COMMERCIAL LAWN CARE 101: RIDING MOWER VS. PUSH MOWER
There is a range of commercial-grade mowing equipment that professional landscapers use to care for grass, and you might be wondering if the mowers your landscape company use on your Northeast Ohio property are doing the best job. When comparing a riding mower vs. push mower, there are benefits to both and experienced contractors have a fleet that includes both types of mowers. The mower choice can depend on your property’s size, the terrain (slopes, tight spaces), the environment (noise allowances) and budget. Both riding and walk-behind mowers provide benefits in terms of time, money and results. Here’s a breakdown of when a riding mower makes sense for your commercial property, and what conditions call for a push mower.
WHEN TO CHOOSE A RIDING MOWER Most commercial landscape companies use zero-turn riding mowers, which are fast (mowing up 36 hp), offer wide cutting paths (up to 72 inches) and can turn on a dime (thus the name, zero-turn). You’ll also see some riding lawn tractors out there, but those are mostly used by homeowners or in large, municipal applications where you’ll see batwing mowers cutting fields of grass. Zero-turn riding mowers have evolved a lot in the last decade. They’re more comfortable for crews because of features like independent suspension, and they provide a high-quality cut.
WHEN TO CHOOSE A PUSH MOWER Push or walk-behind mowers used on commercial properties are selfpropelled and offer a landscape team mowing flexibility. That’s because they can fit through gates, when some openings are not wide enough for riding mowers. Walk-behind mowers are also easy to maneuver and convenient when a property has lots of landscape beds that interrupt grassy areas. An experienced landscape contractor spends time evaluating your commercial property so the mowing crew is properly equipped to care for the grounds. Sometimes that means using only riding mowers on a property, or just using walk-behind mowers. Let’s talk more about what type of mower is best for your commercial property, and how to request that the proper commercial lawn mower be used when you interview a landscape contractor. Ask about our fleet of propane-powered mowers — its the largest of any commercial grounds management company in Northern Ohio.
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