For most of us this is the perfect mower. It will replace your current 42 to 48 inch Lawn Tractor and get your mowing done in considerably less time.
This zero-turn is lightweight without sacrificing quality so it will mow your lawn without tearing up the turf. It has a good deck with vented spindles so it lift the grass and cuts well. If you decide that zero-turns are the way to go, seriously look at this machine. Yes they cost more, but they will save you so much time! This is a great homeowner machine for up to 2 acres.
Husqvarna has developed a good, solid, zero-turn mower at a great price!
Husqvarna Zero-Turn Mower Model RZ4216 at Northern Tool
Husqvarna RZ4216 16.5 hp 42 inch Zero Turn Lawn Mower Click here to go to Sears.com to check prices and purchase this zero-turn mower.
RZ4216 (Click for a larger view)
Please note: The picture I have is the correct picture for the mower. As of June 6, 2010 the picture on sears.com is wrong.
Husqvarna RZ4216
Since purchasing Dixon in 2006 Husqvarna has been quietly rebuilding their zero-turn line. This mower is a great example of that merger.
Deck: The 42 inch vented steel deck is capable of mowing and bagging well. The floating suspension coupled will give a nice even cut. Having this deck on this small tractor frame will allow you to mow around obstacles and trim landscape beds easily. The deck sticks out the side just enough to make trimming easy.
Weight: For it’s size the RZ4216 is very lightweight. If you have light or sandy soil this will keep the machine from “divoting” your lawn and tearing up the turf like a lot of the other residential zero-turns tend to do. I haven’t tested this mower on slopes so I will assume it will have difficulties mowing your septic mound. (You can usually mow these diagonally instead of across and get it mowed)
Speed: The engine size is plenty for this type of mower. I see too many lawn tractors getting into a “Power Race” and 16 hp is quite adequate for this size machine. This zero turn mower will mow up to 1.3/4 acres an hour! If you are currently using a 42 inch yard tractor to mow, this zero-turn will cut you mowing time considerably! In open areas it will mow about the same speed as your 42 inch Craftsman Yard Tractor but turning around, trimming and maneuvering around obstacles is where you save the time. A zero turn is much faster than a conventional tractor.
Maintenance-Free Transmission
The drives are strong enough to handle all residential mowing. I would pull a yard cart, dethatcher or a 15 gallon sprayer with this zero-turn but nothing else.
Price: At about $2399 on sale this mower is one of the best values on the market. I can easily compare this machine to other brands costing $500 more.
Warranty: I normally don’t discuss warranties because the normal manufacture warranties are all the same. (They only cover defects and do not cover engine or trans. Yes, read the fine print on your MTD warranty) but the warranty and options available through Sears needs to be covered on this mower. The standard 3 year Husqvarna warranty only covers the mower. It DOES NOT cover the engine and transmissions. If you have engine problems or transmission problems YOU have to contact the engine and trans manufacture and get the repairs made. I have also found that servicing dealers typically do not cover labor for the repairs, transporting the unit to their shop, and other items they may find wrong while your mower is in the shop.
Sears offer a 5 YEAR Protection Plan on this mower. The protection plan is set up so that a Sears tech comes to your home, diagnose and repairs the mower without any additional cost to you. The plan not only covers the standard warranty parts, but in this case covers the engine, transmissions and wear and tear. In other words if you wear out the belts, burn up a transmission, or literally run the wheels off this machine, it’s covered. About the only items it doesn’t cover are blades, tune-ups, physical abuse, and cut tires.
Cons: If you have a lot of steep hills, ditches, and inclines you may not want a residential zero-turn. They tend to have difficulties when mowing along the slope. If you have small slopes or short slopes that you can mow diagonally you can easily learn to use a zero-turn on them. They are also not designed to push snow or use a snow thrower. If you have questions about this leave a comment and I’ll happily discuss the benefits and whether a zero-turn is right for you.
You can read more and purchase your new mower at by clicking on the links:
Husqvarna Zero-Turn Mower Model RZ4216 at Northern Tool
Husqvarna RZ4216 16.5 hp 42 inch Zero Turn Lawn Mower. at Sears
You can buy your mower and pick it up at your nearest Sears or have it delivered to your home for a normal fee.
The rest of this article is information taken from the Husqvarna website.
For maneuverability, efficiency and convenience in a homeowner zero-turn mower package, the residential series really delivers. True zero-turn mower performance with twin, maintenance-free integrated transmissions, heavy-duty front casters and a rugged tube steel frame. High performance Air Induction cutting decks allow side ejection or optional mulch and collection capability. Convenient control placement, foam padded steering levers and an adjustable seat make these units easy and enjoyable to operate.
Engine: Briggs & Stratton
Engine type: Intek
Power: 16.5 hp
Air Filter type: Standard OEM
Fuel tank volume (with reserve) 3 gal.
Drive system Transmission type: EZT
Speed forward, min-max: 0-6.5 mph
Speed reverse, min-max: 0-3.5 mph
Cutting deck Cutting width: 42 inch
Cutting deck type: Stamped
Cutting height, min-max (approximate) 1.5 – 4 inch
Blade engagement: Manual
Blades: 2
Seat type: Vinyl with built in slide
Dimensions: Tire size, front 11×4-5″
Tire size, rear: 18×7.5-8″
Base machine, length: 72 inch
If this is not the right mower for you, go here to see all of my reviews:
My 2011 Reviews. You can find larger and smaller mowers from this list.
I looked at this mower but could not figure out if the hydrostatic drive uses the same oil as the engine. I could not see another oil tank and the sales person was not much help. I would appreciate your help on this question.
@Ken,
The transmissions are each sealed and have their own internal oil supply.
10 years ago most of the zero-turn mowers used separate pumps, and orbital motors for each wheel. They were interconnected by a central oil tank and sometimes an oil cooler.
Todays residential and low-end commercial zero-turns use sealed hydrostatic transmissions instead of the pump/motor. Think of them as two separated hydrostatic transmission like the one in a conventional tractor mounted side-by-side. Like the tractor counterpart these are sealed aluminum cased units and do not have separate oil tanks or oil coolers. They are designed for the application and actually give longer life than the old pump and motor units.
Thank you, Paul. So I take it that those units require no maintenance and are sealed for life and must be replaced at the time of failure.
I’m now the owner of this mower and as far as I can determine I have absolutely no warranty on the transmissions. The warranty is limited to the mower and the engine. Can you believe that the manuals and paper work provided does not even indicate the transmission manufacturer?
I love the mower, but I would not have purchased this unit had I been aware of the lack of warranty on those expensive components.
Thanks again,
Ken
@Ken, Yes, that's why I strongly suggest that anyone who buys this through Sears buys the 5 year protection plan. The engine, mower, and trannys are all covered for five years. It may seem expensive up front, but it is less than the cost of one trans.
Paul,
Yes, a good idea for sure but unfortunately I bought my unit from Rona.
I've sent an inquiry to Husqvarna regarding installing anti-scalp wheels on my unit but so far have not had a reply and I cannot see the wheels listed as an accessory. Do you know if installing the wheels would be a problem? Do they help? I have some areas of uneven ground on my property.
Thanks,
Ken
@Ken, The gauge wheel kit is still available through Amazon
Poulan Pro Gauge Wheel Kit for 42-Inch Decks #GWN42It says poulan pro but will fit Sears and Husqvarna kits.
The gauge wheels keep the deck from digging into your lawn.
Thank You, Paul. I appreciate all the help.
Ken