When you are choosing a lawn mower for your yard, you have different choices available. You need to understand the differences between them and choose the one that will work best to meet your needs. Two options are the zero turn mower and the walk behind mower.
Take a look at what they are and how they differ from one another.
What Is a Zero Turn Mower?
A zero turn mower is a lawn mower that you sit on, and it has a zero turn radius when it is time to go back the other way. They are easy to operate.
The drive wheels each have their own independent wheel motor, and this allows it to turn in place at the end of a row. You can use two levers to control the mower.
They are fast and allow you to cover a lot of ground quickly. They can mow on slopes up to 15 degrees, but if you have a yard with a larger incline, you will not be able to use them.
What Is a Walk Behind Mower?
A walk behind mower is a lawn mower that has a handle, and you will walk along behind it. They can be push mowers or self propelling, and they are more versatile than other types of mowers.
They can work in small places with a lot of obstacles, and they work well on hills and uneven terrain. They are easy to use, and they are popular with people who have a smaller yard or a yard with a lot of plants, trees, and obstacles.
Advantages of Zero Turn Mowers
The zero turn mower offers a number of advantages. They are becoming very popular because they make it so easy to maintain your lawn so that it looks professionally done. The advantages include the following:
- They are maneuverable
- They save time
- They are comfortable
- They reduce necessary weed eating
- There are a lot of models to choose from
- Your lawn looks great
The way that you operate zero turn mowers makes them easy to maneuver. You can pull the levels that are attached to the wheels to change direction without leaving a gap. They can also turn around a winding garden or a tree, and you won’t have to go forward and reverse several times to cut the grass in these tight areas.
They also save you time when you cut the grass. They are safe to use at higher speeds than other mowers because they tend to have a low center of gravity. They often have a larger deck, which means that they cover more ground on each pass. The quick turn around also helps to save time when you use them.
You will be comfortable when you use zero turn mowers because they often have comfortable seats and you won’t have a stiff steering wheel.
You won’t need to weed as much because the zero turn radius allows it to get close to trees, landscaping, and fences.
Finally, there are a lot of different zero turn mowers to choose from, so you can get the one with the best features for the job you need it to do. Your lawn will look better and more professional when you finish.
Advantages of Walk Behind Mowers
Walk behind mowers offer several different advantages as well, including the following:
- You can move around obstacles with ease
- You can use them on hills and uneven ground
- They work in confined spaces
- They are easy to use
- They require less maintenance
- You get exercise while you mow
People love to use walk behind mowers because they move around obstacles very easily. You can also move obstacles out of its path without having to stop and get off the machine. You are closer to the ground, so you can see them.
Walk behind mowers work well on hills and uneven ground. You won’t have to worry about them tipping over or being unstable. If you have a hilly yard, this is a definite advantage. They also work well in confined spaces, and you will be able to limit the need for weed eating in these areas.
Another advantage is that walk behind mowers are easy to use. Once you start them, you hold the handle, and you follow behind where you want to cut the grass. They are durable and will last a long time, and they require less maintenance than other types of mowers with more parts. Finally, one of the biggest advantages is that you get to exercise while you cut the grass. This is a great opportunity to get outdoors for some homeowners who are in an office all week long.
Differences Between Them
There are several differences between zero turn mowers and walk behind mowers. Although both machines cut your grass, they offer very different experiences. The way that you operate them is one difference. You typically sit on the zero turn mower, and it has two levers, one to control each wheel. You can go faster on zero turn mowers, and it takes little physical effort. You will walk the entire time with the walk behind mower. This makes them better suited for smaller yards or for use on certain parts of the yard.
Another difference is in their ability to handle hills. You can use a zero turn mower on hills with inclines of up to 15 degrees. Any more than that, and you risk the mower tipping. The walk behind mower works on any type of hill or slope, so it is a better choice if you have sloped land or uneven terrain.
These two types of mowers work well in situations that they are best suited for, and some people have both and use them for different parts of the yard.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you are deciding whether you need a zero turn mower or a walk behind mower, it is important to look at the size of your yard as well as the slope of the terrain. If you have a large property with wide open spaces, then you might want a zero turn mower. It will get the job done more efficiently and more quickly.
If you have a smaller yard with a lot of landscaping, fences, and trees or a yard with steep hills and uneven ground, you might do better with a walk behind mower. You might even consider having both if you have a very large property where you need to get into tight spaces and cut wide open tracks of grass.
