Why I Bought A Husqvarna MZ48 Zero Turn Mower
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 14 июл 2022
- I forgot to mention a critical feature on this mower that helped in my decision to buy it. Since the mower officially has a commercial rating, the mowing blades spin faster than that of a residential mower. This allows the mower to be driven faster while cutting, BUT for me at my comfortable driving speed, it increases the vacuum action, lifting the grass blades better for an even more uniform cut. It also helps bag the grass more effectively with less debris left on the lawn.
Another feature I forgot to mention, is the large 5 gallon fuel tank. For my yard, the tank lasts 2.5 cuttings.
I casually shopped for nearly 2 years, then got serious during the past few months (May-July 2022) for a zero turn mower for residential use cutting roughly 2/3 of an acre with many obstacles and some hilly slopes. This video explains why I chose the Husqvarna MZ48, purchased new in July 2022.
After I made this video, I cut my lawn for the first time with the MZ48 (48" mowing deck). I can see it will take a few cuttings to acclimate using control levers instead of a typical steering wheel, but even taking extra precaution around obstacles, I cut the lawn much more quickly than I typically would do with my old 18hp MTD lawn tractor with a 46" mowing deck.
After my first cut, I am confident that I made the perfect choice, both with the model and the 48" deck size. People were saying that I should consider a Cub Cadet zero turn with a steering wheel specifically for the slopes, but I found that my numerous slopes were no issue at all, and my worst slope in the yard was only of "little" concern requiring just a little extra attention.
Model 48MZ is an entry level commercial mower which cost about $1,500 more than a residential model, but I strongly feel it was well worth the extra expense for this model because it has robust features found in a full commercial-use mower.
Other brands I looked at more closely at were Scag, Toro, John Deer, Cub Cadet, and ExMark. I did not consider a Kubota, Craftsman or Ariens, in part because they were not easy to find locally. Everyone sells a well made mower, no doubt about that. But I feel the MZ48 got me the most for my money. I call it the "Sweet Spot" for getting commercial grade features at a reasonable price. I paid $4,900 for my MZ48 at Mike's Outdoor Power in Spring Grove, IL. in July 2022. MSRP was $5,300 I had to make many calls around the Chicago area to find it....the only one around. I seen others around with the larger 54" deck called MZ54, but it was just too big for my need. The 48" deck is also more forgiving with all the slopes I deal with.
I bought a Husq 254F special edition 7 wks ago. I live on a 5.5 acre horse property with no horses, pastures were 2ft tall, not cut all summer. Took me 28 hours to cut the whole place, had to make 2 passes for the pastures. Whole place looks like a lawn. Mine has the 23 hp Kawasaki. Very powerful. Love that machine.
I've had my mz48 for 2.5 years run great never had any issues. Keep it clean, change the oil regularly, keep it greased up, you'll love it.
Love my Zero Turn New Ferris. It is a tool not a toy.
I used to do lawns and had their old, iz4817 model. That thing never once even so much as hiccuped. Husqvarna makes great equipment
The Kawasaki engine is premium motorcycle technology at it's best! High performance as well as reliability is built into every motor large or small.
Yup. Been a Kawi motorcycle guy for years. Best motors in the business.
I have the same mower and your grease zerks on the spindles look like mine and they are sealed. they are maintenance free.. Good video btw.
That looks like the same 48 inch deck as the z248f… nice
I hear all the time, that Kawasaki is better than Kohler and Briggs & Stratton. I have not owned my Kaw. engine long enough to provide an evaluation of it.
I can say that the lawn tractor my Husqvarna MZ48 replaced, was a 1988 MTD Ranch King, 18HP B&S with 46" cutting deck. It served me very well for 34 years. Everything around the engine and transmission needed attention at times, the 46" mowing deck naturally requiring the most TLC. The 18HP B&S engine did need a new starter gear twice and an ignition coil once during all those years.
Briggs and Stratton were great 30 / 40 years ago…!!!
What about the height of cut increments? Also the deck clean out hose adaptor. No other mower has it.
Every machine is height adjusting, but you are correct in that the MZ48 adjustment mechanism it extremely robust. It is not possible for the height to change from a very bad bump or other jolting influence or mishap. With the MZ48, the locking pin design is as robust and reliable as I have found. Set it and forget it.
I have seen many mowers with the deck wash port. I always thought it was a novelty feature. I tried it once, not sure how effective it truly is. I really should give it a better evaluation.
The deck height has 1/4" increments, not there right now to say min and max height. Will report back soon.
kawasaki lawnmower engines last forever, have the fc420v on an older kubota and its like a lamborghini compared to my MTD kohler
Hola@ deja raya??
Kohler belongs on your bathroom fixtures. Boat anchor.
Looking for these types of zero turn mowers is stressful for me. So many comments and opinions (good and bad), it makes you not want to do anything, at least from my point of view. Some hate Cub Cadet, but some love it, as an example. This goes for many of the mowers. I don't want to buy anything outside of their stores laying in there front, plus there are debates if these stores will honor the warranty and put you through hoops. It appears to deal with the actual dealership, but who knows. Also you better maintain these vehicles correctly or you will have problems. Then you pay several thousands of dollar ($4900 with your mower), is that including warranty? Then you have to get the mower to your house, which cost money and if you need maintenance you got to get it to the dealership - more money. It feels like a money pit. I use my push mower to cut 3/4 of an acre, but it is getting more difficult plus time consuming, especially at 61 in a North Carolina sun and humidity/dew point. Push mowers are so much easier to deal with, I have a Honda that has lasted me 16 yrs. We'll see in the future making the change to zero point mower.
Wow, you are getting some great exercise, push-mowing 3/4 of an acre.
The lawn tractor my MZ48 replaced was a 1989 home owner grade 18hp/46" MTD Ranch King I purchased new from Farm & Fleet, Woodstock, IL. I had that tractor for 33 years and sold it, still working well. I did have to fix things over the years, all done myself. Not much money in part costs either. The basic tractor was not the area of need, rather the cutting deck.
I bought the MZ48 with hopes it will require less attention than the MTD did during the previous 33 years. I never consider maintenance an issue. I am talking actual repairs.
@@rondittmer5802 , Oh Boy am I getting exercise. I cut the lawn after 7pm after the sun has gone over the trees and only one section at a time, especially in this brutally hot weather. When it is nice weather I can do half the lawn at one time, no problem. The other day I was feeling a little lightheaded and stopped, so you got to read your body.
Someday a zero turn mower, just not now.
Be well Brother!
@@erichvonmolder9310 And to you as well!
Take the elastic off that wad and get yourself a decent riding lawn mower. There's no pockets in the coffin! As for mowers, going to a zero turn takes some learning. If you have any serious slopes and want simplicity, get yourself a Husqvarna riding lawn tractor with a 42" or 48" blade. And if you got any serious slopes, they make a model with a locking rear differential.
@@AStanton1966 , Thanks for your advice. So a tractor verses a zero turn? My yard is flat, the guy next to me yard is flat as well and he has a 46" John Deere tractor. He must of had it for longer than I've been here for 5 years.
We have the MZ61, and the shop has had it for the past month. It's a POS, save yourself, and buy an ExMark.