Best Zero Turn Mowers For 5 Acres

Not all zero-turn mowers are suitable for 5-acre lawns. To achieve optimal cutting results, you need one with at least a 42-inch mowing deck.

After spending 8.5 hours going through experts’ and real users’ reviews, we share top-rated zero turn mowers for 5 acres of lawn

In a hurry? Check our top three recommendations below:

Best Zero Turn Mowers for 5 Acres: Top 3 Picks

1. Husqvarna MZ61 61 in. 27 HP Briggs & Stratton Zero Turn Riding Mower

The Husqvarna MZ61 is a top-rated zero-turn mower for 5 acres with hills. It is capable of handling your residential or commercial yard maintenance. The MZ61  is well-liked for its ergonomic features.

Design

The gas-powered riding lawn mower has a powerful and reliable 27 HP Briggs and Stratton engine which features chrome plated valves, premium air filtration, and an oversized cooling fan for superior mowing performance.

Its high-back seat with armrests, foam-padded hand grips provides comfort while mowing. The MZ61 has an hour meter coupled with a service minder to indicate when it’s time to service the zero-turn mower. 

Cutting Power & Performance

The MZ61’s durable 61-inch cutting deck has three cutting blades which offer a smooth and neat cut for a well-manicured lawn appearance. It has 12 cutting heights which can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to suit your desired grass height.

The zero-turn mower comes with an air induction mowing technology which offers an improved grass lift. In addition, it delivers superior cuts on lawns.  It can cover your 5-acre lawn within one hour.

Speed

The MZ61 has a top speed of 8.5 mph which enables you to mow within a short time.

Accessories

The Husqvarna MZ61 supports a host of accessories. You can discharge, mulch or bag grass clippings via a 9-bushel triple bag system. Other accessories include a trimmer rack, bucket mounting system, and sunshade can be added to increase the productivity and versatility of the mower.

Read full Husqvarna MZ61 Review

2. Husqvarna Z142 42 in. 17 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

The Husqvarna Z142 has a high RPM and powerful motor for an incredible grass-cutting performance. It operates efficiently on tall grass.

Design

The Z142  is equipped with a 15-inch high back seat for added comfort as well as reducing rider fatigue while mowing. Its two anti-scalping wheels prevent lawn scalping. 

The Husqvarna Z142 runs on a 17 HP Kohler engine for a reliable and smooth lawn mowing performance. It has a rugged frame and casters for increased durability and its rubber bellows help to prevent debris from gaining access to the control system.

Cutting Power & Performance

The Husqvarna Z142 zero-turn mower is equipped with a 42-inch cutting deck to enhance efficient mowing on lawns. Its six cutting positions can be adjusted from 1.5-4 to suit your mowing needs.

The Z142 can maneuver well in rounded corners and tight areas. The air induction mowing technology improves grass lift and delivers an outstanding cut on lawns.

Speed

The gas-powered mower has a maximum forward speed of 6.5 mph which makes you mow faster.

Accessories

The Z142 riding mower supports a host of accessories. The mulching kit cuts the grass clippings into small and finer pieces. This will restore nutrients to the soil.

The bagger attachment collects lawn clippings for easy disposal. Other accessories include a zero-turn mower cover, mulch kit and tow behind striping kit.

3. Ariens IKON XD- 52 (52”) 24 HP Kohler Zero Turn Lawn Mower

The Ariens XD 52 is a sturdy zero-turn mower perfect mowing medium and large-sized yards.

Design

The gas-powered zero-turn mower is equipped with 11-front wheels and 20-inch rear tires for excellent traction and a smoother ride on lawns. It has padded levers to absorb vibrations while mowing.

The XD-52 on a 24 HP Kohler Engine for a top-notch mowing operation. Its high back seat with padded armrests enhance added comfort. It comes with safety interlock systems to reduce the possibility of accidental injuries.

Cutting Power & Performance

The riding lawn mower has a 52-inch fabricated deck that is designed for tough mowing operations. It comes with three cutting blades which are sturdy and sharp enough to mow tall and thick grass. The mower can also mow through obstacles like shrubs and trees.

It has 13 cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to suit users’ needs. The zero-turn radius technology enables the mower to cut more efficiently. This will reduce your mowing time to half compared to regular lawn mowers. 

Speed

The zero-turn mower has a maximum speed of 7mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3mph. This speed will enable you to cut in less time.

Accessories

The XD-52 is supported by a host of accessories such as a mower cover, hitch kit, headlights to increase the productivity and versatility of the lawn mower.

Read full Ariens XD 52 Review

4. Craftsman Z525 Zero Turn Gas Powered Lawn Mower

The Craftsman Z525 zero turn mower has a liberty red color and a solid build-up and is perfect for residential and commercial lawn maintenance.

Design

The gas zero mower is equipped with 11-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels for easy and smooth mobility on lawns. The durable and robust steel frame ensures an enhanced smooth mowing experience.

The Z525 runs on a powerful 24 HP Kohler Twin-cylinder engine which provides a superb grass-cutting performance on your 5-acre lawn. It comes with an open deck that gives users easy access to the foot brakes and levers.

The riding lawn mower has a high-back and cushioned seat for greater comfort. The foot pedal transmission (hydrostatic) allows for a smooth transition in speed and direction.

Cutting Power & Performance

The Z525 model is equipped with a 50-inch cutting deck that enhances efficient mowing on tall and tough grass.

It has nine height settings that can be adjusted from 1.25-3.75 inches to suit users’ mowing needs. The zero-turn mower can handle your residential and commercial lawn maintenance. The Craftsman Z525 is one of the longest lasting zero turn mowers out there.

The mow-in-reverse technology allows homeowners and professional landscapers to chop off the greenery even in the opposite position. The riding mower can easily trim around objects such as trees, outdoor furniture and planters.

Speed

The Craftsman Z525 has a maximum forward speed of 5.5mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3.5mph

Accessories

The mulching kit recycles the grass clippings as you mow, spreading them back with each pass. This will help to restore nutrients into the soil. 

5. Ariens IKON XD 60 inch 23 HP (Kawasaki) Zero Turn Mower

The Ariens IKON XD is a durable and long-lasting zero-turn mower suitable for your 5-acre lawn.

Design

The Ariens IKON XD 60 runs on a 23 HP Kawasaki V-Twin engine which provides power and efficiency to the mower. The engine also features an internally vented carburetor for better fuel management. 

It comes with a high back seat with padded armrests to provide comfort and support while mowing. Its 11-inch front caster tires and 20-inch rear tires ensure traction on uneven terrain.

Cutting Power & Performance

The ZTR comes with a 60-inch fabricated commercial deck with advanced airflow for exceptional grass-cutting performance.

You can select from 13 cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to enable you to cut your grass to the desired height.

Speed

The lawn equipment has a maximum forward speed of 7mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3mph.

Accessories

The Ariens XD 60 supports a host of accessories. The mulching kit helps to re-cut the grass clippings into a fine mulch.This restores nutrients into the soil. The 2-bin bagger keeps your lawn free from grass clippings.

Other accessories such as a hitch kit, headlight kit, zero-turn mower enhance an improved mower performance.

6. Ariens Edge 34 inch 20 HP (Briggs) Zero-Turn Mower

The Ariens Edge 915251 is one of the highest rated 34 inch zero turn mowers suitable for maintaining your 5-acre yard. It performs well on flat terrain.

Design

The Ariens Edge 915251 comes with 11-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels to provide excellent traction and a smoother ride on lawns. It is equipped with an adjustable high back seat for comfort while mowing.

The mowing machine is equipped with intuitive controls which allow you to maneuver through your yard with a nice and precise cut. It runs on a 20 HP Briggs and Stratton V-Twin engine for a top-notch mowing performance.

Cutting Power & Performance

The riding lawn mower comes with a 34-inch cutting deck for efficient and effective mowing. It has 7 cutting positions that can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to enable the operator to cut the grass to a required grass height.

The zero-turn mower performs well on flat terrain. It has a compact design which enables it to navigate through tight spaces.

Speed

The gas-powered zero-turn mower has a maximum forward speed of 6mph and a maximum reverse speed of 3mph.

Accessories

The zero-turn mower supports the mulching kit which cuts grass clippings into small pieces to restore nutrients to the soil. The bag kit collects clippings for easy disposal.

7. Husqvarna Z254 54 in. 26 HP Kohler Hydrostatic Zero Turn Riding Mower

The Husqvarna Z254 is a durable and efficient zero-turn mower suitable for mowing your five-acre lawn at a maximum speed of 6.5 mph.

Design

The Husqvarna Z254 runs on a 26HP Kohler engine which offers reliable startups. It comes with a robust frame and casters to ensure maximum durability. The hydrostatic transmission simplifies the handling of the lawn mower.

The zero-turn mower is equipped with a removable foot pan for easy access to the top of the cutting deck. Its rubber bellows prevent debris from gaining access into the control system.

The Z254 comes with large cooling fans to keep the engine operating at an ideal temperature. The front and rear wheels ensure stability while mowing uphill.

Cutting Power & Performance

The riding mower is equipped with a rugged 54-inch cutting deck for efficient mowing on yard. The cutting blades perform well on thick grass. The zero-turn mower is also a great fit for uneven terrains.

The air induction mowing technology offers superior cut and improved grass lift on your lawn. The Z254 has six different cutting positions which can be adjusted from 1.5-4 inches to ensure an excellent cut quality.

Speed

It has a maximum speed of 6.5 mph which enables you to mow your big lawn in a fast manner.

Accessories

The gas-powered zero-turn mower supports a host of accessories such as a tow behind striping kit, triple baggers, LED headlights, mulching kit to aid the versatility of the mower.

Read full Husqvarna Z254 Review

Final Verdict

If you are looking for a durable, sturdy and versatile zero-turn mower for your five-acre lawn, the Husqvarna MZ61 riding lawn mower is our top pick.

The Husqvarna MZ61 offers ergonomic features such as a high back seat with armrests, vibration dampeners, foam-padded hand grips to ensure comfort while mowing. In addition, the MZ61 has an hour meter coupled with a service minder to indicate when it’s time to service the zero-turn mower. 

The mower deck has 12 cutting positions that can be adjusted from 1.5-4.5 inches to suit your desired grass height. If you want something solid and long lasting, the MZ61 might be a good fit.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Zero-Turn Mower for 5 Acres

If you are in the market for a durable zero-turn mower for your five-acre lawn, here are a few important factors to consider:

Deck Construction

In the case of a Z-turn, ensure that you purchase a sturdy and durable cutting deck. It is recommended that you mow your 5-acre lawn with a deck size starting from 42 inches.

Comfort

It is important to have high-level support for your legs, butts, hands and back. Ensure that you look out for ergonomic features such as a high back seat with padded armrests, vibration dampeners, foam-padded hand grips. This will enhance easy and comfortable mowing operations.

Engine

The engine is an important factor for zero-turns. For your five-acre lawn, you need an engine that has enough power to mow a lawn of acres.

The higher the horsepower, the more the zero-turn mower will operate at a fast and smooth speed. An engine that is over 20 HP is okay depending on your terrain.

Fuel Capacity

The size of your zero-turn mower will determine its fuel tank capacity. You are advised to choose the one with a large capacity for efficient fuel use and maximum energy production.

A zero-turn mower with a large fuel tank will allow you to mow for a long time without stopping to refuel it.

Budget

You can always find something within your budget, as long as your expectations are moderate and your budget isn’t unrealistic. Just like other things in life, with zero turn mowers, you get what you pay for. It is really that simple. 

If you are buying for commercial purposes, then it makes sense to go all out and get something solid with all the important features.

How Long Will it Take to Mow 5 Acres?

It typically takes about 9 hours to mow 5 acres if you are mowing with a walk-behind push mower while it takes about 45 minutes if you are mowing with a zero-turn mower.

Here’s breakdown of the different factors that come to play:

• Size of the lawn, 
• Mowing speed, 
• Size of the mower 
• lawn condition. 

Here is a breakdown of the mower type and time per acre:

Mower Type	Time Per Acre
22-inch push mower	1 hour 39 minutes
30-inch push mower	1 hour 13 minutes
38-inch lawn tractor	34-55 minutes
42-inch lawn tractor	31-50 minutes
42-inch zero turn mower	19-25 minutes
46-inch lawn tractor	28-45 minutes
46-inch zero turn mower	17-25 minutes
54-inch lawn tractor	24-42 minutes
54-inch zero turn mower	15-25 minutes

Looking at the average mowing time, you can use a 22-inch push mower to mow an area of 1000 sq. meters within 30-35 minutes.

Mowing a 5-acre lawn with a 46-inch zero-turn mower can take an average of 63 minutes. If you go for 60+ inches zero-turn mowers, you can mow your yard of 5 acres in about 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions