Picking a zero turn gets overwhelming fast. Deck size, horsepower, seat, top speed, and in a photo every model looks about the same. Here's how we'd narrow it down with you if you were standing in front of them.
Start with how much you're mowing
Acreage is the first filter, and every Spartan model page lists a recommended acreage. That one number takes 11 models down to two or three in about a minute.
- Around an acre: the Shield and the Shield-HD are both rated up to 1 acre.
- Up to a couple acres: the Defender is rated up to 2.
- Two acres and up: the RZ-HD, RZ-XD and RZ-XD Blackout are all rated 2+.
- Three to four and up: the RT-Pro is rated 3+, and the RT-HD and SRT-XDe are rated 4+.
- Five and up: the SRT-XD and the KGZ-XD are rated 5+.
That's the whole lineup. Eleven models, and the four tiers above are really what you're choosing between.
If you land between two tiers, size up. The bigger machine handles the small yard fine. The small machine on too much ground is the one people get tired of.
Deck size is about your gates, not just your grass
A wider deck means fewer passes. It also means a wider machine. Measure your narrowest gate and your shed door before you fall for a 72 inch deck.
Decks run from 42 inches on the Shield and Shield-HD up to 72 inches on the RT-HD, SRT-XD and KGZ-XD. Most of the middle of the lineup gives you a choice - the Defender, RZ-HD and RZ-XD each come in 48, 54 or 60 inch. Every model page lists its own deck options.
Where the tiers actually differ
Past acreage and deck width, these are the things that separate a Shield from a KGZ-XD:
- Power. Horsepower starts at 22 on the Shield and runs to 40 on the SRT-XD and KGZ-XD. The big step is in the middle - the RT-HD jumps to 35 or 37 while the tier below it sits in the mid 20s.
- Ground speed. 7 MPH on the Shield, 8 on the Shield-HD and Defender, 9 through the RZ line and the RT-Pro, 11 on the RT-HD and SRT-XDe, 13 on the SRT-XD, 15 on the KGZ-XD. Speed matters more than horsepower once you've got long open runs.
- Fuel. 5 gallons on the Shield, Shield-HD and Defender. 9.5 across the RZ, RT and SRT models. 17 on the KGZ-XD. If you're stopping to refuel mid-job, you're in the wrong tier.
- Ride. The SRT models add rear Winamac coil spring suspension. The KGZ-XD adds front suspension forks plus rear spring suspension. The RT-HD and both SRTs come with a full suspension seat on a 360 degree floating seat platform. The KGZ-XD uses a Supreme Custom Blackout Seat on the same platform.
- Deck height. 4 inches on the Shield and Shield-HD, 4.5 on the Defender, 5 across the RZ line, 6 on the RT, SRT and KGZ models.
Two ways to narrow it down from here
Our Find My Mower tool filters the lineup by deck size, horsepower, top speed and fuel capacity. Once you've got one in mind, Build Your Own lets you spec it out and send it straight to us.
Current pricing sits on each model page. Worth a look at the suspension seats and suspension forks while you're in there too.
Still stuck between two? That's normal, and it's the easiest one to solve. Get in touch and we'll set up a test drive.