When you own a commercial lawn care company, the lawn mowers you invest in can make or break your business. You need mowers that are durable, easy to transport, cut reliably, and can work just as hard as you and your crew. For larger properties, a zero-turn mower makes it possible to cut quickly and professionally.
But if you’re looking to buy a new zero-turn, how do you choose the right one for your company?
Why Choose Zero-Turn Mowers
Zero-turn mowers are a top choice for commercial use. They offer speed and maneuverability that help make mowing jobs go quickly and smoothly. This helps increase your crew’s productivity. Zero-turns save a significant amount of time compared to smaller and slower walk-behind mowers or lawn tractors, which is vitally important for busy lawn crews.
The only real downside to zero-turn mowers is that they’re not great on slopes and hills. You should not use most zero-turn mowers in locations with an incline greater than 10 degrees. Zero-turns are harder to steer on slopes, and there’s an increased danger of flipping the mower. Stand-on zero-turns offer greater stability on slopes than sit-on zero-turns, but the safest option for mowing slopes is a walk-behind mower. For very steep slopes, a string-line trimmer or brushcutter may be the only safe option.
Top Considerations for Commercial Mowers
The most important things to look for in commercial mowers include durability, reliability, efficiency, and comfort. You want the mowers to hold up to daily use, keep running reliably, get the job done efficiently, and be easy for your crews to use. Investing in mowers with quality engines and durable cutting decks is essential.
It’s also good to consider what type of support you’ll have for different mowers. If you pick up a top commercial brand from a local dealer, especially a dealer with a service center, you’ll have access to parts, service, and support. Expert technicians at the dealership can provide top-quality advice and repairs as needed. You just won’t have that type of support if you buy a mower from a big box store.
Stand-On or Sit-On Mowers
We touched on this briefly already, but it’s worth taking a closer look at the difference between stand-on and sit-on zero-turn mowers. Both are available in durable commercial models with a range of deck sizes for different needs. Both allow the operator to ride, and top models include comfort features to make the ride easier on your body whether you’re standing or sitting.
Stand-on riding mowers typically have a lower center of gravity than sit-on riding mowers. This means they’re less likely to tip on slopes. Since the operator is standing, they also have greater visibility. Plus, stand-on mowers have a smaller footprint than sit-on mowers with the same deck size, making it easier to transport them.
Sit-on zero-turn mowers still have an advantage for large, wide-open properties. They’re a little faster than stand-on mowers (though this partly depends on the models you’re comparing). It can also be easier on operators to sit rather than stand, especially when mowing large commercial properties like a campus or golf course.
The Best Mower For You
The best commercial zero-turn mower depends on several factors. There’s no one-size-fits-all here. The best mower for any given job is influenced by property size, slope of the ground, and obstacles in the yard that you’d need to maneuver around. The best mower for a large, open property will be different from the best mower for a smaller property with lots of trees in the yard.
Here is an overview of some of the options available from two of the top commercial mower brands: Toro and Scag.
Toro’s Titan and Z-Master series offer powerful cutting performance and sturdy builds. These mowers feature IronForged™ fabricated decks or High-Strength Steel TURBO FORCE® cutting decks for long-lasting performance. Commercial cutting decks come in a range of sizes from 36 inches up to 60 inches.
Scag mowers all have top-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 choices that take diesel or propane fuel. Tiger Cat and Freedom Z mowers are the compact and maneuverable options, with Freedom Z mowers featuring more powerful engines since they are designed for maintaining large lawns. Cutting deck sizes range from 36 inches to 72 inches.
Reliable Commercial Brands
There are several recognizable, reliable commercial lawn mower brands. Choosing a brand with a long history of providing reliable equipment for green industry pros helps ensure that you’ll be happy with your chosen equipment. It’s also best to choose a brand with a dealer in your local area.
Dealers are an invaluable resource for green industry pros, providing quality products, competitive pricing, expert knowledge, and support that extends beyond the sale. Here at Richardson Saw, we trust and recommend Scag and Toro zero-turn and stand-on mowers for commercial lawn care. We always service what we sell, and our highly trained technicians are available for any repairs and maintenance you need. We also carry one of the best-stocked parts inventories in the area to ensure quick turnaround on repairs. You can also purchase parts from us if you prefer to do maintenance in-house.
