Its easy to get over-excited with a fun machine like the zero-turn mower, but its important to take it slow. When I was a toddler, my family had a lush green lawn. A slight change in direction when moving up or down a hill can result in losing control of the machine. Children or pets can run toward the mower and expose them to the risk of being hit or run over. In cases where you have angles on your lawn like these, you can also use a self-propelled or push mower to tidy things up. If you have a child or pet, keep them indoors while operating your zero-turn mower. Zero turn mowers account for many serious injuries resulting from lawn mowing. Required fields are marked *. His brainchild, Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen. Join our community on facebook and get 3 woodworking plans for free! These risks are not unique to most zero-turn mowers, but they can be amplified by the design and operation of these machines. The SW4200 feature solid construction . Traction issues are common when turning the mower left or right on steep hills. It is a great safety measure to prevent injuries or. A child must be able to follow rules, and safety procedures and be able to physically operate the mower. Electrical issues can seem dormant initially, but if you dont address them quickly enough, they can start to stack up quickly and may cost a fortune. Our professional landscapers encountered being ejected from their seats and pinned beneath the machine, causing severe injury. Your mower might run into objects, people, or pets and cause severe injuries. To ensure your safety while riding one of these mowers, its a good idea to be aware of their dangers. Required fields are marked *. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Heres How to Fix It! Cutting sloped, wet grass on a zero-turn mower increases your chances of losing traction and slipping. Additionally, the machines engine is located on the backside. The mower can also hit an object when sliding down the hill and tip over, leading to severe injuries. However, you should keep in mind that you are definitely compromising on a few things too. Before getting off the machine, remember to disengage the rotating blades. Modern mowers generally have the same issues, but the zero-turn mower design makes it more susceptible to damage. Is your soil quite rocky? All Rights Reserved | Home | About, We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. With a motor equal to a 22 Hp Gas-powered engine, and essentially no maintenance to contend with - the EGO zero-turn mower has become one of the most popular lawnmowers on the market for homeowners with medium to large yards. Make sure that children and pets are kept at a safe distance from the mower while it is in use. Dull or unbalanced blades can cause more debris to be thrown into the air, increasing the risk of injury. Again, a zero turn mowers weight distribution can mean its dangerous to operate on a sloped surface. Driving your zero-turn mower during the day allows you to see clearly and fully control the machine. Your email address will not be published. Grab her free lawn care cheat-sheet: What to Do When - Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Care, or upgrade your garage by browsing her favorite DIY lawn care products. Inspect your lawn before mowing. Time Limited: Join our woodworking contest on Facebook and Get 3 Free Woodworking Plans Instantly, blades that are still in a cutting rotation. The New Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower Our first Zero-Turn Electric mower is now available for preorder. They produced many of the zero-turn mowers for other brands including Snapper, Yazoo, Bush Hog, Snapper, and Dixon up until 1995. With the right machine, you can easily cut large lawns in a fraction of the time it would take with a standard mower. The machine doesnt have enough traction on the ground as a result of its design. The 3.2 kWh (3.56 kWh maximum) sealed Lithium-Ion Battery is protected from moisture and debris. Many of these employees worked for professional landscape companies or as grounds care staff for commercial or governmental facilities. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What is the maximum slope you can safely operate zero turn mowers? The grass doesnt cut as well, leading to your lawn being uneven. Wear protective equipment, such as close-toed shoes, long pants, eye protection, and hearing protection when operating ride-on mowers. Quiet, no fumes, and faster than competitors (8 MPH max speed). Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V FastTractor Mower, with Twin 48 7. Not sure what type of mower is best for your lawn? Fab Deck Zero-Turn Mower with MyRide Ariens IKON XD 52 inch 23 HP (Kawasaki) Mower 8. It is important to install this before attempting to mow a hill just in case the worst happens, and it does tip over. 100 Ah Zero-Turn Electric Mower John Deere Z345M 42 in. Once you believe your child is ready to operate a lawn mower, make sure you go over all safety procedures including the dangers of reaching under the deck with the mower blades engaged. In addition, we recommend you turn off the engine and remove the key before disembarking the machine. Please watch: "Warning!! There are two main dangers of zero turn mowers on hills, either losing control of the mower, or it tipping over if the slope is too steep. Losing Control It is easy to lose control when you are on a very steep hill or if you are mowing downhill by going too fast or losing traction and sliding. However, consumers claim that a riding mower performs well even on hills with an angle of up to 15 degrees. If youre driving on such surfaces, you will likely lose control of the zero-turn mower. These blades are sharp and can cause deep cuts if you accidentally get closer to them. 06:20 - Breather Port Position. Use caution when approaching corners, trees or anything that might block your view. Some dangers of zero turn mowers include overturning, sliding on slopes, difficulty controlling at high speeds, running over objects, and accidental cuts. In the event of an overturn, the seat belt and ROPS can protect you from getting crushed. 2. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Dry environments are less likely to have water-related issues, with dust-related problems being more common. Nearly all these preventable fatalities and injuries share themes of predictable risks that result in loss of stability or contact with blades. (what I use instead). Protective equipment such as gloves, closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and long pants can protect you from accidental cuts. A 10-degree angle is the most practical tilt that your riding lawnmower can handle. In bold is the danger and after how to reduce the risk of an accident. How Many Coats of Varnish Do You Apply on Wood? A zero-turn lawn mower poses serious risks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Navigating the Dangers of Zero-Turn Mowers: A Comprehensive Guide. These zippy lawn mowers are an upgrade from your average push mower, but it is vital to know the risks when using a new piece of machinery like this. Overturning happens when the machine tips over on its side, usually going too fast on uneven ground or taking a sharp turn. Ariens Edge 34 inch 19 HP Zero Turn Mower 5. You may not know, but your mower wheels need to be properly inflated [1] if you want them to power through complex terrain. Riding lawn mowers are designed to make it much easier for you to cover large land areas quickly and with less effort than if you were using a push mower. Possible Dangers As if all that weren't enough, zero turn mowers can actually pose a safety threat to the operator. Some parents act like its an amusement ride for the kids with no concern for the childs safety. These machines are designed to turn on a dime and navigate tight spaces with ease, making them ideal for cutting grass and trimming around obstacles. Her goal is to meet you where you are, and help you achieve a yard youll be proud of. Friendly Community. Dangerous Slides when mowing slopes Instead of a steering wheel, these lawn mowers are maneuvered using two levers that you push forward or pull backward to move around. Heres my privacy policy. A zero-turn riding mower consists of an operator platform, a frame and wheels, an engine (or battery bank), transmissions (or motors), and a pair of control levers commonly known as lap bars.. Slopes greater than 15 degrees 24 HP Kawasaki engine provides reliable startups and high ground speeds. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers, nearly 6,400 people get injured when using lawnmowers annually. If youre not sure that zero turn mowers are the best option for you, there are many to consider. Best for Beginners. Using one of these mowers on a really well-suited property can reduce costs by reducing the total amount of time you spend mowing. The seat belt will help keep you in the seat if the machine overturns or hits an uneven spot. It is usually caused by coming into contact with the, Wet grass can cause the wheels to slip and make it difficult to control the machine or worse make your. In addition, it is recommended to wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris, Be sure to disengage the blades when not using the mower. There are certain recommendations for lawn mowers to work in hilly terrain. As a result, these mowers can easily cause severe injuries if they are not used . 7. A zero turn mower is often good for mowing grass up to 4-5 inches/13 cm tall. Mow across hills not up/down when using a zero turn. As we have discussed, there are some dangers to using a zero-turn mower, but that can be said for most pieces of heavy machinery. Dont change direction on steep slopes. The mowers front wheels rotate in different directions. These incidents are partially due to the weight and center of gravity on the machine, and the types of wheels typically found on zero-turn mowers. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Zero turn mowers use versatile caster wheels in the front to maneuver quickly around the lawn, especially if you have curved garden edges or walkways. There are safety measures to take that will greatly decrease your risk of injury while operating a zero-turn. Apart from this essential rule, there are many techniques you can use to operate your mower safely: Your zero-turn mower should come with some form of roll-over protection. Typically $5,360 or so at Home Depot lately, our last mention of a similar model was back . Are Zero Turn Mowers Dangerous? But, like all riding lawn mowers, there is a risk of tipping over when tackling particularly steep slopes. Warning Labels: Installing warning labels can be a great way to inform beginners of any parts within the mower that can cause injuries. Best Bang for the Buck. The Dangers of Zero-Turn Mowers While all riding mowers have the potential to cause serious injury, zero-turn mowers are especially dangerous. In addition, it increases your chance of being ejected from the seat. This can be a real issue when you are trying to cut wet grass, as the wheels are likely to slip and skid. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Zero-turn mowers can weigh more than 1,700 pounds, and if the machine doesn't have a rollover-protection system (ROPS) and . The slopes up to 15 degrees are the only ones where they work best. These mowers are capable of reaching high speeds, and they can make sudden turns that can easily throw off an inexperienced operator. Fuel leaking onto the motor can cause a fire. Many manufacturers agree to a retrofit without extra charges. With a zero-turn mower, on the other hand, you can get into tighter areas with ease and without having to slow down. If the mower strikes an object, stop, turn the mower off, and inspect the mower. You may want to avoid a zero-turn mower. Its important to be aware of these dangers and take steps to mitigate the risks when using a zero-turn mower. If you turn one wheel when riding at 15mph, the machine can lose traction, slide, and tip over. If you lose control of your mower, it can run into people and pets, cutting them with powerful blades. A lawn that dips down a foot in a span of 3 feet is dangerous for your zero turn mower. To learn more visit the following pages:Advertising Policy |Privacy Policy, Get My FREE Cheat-Sheet and Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Care. To reduce the risk of a mower tipping, its important to always follow the manufacturers recommendations for operating turn mowers and to avoid using it on terrain that is too steep or uneven. Similarly, if you lose control of your zero-turn, it can run over people and pets nearby. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. To remedy this, angle the nose of the mower slightly uphill as you go. When mowing at high speeds, the mower blades can pick up rocks, sticks, and other debris and launch them into the air. Take advantage of 180-degree maneuverability and confidently earn your stripes. By following the Overturning is a common danger of zero turn mowers. Several of our operators lose control of the mower when it is more than 10 degrees. Wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes, and gloves can help protect you from cuts and lacerations. It can also remind them to remain seated while operating the mower. 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