Zero Turn vs Riding Mower What Should I Buy? Way Faster?

Is buying a zero turn mower worth it? We will compare how long it takes to mow part of our yard with a Husqvarna riding mower and then mow that same area with our Bad Boy Rogue to see how much time we save. Time is the one thing you can never get back. Hopefully this will help you decide if a zeroturn mower is right for you. We also touch on a few other pro's of the zeroturn vs the rider.

[@CJFilms1001]

Great video! I’ve got my dad’s old Husqvarna that he passed down to me in 2013, and it’s still running strong. It’s reliable and cheap to work on. Sure, it’s not as quick or maneuverable as a zero-turn, but that old tractor can haul a cart full of dirt and move my old boat and trailer with no problem.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

They are versatile!

[@leonardomigot-yn1ti]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors please not use that mower ride on tractor not making a good job very bad. if you want a true mulching sistem choose Grasshopper true zero turn and his mowerdeck 4rxd not need nothing a rake for raking the grass after you've mowed

[@Jaredbeard0807]

I used to have a riding mower, but since I have a zero turn , I love it.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Same here! So much nicer.

[@scooter6334]

@@Jaredbeard0807 it’s like getting your first four-wheel-drive you’ll never go back🥹

[@federalist46]

Now that was a proper info-mercial, fun and enjoyable.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you!

[@johndenver8574]

I use a riding lawnmowers x700 for my business. Mostly because riding lawnmowers have more than one use. Also, when you in a 45° ditch 4x4 with locking, differential really makes all the reasons why I choose it.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

The 4x4 riders are nice and versatile!

[@alpine5551]

I’m in a very similar situation as you guys where I’ve outlived my husqvarna riding mower and am looking into getting a zt mower. I’m leaning towards the bad boy rogue. It’s quite the machine and the serviceability and access to the engine/drive train is fantastic. I’m in the early stages of researching mowers for my needs and I keep going back to the bad boy rogue. It’s a bit more machine than I need but I feel it’s worth it for longevity. Thanks for the video.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

You’re welcome, the Rogue is a nice mower for sure!!

[@3beltwesty]

Here I know 3 folks who bought Zero Turns and sold them after getting them stuck in sloped wet areas. During the honeymoon phase they bragged how great they were. In all 3 cases they were cutting in dicey areas. One guys near a ponds edge while wet and he used his big farm tractor to pull it out if the bog area. The other two have bad backyards with poor drainage plus sloped areas. A neighborhood chap with a ZTR got it stuck in his mucky backyard..he was cutting too quickly after major rains. So the mower got stuck 15 ft from the edge of the waters edge.. so while stuck there a tropical storm had the tides rise and the ZTR went under salt water to the seat. In Central Mississippi I saw a ZTR stuck in a ditch along Highway 51 above Madison. The church mower guy got a little down in the swale. They had a 4WD truck and a chain to pull it out. They created quite a mess in the grass pulling out the ZTR. In another Madison cty rural area a neighbor Farmer got his stuck by his pond and used his big Farm 🚜 Tractor to pull it out. So once Stuck a ZTR weighs more so you often need aid to pull it out of a bog. So basically be carefull with a ZTR in unknown areas that are wet or a boggy/sink or slopped The local lawn service guys avoid cutting yards after rains on slopped backyards. Because their ZTR s got stuck. I helped pull one out with my Toro 11 32 with 28HP plus two guys pushing the ZTR out the first 20 ft of bog. A ZTR with tractor lugs or chains might be better for bogs and ponds. Yet another friend that has a farm bought a ZTR to use just by the house and his pond. Got the ZTR stuck by going too close to the pond 3 times. Places where his old dump garden tractor never got stuck. So he sold the ZTR and bought a used garden tractor. He uses a bushhog and big tractor for the 80 acres

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Oh yeah they do get stuck in the soft ground. We see it here every spring!

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Hey Heath and Rachel , I have a Husqvarna like the one Heath was on . I’ve had it since 2007 . Once it dies , I will be moving up to a bad boy . 👍🏻

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

You’ll love it Del! Glad it’s still going for you!

[@josephhettiger2711]

I wish the comparison was between the rider and a home use ztr with the same size cutting deck and engine size. That would be a great video they should cut and perform the same except the steering.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

If we had one we’d do it. We compare and show what we can get our hands on.

[@GhostTownOutdoors]

Lol, I own my own landscaping company and I also do pest control, and I've got to say using a torch/flamethrower to take care of the hornets is effective, if there's ever a burn advisory, or a tree that you don't want damaged, they make great foam products that coat the nest in what looks like shaving cream and it smokes them in a different way lmao😂 and keeps you from getting lit up. I find myself checking out more and more content, entertaining for sure. Cheers from Indiana!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you, the torch definitely got it done!!

[@dmalloy96]

Definitely one way to get rid of those bees the zero turns are nice have a great week

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

For sure! They’re gone now!

[@scooter6334]

I would give a little advice. If you mow the first three rounds in. You won’t blow grass and seeds into your gravel driveway and at your cars. 😮 Which I know you already know that. 😅

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yeah I usually do, except around Rachel’s flowers. I need a chute blocker.

[@dropshot1967]

Afraid that tree took some serious damage from that burner. If you find these nests when they are small, a pump sprayer with soapy water also works very well, the wasps can't fly and they can't breathe when hit with that so they die quick. This nest was too big to hit them all with a sprayer before they would fly out.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I think the tree will be fine. I didn’t want to risk the hornets getting mad and swarming. They can be aggressive!

[@johnpyle8027]

If Rachels time was more she still wins because she went the opposite direction and didn't blow gravel onto the cars! lol If you mow east one time and then west the next, you don't have to go in a circle around the trees and only use a trimmer a few times all summer. I liked the flame thrower! I used that hornet spray that shoots 30 feet and foams them in and still got stung on my thumb. The following year I had another nest and I shot brake cleaner in the hole and they all died instantly!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

True true, I hate hornets and wasps!

[@bobfitch607]

Nice buck Heath. Nice of Rachel to let you pose with her deer 😂 have a Troy built box store all I need to mow a quarter acre yard

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

lol thanks! The box store mowers will definitely get the job done.

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Great comparison video. Amazing time difference. But I guess it should be. Bad boy mower deck width ? Neat how the camera on Rachel’s machine would turn around. 👍🏻 All what you can afford to buy. I use $200 garden tractors. Other thing I’m wondering is fuel consumption. I’d say the bad boy used less fuel. Some big trees in the back yard by the pond. You’d think they would drain the pond looking for water. Have a great day team. 👍🏻👍🏻👋👋

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Noel, the pond has a spring in it so it’s stays full!

[@EwenRoberts-o8o]

Great video. Thanks for sharing this with us. I have a tb30 ride on. I rather use my self propelled walk behind cause the ride on don,t like to go over small inclines or side hill inclines it stops and spins. To light in the front. Great for level land. Ours got little humps and bumps. The husqvarna ride on like you used would work cause it will go over small inclines and low sided hill places. Motor in the front of them so more weight in the front. But your zero turn is amazing. Got to have the big bucks to buy that one. Take care. See you on your next one.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

For sure, everyone’s situation is different.

[@davidmuise388]

Awesome video thank you for sharing your videos are always so informative well done sir And a big hello to Mrs Rachel

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you David! Appreciate the feedback.

[@davidedwards3734]

I prefer my zero turn to a lawn tractor!! I'm not close but I need a Tshirt!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

For sure! David, are you going to be at Bunyan?

[@RJM_2023]

Nice video. I use the Pure Gas app to find ethanol, free gas stations. I’m thinking about finding a cub cadet XT3 used with low hours. That would be my next garden tractor. It’s a shame they don’t make it anymore.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, I’ll check it out.

[@richardalexander2305]

Have garden tractor with 54 inch deck, it gets used all year blowing snow, sweeping drive and general wagon pulling.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

They are definitely versatile!

[@thomasforrester370]

I have that same riding mower and our front yard is on top of underground springs and gets very thick like your back yard been wanting a zero turn gravely zt hd 52.i live in northeast Georgia and our backyard doesn't have any underground springs but the grass gets thick

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

We love the zero turns.

[@jimmyowen3977]

It has been years since we had a problem with hornets but we found where they set our home as where they decided to move. We have gone out in the evening and sprayed with the stuff that shoots over 20 feet and we both still got stung. They have a nest built between the walls. I think that we are going to have to tear out a wall to get to them because the next morning they are back.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Oh man! I hate hornets.

[@ethanpemberton9011]

Well we all can hope you didn't hurt the apple tree. Last week when I was mowing around our swing set.i got to thinking. Which mowers have less chances of snagging on hanging items or getting up under items. Someone might have already mentioned that. But I'm also using a 20 yr old scag turf tiger that never came with a roll bar

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I think the tree will be fine. The tops do snag once in a while. I have mentioned it in the past.

[@scottw.2450]

My zero turn conked out on me (14 year old high hour mower) and I’m using a box store riding mower to finish out the season 😒 Mowing 5 lawns a week I literally got calluses on my hands from turning the wheel so much! The zero turn spoiled me! Last time I got stung by hornets was mowing lawns. There was a nest hidden in a frickin magnolia tree and they ambushed me lol!!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Hate hornets! The zero turns are definitely nice!

[@timcastens1150]

I love the zero turns but my Airens yard tractor does a great job easy to work on 22 Briggs intech best engine I ever had 11 years old and I'm in no hurry. I may get one next Lord willin

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

That’s a good run! Hopefully it lasts another 11.

[@timcastens1150]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors yep just taken reasonably good care, Husqvarna made them for a couple years, now Ariens only makes O turns, I like it, bout an acre and a half, I cut it once a month, don't get in any hurry usually takes 3 days to get it cut and trimmed, love that mower it's been a great one.

[@andybecker2693]

Hard Working Man and Woman.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes sir, thanks!

[@dougdinsmore9751]

Holy shit, a Bald Hornet’s nest. I wouldn’t get within 50’ of that!! Wet soggy ground in August? That’s sure not the case in northern CA where we live. Gotta water every day to keep the lawn and veggie garden alive. When I’m out cutting firewood I take a shovel, Polaski, and two 5-gallon water backpacks just in case. Isn’t it unusual for you to get so much rain this time of year?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yeah, this is the wettest I ever remember it’s been raining constantly!

[@briannelson4493]

The tip speed of a zero turn is faster than a tractor which allows faster speeds for the zero turn . The zero turn uses a deeper deck and high lift blades 3 inches wide versus 2 inch wide for the tractor, I know that makes a difference.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

For sure!

[@fricknjeep]

hi there good show .but not into mowers and mowing , best to both john

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks John, we’ll be getting back after the wood pile soon!

[@scottnugent4791]

If you yard is flat a zero turn is the ticket. If you have ditches and hills they are dangerous. A dealer level, AWS is a nice compromise

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

For sure!

[@sirwallygator565]

I would buy a zero turn from a box store to cut grass at home. If you plane on cutting grass 6 hours a day 5 days a week I would look around for a diesel mower.. If you want a gas mower just buy a box store version. There are many brands that have commercial engines but just don't have all the fancy stuff to cut grass.. Many grass cutters around my aria are just using cheaper zero turns because they can have more of them on the job

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’d have loved a diesel, my brother just picked up a used Toro diesel and I’m hoping to get to try it soon. The ride on the box store mowers doesn’t compare to the nicer commercial ones. We love our new mowers.

[@roywimsett2880]

Ziro turn is more versatile, but lawn tractors are usually easier to maintain and usually only have one transmission. Ziro turns have two transactions. The more there is, the more there is to go rong..

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Very true.

[@leonkaczor2405]

Is it a fair comparison when there is a huge difference in price???

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

The purpose of the video is to show the difference to help people decide if it’s worth the extra cost.

[@samuelweiss9667]

Lets see you add the sickle bar to your pto on that ztr, or maybe pull a trailer!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

They do tow trailers but no sickle bars. That’s what my tractor is for!

[@bncakitas576]

HWM needs to toughen up. Hands raw from turning steering wheel? 😊 I mow with a Huskee Supreme 22hp 46 inch deck 2 plus acres per week. Eighteen year old machine with over 1500 hours. It does not look like much, crappy plastic hood is long gone but it is easy to work on and gets the job done. I might get a zero turn but not until my Huskee is dead.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

lol, it definitely gets the job done it’s just not nearly as enjoyable as the new zero’s. We have a lot of turning. Luckily I didn’t get any blisters lol.

[@sirwallygator565]

People buy what they can afford. I have a JD mower with a 60 inch deck out front and a liquid cooled engine, full hidraulic drive and lift with PTO drive mower but I find it stays in the garage and I use a cheap box store riding tractor with a 42 inch mower and Manuel deck lift and Manuel mower engagement. Its belt drive mower and Manuel drive... It takes a little long to mow the lawn but it's real cheap to run and if you keep it well maintained I have no problems with it.. Everything on it is way cheaper to buy replacement parts and it works.. I know someone that cuts grass for a living and uses box store mowers and trimmers and replaces them every 2 years and does not want to buy commercial stuff. He says they cost way to much for what you are getting.. He sells his mowers after 2 years and always has new stuff and he did the prices comparison and says in the end the cheap mowers are better.. Buy what you can afford to. The box store mowers will cut your grass and the money you save pays for a lot of other stuff you can have

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

For sure, we used one for years, we just live the ride and speed of the newer commercial mowers. Especially with our bumps and amount of turning.

[@WillD-l6o]

Well I would hope the bad boy would be better with that price, also not really a fair comparison, your comparing a 60"+ deck to a 48", you should've comparing it to a John Deere Diesel Belly mower 60". Other wise great video just not really a fair comparison.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Definitely not apples to apples but we were showing the differences so people could help decide if the investment in a nicer zero turn would be worth it for them.

[@robertrichter6936]

Hey Heath & Rachael what happened to your Yakta Zero turn mower you got 2 months ago.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

We still have it and really like it. We picked up the Bad Boy too so we can do comparisons etc.

[@jamesvanbeckum3001]

Why would you start cutting the lawn with the discharge blowing grass and gravel toward your cars?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

That edge isn’t perfect and I’d rather get grass in the gravel than gravel in the grass.

[@scottnugent4791]

I took out the windshield in my daughter's Jeep with a rock in a similar situation. It was an expensive lesson.

[@timlong7641]

It's not how fast you mow but how well you mow fast I hate a zero turn and will never use one and I have pick up 2 customers because the people that was cutting the yard had a zero turn and I was cutting one of her neighbors and she liked the way I cutting the yard and she asked me to start cutting her yard

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

True, but our zero turns now much better than this rider but they also cost a lot more. A nicer rider would cut better than our el cheapo.

[@CharlesHanes]

I still prefer a tractor that I can do more with than just mow grass.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

They do come in handy.

[@jonrussell1122]

That's a nice bald face hornet nest you have in that apple tree. I have had several of those in my maple trees over the years. Very aggressive. Be careful

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes they are! That’s why I didn’t mess around and got the big torch out.

[@cwwhite5137]

Hey, guys. As you already well know, the 0 turn will save you countless hours during the mowing season and is way more comfortable to run. Stay blessed! Chip

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

For sure! Thanks Chip!

[@johnasher594]

The Bad Boy is nice but I couldn’t even get a call back from them on some questions I had. Terrible customer service. I’ll stick with my ExMark.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

That’s weird, I called before buying and they answered all of my questions and transferred me to other areas for certain questions.

[@johnasher594]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors glad that it worked out for you. I hope that you have good luck with yours and I am even more interested in the Yakta.

[@ryanfoley9999]

Great video Heath & Rachel I loved it thank you for the video guys❤❤❤

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

You’re welcome thanks Ryan.

[@CJFilms1001]

For those that missed the technique on taking out a hornets nest: Wait till the Sun goes down and attack with a torch without hesitation #BeastMode

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

The only way to go!

[@johngrumbach9885]

Love your channel, but enough with zero turn mowers. It seems for the last little while all your videos are about these mowers. Time to move on and get back to the firewood.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

We had a lot of mowing etc to catch up on. More wood splitting coming soon as fall approaches!

[@jimrenfrew3687]

Nothing like a zero turn I felt cramped in a rider the zero is a big lounge chair

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

So much nicer in my opinion.

[@ScottSmith-mw6lo]

There is no question that a zero turn mower saves a ton of time but that was painful to watch you mow with that tractor. The time-saving would probably be more like a half hour not close to 1 hour. In your defense I guess you are used to mowing with a zero turn.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

It was a pain for sure.

[@ryanfoley9999]

Hey Heath when you were on that lawn tractor you looked like a 70 year old man.

[@ryanfoley9999]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Some days I feel like it too.

[@ryanfoley9999]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors 🤣🤣🤣

[@7628739]

Not a fair comparison, the tractor mower is a tractor style 1st and a Wana be lawn mower.. old school 60's

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Not supposed to be. It is to help people decide if spending the $$ on a commercial zero turn is right for them.

[@robertwepking6125]

Not much of a comparison. That Badboy is twice the mower than the tractor.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

It was to show the difference and help people decide if it’s worth the money for their situation.

[@bdnbdn6089]

Rachel + tank top+ zero turn = 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

A real winner for sure!

[@virginafuchs]

Zero turn lawn mower is more expensive than a regular lawn mower people buy irregular lawn mower because of the price

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes, price is definitely a factor for most. This is to show the time savings and the comfort of upgrading if it's a viable option for you.

[@robertwepking6125]

Not really a hard working man if your hands get sore from steering a lawn mower.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I try to work smarter not harder. The zero turns are effortless to steer.

[@andybooher9367]

😢box store zero turn.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yeah, not apples to apples but showing how much time you can save and comfort etc to help people decide if the investment is worth it for them.

[@wpropst8797]

Badboy mowers are trash. Js

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Guess we’ll find out. So far we love it.