Take a zero-turn for a spin

7/10/2019 5:00:00 AM

What’s so special about cutting grass? Nothing usually. It’s just that weekly gardening job we do from spring to autumn, keeping our lawns neat, tidy and British. Out comes the traditional ride-on mower or garden tractor, call it what you will, and off you potter at 3-4mph, mowing away the hours. Not very exciting is it? Enter zero-turn mowing. If you’ve never driven a zero-turn mower you’re in for an experience. It does exactly what it says, spins through 360° on one spot, turning on the proverbial sixpence. ‘So what?’ You might say. Well, it’s all a matter of time. Whiling away the hours doing three-point turns on the garden tractor, at the end of every line, may suit some of us on a lazy Sunday. But as our lives get busier, and time saving becomes more critical, wouldn’t it make a difference if your time cutting the grass was halved?

Zero-turn mowing is fast. You can whizz around at 5-8 mph, and at the end of the line do a one-eighty degree turn, align the deck edge with the row you’ve just cut and keep on going. You’ve reduced cutting time by 50% over mowing with a lawn tractor. What’s more, you’re doing all this without the conventional steering system. Zero-turns are driven and steered by the rear wheels via an independent transmission. Two levers are all you need to drive, brake and steer. Spinning on the spot is achieved by either pushing the left hand or right hand forward, eliminating the need for three point-turns at the end of the cutting pass. Even more time is saved with the wide range of cutting deck options available for zero-turns; the larger the deck the faster you cut.

The next consideration is comfort. So far we haven’t mentioned a product name so now we will. Ariens is one make of zero-turn, originating from the US, now being built in Britain. And they are built to be comfortable with high-back, plush and adjustable seats. The controls are all positioned in ergonomic and easily accessible locations so you can simply enjoy the ride. Zero-turns are generally more durable, built with thicker steel, and Ariens mowers boast a fully welded tubular frame design, much stronger than the traditional C-channel frames of lawn tractors. With options for fully fabricated steel, deep decks, cutting decks are more durable and promote maximum airflow. Fabricated decks on Ariens zero turn models are aerodynamically designed so grass is pulled toward the blades and clippings are discharged evenly. The result is a superior cut quality without stragglers or clumps.

The zero-turn concept is for one and all, from the professional to the semi-professional and the homeowner who wants a fast mow without sacrificing the quality. The best way to discover the benefits of the zero-turn is to visit an Ariens dealer. Ariens is a growing brand in the UK with an extensive dealer network providing full back-up for sales, servicing and parts. For more information contact Ariens on 01844 278800 or visit www.ariens-uk.com.

Introducing the Ariens zero-turn family

6/21/2019 5:00:00 AM

Looking to purchase an Ariens zero-turn but not sure what models Ariens offer? In the latest issue of the Ariens blog we showcase the Ariens range incorporating the ZOOM®, IKON X, APEX and ZENITH to help you understand what features and benefits each model possesses to help you make an informed decision when it comes to specifying.

All Ariens zero-turn mowers are designed, tested and built to provide the toughest, most comfortable ride with the highest quality cut possible. With faster speeds and superior manoeuvrability compared to lawn tractors, zero-turns cut your mowing time in half with no loss of performance. At the end of each pass, it can turn 180° in its own footprint. Eliminating the need for multiple turns or going over cut grass. Find the right zero-turn for you:

Ariens ZOOM®

The Ariens ZOOM® has best-in-class speed among other zero turn lawn mowers in its category. Available in two sizes, the Compact ZOOM® has a cutting width of 34" (86cm) making it ideal for smaller gardens or where there are access limitations. The larger ZOOM® 42 has a cutting width of 42" (107cm) with additional power and refinement making this a good choice for a slightly larger garden.

The ZOOM® is fitted with a high-back seat, maintenance-free transmission and a washout port to help clean grass clippings from the underside of the deck. Its lever-adjusted height-of-cut system allows operators to easily change between its 8 cutting height settings. Fitted with a Briggs and Stratton® Twin 656cc engine, the ZOOM achieve speeds of 4.7mph (2.5mph in reverse), ideal for “zooming” around the garden.

Both models come configured to side-discharge, throwing clippings out of the right-side of the deck. An optional conversion kit is available to transform the Zoom® into a high-performance mulcher. The ZOOM® series comes with a 3-year domestic warranty.

Ariens IKON X

The Ariens IKON X series is packed with commercial quality features and has gained in popularity since its inception. Available in two cutting width sizes, the 42" (107cm) and a larger 52" (132cm) make this mower ideal for medium-sized gardens. The IKON X series has a 4.5-inch deep, fully fabricated deck allows for premium airflow, resulting in a high cut quality.

Users experience all-day comfort, even when mowing lawns of up to three acres, due to the professional-style plush high back seat and arm rests. Fitted with a reputable Kawasaki® 726cc engine, the IKON X can achieve speeds of 7mph (3mph in reverse), ideal for cutting grass efficiently.

Changing cutting heights between one of 13 cutting positions is done quickly with the turn of a dial. The added durability in its fully welded steel tubular frame is part of why this machine is considered one of the best lawn mowing solutions for domestic gardens. Both models come fitted with side-discharge decks, an optional conversion kit transforms the IKON X into a high-performance mulcher. The IKON X series comes with a 3-year domestic warranty.

Ariens APEX

The Ariens APEX series represents the very pinnacle of zero-turn performance and is ideal for larger gardens. This commercial-grade zero-turn is available in two cutting width sizes - 48" (122cm) or 52" (132cm). A foot operated deck lift system ensures effortless adjustment between 15 cutting positions. Also included are fully adjustable handlebars, progressive steering and a plush, padded seat for comfort during day-long use.

There is also a 5.5-inch-deep cutting deck for superior airflow and an 18.9 litre fuel tank capacity that allows operators to cut longer with less refuelling time. The frame on this machine supports a folding ROPS option for added protection for the operator if required. Fitted with a Kawasaki® FR691 726cc engine, the APEX can achieve speeds of 8mph (4mph in reverse), ideal for cutting grass quickly.

As an added bonus, the attractive industrial styling of the APEX series appeals to modern homeowners who appreciate how Ariens has added a stylish touch to the look of mowing. A mulching kit is also available for this machine. The APEX series comes with a 3-year residential or 1-year professional warranty.

Ariens ZENITH

Designed with the professional in mind, the new Ariens ZENITH is the largest and fastest zero-turn in the range. Boasting a 60-inch cutter deck and a top speed of 8.5mph, the ZENITH is ideal for cutting large areas of grass. A durable, 10-gauge steel deck is designed with 14cm (5 ½”) depth, providing optimal airflow in all mowing conditions for professional cutting performance.

A high-back, plush seat with padded armrests and seat isolation for all-day comfort comes as standard. Changing cutting heights between one of 15 cutting positions is done quickly with an effortless push of the deck lift pedal and a pull of a pin located within the operator’s reach.

Power from a Kawasaki FX730V 726cc engine, a pair of Hydro-Gear ZT-3200 transaxles makes the ZENITH a robust, durable lawn mower for all serious landscapers. A folding ROPS comes fitted as standard. Ariens’ constant belt tension technology on this mower gives a consistent blade tip speed that results in a cut quality expected of a professional-grade lawn mower. The ZENITH series comes with a 3-year domestic or 2-year professional warranty.

Still not 100% sure which is the right zero-turn for you? Speak to your local Ariens dealer to find the zero-turn that best suits your needs.

Why a Zero Turn Lawn Mower is the Right Choice – User Voice: Paul Smith

5/7/2019 5:00:00 AM

By: Paul Smith, self-employed gardner,

Paul Smith, self-employed gardener from the south of England discusses why he bought the Ariens Apex 52 over alternative mowing solutions in the latest issue of the Ariens blog.

"The Ariens zero-turn is a different kettle of fish to what I'm used to as there's no steering wheel. This is the first zero-turn I've used and even sat on, don’t let the absence of a steering wheel eliminate this as a new mowing contender. I've had it for three weeks and it just comes so naturally to me now. There was a lot of concentration required in the beginning but now there's no stopping me!

One of my clients has a very large estate with an awful lot of grass. There's lots of different scenarios going on: Fields, formal lawns, utility lawns, croquet lawn, walled garden, a big orchard and small fields with lots of trees and shrubs to go around so finding a machine that was capable of mowing in many of these areas was critical. There's seven acres of lawns in total so lots of mowing!

We have a large tractor, a massive diesel thing to do the two fields but it's very old and we had a ride-on tractor to do the smaller lawns and cut around the edges, trees and shrubs. We chose the Ariens Apex to replace the ride-on as it's a lot wider and a lot faster and it can do the same job as the big tractor so we know that we have one mower that can do everything. We like the fact that the Apex can mow most of this estate. We have the tow bar fitted so we can tow a scarifier behind it to scarify the lawns and we use it to tow small amounts in the trailer.

There is a lot of garden maintenance required as it's so big and varied. I have been looking after this client's grounds for over 15 years and we've gone through all sorts of machines and the Ariens Apex is certainly the best we've had yet. It's wider, faster and a lot more maneuverable than a front deck steering wheel type ride-on. I think it's also more practical in a lot of ways as there's not so much involved mechanically. The last ride-on we had, had a drive shaft, steering columns and the like where with a zero turn you have an engine and two motors right there underneath the seat without anything too complicated to go wrong. I really like the simplicity of it and how robust it is—it's very well built. I couldn't even stand on the deck on my ride-on as it just tipped over, whereas the Apex is built like the brick proverbial and it looks like it too with its steel frame, large deck and tyres.

The last machine we had was about the same price as the Apex 52 but it was a much lesser machine, lesser engine, lesser grade steel. Ariens just beats it in so many ways. Because the deck is wider and it's faster, it's twice as effective. With time management, I can get twice as much done which for a self-employed gardener like myself is spot-on. The fact that the zero-turn does what it says it does and turns on itself does mean that I'm cutting grass in half the time and not going over already cut grass or doing multiple point-turns. There's so much to do on this client's property and we only have one day there so you can imagine how busy we get. My colleague and I start early and discuss the priorities for the day, two of us for seven hours and in midsummer we spend 3.5 hours between us cutting grass. The quicker we can get it done the better and my new Apex will reduce this cutting time by half!

It's a really, really good machine!

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