The financial case for buying vs. financing mowers in 2026

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Borrowing money to purchase revenue-generating equipment like mowers is pretty standard practice. There is also a good argument for purchasing equipment outright, particularly at times when interest rates are higher. Consider these insights to help you determine if borrowing or buying is the right approach in 2026.

What are the advantages of financing mowers?

The big advantage of financing a mower purchase is that you don’t need a lot of money sitting in the bank to get a new mower. And even if you do, financing frees up that money for other purposes such as marketing, hiring and training, trailer accessories, you name it.

Financing also creates a predictable monthly payment. If the mower is helping generate good revenue and the payment fits comfortably into your operating budget, cash flow is easy to manage and you can expect a good return on your investment.

Another potential advantage of financing pertains to taxes. Thanks to the Section 179 depreciation rule, you could write off the entire cost of the mower (excluding interest) in the first year of your loan, even though the payments you’d made all year were only a portion of the total amount. That could reduce your tax liability that year, which could further preserves your cash flow. Just keep in mind that writing off all the principal in the first year means no deductions will be available in future years. Additionally, any interest you pay on the loan each year is deducted separately. Always consult your accountant or tax preparer on matters like this.

What are the disadvantages of financing mowers?

The big disadvantage of financing mower purchases is that interest adds to the cost of the mower. For example, a $15,000 mower financed for 48 months at a 4% interest rate would add nearly $1,300 onto the final price tag.

There may also be additional fees associated with a loan, which further add to the final price tag. That’s why you’ll typically see references to APR (annual percentage rate) when evaluating loans. APR combines the interest rate and other fees you’re required to pay.

Another potential disadvantage of financing a mower purchase is that you might be stuck with the mower for the full length of the term. That can be a problem if you determine it’s not the right mower for you, but you still have a couple years to pay on it. You could try to sell it, but may not get enough to pay off the remaining principal and interest. You could also face penalties for paying the loan off early. Always read the fine print in the loan documents to make sure you know exactly how much you’re paying, what you’re paying for, the exact payback period, and other important details before you sign on the dotted line.

Pros and cons of buying mowers outright

The biggest advantage is that buying outright ensures the best price. Dealers will often offer discounts on cash purchases that do not require additional time, effort, and paperwork to complete the transaction. And even if they don’t, buying outright could still save you thousands of dollars on each piece of equipment by avoiding all of the interest and fees associated with taking out loans.

Another advantage of buying is that you immediately own the mower, so you can more freely sell it or trade it at any time with less risk of taking a financial loss.

The big disadvantage of buying outright is that you need to have the cash. If you’re short on cash, or would rather use what you have for other aspects of running your business, buying outright might not be so appealing.

How to decide which approach is best

Landscape business owners should ask themselves some questions to determine if buying or financing a new mower is the right way to go:

Do I have a lot of cash sitting in the bank that I don’t know what to do with?
Will the dealer give me a better deal if I buy the mower outright with cash?
If I finance the mower, is there a down payment I still need to make–and can I afford it?
Aside from the interest rate, what other fees might be associated with the loan?
If I finance, will I be able to comfortably make the payment every month?
If I decide to pay the loan off early, will I be facing any penalties?
Will the equipment start generating revenue right away?

Options for financing zero-turn mower purchases

If you decide that financing is the right approach, it’s important to understand your options.

You could take out a loan with a third-party financier, such as a local bank. If you already have a good working relationship with one, this can be a good approach as you’ll often get a good interest rate. Equipment loans specifically can be effective because the equipment itself becomes the collateral.

Another common approach is to seek financing through the mower manufacturer. Grasshopper makes financing affordable by working with top third-party financiers that have programs specifically designed for the landscaping industry. Competitive interest rates and minimal fees allow landscape businesses to obtain the mowers they need at a cost their budgets can afford. Additionally, unique loan features like “zero interest for 120 days” and “no payments for 150 days” gives a landscape business time to use that new mower to generate revenue before having to begin making payments.

You can learn more about Grasshopper Financing, or you can always ask your Grasshopper dealer about what’s available this season.

Of course, you could also buy a new Grasshopper mower outright if you have the cash. It all depends on your situation and what makes the most sense for your business right now.