Lawn Tractors Vs. Zero Turn Radius Mowers

Turning Radius

• One of the main differences between lawn tractors and zero turn radius mowers is their turning radius. This is defined as the minimum amount of area that a vehicle needs to complete a circle. A typical lawn tractor has a turning radius between 15 and 30 degrees, while a zero turn radius mower does not require any space to complete a circle. This difference mainly lies in the mower's design. The lawn tractor follows the typical style of other four-wheeled vehicles and is equipped with a steering wheel, while a zero turn radius mower has a different steering system: its front wheels have two separate steering control levers, one for the left and one for the right.

Powertrain and Performance

• Lawn tractors generally come standard with a single-cylinder engine capable of producing around 15 to 25 horsepower, while zero turn radius mowers generally come with a twin-cylinder engine ranging from 15 to 20 horsepower. Lawn tractors can cut at a speed of three to four miles per hour, while zero turn radius mowers can cut at a speed of five to eight miles per hour.

Steering and Brakes

• Zero turn radius mowers only power the rear wheels of the vehicle, while lawn tractors have a front-wheel drive design. Lawn mowers also come standard with a brake foot pedal, while zero turn radius mowers do not come with any pedal brakes except for a parking and emergency brake. The latter slows down when the operator places the steering rods in the neutral position.

Size and Attachments

• Both machines can accept front and rear accessories and attachments for gardening and lawn maintenance, depending on the particular machine's make, model and design. Lawn tractors designed for home-use have a mower deck size of about 36 to 54 inches, while zero turn radius mowers have mower deck sizes ranging from 34 to 60 inches.