Can you get an exceptional zero-turn mower under 4000, or will it be a disappointment and become a very expensive lawn ornament? Our expert technicians are here to answer that question by reviewing the best zero turn mowers under 4000 to make sure you get the best product on your first attempt.
Reviews of the Best Zero Turn Mowers Under 4000
1. Husqvarna Z254F
The Husqvarna Z254F has one of the most powerful engines a lawnmower can have. This model supports its 26HP power 7000 series V-Twin Kohler engine with a large 54-inch cutting deck. Your lawn will be crisp and clean with a fresh cut in just one go.
The mower deck is constructed of fabricated steel and the electric clutch deck engagement is easy to use for height adjustments. This zero-turn riding mower comes with armrests and a headlight to keep you comfortable and mowing well into the night. While riding this mower, wear your most comfortable and dependable mower shoes for maximum efficiency and protection.
Husqvarna also provides a lifetime warranty for the deck, further reflecting the reliability of the lawn equipment giant.
What We Like
- Powerful 26 HP 7000 series V-Twin Kohler engine
- 54-inch FAB deck
- High-quality construction
- Electric clutch deck engagement
- Comes with armrests and a headlight
- Cushioned chair
- Zero-turn design
- Lifetime warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks half inch blade adjustments
- Slower shipping
2. Craftsman 17ARFACQ091
The Craftsman Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower (17ARFACQ091) earns its place due to the comfortable high-back chair and reliable starting system. This model has a 50-inch deck design and a 24 HP twin cylinder gas engine from Kohler.
For a clean cut job and maximum maneuverability, the Craftsman lawnmower allows for quick and easy direction changes with zero-turn technology.
The drive system transmission is hydrostatic, making this mower of one of the greatest choices on the list. Not to mention, the lap bars also feature comfortable grips and makes deck adjustments easier for a better mowing experience.
What We Like
- 50-inch mowing capacity
- Powered by a 24 HP Kohler twin cylinder engine
- Zero-turn model
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Comfortable hand grips on bars
- Robust steel frame
- Adjustable cutting height
- Mulching kit can be added
What We Don’t Like
- Longer delivery
- No cup holder
3. Husqvarna Z142
Husqvarna Z142 dominates our expert engineers’ list and lands on the number 3 spot as well. The company creates dependable lawn mowing machines and the Z142 is no exception. This zero-turn mower is smaller, but still gets the job done.
The 42-inch cutting deck is paired with a 17 HP Kohler engine that can drive the mower at a max ground speed of 6.5 MPH.
The hydrostatic transmission is maintenance and worry-free, and the reinforced steel cutting deck is also highly robust. You can have your choice of discharging, bagging or mulching the grass clippings but the bag collection system is sold separately.
What We Like
- Smaller size
- More affordable
- 6.5 MPH max speed
- 17 HP Kohler engine
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Zero-turn mower
- You can discharge, bag or mulch your clippings
What We Don’t Like
- Not the best as industrial-grade mowers
- No armrests
4. Ariens Edge 52 in. 726 cc Zero-Turn-Radius Lawn Tractor
The Ariens Edge Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower is one of the toughest models out there with a fabricated deck constructed out of 11-gauge steel. The 52-inch cutting deck is powered by a Kawasaki engine.
The Ariens zero-turn engineering of the lawn tractor allows users to finish the work quickly and the blade engagement is highly intuitive. The zero-turn lawn mower has a deck lift system that is operated with the foot pedal.
The adequately padded seat on the Ariens Edge has ball bearings and seat springs to dampen the vibrations of the product.
What We Like
- High-quality construction by Ariens
- 52-inch cutting deck
- A zero-turn lawn mower
- Comfortable seat
- Foot-operated
- Powerful engine
- Vibration dampening
What We Don’t Like
- Some assembly required
- Heavy machine
5. Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower
The Husqvarna Z254 also reaches a max speed of 6.5 thanks to the 26 HP Kohler engine. It also features the same no-maintenance hydrostatic transmission we see the other product options with top quality construction.
The Z254 54-inch deck is regulated by a patent-pending park brake system that automatically activates and deactivates depending on the steering levers.
Grass cutting will become simple and easy with the 0-degree turning radius that gives riders maximum control over the model. You can also choose to mulch, discharge or bag the clippings with the separate collection system.
What We Like
- 54-inch cutting deck
- 26 HP engine mower with 6.5 MPH
- Patent-pending park brake system
- Zero-turn mower
- Air induction mowing technology
- Comfortable operator platform
- Deck lifting system
- Gets the work done quickly
- Mulch, bag or discharge clippings
What We Don’t Like
- Mulching kit sold separately
- No gas gauge
Zero Turn Mower Under 4000 Buyer’s Guide
Not all riding mowers are the same, and the best zero turn mowers under 4000 share similarities such as a powerful engine, a strong and well-built deck, and a comfortable seat. Of course, that’s not all it takes to be considered top quality by our expert testers. Our team of professionals created a checklist to help you narrow down your choices.
Deck Size
The deck size dictates the cutting width and length of your finished lawns. Depending on the size of your property, you will have to pick the cutting deck measurements accordingly. A larger property with acres or hectares of land will require some of the largest mowers out there.
Our team of professionals models under $4,000 can provide cutting decks of 54-inches, but you may need to pay more for ones that reach 61-inches. Sure, a large mowing deck will save you time, but are these enormous lawn mowers really necessary?
Our engineers say your best bet is to find mowers with a balance between size and maneuverability. For example, if you have many obstacles and fixtures on your lawn, then a large mower is not the way to go. A smaller mower will take longer to mower, but it could make turning and avoiding things very difficult.
On the other hand, larger fields that mainly consist of flat terrain are best suited for large zero-turn mowers.
Engine Power
A large lawn machine requires a lot of power to operate, which brings our professional technicians onto the next point — the engine. The engine strength of a mower is measured in HP, or horsepower.
Much like cars, the higher the HP, the more powerful your engine is. Who needs powerful engines for their lawn? If you have a large property or if your grass grows thick, a strong engine will make sure the zero-turn lawn mowers get the work done.
It’s not enough to have a large cutting deck without the strength to power it. Most of the models her will have engines ranging from 17 HP up to 26. Our professional workmen suggest looking at your property size and grass type to determine your next zero-turn mower.
The power of the engine is also tied to the fuel tank. In general, a larger tank will provide more power and vice versa.
Speed and Transmission
The speed and efficiency of the zero-turn mower is influenced by the engine, but the transmission also has a hand in the operation. A hydrostatic [1] drive transmission is low maintenance, fast, and very effective. Luckily, our team of professionals chose many items that have this feature.
Controls
Area Size and Terrain
As our expert team mentioned before, the right zero-turn mower for your lawns will depend on the size of your property as well as the terrain. Do you have any fixtures or other permanent placements on your lawns? If so, then a zero-turn mower is the perfect choice thanks to its easy controls, maneuverability and tight turns.
t’s also recommended to find mowers that will match the slope of the land and hopefully feature ROPS, or a rollover protection system, just in case an accident occurs on uneven lawns.
Residential or Commercial Zero Turn Mower?
Residential zero-turning mowers were created with the average homeowner in mind. This means they are small enough to be stored on an average property, like the budget Husqvarna option on our list, but still have decent-sized decks with enough power for most grass.
The one downside of residential vs commercial zero turn mowers are the inner workings. A residential mower is usually constructed with weaker materials that will require more frequent replacements. Again, for the average homeowner the durability of these models will suffice.
Since a commercial-grade mower is geared towards large-scale operations, the components need to be stronger and more robust. Commercial-grade mowers are also larger for the same reason and have more powerful engines. The fuel tank capacity will also be larger, and the decks provide more cutting width.
Since commercial-grade mowers are also larger, you will have to take the storage location into consideration. The difference in size between a 42-inch mower and one that is 61-inches can be pretty vast. Although, if you are looking at different grade mowers that are only a few inches in difference, then the size isn’t a huge factor.
Our professional technicians say consumers can go with a commercial-grade mower if your property is large enough to accommodate the size of the machine, but regular to slightly bigger lawns will only need residential mowers.
You must also keep in mind the maintenance costs for years to come. Even the more sturdy commercial-grade mowers will require part replacements, and at times they can be more expensive due to the higher-grade materials.
Safety Features and Comfort
Our engineers put focus on the design of the seat to guarantee comfort. If you know you will be looking at hours of work, then opt for a mower that features a high-back seat with ample cushioning. Preferably, there will also be armrests and a cup holder to keep your cup steady so you stay hydrated.
Underneath the chair will hopefully be ball bearings and an effective vibration dampening suspension system to reduce the jostles you feel when you work.
As for safety features, our professionals say look for ROPS, a rollover protection system, sensitive brakes, auto chokes, and an emergency kill switch if necessary.
Additional Features
Rollers are another handy feature for zero-turn mowers that will protect against bumps on your lawns. We would suggest this attachment for a mower that can reach high speeds. Rollers are especially useful for mowers that can do reverse mowing.
There are also rakes and even snow blower attachments for the best zero-turn mower if you live in a cold region.
Price and Warranty
The warranty is also a vital consideration, especially for such expensive purchases. Most mowers will come with a warranty that covers parts, but what it extends to and for how long is a different story.
Our technical team suggests looking for 3, 5 or lifetime warranties, although the standard 1-year is provided by most. If you can find a mower with both a guarantee and a warranty, then it will provide you with dual buyer’s protection.
Advantages of a Zero Turn Mower
Why invest in a zero-turn mower when a regular one works fine? There are numerous benefits to owning a zero-turn mower, and the pros will weigh in on why.
First of all, the zero-turn technology, which sees larger back wheels and smaller front ones will deliver tight turns and save you time. They also produce a much neater cut that will complement your lawns.
Zero-turn mowers will often have comfortable seats and vibration dampening features that are easier on your bottom and back, something that is definitely missing from push mowers.
A zero-turn mower will often provide many options to dispose of your clippings, including mulching, bagging or discharging. The available options make the cleanup with this type of mower much easier and less time-consuming.
Push mowers are very difficult to operate, and they are more dangerous without as many safety features and take a ton of physical effort. Even starting the machine can be harder on you.
The more elementary push mowers have a pull cord you need to tug, and sometimes it takes a few good pulls to get it going. A zero-turn mower usually features an electric start with just a push of the button.
Would you rather be sitting comfortably on top of the mower and controlling everything with your limbs, or would you rather push and expend a lot of physical force to get the job done?
Most people would prefer the riding zero-turn mower option, as would we. You can even enjoy your beverage and rest your arms if you’re tired. Not to mention, a zero-turn riding mower will also provide more options for additional accessories and attachments.
Our Top Pick For a Zero Turn Mower Under 4000: Husqvarna Z254F
Our expert team’s top pick for the best zero turn mower under 4000 is the Husqvarna Z254F. How does it earn its place? The mower features an impressive 26 HP 7000 series Kohler engine and a large 54-inch cutting capacity. The 3-blade deck is created from fabricated steel or durability, and the mower features an electric clutch for control.
(See also: Which zero-turn mower is the cheapest?)
For more lawn mower products, you can check these pages, too!
- Does Danish Oil Go Bad? How Long Will It Last? - May 29, 2023
- Is Zebrawood a Hardwood? Is it Good for Floors and Furniture? - May 28, 2023
- What is the Best Wood Sealer for Cedar? (2023) - May 27, 2023
