The Benefits and Drawbacks of Zero Turn Mowers
If you own a farm or you're tasked with taking care of a large field or lawn, your mower is the lifeblood of keeping a well-maintained landscape. But over the last few years, a new development has changed the mowing process. This development is the zero turn mower, a riding mower that's built in such a way that you can cut tight corners without ever having to use a trimmer. Zero turn mowers have wheels that can rotate 360-degrees and move independently of each other, which means the days of cutting in straight lines are over. If you're still on the fence about buying a zero turn mower, here are some of the pros and cons of this mower as compared to a normal riding mower.
DRAWBACKS
Danger on High Terrain - Zero turn mowers are top heavy due to their cutting deck and blade configuration. This means that tackling high terrain, such as hills, is a real issue for these types of mowers. If you don't generate enough speed as you're ascending a hill, the zero turn mower could stall and roll back, which can cause significant damage to the machine, and potential injuries to you.
Wet Terrain - Zero turn mowers aren't advisable on wet terrain because the weight and speed of the machine can cause damage to earth that's soft and pliable.
Uses More Fuel - To generate all that speed and power, zero turn mowers have big, noisy engines that require a lot of fuel to keep them up and running. This means you'll be spending more money buying gasoline for a zero turn mower than you would for a traditional riding mower.
BENEFITS
Fast - A zero turn mower will enable you to cut through a large lawn in a very short amount of time. That's because you won't have to waste time trying to maneuver the mower into hard-to-reach areas. The dual-wheel technology allows you to mow those areas without delay. Another reason for the speed of moving is that engines in zero turn mowers are bigger and more powerful than normal riding tractors, which means they power the mower to move faster.
Increased Cutting Visibility - Unlike traditional riding mowers which feature an engine in the front, zero turn mowers have rear mounted engines that feature cutting decks up front. This provides you with a clear view of what you're cutting without any obstacle.
Better Cut Rate - Zero turn mowers are equipped with dual blade technology that cuts grass at a faster clip than traditional riding mowers. The higher power of the engine results in cutting that's more precise than what you'd get with a normal riding mower.
If you're not sure about which kind of mower you want, it always helps to ask a professional. A dealership like North Pine Motors has a few you can speak with.
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