Both are excellent choices and would manage your mowing needs, but would one be better for you?
Some factors to consider include terrain, yard size, landscaping, obstacles, and what you want to accomplish with the machine.
What is your property like? Is it flat, open, hilly, sloped, or does it have ditches? Do you have lots of trees, flower beds, or other obstacles to mow around?
Do you have other tasks besides mowing that you want to accomplish with the machine such as spraying, dethatching, hauling, or snow removal? Do you want to pull other equipment such as a cart or spreader?
How long does it take you to mow, and would you like to accomplish this faster?
What size deck do you want or need? Consider the yard size and width of the narrowest space you need to mow between or maneuver around. A wider deck means fewer passes to complete, but is the space between the obstacles large enough for the mower or tractor with a deck?
A few differences between a John Deere Zero-Turn Mower and a John Deere Riding Lawn Tractor are the steering controls and the mower’s speed.
John Deere Zero Turn Mowers utilize steering levers and have the power and ability to make a 180-degree turn quickly on flat land, easily mow around obstacles, and align your deck with the previous pass. It is great for yards ½ acre or larger but not for properties with hills, inclines, or ditches. John Deere Zero-Turn Mowers are rear-wheel driven. They are great for properties with lots of obstacles or landscaping to maneuver around with their tight turning radius. They have less versatility for added items (attachments) to maintain the property. They allow you to mow at a quicker speed than riding lawn tractors for time savings, efficiency, and extra time to accomplish other things. It can take practice to operate the mower differential speed controls. Decks range in size from 42” to over 60” allowing you to cover quite an area.
John Deere Riding Lawn Tractors utilizes a steering wheel and hydrostatic drive foot pedal making it easier for beginners as it is more like operating a car. The John Deere Riding Lawn Tractor is better suited to small and larger properties up to a couple of acres with open space, rolling hills, ditches, and fewer obstacles. It is front-wheel drive with a wide turn radius, comes in either 2- or 4-wheel steering options, and mows at a lower speed than zero-turn mowers. Decks range in size from 42” to 54”. Riding lawn tractors offer the ability to pair with attachments to accomplish gardening, snow blowing, spraying, and hauling.
If you need assistance or have questions, please contact the experts at United Ag & Turf in CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, and VT to discuss whether a John Deere Riding Lawn Tractor or John Deere Zero Turn Mower is best for your property and needs.
