7 Best Mowers for Commercial Lawn Care
You enjoy working outside and making yards beautiful, but you’re a busy person.
The last thing you want is to be bent over a mower, tinkering with the engine, or struggling to remove a cantankerous belt that prevents you from completing any actual lawn care.
At Steveco Power, we totally get it. We know that you want a mower that is reliable, comfortable, and does a professional job.
So, read on to discover the best mowers available for commercial lawn care.
Types of Commercial Mowers
It’s one thing to spend a few hours each week mowing the plot of grass on your property.
But mowing grass on large properties, such as golf courses, college campuses, and parks, is another level.
This requires a powerful lawnmower designed specifically for such purposes. You need a mower with enough power to deal with all kinds of terrains. And since you’ll spend a lot of time with it, comfort is essential.
Various types of commercial mowers are available, each suited to different lawn sizes and terrains. The most common ones are zero-turn, walk-behind, and stand-on mowers.
Each has different benefits and features, so it’s important to consider your specific needs when choosing your mower.
Let’s dive deeper into the various factors to consider when choosing your ideal mower type.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Mower
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Engine Power:
The heart of any mower is its engine. Choose a mower with a powerful engine that can handle any mowing condition and frequent use.
Beyond that, you should consider how often you’ll need to refuel your engine and how reliable it is. The best engines run at high capacity, but engine reliability is more important than capacity.
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Cutting Width:
Imagine this: after a heavy snowfall, you are outside, clearing the driveway. Using a small snow shovel, you laboriously trudge across the driveway, pushing your shovel in front of you and making a tiny, almost insignificant, cleared strip.
To shorten the job, all you have to do is get a bigger shovel. Then, it will take fewer trips to clear the snow, and the job will take less energy and time.
The same is true with mower cutting width.
A wider cutting deck, coupled with a big enough engine, will increase efficiency by allowing you to cover more ground quickly.
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Durability:
A commercial mower endures a lot. Putting in long hours while bouncing around on a trailer or across uneven ground is hard on a mower.
Look for a mower with a strong frame, high-quality components, and a reliable warranty.
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Maneuverability:
Not all lawns are created equal. Consider what slope and uneven surfaces you will be dealing with.
Mowers with tight turning radiuses or zero-turn capabilities can effortlessly navigate around obstacles. On the other hand, stand-on or walk-behind mowers are better for mowing in tight spaces or on hilly terrain.
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Ease of Maintenance:
As with any machine, proper maintenance is the key to ensuring its longevity.
Find a mower with easy-to-access components and simple maintenance requirements. Look for a mower that has readily available parts—after all, no one wants to tear apart half the mower to reach something that is an otherwise easy fix.
If you want to know more tips, read our blog post about lawn mower maintenance.
Pros and Cons of Each Mower Type
Now that we’ve explored what you should look for in a mower, let’s discuss how the major types of mowers perform.
Zero-Turn Mowers
Pros
- Zero-turn mowers make it easier to mow around trees and posts and provide better access to small spaces.
- A zero-turn mower can travel up to twice as fast as other mowers.
- Front and rear suspension systems help to smooth out the bumps.
- Being able to sit while mowing produces less strain on the body.
- Zero-turn mowers are easier to control than other types of lawnmowers.
Cons
- Zero-turn mowers tend to be noisier, with more vibration being transferred to the operator.
- Sitting for long periods of time can cause increased back stress.
- Zero-turn mowers are often large and heavy, making it challenging to move and store them.
Walk-Behind Mowers
Pros
- Walk-behind mowers are efficient for small and moderate-sized lawns.
- These mowers have increased stability, which makes them great for steep hills.
- Walk-behind mowers offer better cut accuracy and landscape management.
- Walk-behind mowers allow you to mow tight areas.
- Since you’re getting exercise as you mow, walk-behind mowers are good for your health.
Cons
- These mowers are more tiring since you need to walk behind them.
- Walk-behind mowers often do not have as much cutting power as other mower types.
- Since walk-behind mowers have a limited mowing width, mowing your lawn takes longer.
Stand-On Mowers
Pros
- Stand-on mowers work great on hilly yards.
- Since you stand up on these mowers, you’ll have a higher line of sight.
- These mowers offer excellent maneuverability.
- Standing on a mower spreads the mowing impact more evenly across your whole body.
Cons
- Stand-on mowers are typically more expensive than other mower types.
- Your stand-on mower may not be as productive as a traditional zero-turn mower, depending on the type you choose.
- Stand-on mowers require you to stand all day, which you may find tiring.
Top Mower Brands for Commercial Lawn Care Professionals
Toro
Toro is one of the best-known brands for lawnmowers. Their unwavering commitment to research and development ensures a superior-quality product.
Toro makes mowers for commercial and residential purposes. They focus mainly on professional maintenance markets such as golf courses, commercial properties, and sports fields.
Most commercial Toro mowers are powered by Kawasaki (famous for their efficiency and longevity) or Kohler engines (renowned for their strength and dependability).
Toro lawnmowers are noted for their exceptional cutting abilities. Their precision-cut blades provide a smooth, even cut, and their strong engines will cut through dense and wet grass.
Toro mowers are good value for the money, even though they may be more expensive than some other brands. Their superior build and outstanding cutting performance make them an excellent choice.
Ferris
Ferris only makes commercial mowing equipment. They are known for their innovative suspension systems, which provide a smoother ride over uneven terrain.
Ferris mowers are designed to offer superior comfort and stability, and their signature suspension system reduces operator fatigue and helps maintain control on hilly or uneven terrain.
Ferris mowers feature a foot-operated deck lift system and a pivoting front axle, which gives the operator greater control.
The best part is Ferris’ iCDTM Cutting System, which is designed to create consistent airflow and evenly distribute clippings, giving a clean cut and professional-looking finish to your yard.
Hustler
Hustler is one of the zero-turn mower specialists. In fact, they only make zero-turn mowers. They do one thing, and they do it well.
This tradition began in 1964 when John Regier decided to find a solution to the lack of maneuverability on traditional lawn tractors.
Today, Hustler manufactures five residential lines and twelve commercial lines.
Most of their commercial mowers carry a 5-year/1200-hour warranty, while other manufacturers only offer a 2- or 3-year warranty.
As if that’s not enough, Hustler’s mowers offer wide-area coverage, operator comfort, and almost indestructible steel frames. Their decks are resistant to rust and corrosion, and all their machines are designed to allow easy access for routine maintenance and service.
Although Hustlers tend to be a bit more expensive, they are well worth the investment due to their efficiency, durability, and other features.
Exmark
Exmark has long been known and trusted by landscapers and lawn care professionals.
They are famous for their durability, all-day comfort, and quality of cut.
Emark mowers are known for their ability to cover large areas within a short period. They are simple to operate and easily maneuverable.
In addition, a significant advantage of Exmark mowers is their low maintenance cost and high productivity.
The X-series, which is the commercial line, has Red Intelligence, which allows the components of the mower to communicate with each other intelligently. This includes an LCD screen, which shows the fuel level, the engine temperature, and the oil pressure. If the machine detects a problem, it switches to Safe Transport Mode to protect it from damage and allow time for maintenance.
Scag
Scag Power Equipment is a giant in the landscape industry. They are known for their quality and durability, making them a trusted brand in the American power equipment industry.
Scag is a top manufacturer of heavy-duty, commercial-grade lawnmowers. In the commercial mower business, they have been considered “standard setters” for years!
They produce a wide range of commercial mowers, including zero-turn riders, stand-on mowers, and walk-behind mowers.
The bottom line? Scag mowers are high-end products that will provide reliability and outstanding performance. This means they generally have a great resale value.
Bradley
Bradley Mowers is a popular brand of commercial and residential lawnmowers. The company started in 1921 in a small garage in Illinois but has since grown to become a leading manufacturer of high-quality lawn equipment.
Some of the standout features of Bradley mowers are their durability and efficiency. They are built with high-quality materials designed to cut grass quickly and effectively.
But that’s not all that makes Bradley Mowers attractive!
Bradley mowers are competitively priced, making them a great choice for budget-conscious customers. They offer excellent customer service, with representatives who are knowledgeable and ready to answer any questions.
Ego
Ego Power Plus has been at the heart of the push toward electric mowers. They make battery-powered lawn and garden equipment with the aim of being more environmentally conscious.
Ego batteries are designed to run for up to an hour before needing a recharge, and you can purchase extra batteries individually. That means you can pop in a backup battery while your main battery is charging.
Ego’s walk-behind mowers are self-propelled, with the ability to match the “walking speed” to your own pace. Or, if you want more exercise, you can operate the mower without the self-propelled feature.
Ego also makes a zero-turn mower with an equivalent of 22 horsepower and a top speed of over 8 mph! This mower also features 360o LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, three driving modes, and a power take-off mower deck.
If you’re curious about how electric mowers stack up against gasoline-powered mowers, read our related blog post: Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers: Which is Best For You?
Choosing the Right Mower
The bottom line: A mower, especially a commercial one, is a serious investment. This means having a relationship with a trusted lawnmower expert is invaluable.
The good news? At Steveco Power, we are here to help you find the right mower for your needs. We sell and service outdoor power equipment throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
We offer:
Call or text us today, or stop by our office! We look forward to helping you find your next commercial mower.
My boy and I have been mowing lawns for the last 5 years and are ready to get to next bigger mower for us. We have the Toro 22 recycler and bought the Scag 30 inch great mower on the flats! We are trying to think of we do the 36 inch Bradley or the Scag or the Ferris FW15. We are wanting to speed up the lawns a bite. Most of the lawns have gates and flower beds. Just want some direction!!! I am liking the Ferris because it has pneumatic tires and reverse which is really nice.
My boy and I have been mowing lawns for the last 5 years and are ready to get to next bigger mower for us. We have the Toro 22 recycler and bought the Scag 30 inch great mower on the flats! We are trying to think of we do the 36 inch Bradley or the Scag or the Ferris FW15. We are wanting to speed up the lawns a bite. Most of the lawns have gates and flower beds. Just want some direction!!! I am liking the Ferris because it has pneumatic tires and reverse which is really nice. Some hills a few where the front is the side hills
Wright mowers are one of the best in the industry. Shocks me that they’re not on this list.
Top Gravley models should have been included here.