Advances in speed, size, flexibility and performance can help managers specify the right equipment to meet facilities’ turf needs

— By Cathy Walker

Not all lawn mowers are created equal. If they were, then today’s grounds manager would have a less complicated job choosing equipment. On the other hand, he or she might not get the desired results from the efforts.

There is no shortage of information about mowers for specifiers to draw from. For example, surfing through the Internet for a few seconds resulted in more than 500 sites related to commercial lawn mowers.

The lawn mower is the center of most grounds care operations, and using the right complement of mowers can make a tremendous impact on labor, overall landscape appearance and, of course, the budget. Managers have the unenviable task of sorting through the available information in an effort to find the best equipment for the facilities’ mowing needs.

Mower decks
The two primary features to consider when selecting a mower deck are blade type and cutting width.
Reel-type mowers offer the finest quality cut and are used mainly for specialty areas. They also are commonly used for mowing large, open areas because, until recently, reel-type gang mowers offered the widest cuts. The drawbacks to reel mowers are their high first cost and time-consuming maintenance to keep their blades sharp.

Flail and rotary mowers tend to be more economical for general grounds care. A flail mower is made up of many individual knives that spin vertically. When they hit large weeds, rocks or other debris, they pivot out of the way and, as a result, aren’t easily damaged.

Flail mowers are excellent for mowing rough areas, taller grass and weeds. They produce a reasonably good-quality cut, but they aren’t considered finish mowers. Flail mowers also can be used to break up and disperse cores after aeration.

Their knives can be changed to allow for vericutting turf areas, which will break up thatch and help eliminate soil compaction. These mowers are available as single decks or wing-type with widths of up to 19 feet. A wing-type mower deck offers maximum width and the ability to mow narrow spaces by raising the wings.

Rotary mowers are the most common type of mower. They provide a finish- quality cut and are economical and relatively easy to maintain. They come in widths from 20 inches to more than 17 feet.

Mowing machines
Push mowers usually have a 20- or 21- inch cutting deck and are still used for smaller areas and newly established sod. Walk-behind mowers are self-propelled and feature cutting-deck widths ranging from 32 to 72 inches.

In recent years, advances in deck design have made mulching blades more effective. Some models are even very effective for grinding leaves of trees and shrubbery.

Floating decks are becoming more common and provide for a better cutting quality on uneven ground and help to eliminate scalping. The deck construction is becoming more durable. They are being made with heavier-gauge steel and reinforcement.

Many models of walk-behind mowers now have a zero-turning radius to allow mowing in tight spots, around trees and other obstacles. The blade spindle assembly has been improved on some models to offer low or no maintenance.

Attachments also are available that allow an operator to ride behind the mowers in either a standing or sitting position, providing the benefits of the walk-behinds but without the inevitable operator fatigue.

Walk-behinds are also being designed for easier and more comfortable operation. Walk-behind mowers are generally used on small sites in heavily landscaped areas and on steep berms. In large areas where appearance is crucial, walk-behinds might be the mower of choice. As a rule-of-thumb, the smaller the cutting deck the higher quality the cut, resulting in a more pleasing appearance.

Commercial walk-behind mowers range in price from $2,400 to $6,000, depending on manufacturer and features.

Riding mowers
Riding mowers have made numerous advances in the past several years. Each year, the equipment manufacturers release their new and improved models with a range of new features. More powerful engines, faster speeds, improved cutting quality and maneuverability are areas where advancements have been most evident.

Riding mowers can be equipped with engines boasting up to 31 hp, and quality mowing can be completed at speeds of up to 10 miles per hour. Also, the shape of the cutting deck and blade arrangements now make it possible for even the widest mowers to cut with decent quality. Also, riding mowers can be equipped with decks up to 17 feet wide.

Riding mowers also are available with zero-turning radius, a feature that cuts mowing time while allowing operators to produce a finished appearance. Wing-type decks combined with the zero-turning-radius vehicles make wider decks more desirable. They can mow wide open spaces, as well as tight spots once mowed only by walk-behind or push mowers.

In recent years, these wider rotary mowers have seen great improvements in speed and quality. And to save time in the field, riding mowers now are being equipped with larger fuel tanks — some with holding capacities of up to 13 gallons.

Operators in mind
Manufacturers also are making strides in the area of operator comfort, as more models are available with independent, four-wheel suspension, seat suspension, vibration absorption, improved steering and other controls.

Electric deck lifts are available on some models for more convenient control of cutting height. One such model can be set at 19 different cutting heights. Also, anti-scalp rollers are available on many models and help improve cutting quality on uneven terrain.

Mower size is also changing. Lower centers of gravity and more compact body styles make these new machines even more versatile than previous models. Other areas of advancement include engines with lower emissions and reduced noise.

Also, four-wheel-drive mowers are now available and floatation tires help to reduce compaction and make driving in wet conditions possible.

New and improved compact tractors are also being used for large-area mowing, and pull-behind mowing decks have improved in size and quality over the past several years. Tractors also can perform a wide variety of grounds maintenance tasks, along with the various attachments that are available.

Ride-on mowers vary in cost depending on manufacturer, model, engine type and size and other features. The range is $5,000-40,000.

The challenge for managers is finding a mower that fits in the budget and helps create attractive landscapes.