Poulan Pro has been manufacturing motorized landscaping equipment since the early 1940s. The company has a reputation for creating robust riding mowers which out-perform and outlast those of their competitors so it’s no surprise that the best zero turn mower, (compared like-for-like with competitors), we have tried is a Proulan.
However, what is best for one gardener may not meet the needs of another and so Poulan manufacture a wide variety of products to suit the wide variety of needs we consumers have. Their entry level riding mowers are some of the best available in the market.
In our opinion the best POULAN PRO LAWN MOWER on the market, for those to whom money is a consideration, is the Poulan Pro 960420174 PB24VA54. Although it is offered in a variety of national and local outlets it is always better to buy online online. This way you can take advantage of the low operating costs of online businesses as the best online vendors usually pass these substantial savings on the the customer.
Poulan Pro 960420174 PB24VA54 has a Kohler V-Twin engine which provides 24 HP. The cutting deck has a width of 54-inches and is made of reinforced steel. It delivers speed, performance and productivity in an easy-to-operate package. It has a 2.5-gallon fuel tank and a ready start engine. It will navigate through tough terrain to give you a smooth and well-manicured lawn.
A Few Things to Consider When Buying a Riding Mower
There are lots of riding mowers available these days. So before you consider the purchase of a riding mower it’s a good idea to properly assess your needs if you wish to find the most suitable one. A riding mower will provide numerous advantages over traditional push mowers and you can maximize these advantages if you do a little research and understand your needs.
The first thing to do is to consider what kind of landscape you have, the size of your lawn, and which type of mower can help you achieve the perfect lawn you desire.
Every landscape has unique needs and your own will be no different. If you have large extensive grounds, you will have to find a mower which cuts large cut widths at higher speeds like this particular model.
The kind of terrain your mower will be running over also matters. Hilly areas full of obstacles such as flower beds, tree roots or walls will require a more powerful engine and/or additional attachments. A terrain with obstacles requires a zero turn because it is much easier to navigate than the alternatives.
The turning radius is also an important factor to consider. This radius tells you how tightly the mower can turn. A smaller turning radius means the mower is capable of making sharper turns.
Since most zero turns on the market have significant forward speeds, they are the best choice for large lawns and/or lawns with lots of obstacles such as trees or plant beds.
A Detailed Look at the Features
Understanding the features of the mower you wish to purchase will allow you to make the right choice.
Taking care of your lawn would be a breeze if you manage to choose a mower which fits your needs properly. So here is a quick run-down of the features of this zero turn poulan lawn mower the Poulan Pro 960420174.
24 HP V-Twin Kohler Engine
The Kohler engine is a high performance engine which gives the mower enough speed to easily move through residential lawns.
This mower has a V-Twin engine; this engine has been especially manufactured by Kohler for riding mowers.
It is more powerful than single cylinder engines and operates with minor vibrations.
The reduced vibrations make the engine less prone to wear and tear and also allows the rider to operate the mower in comfort.
The Cutting Deck
It is important to know the width of the cutting deck of any mower you are considering buying. The width of the cutting deck is a measurement of the width of the section of grass the mower can cut in a single pass.
The number of blades is also an important factor to consider. Smaller mowers only have one blade which provides limited productivity. Most of the larger lawn tractors, especially true of the zero turn mowers, have two to three blades for maximum cutting efficiency.
Another feature is the number of deck wheels. The deck wheels help maintain and even the cutting height when moving over uneven terrain. The Poulan Pro 960420174 has a 54-inch wide deck and houses 3 blades for maximum efficiency and nicely evenly cut lawns.
The Transmission
A pedal control fast auto-drive transmission enables the Poulan Pro 960420174 to move smoothly over rough terrain.
The mower responds very quickly when steered and the speed is impressive. The maximum forward speed is 5.5 mph and the backward/reverse speed is 1.7 mph.
The mower can move up steep hills easily if the grass is dry. An incline of 25-30 degrees is easily handled by the Poulan Pro 960420174.
On the downside, the mower does not handle wet conditions very well; the rear tires don’t have enough traction and will skid over very wet grass. Obviously this is not a problem if you keep mowing to dry days only.
The zero turn radius allows the mower to navigate around obstacles with ease. It also has front caster wheels which help pivot the mower at sharp angles.
Since it has significant forward speeds, the mower will handle large open areas quite easily.
The Comfort Factor
An often overlooked but important factor to consider before purchasing a riding mower is the level of comfort it offers.
This is an especially important thing to consider if you use your mower often and for long stretches at a time. So before deciding on a particular machine always check the comfort factor.
Check if the mower comes with features such as lumbar support, high-back seat, rubber foot pads, extended leg room, armrests etc.
The Poulan Pro 960420174 wins in this area because it has comfortable seating where the seat has a 15-inch high back and includes armrests.
