A lawn care professional's guide to mowers

brought to you by

A lawn care professional’s guide to mowers

Mower Matchup

table of contents

Mower Matchup is a white paper created to delve into the pros and cons of various mower features and provide a comprehensive look at popular mower manufacture specs.

Market overview2

table of contents

Mower Matchup brought to you by TotalLandscapeCare.com 1

ZTR vs stand-on mowers8

Beyond gasoline14 Brand

flagships and entry-level models

20

Brand specs21

T rends can be hard to track. What’s considered popular today could wane tomorrow, and some-times the future can look unclear.

With this in mind, Total Landscape Care asked experts from Grasshopper, John Deere and Husqvarna to weigh in on where they think the mower market is heading, what they see catching on and what features are cur-rently resonating with landscapers.

What’s trending?As a landscaper, taking note of trends and using them to your advantage can be one of the greatest tools in your kit.

Grasshopper, for example, sees customers wanting more power delivery and fuel efficiency, environmentally friendly options and increased comfort and productivity, noted Mike Simmon, marketing coordinator with Grass-hopper.

This has led to increased efficiencies, Simmon said. “People want to be more comfortable, and that comes with integrating a maintenance-free suspension into the design of the machine from the ground up,” he commented. “It’s not an afterthought, bolt-on type of thing.”

This includes fine-tuning the idea of year-round us-age for Grasshopper machines, which in turn increases

2 Mower Matchup brought to you by TotalLandscapeCare.com

market overview

Man and machine:

Current mower trends foretell future developmentsBY BETH HYATT, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

market overview

productivity, Simmon said. So not only will these ma-chines mow, but they also give users the ability to col-lect leaves, clear snow, remove debris and execute other landscaping jobs.

John Deere is also seeing a customer emphasis on uptime, ride quality and fuel-efficiency, according to Nick Minas, product manager for John Deere Commer-cial Mowing. “We are constantly looking into innovative design features, new technology and service solutions to help our customers increase their uptime.”

And the global popularity of zero-turn mowers (ZTRs) continues, says George Reister, wheeled product man-ager with Husqvarna. Reister adds that the company’s

research shows ZTRs are still growing at a faster pace than tractors.

Robotic mowersHusqvarna, which has been in the robotic mower market since 1995, continues to see its acceptance grow. While there are those in the landscaping industry who believe robotic mowers pose a threat to traditional lawn care companies, others think they are an asset.

“The overarching trend is towards robotics,” Reister said. “I think it’s the hottest product out there.”

Many companies have entered the robotic mower market, but the landscaping industry as a whole is still divided on the subject.

“We got ahead of the robots because we could see the trend,” Reister said. “We saw the technological shift. We also had a pretty good estimate of how long it would take.”

For Reister, the idea of robotics merging into the everyday life of landscapers isn’t something to shy away from, but instead is something to embrace.

Husqvarna has hosted a commercial landscaping summit in Charlotte over the past couple of years, bring-ing in 50 large North American landscaping companies. “We discuss future trends,” Reister said. “They’ve told us that what they would like is a commercial level robot, which is what we offer. A lot of companies in robotics are just focused on the residential market; we’re not. We see this as just like any other tool. There’s commercial level and there’s residential level. They are complemen-tary, not conflicting.”

Since humans are still involved in operating robotic mowers, Simmon doesn’t see this technology as a threat. He also pointed out that robotic mowers can take on tasks – such as mowing on steep banks or on road-sides – that present dangers to humans.

Millennial purchasingHusqvarna is also excited about the uptick in property purchasing by millennials that’s occurred in the past few years, Reister said. These younger buyers have shown the most interest in finding a complete and efficient lawn care solution.

The time people have for lawn care is now highly compressed. “The idea of somebody going out and


John Deere is always looking into new technology and design features to increase customer uptime

market overview

spending all Saturday working on their lawn probably isn’t as realistic or desirable as it maybe once was,” Reister com-mented.

This trend means that millennials are more likely to hire out profes-sionals for lawn care services, Reister said.

What landscapers wantSo what features are attracting landscapers these days?

According to Simmon, Grasshopper buyers have shown the most interest in overall machine productivity, comfort, machine longevity, achieving a clean cut, avoid-ing downtime and the ability to perform repairs in the field if necessary.

Conversations with landscapers tend to focus on the overall productivity of the machine, according to Sim-mon. “They want to be able to mow at a fast pace and get a great cut on the first go around without having to go back and re-cut or clean things up,” he said.

When meeting with landscapers to discuss future equipment improvements, Grasshopper talks about the design of the machine, including air flow under the deck, blades, spindles and more.

Landscapers tell the company they want the ability to make fluid, smooth turns. “They don’t want to tear up things.” Simmons said. “And they want to be comfort-able. They’re on those mowers day in and day out.”

In pursuit of comfort, the company has discussed more comfortable seating options and suspension sys-tems that can significantly reduce the amount of vibra-tions and shocks experienced while mowing.

Minas says that an increased focus on operator comfort has also driven development of new features for John Deere mowers.

“Additions like ergonomic operator controls, air sus-pension upholstered seats and cab machines with heat

and air keep the operator comfortable through-out the workday, ultimately improving produc-tivity,” Minas said.

Field reliability advancements is another area of concentration. “They don’t want downtime,” Simmon said. “If something breaks in the field, they need to be able to either fix it right away themselves or be able to get it to a dealer to have it fixed.”

The most popular features on Husqvarna mowers are those that allow customers to stay active in the field the longest.

“Every time a mower shuts down for any reason, whether it’s because a belt breaks or because they need to sharpen blades or whatever it is, they need to keep the machine in service as long as possible for the entire season with no interruptions,” Reister said.

Design elements such as larger fuel tanks or torsion springs in belt systems will help keep landscapers pro-ductive on the jobsite throughout the day, Reister said.

For John Deere customers, Minas says uptime and fuel efficiency continue to be top concerns, leading Deere to incorporate Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) engines.


Husqvarna believes larger fuel tanks are just one feature that can help landscapers stay in the field longer.

Opinions on the robotic mower are fairly divided, but some see it as a tool to free up landscaping crews for other tasks.

market overview

“Commonly used in smaller block engines, we are now seeing more options in the mid-block range and greater,” Minas said. “Providing up to 25 percent more fuel savings, the benefits of EFI drive this trend.”

Using your machine’s data While some companies might not have a current focus on collecting data from their mower’s telematics, John Deere and Husqvarna have seen increasing customer interest in using this data in their operations.

“We are seeing more landscapers who are interested

in analyzing business data to identify trends and ways to improve op-erations,” Minas said. “As more landscapers real-ize the benefits of data collection, we anticipate increased interest.”

It also reflects the fact that the landscaping market is becoming more competitive, with some competing on a national basis, Reister said.

Telematics data helps landscapers know where their equipment is lo-cated, its operating condi-tion, how fuel efficient it is and how many acres per hour a mower is cut-ting. “These are all metrics that anybody with more than three trailers in their fleet wants to know,” Reister said, adding that even smaller operations are becoming interested in understanding the ef-ficiency of their machines.

Deck sizesThe popularity of certain sizes of decks is usually

dependent on the region and market served. For Grasshopper, Simmon says the 52- and 61-inch

are the most popular deck sizes they offer. In areas with tighter spaces, there’s the option of the 42- and 48-inch deck, but these smaller sizes are typically used more in residential than commercial work.

“When selecting mower deck size, landscapers are considering the needs of their operation and the proper-ties they maintain,” Minas said. “Landscapers are also evaluating trailer size and how many units they can transport to help determine which deck size is best.”


market overview

Technology that’s here nowTwo popular pieces of technology that John Deere has incorporated in its mower offering include Mulch On Demand and the Michelin X Tweel Turf airless radial tire.

“Mulch On Demand enables the operator to switch between mulching and side-discharging without ever leaving the seat,” Minas said. “It reduces the time spent cleaning up clippings from driveways and sidewalks by allowing the operator to easily close off the discharge chute.”

Deere also offers the Michelin X Tweel Turf airless radial tire, which it says virtually eliminates flats and is nearly maintenance free. Additionally, the tire minimizes the cost and time spent on repairs and maintenance of traditional pneumatic tires, according to the company. It’s available for the John Deere 900 Series ZTrak mow-ers and R Series QuikTrak mowers.

Mower market over the next few yearsManufacturers remain optimistic about the future of landscaping, seeing growth in the demand for landscap-ing services.

“It’s still going to be a service that’s going to be in demand,” Simmons said. And if homeownership contin-ues to grow, “then they have to maintain those proper-ties somehow.”

Reister believes a few key factors will drive market demand.

“We were watching closely to see if millennials were going to continue the suburban trend, and that’s proving to be the case,” Reister said. “We were worried that they might urbanize – meaning not own homes – and that didn’t pan out. We’re seeing that it’s going to continue as it has for the past couple of decades.”


Grasshopper says landscapers often request improvement in mower comfort and has worked to reduce vibrations and shocks felt by the user when mowing.

Ride SRS™ Series mowers for more speed, comfort and agility than ever.Stand-on mowers give your commercial cutting crew a significant advantage, with increased maneuverability and step-on, step-off versatility.

Soft Ride Stand-On mowers from Ferris®, featuring the new Z3X, take stand-ons to the next level. Each model features an adjustable suspension operator platform for a smoother ride, a center-mounted fuel tank that provides more balance and stability, and advanced speed controls for more confidence on any terrain. Choose from a variety of powerful engine options and deck sizes to take on any challenge.

It’s time for your operation to step up. Reach a new level of productivity with Soft Ride Stand-On mowers, only from Ferris.

RISE TO THE OCCASION

Visit: Ferrismowers.com to locate a dealer near you

SRS™ Z1Vanguard™ 627cc

Kawasaki® FX691V or FX600V

Cutting Width Options: 36" or 48"

SRS™ Z2Vanguard™ 810 EFI with Oil GuardKawasaki® FX730V EFI or FX801V


SRS™ Z3XVanguard™ BIG BLOCK™ EFI with Oil Guard

Kawasaki® FX850V EFI


NEW!

E very lawn care operator deals with different terrain, clientele and climates, but they all have one thing in common: mowers.

While many landscapers gravitate to the tried and true zero-turn (ZTR) sit-down mower, others use stand-ons. But is one necessarily better than the other?

Here are the benefits and downsides to both types of mowers:

The beginning of the stand-onWhen talking about stand-on mowers, it only seems fitting to hear from the company that invented the product.

The idea of the stand-on mower came from the chal-lenges Wright Manufacturing originally faced as a land-scaping company, according to Ed Wright, vice president of engineering, sales and marketing. The company was


BY BETH HYATT, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ZTRs vs stand-ons:

What’s right for your company?

ZTR vs stand-on mowers

using walk-behind mowers, which were tiring its crews. “We couldn’t keep good employees for more than

a few years before they were burned-out and looked for less strenuous work,” Wright said. “This led to the invention of the Velke sulky, a small wheel accessory that allowed you to ride behind a walk-behind mower. We quickly realized there was a market to sell it to other landscape companies.”

This progression led to the idea of users actually being able to stand on the mower, and in 1997, the company began the production of the original Wright Stander.

In the green industry, the initial idea of using the stand-on mowers was unconventional, said Wright, but there were some early adopters.

“After a few years, it quickly became accepted that stand-on mowers were more efficient and lighter than ZTRs on smaller and medium size lawns,” Wright said. “Our primary users were converting their businesses from using walk-behind mowers to stand-on mowers. It took another 10 years to expand into larger and more powerful stand-on mowers that could outperform many conventional ZTRs.”

Now the question no longer seems to be why a com-pany would want a stand-on mower, said Wright, but instead, what size and options do you want?

“There is definitely an increased interest in stand-on mowers, especially from end-users who are converting from the walk-behind market,” said Ron Scheffler, prod-uct manager with Bob-Cat. “As landscapers have be-come more aware of the benefits of this type of mower, interest has increased in customers who typically use both walk-behinds and sit-down zero-turns.”

Stand-on user demographicsWhen the first stand-ons were introduced, Wright says that they noticed the primary purchasers were land-scapers who maintained smaller properties; today, the demographics are more universal.

“Stand-on mowers are universally appealing when you realize that more lawns can be cut in the same amount of time while also having lower operating costs, a lighter footprint, less fatigue and lower rollover haz-ard,” Wright said.

“It is important for contractors to evaluate their busi-ness to determine which machine is best for the proper-ties they work on,” said Nick Minas, product manager for John Deere Commercial Mowing. “Stand-ons are ideal for smaller properties and landscapers who want to fit several machines on one trailer. Zero-turn mowers are larger in size and take up more space on a trailer. How-ever, the productivity benefits of zero-turns make them ideal for large properties.”



Stand-on and zero-turn mowers both come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks.


Veteran landscapers who value efficiency tend to pre-fer stand-on mowers, according to Scheffler. This could be because the machines may provide less back stress as opposed to sitting for long periods of time over rough terrain.

Stand-on mowers do provide a natural and intuitive body position when working, added Dan Roche, market-ing director of commercial products for Ferris. This allows bumps and vibrations to travel through the entire body and not just the upper body, which happens when the operator is seated.

Stand-on mowers can excel in areas that have tighter

spaces, more intricate and heavily populated land-scapes or a fair number of trees and bushes to maneuver around and under. The ability to mow and maneuver in compact spaces, such as cul-de-sacs and gated commu-nities, comes in handy.

“Cost is also a factor,” Minas said. “Stand-on mowers are typically less expensive than zero-turn mowers, so budget may be a decision-driver.”

“We definitely see younger operators warming up to them and approaching them with more enthusiasm,” Roche said. “The preference and where the stand-ons have come from have been driven much more by


Stand-ons weigh less, which means there’s less inertia and less turf damage when stopping, starting and making turns.


conditions and terrain than I would say a certain type of operator.

“That’s really what the stand-on does,” he continued. “It can get into a gated area and it can bring a lot of productivity into that space once you’re inside.”

Benefits and drawbacks of stand-onsWright Manufacturing did a time study on mowing operations and saw that significant blocks of the work-day were spent on activities other than cutting grass. Instead, landscaping crews were using trimmers where bulkier mowers couldn’t reach and getting off the mower to remove debris out of the cutting path. While mowing, they were also taking slower turns.

“A stand-on mower significantly cuts down on this unproductive time because you can quickly step on and off the mower,” Wright said. “In addition to the time sav-ings, stand-on mowers are not as complex, have lower operating costs and are more comfortable to use.”

Stand-on mowers also can offer increased visibility, and depending on the property, can be more productive than a walk-behind mower or sit-down ZTR. They also allow operators the chance to readjust their positions to help fight stiffness.

In addition, since stand-ons are more compact, more units are able to fit on trailers. They are typically lighter in comparison to ZTRs, and with the operator’s ability to adjust their positon, this shifting can aid the ma-chine’s center of gravity, which can be helpful when mowing on slopes.

“Where a standard ZTR would have a good part of the engine bay hanging behind the rear axle, there’s nothing but the back of the operator behind the rear wheel,” Roche said. “The units also have a centralized mass. Because that engine is in between the front and rear wheels, that center of mass is something that con-tributes to traction as well. With a lower wheel base, there’s literally less weight on a stand-on to

move around. That means there’s less inertia and less turf damage when you stop, start and make your turns.”

So, what are the drawbacks?“Stand-ons typically have slower ground speed and

do require the operator to stand all day,” Minas said.Adds Scheffler: “Due to its compactness, servicing the

stand-on machine may not be as user-friendly as work-ing on a sit-down zero-turn.”

And customers usually opt for a mix of stand-on and ride-on mowers.

Benefits and drawback of ZTRsZTRs still remain popular with landscapers for several reasons.

“Going back to before commercial zero-turns came into being, you only really had two choices in the world; you had something called an out-front mower and you had something which was a sit-down unit,” Reister said. “What you get with a zero-turn is high maneuverability, good speed and great cutting.”


Wright Manufacturing is the inventor of the

stand-on mower and since then many other

manufacturers have followed suit.


Wright said that the biggest benefit of a ZTR is the machine’s ability to carry a high capacity bagger.

Scheffler added that sit-down ZTRs usually have a wider footprint for stability when compared to a stand-on. And since the mower is larger, it allows room for more features, tools and aftermarket accessories.

“The number one benefit of a zero-turn mower is the productivity of the machine, especially when maintain-ing large properties,” Minas said. “They are fast, pro-ductive and offer great maneuverability. Additionally, a variety of engine and deck options, as well as mulching features, offer a solution for almost any operation.”

But some of the benefits associated with ZTRs can also prove to be their greatest drawbacks, including size, operators sitting down and being forced to get on and off the machine from a seated position to move items in the cutting path.

“Because sit-down zero-turn mowers are typically larger than stand-on mowers, the weight of the sit-down mower may prevent it from being wanted on certain properties/soils due to the potential of creating ruts,” Scheffler said. “A sit-down operator is stationary, and the center-of-gravity of the mower will not change dramati-cally, making cutting on slopes a little more challenging.


Traditional ZTRs remain popular thanks to their productivity and ability to mow larger properties quickly.


Also, with their larger footprints, you get less equipment loaded on a trailer versus using stand-on mowers.”

What does the future hold? Both stand-ons and ZTRs will continue to have their fans, according to our experts.

Minas believes that ZTRs will continue to be one of the top mowing solutions because of their productiv-ity benefits, even though stand-ons have increased in popularity.

“We believe that stand-on mowers will become more popular than other style mowers,” Wright said. “It’s al-most universally accepted as the best way to get the job done and, as the industry evolves, the notion of what a stand-on mower will do will also evolve, eliminating the

objections of the late adopters. We’ve certainly seen the start of this evolution as many manufacturers enter the market with their first-generation models.”

“Stand-ons have an opportunity for growth at the expense of walk-behinds as traditional, riding ZTRs,” Roche said. “I think stand-ons will take more of the walk-behind and sulky business in the near term be-cause of the natural productivity gains there.”

But don’t discount the ZTR.“The sit-down zero-turn market will continue to lead

the way in market share, as these mowers allow more flexibility in features and designs that landscapers need simply due to their larger size,” Scheffler said. “And in the residential market, as well as our culture, the cus-tomers typically desire to sit.”


Stand-on mowers provide a natural and intuitive body position when working that allows bumps and vibrations to travel through the entire body.

D ue to the prevalence of gasoline, considering other fuel sources is not high up on most landscapers’ checklists when considering new mowers.

Yet the market for mowers powered by a fuel other than gasoline is growing, and as technology advances, some of these alternative fuels offer both financial and environmental benefits to companies that switch.

DieselComing in second to gasoline in popularity is diesel. Al-though diesel and gasoline are both derived from crude oil, the two fuels have different molecular structures, and they also differ in how they burn and create energy.

Diesel gets better mileage than gas, thanks to its higher density, meaning less fuel is required to generate

beyond gasoline


BY JILL ODOM, EDITOR

The more you know:

Evaluating the alternatives to gasoline

the same power. But diesel still may suffer from a per-ception problem.

“It used to be you’d run along a highway and you’d see those trucks that were just spitting out black smog all over the place, and that’s what people think about when they think about diesel,” said Mike Simmon, marketing coordinator for Grasshopper. “But diesel is the

best alternative to gasoline.” According to Simmon, power, fuel economy and emis-

sions compliance can all be found wrapped up in the diesel package.

According to Jamie Briggs, an Exmark product manag-er, there has been increased interest in diesel due to the productivity it offers. Exmark recently introduced its new Lazer Z Diesel model at the 2017 GIE+EXPO and Briggs says it has been well-received by landscapers.

“Fuel consumption is significantly less than gas-pow-ered engines,” Briggs said. “And with their torque and power, they’re able to cut more grass in less time using the diesel.”

Simmon said that while landscapers may pay more at the pump or per gallon for diesel, they will use less of it over time compared to gasoline or propane, which tend to burn a gallon and a half per hour.

There are some drawbacks to using diesel. Crews, used to using gasoline, may mistakenly put gas in a diesel tank. Another limitation is the number of locations at which crews can refuel. Simmon said while diesel outlets are becoming more common, they are still not as abundant as some would believe.

And a diesel-powered machine can cause sticker shock to some landscapers since these models are $2,000 to $3,000 more than a comparable gas mower.

“You also get a lot more power, fuel economy and longevity,” Simmon said. “So over time you’re going to catch up that higher cost of acquisition with your lower cost of ownership.”

Yet recovering the upfront cost only makes sense for those who plan to keep their equipment for four years or more. Those who trade their models in every two or three years won’t be able to fully recoup their costs in that amount of time, according to Simmon.

“Usually the hesitation comes down to that cost of acquisition and then the question (is) whether or not you are going to own that machine and use it long enough to get your return on investment,” Simmon said. “Eco-nomics usually play a larger role in the decision making than the environment does. Buyers have to balance their business needs with the environmental costs.”

According to Simmon, it is generally the business-savvy landscaping companies that will actually pull the trigger on diesel units because they have developed a

beyond gasoline


Exmark introduced its new Lazer Z Diesel model at the 2017 GIE+EXPO and the company says it has been well-received by landscapers.

beyond gasoline

strong customer loyalty. “They don’t have the worry that

they’re going to get undercut or underbid on a cost basis because they’re doing so much more for their customers and what they’re provid-ing to them every month,” Simmon said.

Propane gains popularityThere has been a steady increase of propane mowers available from OEMs over the past few years.

More than 150 propane mower models are now produced by 14 manufacturers in a variety of con-figurations, including zero-turn and stand-on units, according to Jeremy Wishart, director of off-road busi-ness development for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). There are around 20,000 commercial propane mowers in operation across the country, which is about 5 percent of the total com-mercial mower market.

“Contrast that to 2012, when there were a few hun-dred propane mowers in operation — and only a hand-ful of models available by a few OEMs — and you can see a market full of contractors who are buying into the benefits of propane,” Wishart said.

The pros of propane include lower operating costs, longer engine life and cleaner burning fuel.

“Compared with gasoline mowers, research shows that propane reduces source energy use by 20 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent, NOx emis-sions by 19 percent and SOx emissions by 16 percent,” Wishart said. “This is obviously better for the environ-ment — a fact landscapers can leverage when marketing to environmentally-conscious clients to grow business. Commercial clients, for example, are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly methods to support their own corporate sustainability efforts. Homeowners are also becoming increasingly attuned to the potential impact of

engine emissions.”Lawn Butler, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, made the

switch to propane five years ago and converted almost all of its fleet. Since swapping his fleet, Seth Kehne, president of Lawn Butler, said his costs have decreased thanks to the ability to buy a certain amount of propane at the beginning of the year to lock in their rate.

“One of the biggest pros is from a budgetary stand-point,” Kehne said. “We’re able to be right on target with our budget as opposed to fluctuating with gasoline, like we do with our trucks.”

In addition, Lawn Butler doesn’t worry about theft or spills with propane. “It’s clean burning, so guys riding around breathing it in are safe,” Kehne said. “It’s sus-tainable and our engines live longer and we actually can push our maintenance a little bit longer between oil changes.”

Lawn Butler has an on-site propane tank that a


As John Deere sees increased interest from its customers in alternative fuels, it says the company is committed to providing the various fuel options to meet their needs.

beyond gasoline

vendor refills regularly, making it easy for crew mem-bers to grab a tank and go. Kehne says landscaping companies would need at least six pieces of equipment running every day for this sort of investment to be worthwhile.

Some of the biggest barriers for propane right now are the cost of acquisition, equipment resale values and landscapers’ predisposition to gasoline.

“Propane’s biggest challenge is competing with the status quo,” Wishart said. “You never hear contractors say they love gasoline; they use it because it’s what they’ve always used, plain and simple. Getting contrac-tors to think beyond how they’ve always operated and realize that there are other fuel sources better suited for the work they’re doing will always be our number one challenge and top priority.”

While some companies are reluctant to pay the higher prices for propane equipment, there are rebates offered

by PERC’s Propane Mower Incen-tive Program that offer contractors $1,000 for every new propane mower purchase and $500 for every mower conversion.

Yet, Wishart says the incentive is more of a perk than a necessity, and many contractors have made the switch without using the program and still experienced a positive ROI.

Kehne felt it was important to be good steward of the environ-ment and had decided to switch to propane even if it was going to cost the company a little more.

“If we have the ability, where it’s close in costs, we’ll do the more sustainable option,” Kehne said. “Our employees really like it, as well.”

Both Kehne and Briggs say a dis-advantage of propane mowers is the challenge of reselling the product into the secondary market due to the limited number of contractors looking to buy propane units.

Other manufacturers, such as Grasshopper, do not currently sell a propane mower. The company offered a propane model in the 1990s, but Simmon said it didn’t last.

“We didn’t see the advantages even back then,” Sim-mon said. “Even if the technology has advanced, the properties of propane don’t change. Propane is a dry fuel, which means there’s less lubrication than with gas or diesel.”

Yet, Wishart says propane technology has advanced over the years.

“Propane engine and aftermarket conversion technol-ogy has made significant advancements to maximize performance and efficiency, so the cutting experience is identical to what contractors are used to with gasoline engines,” Wishart said.

Wishart also pointed to the number and type of contractors applying for the Propane Mower Incentive Program. “While we’ve always had healthy participation


beyond gasoline

since the program first launched in 2012, we’re now seeing more second- and third-time applicants, re-inforcing the belief that once a contractor converts to propane, there is no going back to gasoline.”

Other alternatives While diesel and propane are the pre-dominant gas alternatives, other fuels and power sources are available. Whether or not these will gain a significant foothold in the mower market is still subject to debate.

ElectricityAs battery power has slowly become more prevalent in handheld landscaping tools, mower manufactures have begun moni-toring and taking this power source for zero-turn mowers more seriously.

“Exmark is always watching the leading technol-ogy,” Briggs said. “It’s now a cost and productivity issue. Contractors need to be able to buy equipment that makes money, but they also need to be able to run for a full day without doing recharging. Certainly, there’s an opportunity for electric to gain traction, but there still needs to be an advancement in the technology to get it there.”

Nick Minas, a product manager for John Deere Com-mercial Mowing, said while there hasn’t been an over-whelming demand for electric zero-turn mowers, there is still increased interest from landscapers.

“As technology advances, there could be more oppor-tunities for electric mowers,” Minas said.

Simmon is skeptical battery power is the solution as an alternative to gas. While there has been advancement for electric power in the automotive industry, he isn’t certain how well it will transfer over to running a mower.

Electricity may not be up to the weight and power demands of today’s mowers, Simmon said. Electric-pow-ered handheld equipment makes more sense, because they use smaller rechargeable batteries, and are used in spurts of time, he said.

Simmon doesn’t write off electric completely, noting battery-powered handheld equipment’s progress over the past 10 years.

Electric-powered commercial mowers could eventu-ally reach acceptance, Simmon said, “but it would have to take some significant advancement in the amount of power a battery could provide.”

One landscaper is seeing a more immediate future for electricity, however. Lawn Butler’s Kehne believes elec-tricity will eventually overtake gas, and his company is already planning to evaluate electric zero-turn mowers in the next two to five years.

BiodieselBiodiesel, considered a subset of diesel by some, currently has only 202 public fueling stations in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.


Grasshopper offers a Tier

4 Final-compliant

diesel-powered

model.

beyond gasoline

Simmon noted most landscapers refuel their mowers either through contract fueling or at filling stations, and those are going to offer predominately gas and diesel. “Until we get to a point where biodiesel makes a good inroad in the vehicle market, then there’s going to be less demand for it in mowers,” he said.

Biodiesel is typically sold to end users as a blend of biodiesel and petroleum-based diesel. The nomencla-ture includes a capital “B” (for biodiesel) followed by a number that indicates the percentage of biodiesel versus petro-diesel. So B5 is 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petro-diesel. B20, a common blend for com-mercial purposes, is 20 percent biodiesel/80 percent petro-diesel.

Pure B100 biodiesel by itself is more expensive to make than petro-diesel. But thanks to the Renewable Fuels Act of 2007, credits generated by renewable fuel pro-duction brought the price down to $2.68 a gallon for B20 last fall. What’s im-

portant to remember is that 80 percent of a B20 blend is

diesel, so the price of the biodiesel is actually much lower than diesel. For example, if the credit’s total value was $1.20 a gallon, the B100 price would be $2.18. It’s the diesel that brings the B20 price back up to $2.68, which is still lower than the straight diesel cost of $2.76.

B100 and B20 substantially reduce particulate matter, total hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Additionally, biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable and has none of the aromatics found in traditional diesel, which are consid-ered carcinogenic.

While some mower models can handle biodiesel, John Deere does not advise using blends over B20, as these can harm the emissions control system.

Interest in biodiesel as an alternative fuel has been minimal right now, according to manufacturers.

Compressed natural gasBoasting more filling stations than biodiesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) has currently 933 public fueling sta-tions in the United States.

CNG produces lower amounts of carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions than gasoline. Unlike liquid fuels, CNG does not clog fuel systems during seasonal storage, but the trade-off is a lack of lubrication, accord-ing to Simmon.

It is the least expensive U.S. fuel and almost all of the natural gas consumed in the United States is produced in North America.

For a time, Simmon believed CNG was rising up in popularity. Dixie Chopper introduced the CNG-powered Xcaliber Eco-Eagle in 2009, but the model is no longer listed on the company’s site.

Despite its advantages, CNG has its downsides. It has a lower energy density than gasoline, giving it a limited range.

Should you make the switch? There are several factors to consider when looking into going to the road less traveled.

First, of course, is the bottom line. Spiking gas prices can hurt your wallet but swapping to another fuel comes with a series of upfront costs, including the new equip-ment and the possible need of setting up infrastructure for refueling.

“With alternative fuels, it is important for landscap-ers to consider infrastructure to ensure they have access and storage for fuel,” Minas said. “The cost savings may not outweigh the costs to set up a business for alterna-tive fuels.”

Another element to keep in mind is the change in maintenance procedures. Most alternative fuels sim-plify maintenance, but other processes will need to be learned for the different type of fuel and engine.

If your company is trying to win city or government contracts, switching to alternative fuels can give you a competitive advantage. Likewise, if your company has committed to being sustainable, using alternative fuels can enhance your ecological footprint and public percep-tion.

“We’ve put it out there a little bit and people think it’s great,” Kehne said. On one public/private contract, Lawn Butler highlighted its propane use when quoting the job. “That added to our pros,” he said. “So, it’s definitely positive.”


models


Altoz TRX 660 i All-Terrain XE 540 HDBOB-CAT Predator-Pro RS XRZ Pro RSCub Cadet PRO Z 972 L PR0 Z 160 S EFIExmark Lazer RadiusFerris IS 3200Z and IS 2100Z 400S Grasshopper 900 Series 100V SeriesGravely Pro-Turn 400 Pro-TurnHusqvarna Z560X M-ZT 52Hustler Super Z HyperDrive X-ONEJohn Deere Z955M Z915EKubota Z700 Z400Mean Green Mowers CXR-52 N/ARed Max CZT60x CZT52Scag Turf Tiger 2 PatriotToro Z-Master TitanWalker T25i S18Wright Manufacturing MMZ ZTO

Brand flagships and entry-level models

Brand Flagship model Entry-level model

specs


Altoz

Altoz

XE 540 HD

Kawasaki

FX

27

852

3 Years/600 hours (First 12 months no hour limitation)

$8,199

10/6

23”

13”

54”

1.5” to 4.25”

Fabricated Steel, Laminated 10 and 10 Gauge deck thickness

73.5”

N/A

55”

64”

83.5”

83.5”

1020

N/A

10

Altoz

TRX 660 i All-Terrain

Vanguard

EFI

37

993

3 years Engine + 2 Year Transmission + 1 Year Manufacturer

$19,999

10/6

11” Wide Track

15”

66”

3” to 7”

Fabricated Steel, Laminated 10 and 7 Gauge deck thickness

79”

N/A

67.5”

67.5”

96”

96”

1570

N/A

14

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd/rev (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)

Deck sizes available

Cutting height (in.)

Deck construction

Overall height with ROPS up (ft./in.)

Overall height with ROPS down (ft./in.)

Overall width with chute up (ft./in.)

Overall width with chute down (ft./in.)

Overall length with ROPS up (ft./in.)

Overall length with ROPS down (ft./in.)

Operating weight (lbs.)

Fuel consumption (gal./hr.)

Gas tank capcity (gal.)

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


BOB-CAT

BOB-CAT

Predator-Pro RS

Kawasaki

FX1000V

35

999

6-year/2,750 hour

$14,225

12.5

24

13

61”, 72”

1-4.75

Fabricated, formed & welded’

73.8

49

63

77

82

82

1,293

N/A

14

BOB-CAT

XRZ Pro RS

Kawasaki

FX651V, FX691V, FX730V

20.5 22 23.5

726

6-year/1,200 hour

$6,799

10

23

13

48”, 52”, 61”

1.5-4.875

Fabricated, formed & welded’

67.4

45”

49 54 62

62 67 76

76”

76”

758, 774, 817

N/A

9 1/2

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Cub Cadet

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










PRO Z

160 S EFI

Kohler Confidant

EFI EZT-750

27 HP

747cc

2 year/no hour limit commercial warranty & 4 year/500 hour limited residential warranty

$7,499

up to 9.5/4.5

Turf 23” x 10.5” - 12”

Turf 13” x 6.5” - 6”

60”

1” - 5”

Floating, fabricated 10ga. (.135”) steel shell (e-coated)

70”

48”

62”

73”

80”

80”

1060

N/A

7 gal (twin 3.5gal. Tanks)

PRO Z

972 L

Kawasaki

FX1000v

35 HP

999cc

3 year/no hour limit limited commercial warranty & 5 year/1,750 hour limited deck construction warranty

$11,999

up to 14/7

Turf 26” x 12” - 12”

Smooth (Run Flat) 15” x 6” - 6”

72”

1” - 5”

Floating, fabricated 7ga. (.187”) steel shell (e-coated)

75”

52”

74”

85”

88”

88”

1,591

N/A

14.9 gal (twin 7.45 gal. tanks) with dial gauge

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Exmark

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Exmark

Radius E-Series

Exmark

708cc V-Twin

N/A

708

4 years/500 hours

N/A

8.0/5.0

22x9.5-12 (48”, 52”), 22x10.5-12 (60”)

13x6.5-6

48”, 52”, 60”

1.5-5.0

Fabricated and welded

5’10”

N/A

N/A

5’0” (48”), 5’5” (52”), 6’1” (60”)

6’10” (48”, 52”), 6’11” (60”)

N/A

849 lbs. (48”), 862 lbs. (52”), 901 lbs. (60”)

N/A

7

Exmark

Radius S-Series Suspension

Exmark

708cc V-Twin

N/A

708

4 years/500 hours

N/A

9.0/5.0

23x9.5-12 (48”, 52”), 23x10.5-12 (60”)

13x6.5-6

48”, 52”, 60” (side-discharge), 60” (rear-discharge)

1.5-5.0


5’10”

N/A

N/A

5’0” (48”), 5’5” (52”), 6’1” (60”)

6’10” (48”, 52”), 6’11” (60”)

N/A

N/A

N/A

7

Exmark

Radius X-Series

Kawasaki

FX651V (48”), FX691V (52”), FX730V (60”)

N/A

726

4 years/500 hours

N/A

10.0/5.0

23x9.5-12 (48”, 52”), 23x10.5-12 (60”)

13x6.5-6

48”, 52”, 60”

1.5-5.0


5’11”

N/A

N/A

5’0” (48”), 5’5” (52”), 6’1” (60”)

6’10” (48”, 52”), 6’11” (60”)

N/A

937 lbs. (48”), 957 lbs. (52”), 1006 lbs. (60”)

N/A

7

Exmark

Lazer Z E-Series – EFI

Kohler

ECV740

N/A

747

5 years/1,250 hours, no hour limit in first 2 years

N/A

10.0/6.0

24x12-12

13x6.5-6

60”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

6’1”

7’

N/A

1115 lbs

N/A

8

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

(continues)

specs


Exmark

Exmark

Lazer Z E-Series

Kawasaki

FX651V (48”), FX751V (52”, 60”, 72”)

N/A

726/852


N/A

10.0/6.0

23x9.5-12 (48”, 52”), 24x12-12 (60”, 72”)

13x6.5-6

48”, 52”, 60”, 72” (side-discharge), 60” or 72” (rear-discharge)

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

5’0” (48), 5’5” (52”), 6’1” (60” side-dischrage), 7’1” (72” side-discharge), 5’7” (60” rear-discharge), 6’7” (72” rear-discharge)

6’8” (48”, 52”), 7’0” (60” side-discharge), 7’2” (72” side-discharge), 7’3” (60”, 72” rear-discharge

N/A

N/A

N/A

8

Exmark

Lazer Z E-Series Suspension

Kawasaki

FX751V

N/A

852


N/A

10.0/6.0

24x12-12

13x6.5-6

60”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

6’1”

7’

N/A

N/A

8

Exmark

Lazer Z S-Series

Kawasaki

FX651V (48”), FX801V (52’, 60”), FX850V (60”, 72”)

N/A

726/852


N/A

10.0/6.0

23x9.5-12 (48”, 52”), 24x12-12 (60”, 72”)

13x6.5-6

48”, 52”, 60”, 72”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

5’0” (48”), 5’5” (52”), 6’1” (60”), 7’1” (72”)

6’8” (48”, 52”), 7’0” (60”), 7’2” (72”)

N/A

N/A

12

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

(continues)

specs


(cont.)

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Exmark

Lazer Z S-Series – EFI

Kohler

ECV740 (52”), ECV749 (60”, 72”)

N/A

747


N/A

10.0/6.0

23x9.5-12 (52”), 24x12-12 (60”, 72”)

13x6.5-6

52”, 60”, 72”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

5’5” (52”), 6’1” (60”), 7’1” (72”)

6’8” (52”), 7’0” (60”), 7’2” (72”)

N/A

N/A

N/A

12

Exmark

Lazer Z S-Series – EFI/Propane

Kohler

PCV740

N/A

747


N/A

10.0/6.0

24x12-12

13x6.5-6

60”, 72”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

6’1” (60”), 7’1” (72”)

7’0” (60”), 7’2” (72”)

N/A

1283 lbs. (60”), 1383 lbs. (72”)

N/A

43.5 lb (propane)

Exmark

Lazer Z X-Series

Kawasaki

FX801V (60”), FX921V (60”, 72”)

N/A

852/999


N/A

10.0/6.0

24x12-12

13x6.5-6

60”, 72”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

6’1” (60”), 7’1” (72”)

7’0” (60”), 7’2” (72”)

N/A

1215-1235 lbs (60”), 1259 lbs. (72”)

N/A

12

Exmark (continues)

specs


Exmark

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Exmark

Lazer Z X-Series – EFI/RED Technology

Kohler

ECV740 (52”), ECV940 (60”, 72”), ECV980 (72”)

N/A

747/999


N/A

10.0/6.0

23x9.5-12 (52”), 24x12-12 (60”, 72”)

13x6.5-6

52”, 60”, 72”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

5’5” (52”), 6’1” (60”), 7’1” (72”)

6’8” (52”), 7’0” (60”), 7’2” (72”)

N/A

N/A

N/A

12

Exmark

Lazer Z X-Series Suspension

Kawasaki

FX801V (60”), FX921V (72”)

N/A

852/999


N/A

10.0/6.0

24x12-12

13x6.5-6

60”, 72”

1.0-5.5


5’11”

N/A

N/A

6’1” (60”), 7’1” (72”)

7’0” (60”), 7’2” (72”)

N/A

1215 lbs. (60”), 1294 lbs. (72”)

N/A

12

Exmark

Navigator

Kohler

CH740 (42”, 48”), ECH730 (48”)

N/A

725/747

2 years, no hour limit

N/A

7.0/4.5

18x10.5-10

8x3.0-4

42”, 48”

1.0-4.0


4’4”

N/A

N/A

3’8” (42”), 4’2” (48”)

7’8” (42”), 7’11” (48”)

N/A

1140 lbs. (42”), 1170 lbs. (48”)

N/A

7.5

specs


Ferr is

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Ferris® IS 3200Z

5901567

Kawasaki®

Kawasaki® FX1000V

35 gross hp

999

4-year limited/500 hours Engine Warranty: 3-Year limited manufacturer’s warranty

$11,699

0-12

26” x 12”-12”

13 x 6.5-6”

61” and 72”

1.5 - 5”

ICD™ Cutting System

5.85 ft./70.25 in.

4.82 ft./57.875 in.

5.54 ft./66.5 in

6.39 ft./76.75 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

1443

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 3200Z

5901568

Vanguard™

Vanguard™ BIG BLOCK™ EFI with Oil Guard

37 gross hp

933


$11,999

0-12

26” x 12”-12”

13 x 6.5-6”

61” and 72”

1.5 - 5”


5.85 ft./70.25 in.

4.82 ft./57.875 in.

5.54 ft./66.5 in

6.39 ft./76.76 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

1443

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 3200Z

5901570

Kawasaki®

Kawasaki® FX1000V

35 gross hp

999


$11,699

0-12

26” x 12”-12”

13 x 6.5-6”

61” and 72”

1.5 - 5”


5.85 ft./70.25 in.

4.82 ft./57.875 in.

6.37 ft./76.5 in.

7.14 ft./85.75 in

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

1511

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 3200Z

5901571

Vanguard™


37 gross hp

993


$12,299

0-12

26” x 12”-12”

13 x 6.5-6”

61” and 72”

1.5 - 5”


5.85 ft./70.25 in.

4.82 ft./57.875 in.

6.37 ft./76.5 in.

7.14 ft./85.75 in

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

1511

N/A

11 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

(continues)

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Ferris® IS 3200Z

5901574

Vanguard™


32 gross hp

896


$11,699

0-12

26” x 12”-12”

13 x 6.5-6”

61” and 72”

1.5 - 5”


5.85 ft./70.25 in.

4.82 ft./57.875 in.

6.37 ft./76.5 in.

7.14 ft./85.75 in

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

1511

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 3200Z

5901575

Vanguard™


32 gross hp

896


$10,999

0-12

26” x 12”-12”

13 x 6.5-6”

61” and 72”

1.5 - 5”


5.85 ft./70.25 in.

4.82 ft./57.875 in.

6.37 ft./76.5 in.

6.39 ft./76.75 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

7.04 ft./84.5 in.

1443

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 2100Z

5901581

Vanguard™

Vanguard™ 810cc

26 gross hp

810


$8,699

0-10

24” x 9.5”-12”

13” x 5” - 6”

52” or 61”

1.5 - 5”


6.01 ft./72.125 in.

4.90 ft./58.75 in.

4.75 ft./57 in.

5.58 ft./67 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

1223

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 2100Z

5901582

Kawasaki®

Kawasaki® FX801V

25.5 gross hp

852


$9,299

0-10

24” x 9.5”-12”

13” x 5” - 6”

52” or 61”

1.5 - 5”


6.01 ft./72.125 in.

4.90 ft./58.75 in.

4.75 ft./57 in.

5.58 ft./67 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

1223

N/A

11 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Ferr is (continues)

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Ferris® IS 2100Z

5901583

Vanguard™

Vanguard 810 EFI with Oil Guard

28 gross hp

810


$9,499

0-10

24” x 9.5”-12”

13” x 5” - 6”

52” or 61”

1.5 - 5”


6.01 ft./72.125 in.

4.90 ft./58.75 in.

4.75 ft./57 in.

5.58 ft./67 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

1223

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 2100Z

5901587

Vanguard™

Vanguard™ 810cc

26 gross hp

810


$8,999

0-10

24” x 12” - 12”

13 x 6.5-6”

52” or 61”

1.5 - 5”


6.01 ft./72.125 in.

4.90 ft./58.75 in.

5.12 ft./61.5 in.

6.5 ft./78 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

1295

N/A

11 gal

Ferris® IS 2100Z

5901588

Kawasaki®

Kawasaki® FX801V

25.5 gross hp

852


$9,699

0-10

24” x 12” - 12”

13 x 6.5-6”

52” or 61”

1.5 - 5”


6.01 ft./72.125 in.

4.90 ft./58.75 in.

5.12 ft./61.5 in.

6.5 ft./78 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

1295

1 N/A

1 gal

Ferris® IS 2100Z

5901589

Vanguard™

VanguardTM 810 EFI with Oil Guard

28 gross hp

810


$9,999

0-10

24” x 12” - 12”

13 x 6.5-6”

52” or 61”

1.5 - 5”


6.01 ft./72.125 in.

4.90 ft./58.75 in.

5.12 ft./61.5 in.

6.5 ft./78 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

1295

N/A

11 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Ferr is (continues)

specs


Ferr is

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Ferris® IS 2100Z

5901714

Kawasaki®

Kawasaki® FX850V EFI

29.5 gross hp

852


$10,399

0-10

24” x 12” - 12”

13 x 6.5-6”

52” or 61”

1.5 - 5”


6.01 ft./72.125 in.

4.90 ft./58.75 in.

5.12 ft./61.5 in.

6.5 ft./78 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

6.875 ft./82.5 in.

1295

N/A

11 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Ferris® 400S

5091704

Briggs & Stratton®

Briggs & Stratton® Commercial Series

23 gross hp

724


$4,299

0-8

20”

11”

48”

1.5” - 4.5”

10-guage fabricated deck with reinforded top, corners, side skirts and leading edge.

N/A

N/A

4.9 ft./59.5 in.

4 ft./48 in.

6.66 ft./80 in.

N/A

753

N/A

5.5

Ferris® 400S

5901705

Kawasaki®

Kawasaki® FR651V

21.5 gross hp

651


$4,299

0-8

20”

11”

48”

1.5” - 4.5”

10-guage fabricated deck with reinforded top, corners, side skirts and leading edge.

N/A

N/A

4.9 ft./59.5 in.

4 ft./48 in.

6.66 ft./80 in.

N/A

753

N/A

5.5

specs


Grasshopper

900 Series

900D 1.3L

Kubota

MaxTorque Diesel

N/A

1.3 L

Commercial: 3-year/unlimited hours Residential: 4-year/800 hours Engine: 3-year engine manufacturer limited warranty

$20,755

11.0

24x12x12 Bar Tread

9x3.5x4 Flat-proof

61”

1.25” - 5”

DuraMax

69.5

NA

64.0

74.5

112.5

NA

1,595 lbs.

1.00

8.0

100V Series

124V

Briggs & Stratton

Commercial Turf

N/A

724 cc

Commercial: 2-year or 500-hour (whichever comes first, limited warranty. Residential: 4-year or 500-hour (whichever comes first) limited warranty. Engine: 3-year engine manufacturer limited warranty

$6,535

8.0

20x10x10 Turf

13x5x6 Ribbed

48”

1.00” - 5”

Double-layered 10-gauge

59.0”

NA

51.0”

61.5”

75.0”

NA

810 lbs.

1.65

6.5

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Gravely

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Pro-Turn

991215

Kawasaki

FS691V

23

726

2 yrs/1000 hrs

$7,310

9/5

22 X 10-10

13 X 6.5-6

48

1-5

Fab

70 in

46.7 in

62

50

78.5

78.5

964

N/A

10 gal

Pro-Turn

991216

Kawasaki

FS691V

23

726

2 yrs/1000 hrs

$7,534

9/5

22 X 10-10

13 X 6.5-6

52

1-5

Fab

70 in

46.7 in

67.5

55.5

78.5

78.5

977

N/A

10 gal

Pro-Turn

991217

Kawasaki

FS730V

24

726

2 yrs/1000 hrs

$7,862

9/5

22 X 10-10

13 X 6.5-6

60

1-5

Fab

70 in

46.7 in

75

63

78.5

78.5

1006

N/A

10 gal

Pro-Turn

991218

Kohler

ZT730

23

747

2 yrs/1000 hrs

$6,882

9/5

22 X 10-10

13 X 6.5-6

48

1-5

Fab

70 in

46.7 in

62

50

78.5

78.5

953

N/A

10 gal

Pro-Turn

991219

Kohler

ZT730

23

747

2 yrs/1000 hrs

$7,021

9/5

22 X 10-10

13 X 6.5-6

52

1-5

Fab

70 in

46.7 in

67.5

55.5

78.5

78.5

966

N/A

10 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

(continues)

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Pro-Turn

991220

Kohler

ZT740

25

747

2 yrs/1000 hrs

$7,371

9/5

22 X 10-10

13 X 6.5-6

60

1-5

Fab

70 in

46.7 in

75

63

78.5

78.5

995

N/A

10 gal

Pro-Turn 400

992273

Kawasaki

FX850

27

852

3 yrs

$12,106

13/6

23 X 10-12

15 X 6-6

52

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

67.5

55.5

80

80

1326

N/A

13.4 gal

Pro-Turn 400

992274

Kawasaki

FX921V

31

999

3 yrs

$13,138

13/6

24 X 12-12

15 X 6-6

60

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

75

63

80

80

1358

N/A

13.4 gal

Pro-Turn 400

992275

Kawasaki

FX 1000V

35

999

3 yrs

$13,686

13/6

24 X 12-12

15 X 6-6

60

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

75

63

80

80

1358

N/A

13.4 gal

Pro-Turn 400

992276

Kawasaki

FX 1000V

35

999

3 yrs

$13,908

13/6

24 X 12-12

15 X 6-6

72

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

87

75

82

82

1453

N/A

13.4 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Gravely (continues)

specs


Gravely

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Pro-Turn 400

992278

Kohler

EFI ECV880

33

824

3 yrs

$13,583

13/6

24 X 12-12

15 X 6-6

60

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

75

63

80

80

1360

N/A

13.4 gal

Pro-Turn 400

992282

Yamaha

EFI MX775V

29

824

3 yrs

$12,850

13/6

24 X 12-12

15 X 6-6

52

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

67.5

55.5

80

80

1332

N/A

13.4 gal

Pro-Turn 400

992283

Yamaha

EFI MX825V

33

824

3 yrs

$13,686

13/6

24 X 12-12

15 X 6-6

60

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

75

63

80

80

1356

N/A

13.4 gal

Pro-Turn 400

992284

Yamaha

EFI MX825V

33

824

3 yrs

$14,156

13/6

24 X 12-12

15 X 6-6

72

1-5.5

Fab

70 in

47.75

87

75

80

80

1445

N/A

13.4 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Husqvarna

Z560X

Kawasaki

FX801V

27 hp

852 cc

5 years/1,500 hrs

$11,399.95

12 mph

24 x 12-12

13 x 6.5-6 flat free

60 in.

1-5 in.

7 ga

73 in.

46 in.

62.5 in

76 in.

81 in.

81 in.

1,398 lbs

N/A

12 gal.

Husqvarna

Z560X

Kawasaki

FX850V

31 hp

999 cc

5 years/1,500 hrs

$11,799.95

12 mph

24 x 12-12


60 in.

1-5 in.

7 ga

73 in.

46 in.

62.5 in

76 in.

81 in.

81 in.

1,398 lbs

N/A

12 gal.

Husqvarna

Z560X

Kohler

Command Pro EFI

31 hp

824 cc

5 years/1,500 hrs

$11,999.95

12 mph

24 x 12-12


60 in.

1-5 in.

7 ga

73 in.

46 in.

62.5 in

76 in.

81 in.

81 in.

1,398 lbs

N/A

12 gal.

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Husqvarna (continues)

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Husqvarna

M-ZT 52

Briggs & Stratton

Endurance Commercial

26 hp

810 cc

4 years/750 hours

$5,899.95

10 mph

23 x 9.5-12

13 x 6.5-6

52 in.

1.5-4.5 in.

11ga

72 in.

45.5 in.

54 in.

67 in.

75.5 in.

75.5 in.

760 lbs

N/A

5 gal.

Husqvarna

M-ZT 52

Kawasaki

FS651V

22 hp

726 cc

4 years/750 hours

$6,299.95

10 mph

23 x 9.5-12

13 x 6.5-6

52 in.

1.5-4.5 in.

11ga

72 in.

45.5 in.

54 in.

67 in.

75.5 in.

75.5 in.

760 lbs

N/A

5 gal.

Husqvarna

M-ZT 52

Kohler

Confidant

23 hp

725 cc

4 years/750 hours

$6,299.95

10 mph

23 x 9.5-12

13 x 6.5-6

52 in.

1.5-4.5 in.

11ga

72 in.

45.5 in.

54 in.

67 in.

75.5 in.

75.5 in.

760 lbs

N/A

5 gal.

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Husqvarna

specs


Hustler

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Transmission

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Hustler

Super Z HyperDrive

Vanguard

M61 EFI

37

993

3 year/No hour limit or 5 year/500 hours

$16,209

16

26

13

60

1”-5.5”

7 ga w/7ga stamped disc

71.5”

n/a

66”

n/a

84.5”

n/a

1536

n/a

11.7

Hustler

X-One

Kawasaki

FX850

27

852

2 year/No hour limit or 5 year/500 hours

$10,273

10.5

24

13

60

1”-5.5”

10 ga w/7 ga doubler

71.6

n/a

62.4”

n/a

82.75”

n/a

1245

n/a

11.7

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


John Deere

John Deere Commercial ZTrak™ Zero Turn Mowers

Z915E

Kohler

CV742

25 hp

747 cc

36 Months or 1200 hours , whichever comes first, no hour limitation for the first 24 hours

$8,459.00

0-10

48, 54, 60 in.

13x5-6

48, 54, 60 in.

1- 5.5 in

One-piece stamped steel with reinforcements

73 in. (6.08 ft.)

47 in. (3.92 ft.)

N/A

62 in. (5.17 ft.) 68 in. (5.67 ft.) 74 in. (6.17 ft.)

84 in. (7 ft.)

N/A

1,100 to 1,178 lb

1.1-1.9 U.S. gal./hr

11.5 U.S. gal.

John Deere Commercial ZTrak™ Zero Turn Mowers

Z955M EFI

Kohler

ECV860J EFI

29 hp

824 cc

36 Months or 1200 hours , whichever comes first, no hour limitation for the first 24 hours

$11,929.00

0-10

N/A

N/A

60, 72 in.

1- 5.5 in

7Iron PRO, one-piece stamped steel with reinforcements

73 in. (6.08 ft.)

47 in. (3.92 ft.)

N/A

74 in. (6.17 ft.) 86 in. (7.17 ft.)

84 in. (7 ft.)

N/A

1,275 to1,365 lb

1.0-1.8 U.S. gal./hr

11.5 U.S. gal.

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Kubota

Z400 Series

Kawasaki

FS651/FS730

22/24

726/726

4 yr/500 hr (Res) // 2yr unl hr(Comm)

From $6,560

10 / 5

23”x10.5”-12”

16”x7.5”-8”

48” / 54” / 60”

1.5” - 5”

Fabricated & Welded

69.8

N/A

48.5/54.5/60.5

61/67/73

80.9

80.9

870

N/A

6.8

Kubota

Z700 Series

Kohler/Kawasaki

GH680/GH730/GH740/FX730/FX801

23.5/24/25/24/26

694/747/747/726/852

4 yr/750 hr (Res) // 2yr unl hr(Comm)

From $8,717

11.2 / 5.6

23”x10.5”-12”

16”x7.5”-8”

48” / 54” / 60”

1.0” - 5”

Fabricated & Welded

69.9

N/A

48.5/54.5/60.5

61/67/73

83.9

83.9

1232

N/A

11.6

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Kubota

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










CXR-52

Electric

Electric, Lithium

36

3 battery, 2 limited

$15,499

9

24

13

52/60

1-5.5

steel

69

46

54

6

69

69

590-650* *Depending on number of batteries

N/A

N/A

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Mean Green

specs


RedMax

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Transmission

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










RedMax

CZT60x

Kawasaki

FX850V

27 hp

852 cc

5 years/1,500 hrs

$10,599.95

12 mph

24 x 12-12


60 in.

1-5.0 in.

7 ga

73 in.

46 in.

62.5 in

76 in.

81 in.

81 in.

1,320 lbs

N/A

11 gal.

RedMax

CZT52

Kawasaki

FS691V

23 hp

726 cc

4 Years/750 Hours

$6,199.95

9 mph

23 x 9.5-12

13 x 6.5-6

52 in.

1.5-4.5 in.

11 ga

72 in.

45.5 in.

54 in.

67 in.

75.5 in.

75.5 in.

760 lbs

N/A

5 gal.

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


specs


Scag (continues)

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kohler

ECH749

26

747

2 years unlimited hours commercial. 3 years/500 hours non-commercial

N/A

12/5

26X9.5-12

13X6.5-6

52

1-6

Top 10 ga. Upper Support 7 ga. Lower Support 11 ga. Skirt 7 ga.

68

46.5

53

64.5

83

83

1420

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kawasaki

FD750D

25

745


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

61

1-6


68

46.5

62

73.5

88

88

1555

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kawasaki

FD791D

26

745


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

61

1-6


68

46.5

62

73.5

88

88

1510

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kohler

ECH749

26

747


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

61

1-6


68

46.5

62

73.5

88

88

1540

N/A

12

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Scag

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kawasaki

FD851D

31

824


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

61

1-6


68

46.5

62

73.5

88

88

1515

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Briggs

6134

35

993


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

61

1-6


68

46.5

62

73.5

88

88

1515

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Briggs

61E4

37

993


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

61

1-6


68

46.5

62

73.5

88

88

1515

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kawasaki

FD791D

26

745


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

72

1-6


68

46.5

72

83

92

92

1570

N/A

12

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

(continues)

specs


Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kohler

ECH749

26

747


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

72

1-6


68

46.5

72

83

92

92

1600

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kawasaki

FD851D

31

824


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

72

1-6


68

46.5

72

83

92

92

1575

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Briggs

6134

35

993


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

72

1-6


68

46.5

72

83

92

92

1575

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Briggs

61E4

37

993


N/A

12/5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

72

1-6


68

46.5

72

83

92

92

1575

N/A

12

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Scag (continues)

specs


Scag

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kubota Diesel

D902

25

898


N/A

10-5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

61

1-6


68

46.5

62

73.5

92

92

1728

N/A

12

Scag

Turf Tiger II

Kubota Diesel

D902

25

898


N/A

10-5

26x12-12

13X6.5-6

72

1-6


68

46.5

72

83

92

92

1758

N/A

12

Scag

Patriot

Kawasaki

FX691V

22

726


N/A

8.5/5

22x10.5-12

13x6.5-6

52

1.5-5

Top 10 ga. Support 11 ga. Skirt 7 ga.

61

47.5

53

64.5

73

73

840

N/A

6.5

Scag

Patriot

Kawasaki

FX730V

23

726


N/A

10/5

24x12-12

13x6.5-6

61

1.5-5

Top 10 ga. Support 11 ga. Skirt 7 ga.

61.5

47.5

62

73.5

79

79

900

N/A

6.5

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP


Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Displacement (cc)

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Toro TITAN HD

2500

Kawasaki

FX 726cc

23.5

726cc

4 year/1000 hours

$9,443

10

24x12-12

13x6.5-6”

48,52,60

1.5”-5”

7/10-gauge high-stength steel

70.5”

49”

53”

63.25”

82”

N/A

937 lbs

N/A

7 gal

Toro Z Master

7500-D

Yanmar

1642cc

37

1642cc

5 year/2000 hours

N/A

12.5

26x12-12

15x6 - 6

60,72,96

1.0-5.5

7 gauge TURBO FORCE with Bullnose bumper

71.8”

51”

102.93”

N/A

97.38

N/A

2,650 lbs

N/A

12.5 gal

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

Toro

specs


Walker

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Transmission

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










Walker

S18

Briggs Vanguard

V-Twin

18

570

1-3

N/A

7.4/5

18

8

36-48

1-4

Welded Steel

No ROPS

No ROPS

49

49

94

N/A

827

N/A

4

Walker

T25i

Kohler EFI

ECH740

25

747

1-3

N/A

7/5

18

8

36-74

1-4

Welded Steel

No ROPS

No ROPS

49

49

93

N/A

1018

N/A

4.7

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

specs


Wright Manufactur ing

Make

Model

Engine make

Engine model

Horsepower

Transmission

Years/hours

MSRP

Max speed fwd (mph)

Drive tires (in.)

Caster tires (in.)



Deck construction










ZTO

WZTO48SFX730E

KAW

FX730

23.5

Hydro-Gear ZT3400

N/A

$8,310

10.5

23x10.5-12

13x5.00

48”

1.5-5.5”

Aero Core, 7 Guage

N/A

N/A

78”/49”

N/A

N/A

N/A

1080-1160

N/A

13.5

ZTO

WZTO52SFX730E

KAW

FX730

23.5

Hydro-Gear ZT3400

N/A

$8,490

10.5

24x12-12

13x5.00

52”

1.5-5.5”

Aero Core, 7 Guage

N/A

N/A

78”/53”

N/A

N/A

N/A

1080-1160

N/A

13.5

ZTO

WZTO61SFX730E

KAW

FX730

N/A

Hydro-Gear ZT3400

N/A

$8,740

10.5

24x12-12

13x5.00

61”

1.5-5.5”

Aero Core, 7 Guage

N/A

N/A

78”/62”

N/A

N/A

N/A

1080-1160

N/A

13.5

MMZ

WZ52SFX850E-49S

KAW

FX850

N/A

16cc pumps, 15 cu in motors

N/A

$10,030

13

24x9.5-12

13x 6.50- 6

52”

1.5 -5.5”

Aero Core, 7 Guage

N/A

N/A

78”/53”

N/A

N/A

N/A

1210- 1235

N/A

13.5

MMZ

WZ61SFX850E-49S

KAW

FX850

N/A

16cc pumps, 15 cu in motors

N/A

$10,280

13

24x12-12

13x 6.50- 6

61”

1.5- 5.5”

Aero Core, 7 Guage

N/A

N/A

78”/62”

N/A

N/A

N/A

1210 -1235

N/A

13.5

ENGINE

WARRANTY

PRICE

SPEED

TIRES

DECK

DIMENSIONS

WEIGHT

FUEL EFFICENCY

A lawn care professional's guide to mowers

Documents

Transcript of A lawn care professional's guide to mowers