Do you know the residential zero turn mower life expectancy? I ask this question before I make an order for any lawn mower model.
I understand that lawn mowers are not small investments. Before purchasing a lawnmower, I consider the life of the lawnmower I am buying.
Some of the factors that can affect the average life of a lawnmower include:
- The manufacturer
- The size of the mower
- The usage
Many manufacturers’ warranty provide the users with the average life expectancy but with proper care and maintenance, your mower can still function properly even after the average life expectancy.
Residential Zero Turn Mower Life Expectancy: A Guide
Average Life Expectancy
For an average lawn mower, the life expectancy is about 8-10 years with proper care and maintenance. If your lawn mower is not properly maintained, you may get about 4-5 years.
Some manufacturers usually measure the service life of their mowers and the components according to the hours of use.
For instance, some of the more affordable mowers have a service life of 200 hours or less while the more expensive mowers have been built to last for 509 hours and above.
Hence, you can measure the life expectancy of a mower based on how often it is being used and how long it has been used.
Variables that Shorten Mower Life
Some of the factors that can shorten the life of your mower include:
- Routinely cutting grass that is thick and long
- The size of your mower
- How often your mower is being used
- Not maintaining the mower properly
Old Doesn’t Always Mean Finished
The fact that a lawnmower has gotten to the average or predicted life expectancy, does not actually mean that it is time for you to throw it away and get a new one. Most of the time, you’ll see that a lawnmower can run past its life expectancy and last for more years as long as it is properly maintained.
Also, you can replace some of the inexpensive parts as this can extend the life of the lawnmower.
For instance, the average life of a battery powered mower’s lead-acid battery is about four and half years. However, after the battery’s demise, it does not mean that the mower is bad and needs to be changed.
You can simply replace the battery and get extra years of service from the mower as long as you maintain and take care of the mower.
Maintenance for Long Mower Life
- If your mower has not been used for a long period of time, make sure to remove the gasoline in it to avoid carburettor issues and to also prevent rust
- At least once a year, scrape the cutting blades clean and remove the grass and mud to prevent rust
- Change the oil in the mower at least once a year
- Change the air filter and the spark plug when necessary
There are other specific maintenance instructions which many mower manufacturers include in the mower’s owner’s manual. Endeavour to read through it.
Lifespan Of Riding Mower Parts
Blades
The blades of your lawn mower should be sharpened at least once a year as this will allow you to effectively cut down the grass thereby saving time and energy.
Carburetor
While using the riding lawn mower, it is expected that your mower will be exposed to a lot of harmful elements and tough conditions.
Thanks to the team’s extensive experience handling riding lawn mower machines, you can be rest assured that you will find rust on any unit’s surface within five years of usage.
Engine
Regardless of the brand of riding lawn mower that you are using, it is important to note that the engine plays a huge role in determining the life expectancy of your mower.
If the oil level in your mower is low, it is not advisable to use the riding lawn mower as it can degrade your unit quickly.
Batteries
Batteries are an affordable part of the lawn mower. The electric riding lawn mowers are powered by a lead acid battery which can last for about four years. Even after this duration, your lawn mower can still be used as long as you replace the battery.
Contributing Factors To The Decline Of A Riding Lawn Mower
Lawn And Grass
If you notice that the cutting performance of your mower is not as good as it used to be, then this issue might just be related to the kind of yard you are mowing.
To prevent your mower from breaking down, it is best to choose the kind of mower that suits your lawn needs and not just your personal preferences.
For example, electric mowers can be used in smaller yards but are not a suitable choice for landscapes with dense grass.
Frequency Of Use
Continuous use of your lawn mower will cause it to wear down after a while. For people who use their mowers in complex and extensive layouts, extra care and maintenance has to be given to the mowers after use to make sure it remains in good condition.
Lack Of/Improper Maintenance
While purchasing a mower, you should bear in mind that you’ll have to devote time into maintaining and taking care of it so that you can avoid encountering problems such as a faulty lawn mower belt.
After using the riding lawn mower to cut through tough grass and rough landscape, you need to make sure that you carefully check the parts in case of any damages that the mower may have incurred. By doing so, you can increase life expectancy.
Corrosion
Corrosion in your lawn mower usually begins in the cables and the connectors. This can be detected through a clicking sound when your lawn mower refuses to start or charge the batteries.
Corrosion causes the terminals to dry up and builds barriers to the starter and battery of the mower.
FAQs
What is the longest lasting zero turn lawn mower?
The Husqvarna MZ61 Hydrostatic Zero Turn is part of the very popular Husqvarna MZ series of commercial grade zero turn mowers and it can last for a very long period of time.
Other mowers include:
- Ariens 915223 IKON-X (refurbished)
- Troy-Bilt Mustang 54”25HP Zero-Turn Mower
Which Lawn mower lasts the longest?
Generally, gas mowers are known to be more durable than other types of mowers. Their engines can last for up to ten years and above while a battery powered motor may need replacement in about five years
Can a lawn mower last 20 years?
You can expect 10-15 years of good performance from a new riding mower.
How many hours will a residential zero turn mower last?
Two thousand hours is generally the number you’ll hit without any major repairs