When it comes to ride-on mowers, there are usually only two types to consider: tractor mowers and zero-turn mowers dominate the market.
But while the debate rages over the benefits of zero-turn mowers over riding mowers, you have another option available to you. If you’ve ever hired a landscaper, you may have noticed that they use a stand-on mower, rather than one you sit on.
Pedestal mowers are designed to be lighter, faster and more precise than traditional riding mowers. I spoke to a lawn mower expert to find out if pedestal mowers really are the best lawn mowers. While they offer the best and fastest cut of any mower, there are some significant drawbacks you should be aware of before buying.
What are the advantages of a stand mower?
(Image credit: Alamy / Valentinyn Semenov)
Stand mowers are exactly what they sound like. You operate a stand mower from a platform rather than sitting on a seat, and this has several advantages.
Mowing expert Gene Cabellero explained to me that “riding mowers offer excellent maneuverability and visibility, ideal for landscapes with lots of obstacles or tight spaces.” Because they have a small body compared to riding mowers, their turning radius is much smaller. This also means they are lighter and therefore tend to be faster than riding mowers.
Overall, this makes them much better suited to mowing around trees or along winding paths. Even without the small turning circle, you have a much better view of the lawn just by standing, making it easier to mow.
Gene adds, “Stand-on mowers also allow for quick transitions between tasks, saving time when frequent stops are required – especially to pick up trash or debris.” This feature is especially useful for professional landscapers who need to get in and out of the cab. For this reason, you may have seen these mowers listed as “commercial” lawn mowers. But this is also helpful in a home setting. If a branch has fallen on the lawn or your kids have left a toy in the grass, you can quickly remove it.
Additionally, stand-on mowers are often better suited to tackling inclines. Since you’re standing upright, you can shift your weight and lean down the slope, resulting in better, easier mowing.
A professional landscaper says this mower has cut his work time in half. It’s fast, maneuverable and provides a precise cut.
This Cub Cadet stand mower reaches a speed of 13.7 km/h, making it much faster than tractor and zero-turn ride-on mowers.
Toro GrandStand 36 inches, 15 HP, 541 cc
Toro’s entry-level stand mower offers tight, zero-turn mowing in a compact, space-saving mower.
Gene is a passionate entrepreneur committed to revolutionizing the lawn care industry through technology and innovation. Gene has 25 years of experience in the landscaping industry and has owned both styles of lawn mowers.
What are the disadvantages of a stand mower?
(Image credit: Alamy / Jill Morgan)
There is one glaring disadvantage to a stand-on mower – it’s uncomfortable. Lawn mower expert Gene Caballero says that “stand-on mowers can be less comfortable than riding mowers for extended periods of use, especially on uneven terrain.” Not only is it uncomfortable to stand on the mower for long periods of time, but unlike a riding mower, there is hardly any suspension or padding, so you feel every bump as the mower travels along the ground. If you have back or knee problems, you will find this type of mower quite painful.
Unlike riding mowers, you can’t always collect the grass with a riding mower. Even models with grass bags have a small capacity and you’ll have to empty the bag more often than with a riding mower. Other models mulch directly on the grass. This is good for the health of your lawn, but it means a lot of grass clippings fly around, and if your kids like to play on your lawn, you might end up with grass being carried back into your house.
Because riding lawn mowers are often used by landscapers, they can be expensive—an extreme example is this Toro GrandStand Revolution 52 at Lawn Barn, which is on sale for a whopping $34,000. More realistic models tend to cost between $5,000 and $10,000, which is still more expensive than the average lawn tractor.
What are the advantages of a ride-on mower?
(Image credit: Getty Images / kozmoat98)
There are two main advantages over traditional riding mowers. The most obvious is comfort. “Riding mowers offer more comfort with better seats and suspension and are suited to larger, smoother areas,” says Gene Caballero. “Unlike a pedestal mower, you are always seated on a riding mower, which is much more comfortable than standing. In addition, comfortable, ergonomic seats and suspension add to the comfort. If you have back or leg problems, you will be much more comfortable on a zero-turn or tractor mower. There are even cup holders on a riding mower, which makes the job much more relaxing.
Tractor engines, while less precise, are much easier to operate. Zero-turn mowers require a small learning curve but offer similar precision to a stand mower without the uncomfortable standing position.
Lawn tractors can also be fitted with a variety of different attachments. Most models of stand mowers do not support attachments and can therefore only mow. Lawn tractors can be fitted with snow plows, aerators, lawn sweepers and spreaders, so you get a lot more for your money.
Capable of mowing two acres, this American-made lawn mower provides a very precise cut in 1/4-inch increments between 1 and 4 inches for a level, even lawn.
Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZT1 54 inch
This huge 54-inch mower is designed for 3-4 acres. Even though it’s big, it’s one of the fastest riding mowers I’ve ever seen, with a top speed of about 7 miles per hour.
EGO cordless lawn mower with zero turn radius
Battery-powered lawn mowers are getting better every year and are lightweight, maneuverable mowers. Since there is no heavy gas engine, this mower can reach a top speed of 8 miles per hour, getting the job done much faster.
What are the disadvantages of a ride-on mower?
(Image credit: Getty Images / Viorika)
The big disadvantage of a ride-on mower is that it doesn’t produce as good a cut as a stand-alone mower. “The main disadvantages of ride-on mowers are their size and maneuverability in tight spaces,” says Gene Caballero.
Zero-turn mowers are similar to stand-on mowers in that both can turn on the spot. However, a stand-on mower has a smaller body and better visibility, allowing it to cut much more precisely than a riding mower.
Lawn tractors are much less suitable for precise cutting than either type because they cannot turn on the spot. They also tend to have a smaller cutting deck, so it takes longer to mow the same area of lawn. In addition, both types of riding mowers are difficult to handle on hills and slopes.
Riding mowers also require more space when stored, so if you want to make sure you have enough room in your garage, stand-on mowers are often a better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cut stripes in the lawn with a stand-alone lawn mower?
You can also use a stand-alone mower to create stripes in the lawn – all you need to do is buy a towable lawn roller attachment.
The biggest disadvantage of stand mowers is that they are very expensive. In fact, if you have a small yard, it’s not worth considering one of these mowers. Knowing the differences between riding mowers and push mowers can 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 less than two acres, you just need a good push mower.
