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If you measure your lawn in acres rather than square feet , then a zero - crook riding mower might be correct for you . Unlike lawn tractor that are design to perform a compass of chores in addition to mowing , such as towing carts and spreaders or pushing coke blowers , zero - turn mowers are specialiser . They cut down lots of eatage quickly while navigating around obstacle with a in high spirits level of precision .
I latterly spent a workweek testing the new Husqvarna Xcite Z350 zero - bit mower . I desire to find outhow it measured up against other popular models , such as the Toro TimeCutter . As one of the top outside power - equipment brands for professionals and consumer , Husqvarna has a lengthy track record of creative innovation and enduring quality . For this reason , I was n’t surprised by the excellent answer I experience with this new mower .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Husqvarna Xcite Z350 Zero-Turn Mower: At a Glance
Rating:9.1/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 at :
What is the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 zero-turn mower?
Husqvarna design the Xcite pipeline to bridge over the opening between its consumer - grade and professional - class models . Both the Z350 and theZ380models come equipped with 54 - column inch cutting decks cook up of 10 - gauge brand , DuraSharp blades , premium Kohler engines , hand- grip control , cut - and - tailor-make high - back seats , and best - in - grade adjustable hanging . Both of these mowers are trailer - ready , with necktie - down mounts built into all four slope of the frames .
Although it features heavy - duty construction , a strong 24 - horsepower engine , and a premium 15 - column inch in high spirits - back seat with optional armrest , the Z350 role model that I tested is a bit light , less powerful , and less expensive than the Z380 at $ 4,999.99 . The Z380 boasts a 26 - H.P. engine , a commercial - calibre transmission system , larger ride wheel , and an 18 - column inch eminent - back can with armrests , and it sell for $ 6,499.00 .
With those difference in intellect , I think of the Z350 as the more affordable choice for mowing a big ( 2- to 5 - Accho ) place once a week , and the Z380 as an investment in upgrade quilt and durability formowing big properties(5 or more acres ) or mowing several time a workweek .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
I tested the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 on an overgrown 1 - Akko grassy heap with undulating terrain and no obstacles , plus an adjoining three - quarter - acre residential lot with a fenced backyard and legion landscape painting bed . It did a enceinte job on both spaces , with sight of power to tackle the overgrown grass , plenty of fastness , a comfortable drive , and leisurely - to - economic consumption controller .
Getting Started
Before mowing the first time , I wanted to adjust the suspension and seating to fit my height and weight , and then I spent a little prison term getting familiar with the controls and the feel of the machine . First I adjusted the suspension bars on the flank of the lawn mower . It was a simple matter of pulling back the handle of the spring pin , sliding the pin to my preferred setting , and releasing the pin to lock in blank space . Then I used the slue lock chamber lever tumbler to adjust the seat side and climbed on .
When I sit down , the forethought and attending to detail that went into designing the comfortableness features and mastery layout became apparent . My 6 - foot-2 - inch , 200 - Syrian pound frame feel perfectly well-fixed in the seat , although I urge splurging on the optional armrests . The control were well positioned on the circuit bars and the side soothe for well-off monitoring and operation .
I really liked several of the unique control features , starting with the start / plosive and PTO command on the helping hand grips . Husqvarna calls these “ on - stick control ” in its merchandise literature . Once I sat in the fanny , the display screen illume up on the ripe - hand console . The display silver screen show the fuel level , lawn mower status , and any criminal maintenance alerts . I tuck the key and , with the parking brake hire , pressed and adjudge the get-go / break off push for 3 second to start the engine . No choke was required . Then , to engage the blade , I held down the PTO clitoris for 3 seconds . To stop the blades or engine , I press and take hold the button again for a second .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
The cutting deck had two control , a telephone dial / knob on the left - script console table to adjust the actual cutting height , and a foot - operated deck of cards lift . The deck lift is used to temporarily raise the deck while travel , or it can be lock in in the heighten locating for trailering or travel . The overnice affair is that operating the deck of cards lift does not interchange the press cutting - height background .
Is the Xcite Z350 comfortable?
In order of magnitude to get a feel for the control , the reprieve organization , and the lawn mower ’s maneuverability before I started pout , I look at theXcite Z350for a twirl around the prop , with the deck locked in its rapture military position . To me , it felt like acommercial - grade mowerwith consumer - course fastness .
Maneuverability and responsiveness to the circuit bars were excellent , include on moderate slopes . As for the suspension organization , I stopped a few time to adjust the pins until I found a place setting that actuate freely without bottoming out on toilsome bumps .
Next , I tested the top travel pep pill on bumpy ground . ( The 7 mph maximum advancing hurrying is really good for a consumer - grade mower , and a sassy choice for safety , but grizzled lawn pro who are accustomed to commercial lawn mower velocity top 10 mph wo n’t be impressed . ) With the suspension system dialed in , it feel surprisingly honorable . I did n’t hear much additional randomness , such as rattling hardware , that might point unaffixed connections or weak points .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
How well does the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 mow grass?
After the dry run , it was time to mow . I part with the lawn on the residential raft , where I know I would have to work around landscape seam , a few bottleneck areas , and a gated passageway . The luck is ordinarily maintained with a 48 - column inch mower , and there were a few narrow spaces where this 54 - inch mower would n’t fit . One of those was the base on balls - through gate into the backyard , but luckily there was a secondary double gate .
The expectant size seemed to be this mower ’s only hindrance . It had no problems postdate landscape painting seam lines or mowing circles around mulched tree ring , and the tires did n’t damage the Mary Jane on 180 - degree turns . I also like that the wide-eyed deck reached beyond the width of the tires to mow beneath the branches of spreading shrubs .
Next , I moved on to the 1 - Akka overgrown playing area . The area is only mowed once a month or so , and it ’s cover with a mix of lawn - grass species and some lawn dope . This was a unspoiled test of the Xcite Z350 ’s power to stand grass blades erect for a clean , even finishing . I raised the deck of cards to its high-pitched press cutting height and mowed at a jolly slow pace . Even with some of the springy weeds and grass measuring 12 inches high at the start , the Husqvarna DuraSharp blades and heavy - duty deck handled the caper nicely . It contract about 35 minutes to mow the field at 4.5 inches .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
After a week I mowed the field again , this clock time to gauge actual - life mowing speed , which was full speed except for turns . On paper , a 54 - in lawn mower working at 7 mph should be able to turn off 3.4 acres in an 60 minutes , or 1 acre in about 17 minutes . Since I mowed the prior calendar week at 4.5 inches , I set the deck of cards at 3.5 inches this time . My end was to pout as speedily as potential while prioritizing a sporty , exact finish . I did it in 21 minutes . While results will motley depending on conditions and a flock ’s unique feature , I was very much impressed by the 21 - minute mowing velocity . Even at top speeding the ride was well-fixed , and the cut quality looked expectant .
Is the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 worth the money?
After quiz the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 rally lawn mower , I hold out back to my note from testing theToro TimeCutter 50 MyRIDE . Both of these petrol - powered , zero - turn mowers were introduce to fill the nothingness between lightweight , consumer - grade zero - act lawn mower plan to mow midsize yard once a week , and commercial - grad motorcar built to cut down 8 to 10 hour every day . Both include force and performance upgrades not ascertain on cheaper mower , as well as premium comfort features that bridge consumer and pro - grade equipment .
When it comes to Mary Leontyne Price , theXcite Z350 , with a price around $ 5,500 , may at first look out of step with theTimeCutter 50 MyRIDE , priced around $ 4,599 . However , the note value actually supports the high price , and there are a few general differences between the Husqvarna Xcite and the Toro TimeCutter product lines .
Husqvarna offers just two Xcite models , both with 54 - inch decks , premium seating area and hanging systems , and heavy - duty engines , but customization choice are limited . Toro offers a much more extensive range of models , with and without the MyRIDE respite system , in various deck sizes ( 34 to 60 column inch ) , and equipped with various engines from four different manufacturers , include Kohler . However , Xcite mowers include premium standard feature , which not every TimeCutter include .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
While other characteristic are the same , a key difference is the suspension systems . The Husqvarna Xcite adjustable abeyance system of rules isolates vertical movement only , give the hustler to move laterally in line with the mower human body . This system is in the main great and especially good on restrained slopes . On the other hand , Toro ’s patent MyRIDE intermission organisation isolates both upright and horizontal movement , which could pass by the Husqvarna system in some ways on jolting flat earth , although it could become compromised if it bottoms out on temperate slopes .
Is the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 right for you?
The Husqvarna Xcite Z350 zero - twist mower is a unattackable competitor for those seeking a muscular and easy lawn mower for a tumid yard . With its commercial - quality 54 - column inch deck , heavy - duty railway locomotive , and premium seat and hanging system , it is built to maintain 2- to 5 - plus - Akka lawns , but it may not be the correct choice for every property .
The Z350 mower is contrive for 2-dimensional and somewhat rolling terrain , but its lack of a rollover protective cover system means that it is not desirable for unconscionable terrain . Also , the 54 - inch deck is too wide to voyage narrow corridor and take the air - through gates , so it is best for open outer space . It well give chase along curving landscape seam line , maneuvers around mulched tree ring , and reaches back beneath low overhang shrub branch to keep lawns looking keen with less time spent on the lawn mower and less time shave the edges . Get the Husqvarna Xcite Z350 at :
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product examiner with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry . For more than 20 years he mow , edged , planted , pruned , cultivated , irrigated , and reanimate beautiful landscapes . Now he tests and writes reassessment about the latest outside force equipment , paw tools , lawn care product , and other outside - survive good .
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