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Used Zero Turn Mowers
- Some Savvy Buying Tips

All About the Selection and Types of Used Zero Turn Lawn Mowers

Zero turn mowers have come on strong. While many prefer to buy new, there's quite a demand for gently used zero turn mowers. The trick is finding them. Here's a few tricks to help with that.

Typically find the best selection of used mowers of all stripes available in the Spring. Yeah who knew right? But mower repair shops usually take them in through trade ins over the winter or they get stuck with them when the owner never came back after having repairs done. Having been legally declared abandoned they're now available for resale.

Just don't dally. Other guys are looking for bargains too you know. So you may find if you snooze you lose.

Now some would advise against going used. Which has some merits since buying used zero turn mowers is like buying anything else used. You pays your money you takes you chance. So while they're likely cheaper used zero turn mowers do carry some added risk. And to be sure some have been ridden to death before being shined up and put in the line of used mowers for sale.

To protect yourself ask a lot of questions. The last thing you need is to be stick with a mower that needs a major engine overhaul or worse replacement.

Make sure it starts easy and does not burn oil.

Unfortunately unlike cars there isn't any kind of Kelly blue book to give you an idea of what to pay. Instead you can go to eBay and look at completed auctions. While not perfect, at least you can get an idea of value by seeing what others have paid for used zero turn mowers like the one you've got your eye on.

Then here's a handy pricing rule of thumb. It's safe to say a lawn mower built by a quality manufacturer loses half its value in 3 years. While you should be able to pick up one or the entry level models originally bought from Home Depot or Lowes for about 10 percent of its original sticker after 4 years. (Obviously the price you get yours for depends on how good of a bargainer you are and how bad the other guy wants to sell.)

Finally once you get your beauty home here are some instant common sense repairs you'll want to complete on any used zero turn mowers. Check the battery, belts and blades. Look at the tires although you won't be able to detect any slow leaks right off. And consider replacing the fuel filter and having a general tune up done if it hasn't been already.