Can You Tow With A Zero Turn Mower?

Yes, your zero-turn mower can tow between 50% to 100% of its weight. Modern riding and remote-controlled lawn mowers can pull several hundred pounds at a time — perfect for trailing an aerator, lawn cart, or leaf vacuum as you mow your lawn. When answering the question, “Can you tow with a zero-turn mower?” it's not about whether it's possible, but how much you can tow and the safety precautions you need to remember while towing.

And while many think of riding and seated zero-turn tow mowers, Mowrator's own S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD boasts a 1000W power output that can conquer all your heavy yard gear. We've written this article to help you understand how much weight a zero-turn mower can tow, safety tips for doing so, and what loads suit a tow mower.

Key Takeaways

• Zero-turn mowers can tow between 50% to 100% of their weight, but exceeding recommended limits risks damage to the hydrostatic transmission and stability issues and can lead to costly repairs.
• Using a towing capacity formula, you can estimate your towing capacity, but users must adhere to manufacturer guidelines to avoid voiding warranties.
• Precautions like using the correct hitch, avoiding slopes, and driving cautiously help prevent damage and ensure safe towing with zero-turn mowers — so follow them.

How Much Weight Can a Zero Turn Mower Tow?

A zero-turn lawn mower can tow 50% to 100% of the mower and operator's combined weight, although some lawn mowers, like the Dixie Chopper, have hydraulic systems that allow them to tow up to 2,000 lbs. Electronic power output, as demonstrated by the Mowrator S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD, also enables a zero-turn mower to exceed this weight threshold and tow anything you want in the yard.

How to Calculate Zero Turn Towing Capacity

You can calculate your zero-turn towing capacity by taking the weight of your mower, adding your weight, and dividing the total by 2. Use this mathematical formula to roughly know your zero-turn mower’s towing capacity as a general rule of thumb:

Zero Turn Lawn Mower Towing Capacity (lbs) = (weight of the mower [lbs] x weight of the operator [lbs] )/2

For example, if your lawn mower weighs 800 lbs and a person weighing 200 lbs is operating it, the towing capacity of that lawn mower will be around 500 lbs.

What are the Risks of Towing with a Zero-Turn Mower?

Risks of towing with a zero-turn mower include transmission damage, stability issues, and wear and tear. Understanding the risks associated with towing using a zero-turn mower to avoid unnecessary maintenance costs and have an overall better experience.

Transmission Damage

The biggest risk when towing with a zero-turn lawn mower is the chance of damage to the transmission. The hydrostatic transmission system in a zero-turn lawn mower is extremely sensitive, and overloading the mower with excess weight can severely damage it. Most hydrostatic transmission systems need hydraulic fluid to transfer their power, and a high load can lead to overheating the system, creating air cavitation and seal failures.

When these happen, the pump in your transmission can't generate pressure to power the wheels. There are horror stories on every forum community dedicated to lawn mower enthusiasts about how their hydro transmission needed repair after an ambitious tow. Keep your ear out for unusual noises, reduced power output, and jerky movements.

Stability Problems

Adding additional weight to your zero-turn lawn mower deck means that you may come across stability issues. This is especially common on slopes or uneven terrain, where the change in center of mass can make your front wheels lose solid traction with the ground. Tipping and falling are extremely dangerous — between 2019 and 2022, 35 workers in the US died because of lawn mower rollovers, according to OSHA.

Zero-turn lawnmowers are prone to tipping backward more than any other mower because of their shorter wheelbase and rear-mounted engine. If you are planning to tow on a slope, it's best to do so with a mower that can handle high degrees and without needing to be in physical contact with the machine — such as with a remote-controlled lawn mower.

Body Wear and Tear

The body of your lawn mower is also susceptible to wear and tear by undertaking towing loads. This not only includes general structure fatigue to the frame and deck, but also wheel damage, blade and spindle damage, as well as engine degradation. While zero-turn mowers are more capable than standard riding mowers, they also are more expensive to repair.

You can avoid a $200 to $1,000 bill by carefully choosing the landscape and weight you want to tow.

Warranty Voids

Towing with a zero-turn mower can void your lawn mower manufacturer's warranty, mainly if the mower is used beyond its design specifications. Many manufacturers explicitly state that towing heavy loads or using unapproved attachments can lead to excessive stress on critical components like the hydrostatic transmission, which is one of the most expensive parts to repair.

Apple Farm Service notes that some manufacturers advise against towing entirely, and exceeding the recommended weight capacity can result in hydro pump damage, leaving owners responsible for costly repairs.

What are Precautions to Take When Towing?

You can protect your zero-turn lawn mower by checking the owner's manual for your mower’s model capacity and driving patiently while towing a load. Here are some additional precautions when using your lawn mower to tow:

• Do check your owner's manual for your mower's towing capacity.
• Use the intended hitch to your lawn mower at the designated hitch point.
• Don't overload the towing capacity weight of your lawn mower
• Do drive slower than usual, taking wide turns when necessary
• Avoid any slopes or rugged terrain.

You can also ease your mind by taking advantage of a remote-controlled lawn mower that can tow weights without any risk to your body. Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower collection offers powerful and easy-to-use RC lawn mowers that are perfect for mowing the lawn and home improvement. Shop today.

FAQs on Can You Tow With A Zero Turn Mower?

Can a zero-turn mower pull a trailer?

Yes, a zero-turn mower can pull a trailer, but its towing capacity depends on the model and manufacturer guidelines. Specific models of zero-turn mowers sell themselves on their ability to tow hitch in addition to their mowing capabilities, usually with the assistance of specialized hydraulics.

Why is zero turn better than riding a mower?

Zero-turn mowers are superior to traditional riding mowers because of their speed, precision, and efficiency. They significantly reduce mowing time, especially on large properties. Additionally, their zero-degree turning radius and dual hydrostatic transmissions allow precise navigation around obstacles like trees and flower beds, minimizing uncut areas and eliminating frequent repositioning.

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