The Lawn-Boy Precision Z3500 HLX is an extremely user-friendly zero-turn mower with performance to match. Geared towards residential users, the Z3500 offers a great balance of comfort, function and usability.

Lawn-Boy has created an affordable mower without throwing in commercial-grade options as an afterthought. By focusing on features that are important to homeowners, the Z3500 sets a high standard regarding ease of use. We are impressed by the little touches on this model, such as easy-to-read-and-operate controls, smooth hydraulically dampened control levers and a visible fuel sight gauge on the fuel tank. Operation is always logical and the machine feels responsive during use.

The Z3500's cutting deck is a large 50 inches, and its cutting height can be adjusted from 1.5 to 4.5 inches. A strong 21-hp 2-cylinder Kawasaki engine keeps this mower moving at a good clip on hills and uneven surfaces. Because the Z3500 lacks the heavy-duty suspension of commercial zero-turn mowers, the cutting deck gets slightly overwhelmed in rugged terrain, so don't expect a perfectly even cut when working uneven land; this isn't necessarily a major concern, however, as most homeowners tend to have lawns that are free of adverse topography that would unnecessarily jar the cutting deck. The Z3500 rides smoothly and has very good handling that will allow you to make precision cuts around larger obstacles, something that isn't always easy with such a wide cutting deck. What's more, adjusting the cutting deck on the fly is no problem.

The Z3500 is best used as a side-discharge machine. Lawn-Boy does provide a modestly priced bagging system as an optional add-on, but given the speed and high-volume cutting capacity of the 50-inch deck, it will fill quickly. An optional mulch kit does a decent job, if you'd prefer to mulch your clippings. Aside from these, there aren't many optional attachments that are compatible with the HLX series of mowers; owners can purchase armrests, a sunshade, an engine cover and a rubber floor mat if they'd like to tweak the comfort and protective elements on the Z3500, but there's nothing else to even consider. One more thing to consider is this machine's relatively small 3-gallon fuel tank; because of its size, you may need to refuel if you're cutting multiple acres.

Overall, the Z3500 is a strong zero-turn mower that handles nimbly and is offered at a reasonable price for residential users. For homeowners who want a fun riding, easy-to-operate mower that offers a strong engine and a large cutting deck, we strongly recommend checking out the Z3500; those with large yards will drastically reduce cutting time and have a blast doing so.


Pros: Easy-to-use controls, soft ride, good power, large cutting deck, 3-year warranty, well-thought-out features
Cons: Slightly uneven cut on bumpy terrain, no commercial-grade suspension