To move a zero turn mower that won’t start, release the parking brake, open the two bypass valves on the drive system and push it by hand. Do not pull it with a truck, an ATV or another mower. The hydrostatic drives on these machines are not built to be towed, and the maker’s manual says so.
If the mower is too heavy to push, stuck on a slope or needs to go to a repair shop, Miller’s Towing & Recovery can haul it on a flatbed. Call 316-351-4754.
Why You Cannot Just Tow It
If you try to move a zero turn mower with a rope and a pickup, you risk a second repair bill. A zero turn mower has no gearbox with a neutral. Each rear wheel is driven by its own hydrostatic pump and motor. With the engine off, the oil in that system holds the wheels. Drag the mower and you force oil through parts that are not turning under power.
Toro’s TimeCutter Z operator’s manual is blunt about it: always push the machine by hand, and never tow the machine because damage may occur. Other brands give similar warnings. Check the manual for your model before you move it.
5 Steps to Move a Zero Turn Mower That Won’t Start
1. Rule out the simple causes
A lot of “dead” mowers are not broken. Before you push anything, check that:
- The blade switch is off
- Both steering levers are fully out in the park position
- The parking brake is set, since many mowers will not crank without it
- You are sitting on the seat, so the safety switch is closed
- The fuel valve is open and there is fresh gas in the tank
- The battery terminals are tight and clean
2. Release the parking brake
Once you are ready to push, the brake has to come off. Chock a wheel first if you are on any kind of slope.
3. Open the bypass valves
Every zero turn has a way to let the drive wheels roll free. On the Toro TimeCutter, the manual says to move the two bypass levers forward and then outward to lock them in place. On other brands they may be rods or levers near the rear frame or on each transaxle. There are two, one per side. Open both.
4. Push slowly on level ground
Push at a slow walk, with a helper if you have one. A residential zero turn weighs several hundred pounds, and a commercial one can weigh well over a thousand. Do not push it across a slope. It has no brakes while it is in bypass.
5. Close the bypass valves when you are done
Put both levers back before anyone tries to start or drive the mower. If you forget, the engine will run and the mower will not move.
What About a Riding Lawn Tractor?
The idea is the same, with one release, not two.
| Machine | How to let it roll | Tow it? |
|---|---|---|
| Zero turn mower | Two bypass levers or rods, one per side | No. Push by hand only |
| Lawn tractor with a hydrostatic drive | One freewheel rod or lever, usually at the rear | No. Push by hand only |
| Lawn tractor with a gear drive | Shift to neutral and release the brake | Check the manual first |
| Compact tractor | Depends on the transmission | Check the manual. Usually hauled, not towed |
Loading It on a Trailer
This is where people get hurt. A mower that will not run cannot drive up the ramps, and pushing one up a ramp by hand is dangerous.
- Use one full width ramp. Toro’s manual says to use a single, full width ramp only, with a ramp angle of no more than 15 degrees. Two narrow ramps let a caster wheel drop between them.
- Winch it, do not push it. Nobody should stand behind or below a mower on a ramp.
- Strap it at four points to the frame, not to the steering levers or the deck.
- Follow Kansas load rules. The Kansas Highway Patrol’s trailering guide says loads must be secured so nothing can drop or shift off, and that a ball hitch or pintle connection needs safety chains strong enough to hold if the hitch fails.
For more on trailers and what the state requires, see can a tow truck tow a trailer.
When to Call a Flatbed to Move a Zero Turn Mower
Pushing works for a short, flat trip to the shed. It does not work for everything. Call for a haul when:
- The mower has to go to a dealer or small engine shop across town
- You do not own a trailer, or your ramps are too steep or too narrow
- The mower is at the bottom of a slope, in mud or near a pond bank
- A tire is flat or off the rim, so it will not roll even in bypass
- It is a heavy commercial mower and you are working alone
- A lawn crew’s mower died on a job and the trailer is already full
A flatbed tilts to the ground, and the winch pulls the mower up the deck with nobody behind it. Read more about our mower and tractor towing in Wichita.
What to Tell Us When You Call
- The brand and type: zero turn, lawn tractor or compact tractor
- Deck width, which tells us the overall size
- If it rolls with the bypass valves open
- If any tire is flat
- Where it sits: driveway, backyard, field or job site, and if there is a gate
- Where it is going
Gate width matters. A 60 inch deck does not fit through a 48 inch gate, and the flatbed cannot drive across a soft yard. Tell us how far the mower is from the street.
Questions About How to Move a Zero Turn Mower
Can you move a zero turn mower in neutral?
A zero turn has no neutral gear to select. The bypass valves do that job. With both open, the wheels roll free.
Can I pull it with my truck for a short distance?
The manuals say no. Toro’s wording is to never tow the machine because damage may occur. Push it by hand or put it on a trailer or flatbed.
Why will my mower not roll even with the bypass open?
Check that both valves are open, the parking brake is off and no tire is flat. If one wheel still drags, the drive on that side may have failed, and the mower should be lifted or hauled.
Can a tow truck haul a riding mower?
Yes. It rides on the flatbed like a small car. We also move compact tractors and small equipment.
What does it cost?
Pricing has a hook up fee and mileage, the same as a car. See the real cost of towing in Wichita, and ask for the total before the truck is sent. A planned pickup can be booked ahead. See how to schedule a tow.
Need a Mower Hauled in Wichita?
If you cannot move a zero turn mower by hand, do not drag it. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. Equipment hauling is part of our towing services in Wichita, KS, and you get the price before we hook up.