The best ride-on lawnmowers
For owners of grassy swards who spend a lot of time mowing, good news: a new breed of ride-on lawnmower is crossing over from the world of commercial turf. Known as "zero-turn" mowers, these machines can pivot within their own footprint, so essentially they have a zero-degree turning circle.
Using an innovative system that steers each of the rear wheels, they are easy to use (once you get the hang of the steering stick controls) and manoeuvre around obstacles.
Zero-turns can cut close to grass edges, so the need for trimming is reduced (especially compared with tractor-style mowers). They also cut as they turn, so you don't leave uncut areas. Most are designed to be mulching mowers, but will also "side discharge" and some even collect.
The test
We took six zero-turn mowers to Forde Abbey, a former Cistercian Monastery in Dorset (although the Post Office insists on Somerset), to put them through their paces. With the help of six testers, most of whom had never used steering stick controls, we set about cutting swaths of spring grass.
Although the stick steer system seems quirky and potentially difficult to a first-time user, all our testers got the hang of it surprisingly quickly and were soon confidently driving around. Gaming geeks, who have good hand-eye co-ordination, will find the controls very familiar. All the mowers performed well. "They were all excellent, first-rate machines," says Forde Abbey owner Julian Kennard.
At Forde, it takes the gardening team up to two days a week to cut the grass. This 30-acre garden has formal lawns, slopes and grassy paths, plus a variety of benches, obstacles and trees to mow around - perfect for our test.
Kennard uses a range of mowers, including his ex-Yeovil Football Club Gianni Ferrari twin-deck ride-on mower, a Viking T6 ride-on for the smaller areas and a Hayter Condor walk-behind for rough areas. Twiglet, a 49-year-old Shetland pony (reputedly the oldest in Britain) is also allowed to graze wherever he feels like it.
Top pick for large lawns
Ariens IKON-X 52
£4,850, Ariens (01844 278800)
Designed to deliver professional results on medium-to-large lawns. Commercial-style deck with three blades and a fully welded tubular steel frame with a rear fender and tow bar.
Likes: Easy to use, with comfy seat. Well-made, solid machine, with a deep cutting deck. Cuts long grass easily and gave the impression it would cope with most grass conditions. Big wide deck which makes mowing an area much quicker.
The cutting deck can be lifted using a foot-operated lever, which is useful when there's an obstacle you don't want to cut over or when moving around. It cuts in reverse and is very manoeuvrable and easy to control. Dial-operated cutting height.
Dislikes: The large, side-discharge shute sometimes gets in the way. Changeover from mulcher to side discharge should be done by the dealer. Our less able tester found the deck heavy to lift and the cutting height control hard to rotate.
Best of both worlds
Cub Cadet Enduro XZ2117
£4,299, Cub Cadet (01869 363658)
Features an innovative, patented four-wheel synchro steer technology with full steering wheel control, but with zero-turn handling. Mulching kit standar.
Likes: The steering wheel control makes this very easy to use, manoeuvre and work with. It cuts in reverse, which works well and is useful. Intuitive and easy to control, gives a neat cut and worked well on sloped and undulating ground.
Plenty of power and a good wide cut. The deck has a hose connector, so the deck can be cleaned easily after use. Cruise control, ideal for larger areas. This mower made mowing fun. It handles banks and long grass well. A good sturdy machine with an easy handbrake and lock.
Dislikes: Some found the seat uncomfortable. Engaging reverse was a bit fiddly. Our less able tester found the deck lift too heavy.
Ideal for obstacles
TORO TimeCutter ZS4200T
£3,579, Toro (01279 723444)
A three-speed hydrostatic drive, with electronic parking brake, fitted with two recycling blades and plastic kickers to redirect grass into the blades for cutting into fine pieces.
Likes: Easy to get on and off. The stick steering was very sensitive. Armrests fitted for user comfort. Three speed settings for trimming, mowing and towing. Very intuitive and easy to understand controls. Gives a good cut and leaves an excellent finish.
Fitted with a hose connector to clean after use. Robust build quality. Handled slopes and uneven ground well. Easy blade adjustment. An electronic parking brake switches on and off when the levers are moved out and in (a good safety feature). Ideal for mowing around trees and obstacles. Towing hitch. Ideal for a smaller garden. Good for the price.
Dislikes: Our less able tester found this more difficult to control and the deck lift too heavy. Took longer to master the controls. Some users found it jerky and over-sensitive to steer.
Top value for money
Snapper ZTX150
£3,649, Snapper Mowers (01789 490177)
A 3-blade deck, adjustable seat and armrests. Set up as either a mulcher (£109 for the kit) or side discharge. Tow eye fitted.
Likes: Simple to drive with good controls. Gave a good cut and finish, even in wet conditions. The engine is accessible for maintenance; the electrics are high and away from wet grass. There's a wash port for cleaning.
The levers are easy to use and work well in a straight line. Good manoeuvrability around obstacles. The mulching system works well, cutting the grass into tiny pieces. The height adjustment is simple to use and the parking brake easy to engage and release.
Dislikes: Some testers found this machine slightly noisier than some of the others tested and also felt that the footrest needs a better non-slip surface.
Testers' favourite
Ferris IS600z
£8,000, Ferris and Wright Mowers (01264 811260) (special price while stocks last. Usual RRP £9,342)
A commercial quality mower for domestic users. Built to last with a fabricated steel deck, a rear grass discharge and three mulching blades. Fitted with seat belt and ROPS frame that folds, rear bumpers to protect the engine and a patented suspension and steering system.
Likes: Very well designed with excellent build quality. Good speed and powerful engine. Straightforward controls with sensitive, but easy direction change. Excellent four-wheel, independent suspension. Very comfortable. Good for cutting around trees. Good, easy and small incremental cutting height adjustment.
Foldaway roll bars offer greater safety when mowing slopes. Easy access to deck for maintenance and a handy spare parts label. Exhaust filter reduces fumes. Rear discharge shute doesn't get in the way, so easier to cut right up to edges. Coped well with long and wet grass and gave a good finish.
Dislikes: Footrest can be slippy. Changing over from rear discharge to mulching mode takes 10-15 minutes. The towing hitch is an extra. It's pricey.
Good all-rounder
John Deere Z335E
£4,075, John Deere (0800 085 2522)
Fitted with a deep deck and two multipurpose mulching blades and side discharge. Optional mulch control kit (£148) fitted to test machine.
Likes: Easy to get on and off. Very easy and simple to use with few controls. A neat design, which has a simple lever to change from mulch to side discharge. The steering is responsive and easy to use. It gives a good quality of cut and works well on uneven ground. The controls are intuitive.
Good build quality. It goes quite fast and cuts well even at speed. Easy to manoeuvre with a very tight turning circle. The steering sticks are long and you can control this mower one-handed. Designed to be easy to service. You can disengage the diff lock for non-powered manoeuvres so it's easy to push into the shed. Cuts in reverse. Good value for money.
Dislikes: Changing the deck height was a bit stiff and heavy. Some testers found the seat uncomfortable. It needs arm rests for user comfort when mowing for a long period.
