Posts Tagged ‘exmark zero turn lawn mowers’

Lawn Tractor Zero-Turn Comparison: Productivity of $13-14,000 Mowers

Wednesday, January 13th, 2016
Exmark Lazer Z X-Series

A commercial zero-turn rider not only gets mowing done faster, it delivers aa better quality of cut.

For mowers in the $13-14,000 price range, the productivity gap grows significantly when comparing lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. Productivity for zero-turn mowers nearly doubles, from 3.87 to 6.68 acres per hour, and increases from 3.14 to 4.11 acres per hour for lawn tractors.

The productivity gap between the ZTR and the lawn tractor is nearly 1.45 acres per hour for 60-inch cutting width machines (the widest deck offered on the X739 lawn tractor used for comparison). When you bump up to a 72-inch cutting deck on the Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn mower, the productivity gap further increases to 2.57 acres per hour!

A homeowner with a 72-inch Lazer Z X-Series ZTR could mow five acres in less than 45 minutes. The lawn tractor example would mow the same area in about one hour and nine minutes, saving the homeowner on the Exmark zero-turn mower nearly half an hour in mowing time.

Maneuverability: Mow More; Trim Less

Exmark Lazer Z DS-Series zero-turn riding mower

A zero-turn rider can quickly mow around landscaping thanks to its enhanced maneuverability.

Raw productivity is one thing, but when you add in landscaping, lawn furniture and kids’ areas, the maneuverability of a mower quickly becomes an important component of real-time productivity. As a result, maneuverability is one big reason more landscape pros choose zero-turn mowers. A ZTR isn’t just able to mow more quickly in a straight line, it can also mow closer to landscaping with greater control thanks to its ability to turn-on-a-dime. You’ll finish mowing quicker and reduce the time spent completing trim work – a true win-win situation.

As you move above $10,000-11,000, lawn tractors begin to offer maneuverability-enhancing features, such as four-wheel steering and/or four-wheel drive. But even with those features, the maneuverability still does not compare to the performance of a true commercial zero-turn mower.

Dig Deeper at Exmark.com:

  • Learn more about the advantages of Exmark zero-turn lawn mowers.
  • Learn more about how to determine mower productivity.

*Productivity rating in gross acres per hour is based on the published specifications for each product. Actual performance may vary from specified performance based on conditions.
Formula for calculating acres per hour at 80% efficiency: (MPH x width of cut in inches)/124

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Zero-Turn Mower or Lawn Tractor: Productivity Comparisons

Sunday, January 10th, 2016

PRODUCTIVITY OF $4,000-5,000 MOWERS

EX16_Quest_S-Series_InUse_1web72Whether it is a zero-turn mower or a lawn tractor, most mowers in this price range have 48- to 54-inch cutting decks and top speeds of 6-7mph. As a result, the raw productivity numbers are fairly similar in this category, but in reality, the differences in maneuverability are greatest in this price range. That’s because lawn tractors in this category don’t offer maneuverability-enhancing features such as four-wheel steering. On the other hand, the Exmark Quest S-Series is a true zero-turn mower, with the ability to quickly make 180-degree turns. This not only lets you maximize productivity, but also create the distinctive striped appearance that’s the calling card of a professionally maintained lawn.

An Exmark Quest S-Series zero-turn rider with a 50-inch cutting deck is capable of cutting approximately 2.8 acres per hour, or roughly 1/2 acre more per hour than an X320 lawn tractor with a 48-inch cutting deck. Even when you bump up to a 54-inch cutting deck, the X320 is still about .2 acres per hour less productive than the zero-turn machine.

See the productivity chart for these mowers at Exmark.com.

PRODUCTIVITY OF $7,000-8,000 MOWERS

EX16_Pioneer_S-Series_InUse_6_web72Raw productivity numbers for machines in the $7,000-8,000 price range jump roughly one acre per hour for ZTRs, and one-half acre per hour for lawn tractors, when compared to the lower priced mowers. Within the category, the most productive machine – a 60-inch Exmark Pioneer S-Series zero-turn rider – can save homeowners about 23 minutes when mowing five acres, compared to the lawn tractor example.

Similar to the lower price category, the majority of lawn tractors in this price range steer with the front wheels only. This compromises productivity due to reduced maneuverability relative to zero-turn riding mowers. The Pioneer S-Series zero-turn rider offers true zero-turn maneuverability, making the real-world productivity gap even greater when compared to a lawn tractor.

For example, and Exmark Pioneer S-Series zero-turn mower with a 52-inch cutting deck is capable of cutting about 3.35 acres per hour. The same mower equipped with a 60-inch cutting deck can mow up to 3.87 acres per hour. When compared to a similarly priced lawn tractor (an X540) with a 54-inch cutting deck, the 60-inch Exmark zero-turn mower is nearly 3/4-acre per hour more productive.

Check back for our next installment of this series on Thursday, January 14. We’ll compare the productivity of $13,000-14,000 mowers and dive into some other factors to consider when choosing the right type of mower for your lawn.

Dig Deeper at Exmark.com:

  • Learn more about the factors to consider when choosing a zero-turn mower or lawn tractor.
  • Learn more about how to determine mower productivity.

*Productivity rating in gross acres per hour is based on the published specifications for each product. Actual performance may vary from specified performance based on conditions.
Formula for calculating acres per hour at 80% efficiency: (MPH x width of cut in inches)/124

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, Exmark Information, General, Products, Uncategorized | No Comments »