Zero-Turn Add-Ons Make Mowing Safer

2026 - Volume #50, Issue #2, Page #33

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A weighted front end was just one of several upgrades Dale Freeman made to his zero-turn mower. He also added 8-in. dia. mirrors to each side and a bank of high-visibility LEDs.
“I have hilly terrain and decided to add front-end weights for increased stability,” says Freeman.
Freeman mounted a 1/2-in. thick steel weight-support plate between the front caster wheels. He beveled the front corners of the plate to remove sharp edges. The plate is supported by two 1/2 by 3-in. steel plates, bolted at one end to the mower deck and at the other to the weight-support plate.
Additional support is provided by what Freeman calls tangs. They’re short lengths of round stock, tack-welded between slotted fixtures bolted to the mower’s I-beam frame and similar slotted fixtures on the weight support plate.
“I drilled a hole in the support plate, as well as cutting a slot for mounting bolts for each set of tractor weights I planned to use,” says Freeman. “I used the hole to align the weight, and the slot ensured the second bolt would align, even if my dimensions were off a bit.”
He added 1-in. square tubing posts at either end of the support plate, with T-joint welds and round-stock braces. Mirrors were added to the top of each post, and a steel plate to hold Freeman’s cell phone was added to the right-hand post.
“I mow along a road, and the mirrors help me watch traffic coming up behind,” says Freeman. “The braces at the bottom of the posts reduce vibration. My cell phone holder is a 5-in. deep plastic drink holder. A pin through the mounting plate keeps the phone from bouncing out.”
A square-tubing crosspiece adds stability and reduces mirror vibration. It also provides a base for LED lights that enhance visibility and ensure safer operation.
The vertical tubes are capped to keep out rain.
“I always plug vertical tubing with a cap,” says Freeman. “I love plastic caps for steel tubing. I bought a couple hundred online, so I always have some handy. I also cut half-circles out of tubing welded to a horizontal piece. It leaves an opening for moisture to drain out.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dale Freeman, Monroe, Va.

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Zero-Turn Add-Ons Make Mowing Safer A weighted front end was just one of several upgrades Dale Freeman made to his zero-turn mower. He also added 8-in. dia. mirrors to each side and a bank of high-visibility LEDs. “I have hilly terrain and decided to add front-end weights for increased stability,” says Freeman. Freeman mounted a 1/2-in. thick steel weight-support plate between the front caster wheels. He beveled the front corners of the plate to remove sharp edges. The plate is supported by two 1/2 by 3-in. steel plates, bolted at one end to the mower deck and at the other to the weight-support plate. Additional support is provided by what Freeman calls tangs. They’re short lengths of round stock, tack-welded between slotted fixtures bolted to the mower’s I-beam frame and similar slotted fixtures on the weight support plate. “I drilled a hole in the support plate, as well as cutting a slot for mounting bolts for each set of tractor weights I planned to use,” says Freeman. “I used the hole to align the weight, and the slot ensured the second bolt would align, even if my dimensions were off a bit.” He added 1-in. square tubing posts at either end of the support plate, with T-joint welds and round-stock braces. Mirrors were added to the top of each post, and a steel plate to hold Freeman’s cell phone was added to the right-hand post. “I mow along a road, and the mirrors help me watch traffic coming up behind,” says Freeman. “The braces at the bottom of the posts reduce vibration. My cell phone holder is a 5-in. deep plastic drink holder. A pin through the mounting plate keeps the phone from bouncing out.” A square-tubing crosspiece adds stability and reduces mirror vibration. It also provides a base for LED lights that enhance visibility and ensure safer operation. The vertical tubes are capped to keep out rain. “I always plug vertical tubing with a cap,” says Freeman. “I love plastic caps for steel tubing. I bought a couple hundred online, so I always have some handy. I also cut half-circles out of tubing welded to a horizontal piece. It leaves an opening for moisture to drain out.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dale Freeman, Monroe, Va.

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