An Overview of Zero-Turn Mowers
Zero-turn mowers are the go-to tool for homeowners and professional landscapers searching for a reliable, maneuverable, and user-friendly machine for their lawn care tasks. These rugged models offer unparalleled power and efficiency, and they are perfect for maintaining large and flat lawns with plenty of obstacles like trees and structures. That’s why you often find them working hard on commercial and large and small private properties.
If you want to learn more about how zero-turn mowers revolutionized the landscaping industry, you have arrived at the right place. Crownstone Equipment is your local lawn mower dealer in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and we know a thing or two about zero-turn mowers. Our experts have created this guide to offer you an overview of these machines. Keep reading to learn more!
The Beginning
Although zero-turn mowers might seem like they’re just a few years old, they have been around for over 70 years. The first commercially available model, the Ride King, was invented by Max B. Swisher of Warrensburg, Missouri, in 1949. The first machine featured one driving wheel in the front and two driven wheels at the back.
The simple design and structure required the driver to reverse the machine to utilize the zero-turn advantage. Conversely, the latest models offer a zero turning radius, meaning they can pivot through 180 degrees in seconds.
The Improvements
In 1963, John Regier created the world's first twin-lever-steered zero-turn mower. He saw great potential in the belt and pulley mechanisms used in a recently released swather and wanted to use them in lawn mowers to make them more efficient and valuable. He was keen on utilizing the counter-rotation technique in the swather, which allowed the top and bottom halves to spin in opposite directions.
Regier worked hard on several designs before launching the mower with a twin-lever system. However, since this wasn’t easy to operate, it led to its slow adoption.
Regier's patent was eventually purchased by Hustler Turf and BigDog Mower Co. This design, called the Hustler, became a popular zero-turn mower brand and is still in use today. Excel Industries, the parent company, was the first large manufacturer to offer mowers with zero-turn capability.
The term zero-turn was coined by the Dixon company in 1974, and in 1997, Robert D. Davis Jr. introduced a new steering system that utilized a single lever instead of two. This helped make operations faster and more convenient.
The Advantages
Zero-turn mowers are versatile, agile, and easy-to-use machines for maintaining your yards like a pro. A wide variety of zero-turn mowers are available on the market, so keep your options open when shopping for one.
Are you ready to buy the best zero-turn mower for your needs? Visit Crownstone Equipment to peruse our latest collection of models from various premium brands. Our friendly team can show you what we have and suggest models that match your budget and unique requirements. We have multiple dealerships throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland, so stop by the one nearest to you!