they’re not as efficient as lawn tractors when you don’t have anything to use the zero-turn feature on. They’re also more expensive than traditional riding mowers, which can knock them off some potential buyers’ wishlists.

Lawn Tractors

Lawn tractors are the kings of lawn management. They’re essentially riding mowers designed to both resemble and run like larger agricultural tractors. That means you’ll have all the ease of use you’d find in a riding mower with the added durability and power of a tractor! They’re quite affordable, especially compared to zero-turn mowers, and their simple, intuitive design — in combination with an accessible price point — makes these lawn tractors a popular choice for all manner of property owners.

Lawn tractors aren’t known for their speed, so it’s slow and steady behind the wheel. Though lawn tractors are easy to operate, they are certainly not agile machines. Most models have a wide turning radius and might require some repositioning after each run to line up a straight route back.

When choosing between a lawn tractor or a zero-turn mower, it often can come down to personal preference. However, there are a few key niches each machine fills. Hopefully this article has pointed you in the right direction. If you need more help finding the right vehicle for your property, don’t hesitate to call or head into Scott’s Power at one of our convenient locations in Missouri and Illinois. We proudly serve Bridgeton, Arnold, and Wentzville, Missouri, as well as Metro East, Illinois.