Choosing a Commercial Zero Turn Riding Mower

How to select the right commercial mower

Industry insiders have long been saying that there are far too many brands of zero-turn mowers out there. Results from a recent survey of Green Industry PRO readers could help explain why.

Three out of every four brands are not viewed favorably by more than half of landscape contractors. This creates a rather muddled, highly competitive middle of the market. Check out the survey results.

Many brands also suffer from poor name recognition. According to the PRO survey results, the main reason a brand is saddled with a below-half favorability rating is because most contractors have not had experience with the brand, or are altogether unfamiliar with it. This lack of name recognition is typically the result of poor distribution and/or dealer support in a given region, and/or a lack of marketing prowess. Additionally, when veteran contractors in a certain area are fiercely loyal to a brand they have operated for years, it can be difficult for other brands to establish a strong presence there.

Contractors rarely say that they actually do not like how a certain brand or product performs. The average was 13%. Cub Cadet (23%), John Deere (21%) and Husqvarna (19%) led that list.

In addition to dealer support, there are six main areas that contractors should closely examine when deciding which mower is right for them:

Many commercial zero-turn mowers share several similarities, including engines, cut widths and heights, etc. But each has its own unique features that help set it apart in some of the six key areas mentioned above. Here's a look at some of this year's models—and what helps make them different.

BOB-CAT FastCat Pro H Models

These mowers are designed to provide efficient cutting speed, traction and handling.

Country Clipper Boss

Cub Cadet Tank SZ

Cub Cadet says its Tank SZ (which denotes Steering wheel Zero-turn) delivers enhanced maneuverability, turf protection and traction—even on steep inclines—due to Cub Cadet’s exclusive four-wheel steering and steering wheel control. The Tank SZ also features the Cub Cadet Signature Cut, which includes an overlapping, heavy-duty, triple-blade cutting system. Signature Cut was designed by aerospace engineers to create a combination of superior deck design and system components that are optimized for improved performance, low maintenance and a high-quality cut.

Ferris Evolution

Featuring the exclusive, patented operator-forward design, the Evolution places the operator in the most ideal ergonomic position for mowing, according to the company.

Grasshopper 725DT MaxTorque Diesel Mowers

Gravely’s Pro-Turn 400 XDZ Series

Husqvarna PZ6029FX

Husqvarna says its PZ series combines a high ground speed with optimum cutting performance.

Hustler Industrial-Grade Super Z

Under average use of 800 psi, Hustler says competitive units are working 356% harder than its HyperDrive Industrial Hydro System. The system includes:

John Deere ZTrak PRO Z925 EFI

John Deere says its ZTrak PRO Z925 with electronic fuel injection (EFI) can help provide up to 25% fuel savings.

Kubota ZP330

The new ZP330 boasts a clean-burning, 31-gross-hp, three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, liquid propane-gas (LPG) engine for greener performance with reduced CO2 emissions, yet the same productivity operators know and trust.

Snapper Pro S200xt

Snapper Pro says the most impressive of this eight-model series is the S200XTB2861, featuring a 28-gross-hp Briggs & Stratton Commercial Turf Series engine and 61-inch iCD Cutting system.

Toro Z Master Professional 5000 EFI Mower

Toro's Model 74930 utilizes electronic fuel-injection technology, helping contractors save up to 25% on fuel costs, the company says.

Walker Super B

Walker says the out-front design of its Super B puts the operator at the center of the machine for a better balanced design.