Before buying a stand-on mower, there are a number of factors to consider. For example, how the mower will be used will determine the size to buy. Stand-on mowers typically come with deck sizes between 48 and 60 inches.
“The person who does mostly residential will probably go for a 48-inch,” says Gilbert Pena, John Deere’s segment strategy manager for commercial.
Pena also suggests contactors consider units with floating decks. While stand-on mowers with floating decks are more expensive than those without, there are definite advantages. On fixed decks, parts such as the spindles and castors require tools to adjust them. With a floating deck, the height can be changed much more rapidly and can be done by hand.
“A floating deck allows for ground contours to be followed much more easily without the risk of scalping,” Pena explains.
The only apparent drawback Dale Denison, owner of a U.S. Lawns franchise in Overland Park, Kan., has experienced with his stand-on mowers is the time his crews gain through quickness and agility, they lose in a smaller cutting width. He previously used 60-inch riding mowers. The stand-on mowers he owns cut 8 inches less per swath. Also, some turf areas with odd shapes can be difficult to cut. In those instances, his crews have to use walk-behinds. “If it’s really narrow between a tree and the curb, you can’t use stand-on mowers,” Denison says. “You might be able to scoot that 48-inch mower around it.
“All around, there are very few drawbacks with stand-on mowers,” Denison adds. “If I were to do this again, I’d buy them first. I wouldn’t look at anything else.”
Pena suggests a real-world tryout. “I would highly encourage any contractor to consider having a demonstration on one or several of the properties where they intend to use them,” he says. “It is so different for a contractor to experience the unit on-site rather than at a dealer.