Stand-on mowers have their advantages, but sometimes there’s nothing like taking a load off after you’ve be standing all day. Contractors can get the best of both worlds with a stand-on mower that can transform into a riding mower. This mower features a fold-up seat that gives the operator the option of sitting down while mowing, says Bill Wright, president, Wright Manufacturing, Frederick, Md.
The seat is ideal in situations where the operator doesn’t have to maneuver around tight corners or when low-level tree branches are in the way. “The seat is a nice place to stay when cruising along on level ground and you don’t need that agility to zip around corners as much, so you can sit down and stand back up whenever you feel like it,” Wright says.
The seat option can increase operator productivity by 10 to 15 percent more than dedicated stand-on mowers, Wright says. The seat is 8 inches closer to the ground than mid-mount zero-turn mowers, which reduces the chance of tipping on steep hills, Wright says. It’s also about 100 to 300 pounds lighter than a mid-mount zero-turn mower and 12 to 24 inches shorter, according to Wright. The mower is about $700 more than a dedicated stand-on machine and comparable in price to a mid-mount zero-turn mower.