Stand on mowers are the new big “thing” in the lawn care industry. I’m sure you have seen plenty of them around your area. There are several reasons why people are beginning to switch to these mowers. In this article, I will discuss the benefits of a stand on mower, who a stander is for, and the best stand on mowers in 2022.
Why Stand On Mowers?
One word. Productivity. Stand on mowers allow you or your crews to be more productive and cut more grass in less time. They are quicker than zero turns and easy to maneuver around the obstacle.
Basically, stand ons allow you to get in and out of “zero turns” much quicker. The machine is shorter and weighs less so it is quicker to turn around. It is also quicker to make quick cuts without tearing up the turf.
This has been a known problem and complaint of many zero turns. Turning too quickly or sharp can cause damage to the grass. This is much less likely on a stand on.
Another benefit that may appeal to larger crews is the ability to fit more on a trailer. You can easily fit three stand on mowers on a trailer that usually holds two zero turns.
Stand ons are also great for residential applications because getting on/off the mower in between yards is much faster. This may not seem like a huge deal but even 30 seconds per yard, when doing 30 yards a day is 15 minutes. 15 minutes a day for a week is over an hour. You get my point… even small amounts of time add up and lose money.
Overall, stand ons are time-saving machines that do less damage to turf because they are lighter than a normal zero turn mower.
Who are Standers for?
In general, stand on mowers will be ideal for lawn care and landscaping companies. There are some homeowners with larger properties or hills where a stand on would be appropriate. However, in most cases stand on mowers will be for lawn care professionals.
Stand ons are actually appropriate in about every application except, for example, a huge field. They are more ideal for residential properties and commercial properties with many buildings, obstacles, etc.
When determining whether or not you should get a stand on or not you should take into account two things. How many “zero turns” will you be making and how many obstacles are in your mowing areas.
The more zero turns there is the more time you will save because a stand on is quicker out of their turns than a ZTR. The more obstacles there are will also add up time saved because of getting out of cuts quicker.
This is obviously a case-by-case basis but a stand on is suitable for so many applications. Having the excuse of “I don't want to stand all day” isn't a very good one since standing is actually better for you and a much more shock absorbable position than sitting.
Trust me, I know this first hand… Go ride a fixed frame machine for a week and then ride a stand on for a week to see for yourself.
Best Stand On Mower Comparison
| Mower | Deck | Engine | Transmission | Speed | Fuel Tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferris Z3X | 52″, 61″, and 72″ | Vangaurd w/ oil guard or Kawasaki FX850V | Hydro-Gear ZT-4400 | 12 mph | 11 gallons |
| Wright ZK | 52″, 61″, and 72″ | Vangaurd w/ oil guard or Kawasaki FX850V | Hydro-Gear 15 cu in. 16cc with fans | 12.5 mph | 15.5 gallons |
| Scag V-Ride II | 48″, 52″, and 61″ | Briggs Vangaurd Kawasaki FX | Hydro-Gear 12cc pump and Parker 14 ci | 10.5 mph | 8 gallons |
| Toro Grandstand | 48″, 52″, and 60″ | 25 hp Kohler Command EFI 747cc 22 hp Kawasak FX 726cc | Hydro-Gear 10 cc Pump and 10 ci Wheel motor | 10 mph | 10.5 gallons |
| Gravely Pro-Stance | 48″, 52″, and 60″ | Kawasaki FX730V 23.5 hp Kawasaki FT730V-EFI 26 hp | Hydro-Gear ZT 3400 | 9 mph | 9 gallons |
| Cub Cadet Pro X | 48″, 54″, and 60″ | Kawasaki FX Series | Hydro-Gear PK 12cc pumps/240cc Parker | 10 mph | 7.5 gallons |
| Exmark Vertex | 48″, 52″, and 60″ | Kawasaki FX730V or Kohler Command EFI ECV740 | 12 cc Hydro-Gear pumps and 14.5 ci Parker motors | 8.5 mph | 8 gallons |
1. Ferris Z2 and Z3X
The Ferris Z2 and the Ferris Z3X are incredible machines. They are somewhat similar to the Wright standers with a couple of noticeable differences. They are actually my personal favorite stand ons for several reasons.
First, they have suspension in the standing platform. This makes the ride so smooth… almost like their zero turn mowers' ride.
They also have an awesome two-position PTO feature. There is a sensor on the platform so when you step off the blades shut off but not the mower (instead of having to pull the parking brake, shut off the PTO, then get off the mower). This is a major time saving that you will find when using the mower.
The Ferris Z3X is also the only stand on in the industry that offers Vanguard Oil Guard as an engine option. This is a major time and money saver when it comes to changing the oil and engine longevity.
Finally, the mowers are very compact and quick. They have unreal power and are probably the fastest stand ons I've been on. Especially the Z3… the thing goes 12 MPH. That's fast standing up!
2. Wright ZK and X
Wright is the OG of stand ons. They were the first to come out with them and have continued to make an awesome machine for many years. The Wright ZK is their large mower and very similar to the Ferris Z3X. It is fast, compact, and a great overall mower.
They come in second for one reason and it's because their controls are a little more difficult to use than the controls on Ferris. This is a small thing that takes getting used to but it doesn't hinder the performance of the mower. It is a great design of a stand on. They are also the shortest stand on… that's beneficial for trailer space, quickness, and navigating obstacles.
Personally, I'm not a fan of how the Wright mowers deck and engine are connected. Meaning when you lower the deck you also lower the engine. This causes the deck to be even heavier when raising and lowering it.
You definitely can't go wrong with a Wright stand on. They are a proven mower that has many great features and offers an unbelievable cut.
3. Scag V-Ride II
The Scag V-Ride II is an incredible stand-on mower. The best part about this mower or any other Scag is the cut quality. These things lay down an amazing cut and flawless stripes. One complaint that I have about this mower is the pad that you lean against. It is kind of uncomfortable and not my favorite.
One minor flaw is having one gas tank on the right side. It makes the mower very unbalanced on hills. This isn’t a huge problem but something that can make a little difference.
The V-Ride II is a HUGE improvement from the original V-Ride. It features a larger platform with smoother controls. It also has the platform sensor but unlike on the Ferris, the mower actually shuts off if the blades are on and you step off.
Overall This mower is pretty well built and is VERY fast!
4. Toro Grandstand
The Grandstand mower has improved a ton over the past few years. It is a solid mower that has easy access for maintenance and has a great quality of cut.
A couple of complaints I see is a problem with weight distribution because of the fold-down platform. It causes too much wait on the back of the mower to cause the mower to “3 wheels” a lot of hills”. There are some weights you can put on the front to solve this.
Another minor problem is not having mud flaps. This kind of stinks if you are in any kind of terrain that may throw stuff on you. Also, many people use the wheel guards to stand on when mowing on hills to get more traction… this can't be done on a grandstand.
I like how the gas tank is centered on the machine allowing the center of gravity to be balanced and low. This provides good traction on hillsides.
Overall, this mower is very good. It is quality built and does pretty well on hillsides and around obstacles.
5. Gravely Pro-Stance
The Gravely Pro-Stance is a solid machine that has a fair cut quality. I do have a few complaints about this mower though.
The length of the mower is very long… folding up the platform allows it to be shorter on trailers however it makes the mower slower on “zero turns.” The length of the mower does allow it to stick very well onto hills.
The gas tank is also centered on the rear wheels just like the Grandstand which is great for stability.
My favorite feature of this mower is the foot deck adjustment. Being able to raise and lower the deck with your foot while mowing is so convenient. It is much more difficult to do this with all of the other stand ons that only have hand deck adjustments.
Overall, this mower is pretty good. I would say if you can get a good deal on one then it is worth it but if prices are the same I would go a different direction.
6. Cub Cadet Pro X
The Cub Cadet Pro X mower is the new kid on the block. It is a brand new unit that was released at the 2019 GIE Expo. There are a lot of things you will like about this mower. The stand-on appears to be a good mix of the Wright, Scag, and Ferris mowers.
This stand-on may turn out to be the mower you've been waiting for. It has a suspension platform, adjustable thigh pad, amazing deck lift assist, and many more features. When you really dive into the details of this mower it is obvious that Cub Cadet really listened to their customer's wants and needs.
The only question mark we have is the cut quality of this machine. We have no reason to doubt it, however, we have used other Cub Cadet units before that use a very similar deck design. Otherwise, this unit appears to be well built and has all the bells and whistles that we've been wanting.
7. Exmark Vertex
The Exmark Vertex S-Series is a stand on released at GIE 2021. This is a replacement for the larger Staris stand on models. If you remember, the Staris was released a few years ago and wasn't that great. Now, Exmark has made the Staris a 36″ and 48″ and released the Vertex model as a 48″, 52″ and 60″.
After seeing this mower at GIE and then demoing a few days, the Exmark Vertex stand on is a huge improvement over the previous Staris model. There are some major improvements that were really needed.
They also redesigned the control hands to be very similar to Wright. To be honest, this stand on mower is extremely similar to Wright's stand on mowers. There are many similarities between the two mowers.
Overall, the Vertex is a solid stand on mower that will do well in the commercial mower market. It has several features that allowed it to be one of the top stand ons available.
Price Comparison
| Mower | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Ferris Z3X | Starting at $12,099 | 2 year unlimited hours 4 year/500 hours |
| Wright ZK | Starting at $13,763 | 2 year unlimited hours |
| Scag V-Ride II | Starting at $10,999 | 2 year unlimited hours 3 year/500 hours |
| Toro Grandstand | Starting at $12,500 | 3 years unlimited 5 year/1200 hours |
| Gravely Pro-Stance | Starting at $12,500 | 2 year unlimited hours 5 Year/1000 hours |
| Cub Cadet Pro X | Starting at $10,599 | 3 year unlimited warranty 5 year/1,750 hour limited |
| Exmark Vertex | Starting at $12,099 | 2-year unlimited hours OR 4-year / 1250 hour |
FAQ
Best Stand-On for Hills
One of the key advantages of a stand on over a zero turn mower is stability on hills. Every mower on the list above will probably outperform the majority of sit-on zero turn mowers on hill stability. There are two units that we think really come out on top when it comes to hills. These two units are the Wright ZK and the Ferris Z3X.
What is the best stand on for getting inside small gates?
Almost all of the brands mentioned above have a 36″ model. All of those will be fairly similar and can't really go wrong with any of them. If you are in need of a 32″ stand on mower there are only a few.
Scag V-Ride II, Wright Stander B, and Gravely Pro Stance are my top picks for a 32″ stand on mower. I have personally demoed each of these. Most of them are only about a year or two old. This market in the stand on world is relatively new. It seems like a lot of mower manufactures are beginning to follow suit though.
What is the cheapest stand on mower?
The cheapest stand on mower available that I have found is the Bradley stand ons. These are found online for sale and in some dealers. They are decently built mowers for what they are.
The downsides are the lack of dealer support, getting parts, and overall performance. These mowers are not bad but they definitely don't compare to some of the top brands in the stand on game. They are mediocre at best.
Where can I buy a stand on mower?
The best place to buy a stand on mower is at your local dealer. You will be able to find them by either searching for “lawn mower dealer + [your area]” or if you know what you want, search on a specific manufacturer's dealer locator.
I always recommend going through your local dealer when buying a commercial lawn mower because you will need them to service and repair the mower. In the lawn care industry, it is always a good idea to build a relationship with your local dealer.
As many know, this industry is very much based on relationships. Your dealer is no different. If you support them they will be there to support you when you need them.
It should be noted that not all dealers are created equal. Depending on your area the type of mower you end up getting may depend on which brands your local dealer carries. It is important to make sure you have a close and reliable dealer when buying commercial lawn mowers of any kind.
Who makes the best stand on mower?
This is definitely a topic for debate and depending on who you ask you will probably get a million different answers. In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with any of the stand on mowers above. They are all reputable and reliable brands that have been around a long time.
If it were me buying a stand on mower, I would go with a Ferris, Scag, or Wright depending on which had the best dealer support in my area. These are all very similar with a few minor differences. If you have the opportunity to demo these mowers I would highly suggest it as they all drive a little differently and have slightly different setups/features.
Wrapping it up
That wraps up my thoughts on the stand on mower world. These awesome mowers are definitely the future of mowers. They have so many great benefits and increase the productivity of business a lot.
What do you think?
Which do you have or want? Which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Do you own a lawn business? Check out our resources page for a complete list of all the lawn care tools/resources every lawn business owner must have!
I own two Wright stander ZK’s, a 2015 and a 2019.
Excellent mowers.
My 2019 has a 37 hp fuel injected 1000cc engine.
A nice machine.
I sure love my Wright Stander Intensity 36. Just purchased in spring 2019, based on reading many online reviews. No regrets yet, it’s a workhorse! Get’s through gates easily, and can mow larger properties when needed. It mows great, even at top speed.
I wish you had run this article past an editor. Spelling and grammar errors in the article make it difficult to believe this was published professionally.
Easy Karen…
Dont you hate when your old English teacher shows up and trys to grade your honest and well informed article about stand on mowers? SMH….
Lol exactly… I never claimed to be an English major… only claimed to know a thing or two about mowers! Thanks for your support.
The grammar police is on deck criticizing your article but added zero value to the subject being discussed.
Why didn’t
Exmark starris make the list?
Honestly, I think the Exmark Staris is one of the worst stand on mowers… especially to come from such a powerhouse brand like Exmark. There is a reason the engineer that designed the mower was fired and why they have gone back to the drawing board for a stand on. I am hoping the next stand on mower they release is much better.
Was looking at them today at weingartz, local dealer. What makes them the worst in your opinion?.
Other dealer close to me, sells Bob cat and Snapper pro, how would you rate those two? Both are $2k more than the staris though.
Was going to look at revolt for price, but dealer hour away and non in stock anyway.
Thanks
Overall just a poor design. There’s a bunch of little things that just make it awkward to drive.
Bobcat’s stand on is pretty good. The Snapper Pro stand on is the exact same as the Ferris stand on. The Ferris/Snapper Pro stand on is my favorite out of these three.
I have linked the reviews to both of the mowers above. I also did a full review of the Exmark Staris a couple years ago.
We are grass cutters not rocket sceinctis and not in grammer school. I hate when people comment about that stuff. The artical was great, Im looking at adding a standon to my buz and this artical helped me a lot .
Haha, thanks for the support Steve! Glad I could help!
First off love these reviews! Keep them coming 🙂
I’ve been looking for a 36″ Stand on for home use and have it narrowed down to Scag V Ride 2 and the Ferris SRS Z1. I know both will last me forever. I’m most concerned about cut quality and deck maintenance. Most people state the Scag has the best cut with the Velocity Plus deck. What about the about the Advantage deck vs the Ferris 10-gauge on the 36″ models? Also, what about deck maintenance with grass build-up/ clogging? Am I on the right path or should I go with the cheaper Wright Stander B?
Bought the Scag. Was delivered today 😀
Yes, absolutely can’t go wrong with the Scag! Let me know how you like it.
What’s everyone’s pick out of Ferris, scag and a bobcat stand on?
Personally, if you get Ferris Z3X 61″ I would go with Ferris… otherwise I would with a Scag then Bobcat. Between these 3 brands a lot of it will come down to personal preference and dealer support. If you can find them, I would try to get a demo of each. If not, can’t go wrong with Ferris or Scag stand ons.
Hi. I was looking at a John Deere QuickTrak and wondered your opinion?
In my opinion, they’re not bad, but not great. A little overpriced and not the best features in comparison to some of these other brands.
I bought the Scag. Delivered today 😀
I bought the gravely due to dealership distance and customer service. Your article was extremely helpful.
Awesome, great choice. Glad I could help!
Just picked up the Cub Pro Z 600 in 54 deck. I like it so far. Purchased it due to local service and good luck I have had with the last tank I purchased a few years ago. I will let you know how it goes. This is my first stander mower. Large yard but just for personal use.
I have had good service out of hustler standoff
Nice article. Was floating around for other reasons, but stopped to read it. Love the Karen comment too, made my afternoon. We run grandstands, as do quite a few companies in my area. Wright is the second most common, and Ferris only one company runs them. Reason being, your article is spot on, all these mowers listed above are great machines, but if your dealer doesn’t have a great service department full of parts and skilled techs….your mower is worthless when it broke down.
Thanks very much for your honest article I really like it.