The History Behind Zero-Turn Mowers

One of the most popular types of riding mowers is the zero-turn mower, which allows you to achieve the kind of manicured perfection that professional landscapers dream of, even if you’re a residential homeowner! Zero-turn mowers can turn on a dime, allowing you to neatly line up your next strip of grass with the last one.

Of course, zero-turn mowers are commonly used by the pros, too, but they’re a great choice for anyone with a lot of grass to cut. Here’s some background information on how zero-turn mowers came to be.

Early Development

Riding mowers were developed during the first part of the 20th century. In 1949, Missouri resident Max B. Swisher decided to upgrade his standard riding mower with three wheels: two in the rear and one up front. The mower had to be reversed to create the zero-turn effect, but the elegant results got people talking.

Enhancements

During the 1960s, several companies made improvements to the initial zero-turn mower design Swisher had made. At Hesston Corporation, employee John Regier took note of the belt-and-pulley system on the swather his company manufactured, and he thought this system might be useful in a riding mower since it spun the machine in different directions on each side. When he added a two-lever steering system, he got an upgraded zero-turn mower that was easier to use.

The Dixon Company invented the term “zero-turn mower.” In the 1990s, Robert D. Davis, Jr., developed a single-lever steering system that would ensure a permanent place on the market for zero-turn mowers, thanks to their precise results and high degree of efficiency.

Bobcat Company built on this foundation to develop next-level, Bobcat-tough mowers for turf professionals and homeowners and expanding the zero-turn lineup beyond ride-on mowers to include stand-on and walk-behind models.

Ready to buy your own mower? Visit one of our North Carolina or South Carolina dealership locations today to take a look at our fantastic stock of new Bobcat zero-turn mowers for sale. Come see us at Triangle Equipment Company in Raleigh, NC; Bobcat of Johnston County in Garner, NC; Bobcat of Wilmington in Wilmington, NC; and Bobcat of Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC.