Husqvarna Z254 Review (2023) — Is this Zero Turn Mower Worth It?

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The zero turn mower, the legendary model famed for its maneuverability and faster drive, but is it worth it? It’s quite a high price tag to pay for something that may not live up to your expectations, but our experts are here with a detailed Husqvarna Z254 review to make sure not a cent is wasted on an inferior product.

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Design

The eye-catching body of the Husqvarna Z254 is a bright orange with a high-back seat for comfort. Although the seat doesn’t have a premium suspension system, it’s still quite comfortable when you head over those gopher mounds. This riding lawn mower is a sturdy thing, with one of the largest decks our experts have seen.

If you’re tentative about the comfort, don’t be. Due to the zero turn radius, your mowing job will be finished much faster before you feel any discomfort. The cushioning is decent enough on the Husqvarna Z254 for most people.

Husqvarna Z254 Features

Power

The Z254 riding mower gives customers a lot of power, with options of a 26 HP Kohler engine, a 24 HP Briggs and Stratton, or a 21.5 HP Kawasaki engine. Most people may choose the 26 HP Kohler for the horsepower, but any of the three will be sufficient for the average mower.

As for the speed, you can get up to 6.5 mph, which is also average for a riding mower of this price range. Our team found that 6.5 mph could get the average yard done in less than 30 min. Another feature that pertains to the power is the automatic choke system, which allows users to start up the motor engine in no time at all.

(For a more powerful engine, we also have a review of Husqvarna MZ61 here)

Deck of Husqvarna Z254

The Husqvarna Z254 has a deck that is larger than most other lawn mowers. The deck measures in at an impressive 54 inches, and is reinforced by high quality heavy flat-stock steel and stamped steel for extra durability. The deck also gives mowers 6 different adjustable positions with a spring-assisted lift system.

Controls

The Z254 features a few controls that increases the safety and usability of the model. Let’s start with the automatic braking system, a highly effective feature of this mower. The auto parking brake system will either activate or deactivate when you move the steering levers.
Meanwhile, the integrated control panel places everything in one location, making the zero turn lawn mower incredibly easy to use. The pedals located below have slip-proof pads so you can increase or decrease speed with little difficulty. This system makes the Z254 zero turn riding mower much safer than other lawn mowers.

Cutting Performance: Husqvarna Z254

The larger cutting deck is partially responsible for the efficacy of the Z254 zero turn lawn mower, which also features air induction mowing technology. What the technology does is the air is drawn from both the top and the bottom of the deck, instead of just from one direction, to enhance the cut quality and grass lift.

The cutting performance will also depend on which of the engines you choose. The Kawasaki engine, for example, is quiet and lightweight. Even though it can seem less substantial, our team found that it still handled uneven terrain and thick grass successfully, much better than a regular push mower.

The 26 horsepower [1] Kohler engine can handle anything other riding mowers can, but it excelled with wet and tall grass. The Briggs and Stratton engine completed regular lawn mowing with zero issues and handled rough terrain amazingly.

Maneuverability

Zero turn lawn mowers including other models like Husqvarna z246i are known for their maneuverability, and our team agrees whole-heartedly. They can cut corners easily and are the “drifters” in the mower world. What exactly is the zero turn feature and how does it make your life easier? That brings us to the next item on the list.

Zero Turn Capacity of Husqvarna Z254

As the name suggests, the zero turn capacity of the Z254 mower allows mowers to make turns with the steering control at zero radius. Zipping around with no turning radius cuts the working time in half and allows you to control the mower with more comfort. If you are looking for speed and smooth riding, then your search ends here.

As for aesthetics, the results will provide less weed eating and the cut job will be much cleaner compared to models that do not have zero turns. If you want to be the residence on the block with the impeccable lawn, then our team advises going for a zero turn mower.

Comfort

It’s not like having a cozy armchair on the riding mower, but the high-back seat and sufficient cushioning is enough to protect your lower body for as long as the job takes. The design of the chair is meant to contour to your legs and hug your lower back for support.

Even when you crank the Kohler engine at full speed, the chair will effectively absorb most vibrations from the ground, even on rough terrain.

LED Lights

Although it’s not a car, having LED lights on the bumper is still a nifty feature to have. It’s not a full-on headlight, which could effectively illuminate the way, but the presence of these small lights will make it easier for mowers to work into the night.
Having LED lights also means you won’t be restricted to mowing your lawn during the day, but unless you have special reasons, our team suggests not doing so after hours as it may disturb your neighbors.

Accessories: Husqvarna Z254

If you feel the Husqvarna Z254 reviews you have read so far depict a machine that doesn’t offer much in terms of extra accessories, rest assured that there are additional add-ons you can invest in.

For starters, you can add an LED headlight if the bumper lights just don’t cut it. You can also find an engine guard that will protect the motor to guarantee peak performance for years to come.

You can also choose to add a sweeper, a dump cart, a front scoop blade and even a battery pack to your Z254. The front scoop blade is an addition our team enjoyed using. The blade acts as a shovel and can haul heavy obstacles such as rocks and other debris out of the way. A front scoop blade can also be used to dig or cover up uneven ground to make it easier for your mower to pass.

Our experts want to place more focus on the mulching kit. The kit makes cleanup easy and you can use the waste to replenish your lawn.

There is also an arm rest kit if you would like a place to rest your elbows. However, the Z254 already includes onboard storage and a cup holder for your favorite drink. If you need to hitch anything to the back of your mower, the company also offers a rear hitch kit complete with mounting hardware.

Then there is the deck belt, which needs replacement every so often and isn’t really considered an additional accessory. The periodic replacement of the deck belt will ensure things keep running as smoothly as possible every use and to engine issues on the Husqvarna mower

Another thing that increases the usability and performance of the mower is the triple bagger. It consists of three bags that collect your grass clippings and other debris for easy dumping after the job is done. Also, the Husqvarna Z254F zero-turn mower comes with a plow attachment for an all-in-one usage. 

Additional Features

The mower has superior engine ventilation to ensure adequate airflow during use. The large cooling fans will also keep the engine operating at an optimum temperature to prolong the machine’s lifespan. You can also choose to discharge, mulch or just bag the clippings for easy disposal.

Price and Warranty of Husqvarna Z254

Our team is always honest when it comes to the price, and our experts say the Husqvarna Z254 is an expensive product but worth the amount. You will find that most zero turning mowers out there come in at around 2-3K and some over, making the Z254 an average one.

For what you get with the mower, such as a large cutting deck design, your choice of Kohler, Kawasaki or Briggs & Stratton engines, zero turning, a high quality build, multiple attachments and many other features, the price is a decent one.

Some customer reviews mention warranty repair problems, but our team’s Husqvarna Z254 review was very pleasant. We didn’t run into any issues during testing, but we did contact customer service in case we see Husqvarna riding mowers become faulty in the future and to ask about certain concerns. We were met with helpful individuals that outlined the details of the 3-year warranty.

Many mower products come with a short warranty of a year, which is pretty standard. The fact that the Z254 mower comes with a 3-year warranty is definitely a bonus.

Husqvarna Z254 Review Conclusion

As far as a riding mower goes, the Z254 from Husqvarna is of a superior quality. Our team was surprised by how efficient the zero turn feature is and how much time it decreased from the job. Most other zero turn ones don’t have a deck as large and the grass can’t be discharged, mulched and bagged by choice. For simple maneuverability, there is nothing better than a zero turning mower such as the Husqvarna HZ254.

Looking for the best equipment ideal for a 1-acre cutting job? Then, you can check our list of the top-rated zero turn mower for one acre area. Read next!

Robert Johnson is a woodworker who takes joy in sharing his passion for creating to the rest of the world. His brainchild, Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen. He has since built an enviable workshop for himself and an equally impressive online accomplishment: an extensive resource site serving old timers and novices alike.
Robert Johnson
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