Running the zero turn is actually not that difficult and I am confident that you CAN do it yourself. The hardest part is figuring out the steering. Just go slow and you will be fine. Its a new mower, you won't have any problems. I have used ours a few time, and once was because hubby was in the hospital, so I had to "figure it out". Actually the hardest part that day was getting it started! The key guard was not centered right and it seemed like the key wouldn't go in, always some stupid thing to try to trip you up.

Its kind of a mindless thing to do, you might actually like it.