A review of the Jazee One zero turn radius mower, with attractive features and drawbacks to consider before purchase.
Zero Turn Radius Mowers
Zero turn radius mowers, ZTRs, are revolutionizing the residential lawn mowing industry. Long the purview of commercial landscapers, ZTRs are now within the reach of homeowners, offering cleaner cuts, faster mowing, and greater maneuverability than traditional lawn tractors.
After mowing an acre of lawn for many years with lawn tractor mowers, this writer took the plunge to a ZTR. This review is based on a full mowing season with a 42" mowing deck, Country Clipper Jazee One ZTR mower.
Jazee One ZTR Features
In addition to the benefits of all ZTRs, the Jazee One features:
- A fabricated, heavy duty steel construction for reliability
- A three year warranty
- A patented design allowing the deck to swing out to a vertical position for easy cleaning and blade maintenance.
- A joy stick steering system allowing for one-hand mower control.
Forward Seating
There is a definite learning curve to any ZTR, and the Jazee One is no exception. Unlike a lawn tractor, where the driver sits well back behind the engine, the Jazee One driver sits forward with a view of the approaching lawn just inches ahead.
Initially, this felt uncomfortable, but after a couple of mowings the advantages were clear. With good sight to the lawn ahead, you can easily avoid debris that might damage the mower or become a dangerous flying object.
Joy Stick Control
The learning curve associated with driving a joy stick controlled vehicle was even more pronounced. The Jazee One's steering mechanism is sensitive, requiring only a light touch for direction and speed adjustments. After wrestling with a steering wheel for several years, it took some time to get used to a gentle movement of the joy stick. But once mastered, joy stick control takes little effort and leaves one hand free.
The operator's manual cautions the new owner to avoid attempting close trimming until you gain experience controlling the mower. Take this caution seriously, or you risk decapitating the flower bed that you've nurtured for years.
The Stand Up Deck
A major attraction of the Jazee One is the articulated deck, which promises easy deck maintenance. Country Clipper's web site features a short video of a woman demonstrating this feature. It looks easy, but takes more strength and effort than initially apparent. After a very shaky start, this writer mastered the technique for smoothly shifting the deck from under the frame to a vertical position in front of the frame.
The stand up deck is a great feature. A major downside to ZTRs is that the decks are difficult to remove, requiring a hoist or ramps to elevate the entire mower for deck service. With the Jazee One an individual with moderate strength and flexibility can transform the deck to its vertical position for maintenance.
Advice: Before purchasing a Jazee One make sure you practice the stand up process several times under the watchful eye of your dealer.
Stability
With the majority of weight toward the back, the Jazee One front end can lift on uneven or hilly terrain. Take extreme care when mowing slopes as it tends to "crab" sideways.
Recommendation
The Jazee One is fun to drive and cuts mowing time and effort. The mowed lawn is uniform and smooth, giving your lawn a professional landscaping look. The machine is rugged and appears to be built for easy maintainability. The first oil change was easy as the oil drain, filter, and filler tube are readily accessible.
Related Article: Review of Zero Turn Radius Mowers
