Lawn Tractors vs. Zero-Turn Mowers

Big yards mean a lot of extra space to play and lounge, but they also come with a hefty price to be paid in lawn care. Fortunately we have riding mowers and lawn tractors to handle the big stuff for us! It can be tricky finding the right piece of equipment for your property, especially with all the different models, manufacturers, and configurations available on the market today.

At Boehm Tractor Sales, we know specification details can get in the way of you and the work that needs doing. In that spirit, we’ve written up this short guide to help you decide between a lawn tractor and zero-turn mower for your property management projects.

Read on for more information, and when you’re ready to check out the best new and used mowers around, head to our Shiner, Texas location. We’re proud to serve Seguin, Victoria, New Braunfels, Columbus, and Austin, Texas.

Lawn Tractors

Upgrading from a push mower to a lawn tractor will feel like night and day. One of the biggest benefits of a lawn tractor over zero-turn mowers is price. These machines are less expensive and still offer excellent results in many circumstances. Their design is relatively simple, and if you’re used to driving a car, you’ll be able to immediately hop on and understand the steering mechanism. The simple, intuitive design, in combination with an accessible price point makes these lawn tractors a popular choice for property owners.

Lawn tractors have a few drawbacks, though. They’re slow compared to zero-turn mowers. They don’t often get to speeds above 3-4 mph. And while their steering mechanism may be intuitive (thanks to the implementation of a steering wheel), it’s not necessarily the most agile system. Most lawn tractors have a wide turning radius, and you’ll probably have to reverse and reposition yourself in order to go back down a line you just mowed. Finally, lawn tractors aren’t particularly well suited for mowing taller grasses. If you have a wild field to tame, a lawn tractor might not be the best choice.

Zero-Turn Mower

Zero turn mowers are closer in design to many professional models of mower and have many benefits. They’re not quite as widespread in homeowner use as lawn tractors, but discerning owners appreciate their benefits. Their effective turning radius of — you guessed it — zero means that you can turn on a dime every time. Zero-turn mowers are therefore extremely agile, and, thanks to a wide cutting deck, they are great at a multitude of mowing tasks and don’t require you to go back over your tracks to clean things up. They’re also faster than lawn tractors, hitting speeds of 5-8 mph, with some models cresting 13 mph. Watch out, speed demon!

Like lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers aren’t the best at handling overgrown areas. You’ll need something heavier for that task. Big, wild fields will thus be somewhat prohibitive. They’re also more expensive than lawn tractors and are more expensive to maintain. If price is less of a concern and you only want the best results, though, zero turn might be the way to go. You’ll get professional results every time!

Whether you have a wide open property that could use the reliability of a lawn tractor, or an obstacle-laden yard that could do with some fitness, Boehm Tractor Sales has the equipment for you. Our staff of knowledgeable and courteous professionals are eager to answer your questions and help you find the tractor or mower that’s best for you and your property management projects. Call or head into our Shiner, Texas location, located near Seguin, Victoria, New Braunfels, Columbus, and Austin.