Serious about mowing? Grab your wallet and take a look at the Kubota ZG20 Zero-Turn Riding Mower. Kubota makes diesel tractors for agricultural and landscaping applications. They also make a few gas models for residential consumers. The ZG20 should last you up to a couple of decades of fun mowing.

Kubota's new ZG (zero-turn radius gasoline engine) series has two models. The primary difference is the engine horsepower and the cutting width. The ZG20 is 20 hp and cuts 48-inch swaths while the ZG23 offers 23 hp and cuts 54 inches wide. The ZG20 is hefty enough for just about all residential lawn care needs. Of course, you could put the wider cut on the smaller engine and save a few bucks.

The ZG20 is powered by a 20-hp Kohler engine, near the top of the Kohler line. It has two cylinders for less vibration and is air-cooled. How fast will it go? Up to 9 mph forward or 5 mph in reverse. That's haulin' grass!

So why is it twice as expensive as many other zero-turn riding mowers? You get what you pay for. Instead of the transmission using a belt to spin the blades, the ZG20 is shaft-driven. And the PTO is a shaft just like on big tractors rather than a belt as on nearly all other residential mowers. The optional mower is lifted hydraulically rather than manually to make the job easier.

It's hefty. At about 1100 pounds, think of it as about $7 a pound. With that much weight below you, you'll appreciate the roll-over protection structure -- the roll bar -- that can be tipped to pull it into the shed or garage for storage.

And it's comfortable. The seat with padded armrests is much more driver-friendly than other mowers. We wanted to trade it for our office chair.

Lots of other features, too, put this at the top of the stack including a REAL fuel gauge and the safety switch that automatically shuts down the PTO or blades if you leave the seat. Even the cutting height is easy to adjust with a dial near the driver.

We could go on. This is really an impressive zero-turn rider with lots of power and features. The BIG issue is the price: more than $7,000 with the mower attachment. We can't really justify it except for applications where features and longevity are more important than initial cost. But if you're cutting up three or four acres and plan to do so for many years, take a serious look at this serious zero-turn rider. The ZG20 may be a bargain.


Pros: Powerful, comfortable, many unique features
Cons: High initial cost

Warranty
2 years, limited