Stiga lawn mower battery. Riding Mower vs Zero Turn Mower: Which is best for your lawn

Riding Mower vs Zero Turn Mower: Which is best for your lawn?

Stuck in the weeds wondering whether a riding vs zero-turn lawn mower is right for you? We compile the facts and give a verdict.

Managing large lawns can feel impossible; between the sheer size and obstacles like trees or hills, it’s easy to struggle without the right equipment. Two of the most common mowers that can help gardeners and turf maintenance crews are the riding mower and the zero-turn mower. But which is better? With the help of STIGA expert Gary Whitney, we break down the riding vs zero-turn lawn mower debate into its essentials. differences, cut, hills, cost, and ease of use.

But what should customers consider as we cut to the facts behind these titans of mowing? Whitney suggests these tips: ‘What size lawn [you are cutting] and how tricky it is to cut as regards trees, borders, etc. The price that one wants to pay [for a mower]. Whether you want a battery-powered model which is kinder to the environment [over a gas-powered model].’

A riding lawn mower is exactly as it sounds. It has a plush seat and steering wheel and controls almost like a car to help you handle expansive lawns. Rather than having to struggle to push walk-behind mowers over hills and around obstacles, you can sit in comfort and have some fun while mowing.

A zero-turn mower, on the other hand, is a type of riding lawn mower rather than its own style. It has many similar features but is much more precise regarding manoeuvrability across the lawn.

Read on to discover our final verdict in the riding vs zero-turn mower showdown.

What’s the difference between a riding and a zero-turn lawn mower?

The main differences between the two mowers are steering and turn radius. A standard riding mower handles similarly to a car, with two front and two back wheels moving respectively to help you cut the lawn. The zero-turn mower instead can turn each of its wheels individually and go backwards using levers.

A zero-turn mower’s ability to control individual wheels allows for maximum precision and control, minimizing its turn radius to almost zero. This ability defines the zero-turn mower and brings ultimate precision while mowing around obstacles like trees or flowerbeds.

Is a zero-turn mower as good as a riding mower? Whitney says it is, using a STIGA model as an example: ‘Yes, in fact, the Gyro is powered by STIGA eMotion Technology, a unique electronic system developed to effortlessly govern direction, steering, and speed. The mower offers an extremely precise joystick, mounted on the armrest, which controls the vehicle, allowing it to turn on a sixpence…guaranteeing an enjoyable ride and taking lawn mowing to a new level.

The precision control and 360° turning radius facilitate mowing particularly close to the edges along bushes or lawns while simultaneously ensuring the best-possible visibility over the broader mowing area.’

When considering which of these two styles is best for your lawn, it is worth taking note of how many obstacles and edges you contend with as you mow. If you are mowing a lawn with plenty of trees and flowerbeds, a zero-turn mower may be best for you with its precise controls. If your lawn is simple, a standard riding mower may work best.

Riding vs zero-turn lawn mower: Which cuts better?

How well a mower controls means nothing if it cannot cut the grass well. You want to ensure a nice even cut and maybe even mow lawn stripes at the same time. Speed and precision are key factors in the quality of your cut.

When it comes to precision, the zero-turn mower is best. It can easily handle tight turns and walled edges much more efficiently than a riding mower can. Certain models can also come with handy cutting features, like STIGA’s Gyro model: ‘The new STIGA Gyro is a battery-powered drive-by-wire joystick system is much easier to use for both first-time zero-turn drivers and for those who are used to steering stick controls. With the garden tractors, you have the option of petrol or battery.

The larger battery STIGA version is very easy to use with all the controls simply actioned through the electronic dashboard. One touch gets you started. Another lets you switch between three STIGA Smart cutting modes – including Eco, which uses 40% less energy.’

When it comes to speed, faster is not necessarily better when it comes to cut quality. Just like rushing a task at work, faster speeds can mean sloppier finishes. The zero-turn mower is typically faster than its riding mower counterpart, but a riding mower typically has better cut quality as it takes its time before moving on. How fast a riding mower goes will depend on the model, but slow and steady wins the race in this case.

Which mower cuts better? We would recommend a zero-turn mower if you value precision and speed over cut quality. If you do not mind being slightly slower and getting a better cut for it, choose a riding mower.

Riding vs zero-turn lawn mower: Which is better for hills?

Hills help make lawns unique and beautiful. but they can be incredibly difficult for certain mowers to cut. Certain lawnmowers are better at handling uneven terrain than others. which will win in this riding vs zero-turn lawnmower showdown?

When mowing hills, safety is a key factor alongside cut quality. Riding mowers are often equipped with safety features like a safety cage or bag as well as rugged wheels and other attachments to help you stay safe. This combined with their slower pace and lighter build makes them much more capable of handling uneven terrain safely.

Zero-turn mowers typically have a much harder time with hills than standard riding mowers do, especially if they are wet. For all their speed and precision, zero-turn mowers are not recommended for especially hilly terrain. They do not have the same attachment and safety options that riding mowers do and are poor at handling wet or angled grass. Their large and heavy weight makes it much more difficult to make it up steep terrain.

If your lawn is particularly hilly or you live in a rainy area, we would recommend getting the riding mower over the zero-turn ones. It would also be best to ensure that you invest in one with proper safety features. Zero-turn mowers are best for more even terrain and sunnier areas.

That being said, innovations in the industry mean that zero-turn mowers are improving rapidly alongside their standard riding counterparts. It may be possible to find a model that will handle being put to the test on uneven terrain. Read customer reviews and take stock of the safety features to see if your desired zero-turn model can handle hills.

Riding vs zero-turn lawn mower: Which is cheaper?

Cost is a major factor when it comes to getting a new lawn mower. We all have a budget and want to get the most bang for our buck in terms of power, features, and more. Both riding mowers and zero-turn models cost thousands of dollars, but which is cheaper?

When it comes to the cost of a mower, it is not just the upfront purchase cost that matters. it is also the running cost. Mowers typically run on either gas or batteries, with battery mowers being both more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run. We recommend checking what fuel your desired model uses and factoring that in terms of maintenance and running costs.

Upfront, riding mowers are typically cheaper to buy than their zero-turn counterparts. You can often find standard riding models for 1200-10,000. this is around 30-50 percent cheaper than zero-turn models go for. With zero-turn mowers, you are paying for a complex machine that is highly advanced, meaning that it will cost you more. It is unlikely that you will find a new or good-condition zero-turn mower for less than 3000.

Consider your budget and how much you are willing to spend both upfront and on fuel in the long term. Try searching for seasonal deals or coupon discounts in your local area or online to see if you can get a good deal on a mower. If buying one upfront is not an option for your current budget, it may be worth looking into renting a riding or zero-turn mower locally until you are ready.

If you are on a budget, we recommend choosing a riding mower over a zero-turn model. It is a simpler machine that has been around for longer, meaning that it is typically easier to find cheaper models. If you have the cash to splash and need to invest in a more advanced machine, a zero-turn mower could be a good investment.

Riding vs zero-turn lawn mower: Which is the easiest to use?

The easier something is to use, the more likely it is that you will use it regularly. Lawnmowers are machines that need practice and work like any other, but the easier they are to work with the better.

Buying Guides

Stiga battery powered lawnmower will give you the cutting performance you need without the cables, noise and fumes of a typical petrol powered lawnmower.

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• Powerful, precise mowing with the suggested 48V 2Ah battery
• 3 in 1 cutting system with mulching plug included
• Sturdy 35L grass catcher with side vents for efficient filling
• 34cm combi cutting deck, adjustable to six different heights
• Intelligent 0.86kW brushless motor
• FREE Delivery on this item
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The Stiga Cordless Lawnmower is driven by the E-Power Battery, developed and tested by Stiga in Italy it gives you the cutting performance you need without the cables, noise and fumes of a typical petrol powered lawnmower. Choose between six different cutting heights and decide whether to mulch, collect or rear discharge. The kit comes with a powerful 48V 2Ah battery and charger included. The cutting deck is 34cm, combined with a 35L grass catcher its ideal for fast effortless mowing in small gardens.It features an anti-scalp front comb, adjustable soft grip handle bar as well as a carry handle for easy lifting.

Weight: 12kg

Dimensions: L:1280mm x W:970mm x H:410mm

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Stiga Park 120 Service

What’s involved in a Stiga Park 120 service? Read on to find out.

The Stiga Park 120 is a ride on lawn mower with great manoeuvrability thanks to being articulated in the middle. The cutting deck mulches the cut grass and leaves it on the lawn.

I’m going to take you through the service I did on one of these machines. I also recorded a video of me doing the service – there’s a link at the bottom of the page.

Test drive (cut?)

The first thing I like to do is the test drive, and of course for a grass cutting machine this should include a test cut. What sort of things to look for?

Engine

• Is there a smell of petrol? There shouldn’t be!
• Does the engine start easily (on the choke if cold)?
• Does the engine idle smoothly?
• Any rattles or unusually loud noises coming from the engine or exhaust?

Drivetrain

• Does the parking brake hold the mower on a hill?
• Are there any abnormal noises or movement when engaging forward or reverse drive? Is there a smooth transition from slow to fast speeds?

Cutting the grass

• Does the cutting deck raising and lowering mechanism work properly?
• Does the blade drive engage and disengage correctly.
• Is there any abnormal vibration when the blades are engaged (indicating worn bearings, unbalanced blades etc)?
• Is it cutting the grass cleanly and evenly?

Safety checks

Your Stiga Park 120 service should include checking that all the built in safety mechanisms are working:

• You shouldn’t be able to start the engine if the seat is unoccupied, and if the engine is running, it should stop if you stand up off the seat.
• The engine shouldn’t start if the parking brake is off.
• The blades should not engage if the cutting deck is in the raised position or in the maintenance position.

On to the service!

Tools I used for this Stiga Park 120 service

• Multimeter.
• 8 mm spanners.
• T30 Torx bit and Bosch IXO electric screwdriver.
• 10 mm spark plug socket, ratchet and extension (I used 1/2″ but 3/8″ would be fine).
• Spark plug gap tool or feeler gauges.
• 13mm socket and ratchet.
• Tyre pressure gauge.
• Copper grease.
• Flat blade screwdriver / pry tool.
• Pliers.
• Compressed air and blow gun.

Removing the engine cover

With the test drive completed, you may now have a list of issues to address in the service. In my case, the mower was quite new so there wasn’t anything on my list, other than the standard items which follow below.

Before you get stuck into any of the servicing items, you’ll need to remove the engine cover. This involves undoing the 4 x T20 Torx bolts. You’ll also need to remove the petrol filler cap.

Oil Change

If you do nothing else in your Stiga Park 120 service, please change the oil! The service I did on this mower was its first service and it had been left far longer than it should have been (not down to me I hasten to add). The engine is a Global Garden Products WM series, TRE 0702. There is no oil filter.

The manufacturer advises the first oil change is done after 5 hours of running, then every 50 hours after that (or 25 hours if operating in hot conditions or under heavy loads).

Draining the oil is simple and just requires removal of the bung from the drain tube. You’ll need a shallow drain container. The oil I drained out looked horrible and well overdue for a change, so stick to that 5 hours running time for the first oil change.

The recommended oil is 10W30, conforming to API SF or SG requirements. The capacity is listed as 1.2 litres and this one took just under that. I used Mannol Special Plus 10w30, which is a semi synthetic oil. This is a few iterations on from API SF/SG in that it conforms to API SL. As I understand it there is backward compatibility in these standards.

When checking the oil level, the dipstick needs to be screwed all the way in and then removed again to check. This is different to many motorcycles, where the dipstick is removed and placed back in just to where the threads start, to check the level.

Air filter

The air filter is a familiar paper element type. There is also a sponge pre-filter, which in this engine was dry rather than oiled.

The filter was really clean. The pre-filter had some grass and dust on so I gave it a clean before drying it and refitting. It isn’t the type of filter that needs oiling.

Spark plug

This is a Champion RC12YC. The old one didn’t look too worn but I had already bought a new one ready for the service, so I replaced it.

The spark plug gap is 0.6 – 0.8 mm. The plug I’d bought was already bang in the middle at 0.7 mm.

I always lubricate the threads of a new spark plug with a small amount of engine oil before installation. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for tightening the plug and don’t overdo it!

Battery and charging system

This Stiga is kept on a battery conditioner / charger when not in use, so I wasn’t expecting any problems. Important to check all the same…and my checks involved the following:

• Check the battery terminal connections are secure. Check the battery is mounted securely.
• Measure the battery voltage using a multimeter. You’d expect a healthy fully charged battery to be at least 12.6 v. In this case the voltage was 12.7 v.
• Leaving the multimeter in place, crank the engine and measure the voltage drop across the battery. The voltage shouldn’t go below 10 v when doing this test and if it does, it may be time for a new battery. The reading was 10.7 v in this case, so all is well with the battery.
• Check the voltage across the battery with the engine running, to make sure it is being charged. You’re looking for an absolute minimum of 13.5 volts for this test, and if you get a reading above 15 v, you may have a fault with the charging circuit.

Fuel tank and lines

Check the fuel tank and fuel hoses for leaks. Also check for any leaks from the carburettor.

There is an inline fuel filter to check as well. In my case it looked clean so I didn’t feel the need to change it.

Exhaust system

Have a look over the exhaust pipe and silencer (muffler) for rust and leaks. While you’re there, check the bolts are tight.

Wheels Tyres

Check the wheels for dents and trueness.

Check the tyres for cuts, bulges and punctures.

Stiga recommend a pressure of 15 psi or 1 bar (I know that’s not an exact conversion but close enough).

Belts

There are 2 belts taking the drive from the engine to the cutting deck. They both run round a pulley mounted at the central pivot point of the mower. There are also 2 belts on the cutting deck (under the grey cover).

Check the belts are in good condition. To me, this means no fragments missing or bits hanging off. It also means checking the drive surfaces of the belt aren’t so shiny that they can’t grip the pulleys properly.

Finally, check the belt tension. You’ll see me do this in the video by just grabbing the belt and pulling it from side to side. I’ve always done it this way so unfortunately I don’t have a more scientific option for you. There are various methods of measuring belt deflection under a given load, but I’ve never really found the need for them.

Lubrication

Lubricate the control lines, steering chain and steering cable pulleys. The manual just advises using ‘oil’ and I can’t get too excited about using a particular type of oil. I usually fill my oil can with the bits of engine oil left over after servicing. Gear oil would also be fine.

You could also lubricate the front wheel axles if you wish. I didn’t do them on this mower because there was still plenty of grease on them.

Cutting deck

Lift up the cutting deck and remove as much of the caked on grass as you can. Inspect the cutting deck for damage and rust. Repair or replace if necessary.

Blades

Wear gloves! Turn the blades by hand: whilst doing this listen for bearing noise and feel for any crunching or grinding, indicating abnormal bearing wear. Check the blade driveshafts aren’t bent. Holding each blade around its central point, check for play in the bearings by trying to move the blade from side to side.

Check the cutting edges of the blades: if really blunt you may wish to sharpen them and if there are any large bits missing (what have you been mowing?!) it may be time for a new blade or rebalancing at the very least.

You’re done with your Stiga Park 120 Service!

That’s it, you’ve completed your service. All you need to do now is put the engine cover back on. Happy mowing, and please let me know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев if you think I’ve missed anything or if you have any hints and tips for servicing this type of mower.

Here is a video of me servicing a Stiga Park 120

Claus

Hi Andrew What battery charger do you use – is there an original charger?

Andrew

Hi Claus As far as I know there isn’t an original charger. The one used on this Stiga isn’t anything special – an unbranded battery trickle charger / maintainer. However if I was buying one from scratch I’d get a CTek MXS 5.0. I own one of these as well and use it for cars, motorcycles etc. It’s a really good charger/maintainer and has modes for AGM batteries as well as for reconditioning batteries. Andrew

Tom Lazenby

Hi Andrew, you might know how long the life of the batteries for a park 120 should last? We have already replaced the batteries once and the mower is barely three years old. The people who sold it to us just want to sell us new batteries. they just don’t keep their charge. Any ideas? Manythanks, Tom

Andrew

Hi Tom It will really depend on how often it is used and the quality of the batteries being fitted. I’d expect at least 2 years. A few things come to mind to check / consider. Firstly are the battery terminal connections tight? Has the charging system been checked to make sure it is working properly? Does it have the correct size battery fitted? Has it been checked for a parasitic drain – something slowly draining the battery when switched off? They aren’t very complicated electronics-wise but it would be worth checking, although I’d expect the battery to drain even more quickly than you’re experiencing. Finally, you could consider using a battery conditioner / maintainer. The Park 120 featured in this article is connected to a battery maintainer all the time when not in use and it has had the same battery on for at least 4 years. Cheers Andrew

Stiga Swift 372E Battery Ride On Mower

The quiet, comfortable battery powered Swift is highly maneourverable and compact but has the capacity to cut upto 2000sqm or half an acre on one charge.

No more fetching petrol from the petrol station, no more carrying smelly fuel cans in the car, no more fuel storage at home, just quiet environmentaly friendy convenience.

The extra initial expense of buying a battery powered Stiga Swift is soon recovered in cost savings gained from not buying fuel and other servicing cost savings.

With fully shareable battery power, you can use the Swifts easy slide out battery with a wide range of other garden tools and mowers.

Stepless variable speed control makes for smooth and easy operation, with the Swift you can speed up or slow down smoothly without gear changes.

Neat or wild, big or small, plain or colourful, gardens come in all shapes and forms and so do their owners. At STIGA, we love all types of gardens and we care for every gardener, and that’s why we strive to create the best equipment to let you simply live and enjoy your garden.

Founded in Sweden in 1934 by Stig Hjelmquist, STIGA vaunts more than 80 years of experience in innovating consumer products. Today, STIGA is a well-known brand of lawn mowers and a wide range of powered garden equipment that is distributed in all Europe and beyond.

With a fantastic range of Estate and Tornado garden tractors and Park front mowers, at Carters Garden Machinery we are big fans! Stiga are amongst the best at high quality mulching mowers and ride ons.

Delivery by carrier

For most purchases of £50 inc VAT and over, we offer FREE nationwide delivery via carrier, except for the Highlands and islands (priced separately by postcode). However, we only deliver ride-on mowers locally and use our own vehicles to do this, see below.

For purchases of less than £50 inc VAT, there is a small charge of £3 inc VAT

Our delivery service is operated by contracted carriers.

Larger boxed items would normally be delivered to you the next working day after shipping. This is a very reliable service and whilst most customers receive their goods the next working day it is not absolutely guaranteed as carriers can have logistical problems.

Smaller items that are shipped in packets for instance, will be posted and should arrive in 2-3 days. If you need these items sooner, please call us on 01489 550999 and we will endeavour to help where possible.

Please note that delivery can be anytime between 8am and 6pm Monday-Friday. If you need your delivery to be made in a specific time slot, please call us on 01489 550999 to discuss the options available.

Next working day delivery is subject to the goods being in stock at our warehouse.

Please call us on 01489 550999 to check availability if it is an urgent order.

Local deliveries using our own vehicles

Delivery of some products (mainly garden tractors and attachments) is limited to the local area as indicated by the list of postcodes below. Delivery is direct from our store in Swanwick using our own vehicles. One of our sales staff will personally contact you and arrange a convenient time to deliver your purchase.

Delivery is made free to most of the Hampshire, West Sussex, East Dorset and South Wiltshire region as per the postcodes below:

BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH22, BH23, BH24, BH25 BH31

GU26, GU27, GU29, GU30, GU31, GU32, GU33, GU34 GU35

PO1, PO2, PO4, PO5, PO6, PO7, PO8, PO9, PO10, PO11, PO12, PO13, PO14, PO15, PO16, PO17, PO18, PO19, PO20, PO21, PO22

SO14, SO15, SO16, SO17, SO18, SO19, SO20, SO21, SO22, SO23, SO24, SO30, SO31, SO32, SO40, SO41, SO42, SO43, SO45, SO50, SO51, SO52 SO53

Note regarding STIHL machinery only

Currently STIHL machinery is only available to collect in store. All other STIHL products including accessories, parts and forestry equipment are available for delivery. For more information click here.

• 48volt 25Ah Li-Ion battery pack
• Rapid Charger Included
• Up to 2000sqm / Half Acre working area
• NO belts pulleys. very low maintenance
• Electric variable speed drive
• 72cm / 28 inch width of cut
• 6 cutting heights 30-80mm
• Grass collector
• 3 year warranty (Terms Conditions apply)