Outdoor Power Equipment Guide - Buyers Guide

Flower & Garden Magazine, March, 2000 by Robin Pendergrast

Homeowners can expect to see zero-turn manufacturers targeting them over the next few months with units that are less costly but still deliver the quality and speed of cut for which these mowers are known. Look for these mowers to incorporate many of the latest "commercial" features as well.

Ferris's Pro Cut Z, for example, has an independent suspension with control arms and coil springs on drive wheels that allow each wheel to move up and down independently. Talk about making the ride more comfortable for the mower operator. Exmark's Lazer Z features "up top" placement of the radiator that draws in the cleanest, coolest air. This is an important feature for commercial operators who run their machines eight hours a day in all sorts of operating conditions. But it's a good feature for any operator who understands the value of keeping an engine cool.

Contrary to popular belief, zero-turn machines need not be dedicated mowers. In fact, many models today come with a variety of attachments. Grasshopper mowers feature a Quick Detach mounting system that makes interchanging decks and other attachments a breeze. And Walker mowers, long known for their quality of cut, grass-handling capability and overall maneuverability, have several attachment options including a snowthrower, dethatcher, blade and a broom.

Most of these mowers have pickup capability, either built-in or as an option. But if you know upfront you're going to spend time picking up grass clippings, leaves and other lawn debris, pay special attention to a Walker. This mower features a dedicated grass-handling system designed specifically to keep lawns looking neat and clean.

New technology is helping to make these machines more attractive to the homeowner market. Walker Model MC, for example, features a Kohler OHC 16-horsepower engine. Thanks to its overhead camshaft design, this engine delivers big performance in a small package. Its quiet operation and longer oil change intervals are attractive for the discriminating operator.

Yes, it's hard to imagine that anything else new could be added underneath a deck of lawnmowers, but a Canadian company, Browneng Enterprises, has introduced what appears to be a major breakthrough of mulching technology.... the Ultra Mulch[TM] five-cutting level, 16 cutting-edged blade. The new blade is applicable on most gas, electric, side, and rear-discharge mulching and convertible combination mowers and can easily be affixed to virtually any mower deck. The blade, unlike previous efforts, is the first to cut grass top to bottom with five cutting levels, using 16 cutting edges while also using centrifugal force for cutting efficiency. There is no grass-dragging with the Ultra Mulch[TM] blade.

SHREDDING AND VACUUMING AT THE SAME TIME

One of the recent trends in the industry is to provide homeowners and professionals a way to keep lawns cleaner and more debris-free without the backbreaking effort of pulling a rake or physically lifting leaves. While mowers with leaf-collection systems can handle the wide-open areas, the challenge has been to develop machines that can accomplish the task in and around tight areas.