Lawn Tractor vs Zero Turn Mower
The two main differences between a tractor lawn mower and a zero turn mower are the steering controls and the turning radius.
Turns in a curved arc. | Turns without moving forward. |
Operated with a steering wheel. | Equipped with two lap bars, each controlling a single rear tire. |
Good solution for yards up to about 1.5 acres in size. | Great for large, mostly flat lawns of one acre and above. |
Smaller deck size; covers less ground with each pass. Require less room to store. | Wider deck size to cover a large area in a short amount of time. |
Generally lower in price. | Higher in price. |
Speed around 4 mph for a clean, precision cut. | Speed around 8 mph. |
Recommended for hilly or uneven yards. | Recommended for large, fairly open spaces. |
Both lawn tractors and zero turn mowers have a range of options like engine power, cutting height adjustments, deck size, and comfort features. The deck size affects the mowing speed and cutting path. Do it Best offers tractors and mowers with deck sizes ranging from 30 - 60”. Smaller deck sizes may be favored for yards with narrow gates and many obstacles like garden beds, trees, and shrubs.
Do it Best carries lawn tractors and zero turn lawn mowers from brands like Troy-Bilt, Ariens, Husqvarna, and Greenworks, which are trusted by millions and known for their quality and efficiency.
Lawn Tractors & Zero-Turn Mowers FAQs
Which will better handle a hilly yard? A lawn tractor or zero turn mower?
A lawn tractor is better for a sloped or hilly yard. It has a better grip on hills to prevent slipping. The front wheels of a zero turn mower tends to turn downhill on sloped areas.
Will a lawn tractor or zero turn mower cut the lawn in less time?
A zero turn mower has a larger deck size and moves at a higher speed to cut a larger area in less time.
Which has a shorter learning curve to operate?
A lawn tractor has a shorter learning curve to operate. It is equipped with a steering wheel and controls very similar to a car. A zero turn mower has lap bars for control and takes more time to adjust to the controls.