Stand-On Mower Buyers Guide

Looking to purchase a quality commercial stand-on mower but not sure how to begin? Our buyer’s guide covers everything you need to know before purchasing a stand-on mower, including features to look out for, benefits, and why you should consider Bradley Mowers as your partner in commercial mowing.

What Are Stand-On Mowers?

Stand-on mowers came from a need for a faster, more productive, and more powerful mower than a walk-behind mower, yet they are lighter and a bit more flexible than a sit-down zero-turn mower.

Stand-on mowers come in different sizes and power levels, similar to most riding machines except for one feature: the seat. Instead of a seat, a stand-on mower has a small-foot platform at the back.

This means that a stand-on mower lets you mow your lawn while standing without shortening your hip flexors. However, it might interest you to know that most stand-on mowers out there are zero-turn machines, meaning that they can turn on a dime without requiring lots of space to round a corner.

On top of having easily accessible steering controls, stand-on lawn mowers also have more advantages over other riding models. But, this doesn’t mean that stand-on mowers are meant for everyone with a lawn to mow.

This is because you’ll need to spend twice or even more of the amount you’d pay for a zero-turn mower of the same size and power. However, this price difference evens out with time. As of now, stand-on mowers are purchased and used by landscaping pros.

What Are the Benefits of a Stand-On Mower vs. Lawn Tractors and Zero-Turn Mowers?

There are many benefits of buying a stand-on mower as opposed to lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers.

Better Visibility

One of the biggest benefits of using a stand-on mower is that it offers better visibility than lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. This is because you get to stand behind the deck and see more clearly, especially when mowing intricate landscaping beds.

With a little bit of practice and experience, you’ll be able to duck down better when mowing under tall trees and bushes, which would have otherwise knocked you off a zero-turn mower or a lawn tractor.

Better for Your Back

While mowing using a stand-on mower, your feet and legs tend to receive the shock absorption rather than your lower back. As much as most people think that sitting mowers are comfortable, using them for extended periods takes a toll on your body due to the jerking motions.

On the other hand, your body is in a more natural position when you’re operating a stand-on mower, especially when mowing over rough, bumpy terrain.

Standing while mowing also ensures that any bumps, jolts, and even vibrations get to travel through your entire body as opposed to your back and spine, which is a common occurrence when you’re seated on a lawn tractor or a zero-turn mower.

Better Traction While Turning

It might interest you to know that stand-on mowers have much better traction while turning than zero-turn mowers and lawn tractors. With a conventional zero-turn mower, the engine is usually hanging behind the rear axle. In contrast, stand-on mowers have nothing except your back behind the rear wheel.

Also, in most cases, the operator’s weight is centered above the rear wheels, meaning the engine, battery, and fuel are situated between the front and rear wheels. Since the majority of the weight will be centered on the mower, it will have better traction and far less weight to swing around.

Standing above the rear wheels means that your body is creating less inertia while turning as well. This explains why a stand-on mower turns much better and causes far less damage on your turf when you make your turns, stop or even start.

As you become more experienced using a stand-on mower, you’ll find out that you can turn around the lawn without leaving any visible tear, divot, or rip in your turf.

Best Suited for Mowing Ditches

Another benefit of using stand-on mowers is that they’re best suited for mowing terrains that might be too steep for lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. This is because stand-on mowers have a much greater center of gravity, and they’re quicker to nimble through changing terrain.

All you need to do is instantly shift your weight to counterbalance the machine. It’s important to note that the 50- to 60-inch models have a much wider stance, meaning that if the terrain is too steep, they only need to slide over the slope instead of tipping over.

Safety

Even though stand-on mowers do not have a seat that you can comfortably sit on as you mow your lawn, they’re a much safer option compared to lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers.

The reason for this is that stand-on mowers do not come with seat belts or even armrests, which can prevent you from easily exiting the machine whenever you need to pick up debris or dismount in the event of an emergency.

When you’re sitting on your mower, it’s very difficult to make a quick exit in case of an emergency, whereas with a stand-on mower, all you need to do is to step off in case of any trouble.

Greater Productivity

Another benefit that comes with a stand-on lawn mower is that it cuts down on unproductive time. For example, if there is any debris on the lawn, all you’ll need to do is step out of your mower and pick it up. On the other hand, if there is debris or trash on the lawn while riding on a sit-on mower, it will take you longer to unfasten your seat belt and pick it up.

Less Storage Space Needed

It might come as a surprise, but stand-on lawn mowers take less space on trailers and even in your storage shed.

To put this into perspective, you can fit about three stand-on lawn mowers in the space you’d fit two lawn tractors or zero-turn mowers.

What to Look for in a Stand-On Mower

There are several factors you need to consider before deciding what stand-on mower fits your needs.

Performance

Before buying a stand-on mower, you need to find one that matches your mowing needs since stand-on mowers are fitted with different levels of horsepower engines.

For this reason, ensure that you pick the engine size that will best suit the kind of tasks you need to carry out, such as leaf mulching, cutting through tall and wet grass as well as bagging.

Price

Different stand-on mowers are priced differently. For this reason, it is best to go for one that has the features you need and also fits your budget. However, if you have the money for it, it’s best to go for the extra features and smoother riding experience available on the more expensive stand-on mowers. At Bradley Mowers, we provide affordable stand-on mower options and financing so that you can get high-quality that fits within your budget.

Warranty, Maintenance, and Service

Some of the most important things you should look for before buying a stand-on lawn mower are the warranty, maintenance, and service.

However, you can also pay extra money for the stand-on mower if you feel that the warranty is not enough and you’d like to protect yourself. At times the warranties can come with unfavorable conditions, making it very important to read the terms and conditions before signing any papers.

As for service, you should purchase your stand-on mower from a brand that has a service station near where you live. It is very complicated to transport a stand-on mower from one town to another looking for a professional to help you.

Also, we recommend becoming aware of the maintenance costs for your stand-on mower. At some point, your warranty will end, and you’ll need to take responsibility for any fault that occurs with your mower.

At Bradley Mowers, we provide excellent warranties all the way up to 36 months for residential wide-area mowers, and we have dealers all over the country who can maintain and service your mower.

Electric or Gas

Another important factor to consider before purchasing a stand-on mower is whether to for a gas-powered or electric one. This factor mainly depends on where you live and the restrictions stipulated.

For example, if you have a lot of neighbors and don’t wish to disturb them, it is best to go for an electric stand-on mower since electric mowers tend to produce less noise and smoke than gas-powered ones. However, gas-powered stand-on mowers are more efficient and have better cutting power.

For this reason, if you have large uneven terrain, it is best to go for a gas-powered mower. You don’t want to be inconvenienced by the fact that you’ll have to recharge an electric mower after a few rounds.

If you’d like to purchase a reliable and robust stand-on mower, contact us today at Bradley Mowers to get more information on our financing options. We have a variety of stand-on mower models in our inventory, so you’re sure to find one that best suits your needs.