Zero turns are known for being fast and getting the job done quickly. But is any of this true, and does it even make a difference? So, if you’re in the market for a fast mower, there are several points you are going to want to consider before handing over your hard-earned money. Let’s have a look at what speed zero turns can go and if it’s going to make a difference in your yard.
So…Just How Fast Do Zero Turn Mowers Go?
Manufacturers of zero turn mowers like to tell everyone about their mower’s speed and state that they can make a perfect cut at top speed. So, how fast do zero turn mowers really go?
- Husqvarna Z254 6.5 MPH
- John Deere Z300 – 7mph
- Cub Cadet ZT – 7.5 MPH
- Toro Z Master – 12.5 MPH
- Dixie Chopper Extreme 15 MPH
As you can see, even the slower model of zero turns are fast and will outpace tractors and walk-behinds. But does this make it the right decision to replace the mower you already have with a zero turn?
Should a Zero Turn’s Speed Be a Factor in Your Buying Decision?
For people with bigger lawns, speed is going to make a noticeable difference in the time it takes to cut the lawn compared to a walk-behind lawn mower or tractor mower. But, if you have a smaller lawn or a lot of trees and flower beds, then you’ll never really be able to achieve the top speed since you don’t have the open space to drive freely.
So, before you pick a mower, understand the layout of your yard and decide if speed is the biggest consideration. Paying an extra few thousand dollars to have the fastest mower on the block may not be worthwhile if you don’t have the space.
But, those faster, bigger, and more powerful zero turns have to work a lot less than a smaller, slower version. Not having to run a mower flat out means its engine is going to last much longer.
How The Speed of a Zero Turn Compares to Other Types of Mowers
You know how fast zero turn mowers go, but how does this compare to other types of lawn mowers? Let’s take a look at Husqvarna, as this manufacturer makes the whole range of lawn mowers.
| Mower Design | Make & Model | Speed (MPH) | Approx $USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk Behind Push Mower | Husqvarna LC151 | 2.5 | 500 |
| Walk Behind Self Propelled | Husqvarna W520 | 3.7 | 1300 |
| Ride On Lawn Tractor | Husqvarna YTH22V46 | 5.2 | 2600 |
| Zero Turn Residential | Husqvarna Z254 | 6.5 | 3300 |
| Zero Turn Commercial | Husqvarna Z572X | 12 | 15400 |
What Else Makes a Zero Turn Fast
While zero turn lawn mowers are generally the fastest design, there are other elements that you need to consider when it comes to the speed of a zero turn.
First is the effort it takes to use a riding mower, including tractors and zero turns. Both of these designs take very little effort to use. So if you use a mower that requires you to walk behind it, then the speed is going to decrease as time goes on, and you become tired. Taking this into account, it’s difficult to compare riding mowers with walk-behinds.
This means the only fair comparison is between lawn tractors and zero turns. The noticeable difference between these two is their turning abilities. Zero turns win hands down when it comes to turning. Lawn tractors require significantly more time to turn and get into position to continue cutting. So, even if you had a lawn tractor and a zero turn that have the same top speed, the zero turn would still be faster because of its turning speed.
Leave a Reply