F
rom EFI engines and propane to new standard
comfort features, zero-turn radius (ZTR) mow-
ers continue to evolve to meet landscapers'
needs.
"Product refi nement is currently trending," says
Nick Minas, product manager, John Deere. "Whether
it's fuel effi ciency or ride comfort, manufacturers are
tweaking their line-ups to better meet customer
demands." (To read more about mower comfort fea-
tures, visit totallandscapecare.com/mower-comfort.)
Beyond physical comfort, many manufactur-
ers are also adding components for operator
convenience.
Husqvarna introduced SmartSwitch, an operator
interface, to its zero turns. The technology includes
keyless operation, security features and real-time
feedback.
To start the mower, operators enter a program-
mable code into the display. For going in reverse,
there's also a one-touch mower capability with a
lit icon when activated. SmartSwitch includes other
lit indicators for items like "apply park brake" or
"disengage cutting blades."
While all of these features continue to make
a mark on the industry, the main focus for ZTRs
continues to be on engines and fuel.
J U LY 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 3 3
Engine and fuel effi ciency
continue to be top trends
in ZTR mower market
equipment matters
Powerful
Changes
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
Exmark's propane-fueled electronic fuel injection (EFI) Lazer Z
S-Series zero-turn mower has a Kohler Command Pro engine and can
run 7 1/2 hours on a tank of fuel.
