When it comes to ride-on mowers, you usually only have two types to consider. Tractor mowers and zero-turn mowers dominate the market.
But while debate rages about the benefits of zero-turn vs tractor riding mowers, you have another option on offer. If you've ever hired a landscaper, you might have noticed that they use a standing mower rather than one you sit on.
Standing mowers claim to be lighter, faster, and more precise than traditional riding mowers. I spoke to a lawn mowing expert to see if standing mowers really are the best lawnmowers around. While they give the best, fastest cut of any mower, there are some significant drawbacks to know before you buy.
What are the benefits of a standing mower?
Standing mowers are exactly as they sound. You operate a standing mower from a platform rather than sitting on a seat, and there are several benefits to this.
Mowing expert Gene Cabellero told me that 'standing mowers provide great maneuverability and visibility, ideal for landscapes with many obstacles or tight spaces.' Because they have a small body compared to ride-on mowers, they have a much tighter turning circle. It also means that they're lighter, so they tend to be faster than seated mowers.
Altogether, this makes them much better at mowing around trees or along winding paths. Even without the small turning circle, the simple fact that you're standing up means you have a much better view of the lawn, making it easier to mow.
Gene adds that 'Standing mowers also allow for quick transitions between tasks, saving time when frequent stops are needed – especially to pick up trash or debris.' This feature is most useful for professional landscapers who need to hop in and out of the cab. It's why you may have seen these mowers listed as 'commercial' lawnmowers. However, that's helpful in a domestic setting too. If a branch has fallen on the lawn or your kids have left a toy on the grass, you can quickly remove it.
On top of that, standing mowers are often better for tackling inclines. Because you're standing up, you can shift your weight and lean the hill, resulting in a better, easier mow.
A pro landscaper says this mower cut his work time in half. It's fast, nimble, and offers a precise cut.
This Cub Cadet standing mower can reach 8.5mph, much faster than tractor and sit-on zero-turn mowers.
Toro's entry-level standing mower offers tight, zero-turn mowing in a compact, space-saving mower.
What are the drawbacks of a standing mower?
There's one glaring drawback with a standing mower – it's uncomfortable. Mowing expert Gene Caballero says that 'standing mowers can be less comfortable for extended use compared to ride-on mowers, especially on rough terrain.' Not only is it uncomfortable to stand on the mower for long periods, but unlike a ride-on mower, there's little suspension or padding, so you feel every jolt as the mower goes over the ground. If you have back or knee problems, you'll find this type of mower pretty painful.
Unlike tractor ride-on mowers, you can't always bag up the grass with a stand-on mower. Even those that come with grass collectors have small capacities and you need to empty the collector more often than a ride-on mower. Other models mulch straight onto the grass. That's great for the health of your grass, but it means a lot of grass clippings blowing around, and if you kids like to play on your lawn it could mean that grass gets tracked back into your house.
Because standing mowers are often used by landscaping pros, they can be expensive – an extreme example is this Toro GrandStand Revolution 52 at Lawn Barn, listed at an eye-watering $34,000. More realistic models tend to be between $5,000-$10,000, which is still more expensive than the average tractor mower.
What are the benefits of a ride-on mower?
There are two main benefits to more traditional ride-on mowers. The most obvious is comfort. 'Ride-on mowers offer more comfort with better seating and suspension, suitable for larger, smoother areas,' says Gene Caballero. 'Unlike a standing mower, you're always sitting down on a ride-on, which is much more comfortable than standing up. On top of that, comfortable, ergonomic seats and suspension add a further layer of comfort. If you have problems with your back or legs, you'll be much more comfortable on a zero-turn or tractor mower. You even get cup holders in a ride-on mower, making for a much more relaxing job.
While tractor motors are less precise, they're much easier to use. Zero-turn mowers need a little learning curve, but they offer similar precision to a standing mower without the discomfort of standing up.
Tractor mowers can also be fitted with a huge range of different attachments. Most standing mower models don't support attachments, so they can only mow. Tractor mowers can be fitted with snow plows, aerators, lawn sweepers, and spreaders. You get a lot more for your money.
This American-made mower can tackle two acres. It offers a very precise cut, with 1/4 inch increments between 1-4 inches for a level, even lawn.
This huge 54-inch deck mower is built to handle 3-4 acres. Though it's big, it's one of the fastest riding mowers I've seen, with a max speed of around 7mph.
Battery-powered mowers are getting better every year, and make for a light, nimble mower. Because there's no heavy gas engine, this can top out at 8mph, making the job much faster.
What are the drawbacks of a ride-on mower?
The big drawback with a ride-on mower is that it doesn't give as good a cut as a standing mower. 'The main drawbacks of riding mowers are their size and maneuverability in confined spaces,' says Gene Caballero.
Zero-turn mowers are similar to standing mowers in that both can turn on the spot, but a standing mower has a smaller body and better visibility, so it can cut much more precisely than a sit-on mower.
Lawn tractors are much worse than both types for making a precise cut because they can't turn on the spot. They also tend to have a smaller cutting deck, so it takes longer to mow the same area of lawn. On top of that, both types of ride-on mowers are hard to use on hills and inclines.
Riding mowers also take up more room in storage, so standing mowers are often a better choice for making sure there's room in your garage.
FAQ
Can you put stripes in a lawn with a standing mower?
You can make stripes in a lawn with a standing mower – you just need to buy a tow-behind lawn roller attachment.
The biggest drawback with standing mowers is that they're very expensive. In fact, if you have a small yard, it's not worth considering one of these. Learning the differences between riding mowers vs push mowers could save you thousands of dollars and a lot of storage space. If you have more than two acres, you need a riding mower; if you have fewer than two acres, all you need is a good push-behind.
