An Excellent Compromise: The Ariens 34 Inch, 344cc Briggs & Stratton, Hydrostatic Zero Turn Mower
For the homeowner with a medium-sized lawn (1 to 2 acres), choosing a lawnmower is oftentimes a difficult decision. On the one hand, a walk-behind machine sips fuel and cuts close to edges, but requires a long time–and a lot of pushing -to mow the entire yard. On the other hand, a lawn tractor covers the area faster but increases the amount of trimming that needs to be done.
One particular machine offers the puzzled homeowner a welcome compromise. The Ariens 34 Inch, 344cc Briggs & Stratton, Hydrostatic Zero Turn Mower (the “Ariens Zoom 34″) delivers the advantages of both walk-behinds and tractors without suffering from the deficiencies of either. For example, the 34 ” deck is an increase over the standard 21 ” walk-behind deck; you cut more lawn -faster. And while the 34 ” deck is smaller than that featured on many lawn tractors, it does come with a very useful advantage. Many gates are standardized to a width of 36 “. Thus, the Ariens Zoom 34 can access fenced-in areas that larger machines simply cannot.
Yet it is the zero turn radius feature of this mower that really makes it a time-saver. Cut close to the yard’s edge the first time; turn on a dime. The controls are simple and easy to use. And the hydrostatic drive means that you won’t waste time shifting between gears, as you would with a traditional transmission. It’s fast too -6.0 MPH forward and 3.0 in reverse. Topping all this is a two-year warranty on both parts and labor.
At the same time, the Ariens Zoom 34 has a few shortcomings. There’s no hour meter on the machine, so determining the frequency of regular maintenance checks is difficult. Additionally, headlights -a useful safety feature- are unavailable. This also serves to limit its commercial potential; a machine without headlights can’t work effectively in the evening. There is also an issue with the machine’s mulching capability. To utilize this feature, a different blade is required.
Nevertheless, for the price -approximately $2,000 -it represents an excellent value. It’s fun to use and inexpensive to operate. While not recommended for commercial enterprises, it more than adequately fills the needs of the average homeowner. Upgrading from a tiny walk-behind to the fast and agile Ariens Zoom 34 will save your time, save your money, and ultimately save your back.
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