Americans love a beautiful lawn. But it can take much work to keep up appearances, and the larger your property, the more challenging it gets. However, the right equipment makes the job much easier and more enjoyable.
Here are the options you should consider when selecting a yard care option.
- Riding Mower
- Zero-Turn Mower
- Robotic Mower
- Tractor
- Yard Service
A primary advantage of all these options is no pushing and speed. The options shown here allow you to have a beautiful yard safely and hassle-free.
Riding Mowers
Riding mowers are becoming less popular since they generally aren't as quick and nimble as zero-turns. Depending on your budget, folks with a one or two-acre lot might find a riding mower better suited for challenging areas (like hills or ditches).
A riding mower can be a good investment for your yard. These machines have cutting decks wider than push mowers, resulting in fewer passes and a more even cut. Riding mowers come with a broader range of cut height settings, allowing you to cut taller grass than a push mower.
Furthermore, riding mowers offer enhanced comfort. Pushing a heavy mower under the scorching sun can be tiring and uncomfortable. Riding mowers eliminate this physical strain by providing a comfortable seat and ergonomic controls. You can mow your lawn while enjoying a smooth ride and even listen to music or podcasts to make the experience more enjoyable.
Zero-Turn Mowers
Zero-Turn Mowers take the comfort and speed of a riding lawn mower and kick it up a notch or two.
These are the benefits of a zero-turn mower:
- Speed - A zero-turn mower is the way to go if you need speed. These mowers are typically faster at cutting than riding mowers and tractors, allowing you to cover more ground in less time.
- Precision: The design of zero-turn mowers gives them excellent visibility and superior accuracy when mowing your lawn. You'll be able to navigate obstacles and achieve a more professional-looking cut quickly.
- Maneuverability: Zero-turn mowers are renowned for their tight turning radius, making them ideal for navigating trees, flower beds, and other landscaping features. You'll be able to mow more efficiently and get into tight spaces that would be difficult with a lawn tractor.
- Buyer Options: When it comes to zero-turn mowers, there are many options out there, giving the buyer many options. Zero-turn mowers can be inexpensive for budget shoppers or heavy-duty for people who will be putting more hours on their machines. Even zero-turn mowers are explicitly designed for mowing on hills or through rough terrain.
Robotic Mowers
Robotic mowers are something to keep an eye on. These days, robot mowers like the ones from Husqvarna allow you to run multiple robot mowers together to maintain numerous acres.
Robotic mowers could be a compelling option over zero-turn mowers.
- Robotic mowers are highly efficient with energy.
- They are silent.
- They keep themselves charged.
- They can be programmed to maintain your lawn at a consistent height.
- Robot mowers' small razor-like blades can give an excellent clean cut depending on your grass type.
Robot mowers also have some downsides. For example, they can get stuck easily if you have much irregular terrain on your property, and if the robot mower fails to return to its charging station, it will run out of battery. Robot mowers will only maintain lawns that are already well-curated and maintained. For example, if your property gets too overgrown, you’ll need to make sure and cut it down before letting a robot mower take over the maintenance. Another downside is installation. Installation requires running a cable around the entire perimeter of where the robot mower will be cutting. Your local dealership can do this, but your property needs to be assessed beforehand to ensure it's ideal for robotic mowing.
Despite what some people think, robot mowers are very safe, even around pets or kids, because the blades are so small and tucked in under the mower. Because the blades automatically shut off when the mower is lifted or flipped over, there’s no need to worry about it harming anyone or anything that might be important to you.
Tractors
Tractors are an option that some consumers might need to consider when mowing a lawn. Tractors are more expensive than a zero-turn mower since new tractor package deals start for around $20,000. However, a tractor might be the best equipment to invest in first for people needing a versatile machine that can handle more jobs around the homestead, farm, or job site.
The advantages of tractors are:
- Suitable for Large Lawns: A tractor may be better with a large lawn. They are designed to cover larger areas and provide a comfortable ride for extended periods.
- Versatility: Tractors are versatile machines that can handle more than just mowing. They can be equipped with various attachments, such as snowplows, carts, and spreaders, allowing you to tackle multiple tasks beyond lawn maintenance.
- Towing Capacity: Tractors can tow heavy loads, making them ideal for hauling firewood, moving debris, or towing a trailer. Their robust transmissions and powerful engines enable them to handle demanding towing jobs.
People who mow pastures and large swaths of acreage think initially of a tractor. However, many people with under 10 acres use a tractor as their primary mowing tool. It all boils down to your personal needs.
Tractors bring many benefits to the table. For instance, some smaller tractors have a mid-mount PTO, allowing you to use a belly mower. This will enable you to always keep your mower on your tractor, even when you are using your tractor for other things. A tractor can offer multiple mowing solutions:
- Belly mower
- 3-point finish mowers
- Rotary cutter (brush hog)
A belly mower and a finish mower are good choices for mowing a well-manicured lawn.
A rotary cutter (brush hog) has snap-back blades that can withstand taller and thicker grass, small branches, sticks, and other conditions that could harm a finish-style mower. Rotary don't have as clean of a cut, but they come in various cutting widths (4’ - 12’ wide), making them a better choice for mowing more acreage in a shorter time.
(Note: The Altoz TRX 766 and TSC 561 are zero-turn mowers with snap-back blades. They are specifically designed to handle harsh conditions like a brush hog.)
Lawn Service
A lawn care service provider can be an excellent option for people who need more time to cut grass or maintain gardens and trees. Large lawns can make lawn services an expensive and complicated venture. High lawn maintenance costs can run between $50 to $100 weekly on the low side. The complexity of your lawn and the timing for the crew to show up makes this option more difficult.
It's best to get a quote for an accurate estimate for your lawn maintenance needs. Whether you’re cutting your lawn or not, it's always good to have the contact info for an excellent local lawn care professional whom you can pay to tackle some of the bigger jobs you might have throughout the year.
Conclusion
It can be challenging to establish which yard care option works for you. But don’t despair. Tractor Bob shines when it comes to helping you find a solution that fits you. Our goal with this information and when you visit us at our three sites or online is to help you find a solution that works today and into the future. So call us today to find the perfect mower to fit your needs and budget!
This information is covered with additional detail on Tractor Bob's YouTube Channel. Click here to see the Are Zero-Turn Mowers Worth the Money? You can see all of Tractor Bob's informative videos on their YouTube Channel.
Tractor Bob is committed to helping buyers find the right solution for their power equipment needs. You can also learn more about using your power equipment on this site.
Reach out to one of Tractor Bob’s mower experts to select a machine that fits your needs.
