Husqvarna has a dilemma. They know they have a better riding lawn mower than what the U.S. is accustomed to. They know once they get this mower into the hands of the U.S. consumer they will realize that it is the best cutting mower they have ever owned. So what solution to this perplexing problem did Husqvarna come up with? For a limited time Husqvarna cut the price $1000 and is offering the 42 inch R120S Articulating Riding Mower, Model 967181801 at an introductory price of only 2147.89 through Amazon. That price includes shipping to your home. To make the deal even better Amazon is offering 12 months no interest financing through the Amazon Store Card.
This is $1000 off the regular price! Buy it here from Amazon: Husqvarna 967181801 R120S Articulating Riding Mower, 42-Inch
Is This Mower For You?
If you are the homeowner who always complains that your lawn looks better when you mow with a walk-behind. That you can never get a good looking lawn with a lawn tractor or zero-turn. This mower is for you! The R120S uses a full floating deck to follow every bump and dip in your lawn. No Scalping, no gouging, just the best cut possible. In addition the out front, “ground hugging” deck allows you to trim closer than you ever could with a lawn tractor or zero-turn.
I highly recommend this mower for up to two acre lawns. It is faster than most lawn tractors so it will cut up to 2 acres an hour. Beside cutting a little faster than you lawn tractor it will eliminate most of the trimming you now use a string trimmer for. This won’t “cut your mowing time in half” but it just may cut your mowing and trimming time in half compared to a conventional lawn tractor. If you are in the market for a new riding lawn mower with the best possible cut – seriously consider this mower!
The mowing curves are to follow the contours in my lawn.
I’ll be honest. I’m spoiled. I’ve been using front mounted mowers and articulated riders similar to this one for years. One of my first mowers was a Bolens Articulated. When I started my lawn business we did not yet have mid-mount zero-turns so front deck Toro Grounds Masters, Walker’s and 3 wheel mowers like the Scag STHM’s or Gravely Pro were the mowers of choice. All of these mowers used ground hugging out front decks so you had almost no trimming to do when you finished mowing. Many of these mowers had such a low center of gravity that hills were never a problem. Go here to see the mowers I have owned.
Why did we change? Because you can fit three mid-mount zero-turns on a trailer in the same space as two three-wheelers. The commercial operators jumped on mid-mount zero-turns not for the quality of cut – but for the space saving on their trailers.
I currently mow with a 2001 Husqvarna model 970. It is very similar to this R 120S Husqvarna is selling at such an extraordinary price. I have access to all the new style mowers including the Raven MPV-7100 you see in the picture but my front lawn is so sculpted with dips, mounds and curves that to get the even cut I like I either have to mow with a push mower or use the Husqvarna rider. The Husqvarna rider is so maneuverable it even trims around square landscape beds without leaving any marks on the lawn. What little trimming I have left is easily done in a few minutes with a small cordless trimmer.
The price is so good on this mower that I am considering buying one for myself.
Benefits of the Husqvarna R 120S Rider:
This rider is about the same physical dimensions as your 42 inch lawn tractor. It will take up about the same amount of room in your storage shed or garage.
– The rider is a lot easier to learn than a zero-turn. It drives like your car.
– The deck is out front so you can always see exactly where you are mowing. The front-mounted cutting deck lets you get into corners, under bushes, etc. Trim under your children’s swing set without using a string trimmer. Stick it under the pine tree that always tries to knock you off the tractor. It’s hard to find places this mower will not reach.
– Rear attachments follow in the same path as the lawn mower. When you pull a yard cart or dethatcher you don’t have to worry about hitting stuff with the yard cart.
– It follows the contour of your lawn. Dips and bumps get mowed at the height as the flat areas.
– Comfortable driver’s platform. With the Rider you get safety, stability and traction on both flat ground and slopes. The low center of gravity makes the Rider very comfortable to use.
– Pivoting axle rear wheel drive. The rear traction is better than a zero-turn because both rear wheels are in full contact with the ground at all times. The mower can twist through dips or go over bumps and all four wheels stay firmly planted on the ground. (No trimming around the mailbox with one wheel sticking up in the air)
– Engine behind the driver: The 19.5 HP Briggs Endurance engine is behind you and the exhaust points straight out the back. This makes the rider a lot quieter for you than a lawn tractor. In addition the engine is completely enclosed so it is even quieter than a zero-turn.
The R120S rides differently than a lawn tractor or zero-turn. Your body is over the front axle so there is a little more “side-to-side” sway than on a lawn tractor. But you only feel these bumps. Because the rider’s rear axle pivots you don’t feel any bounce from the rear. One of the best parts of the ride is you don’t get that front “bounce” you get with a zero-turn. (which many women feel uncomfortable) Any bounce over a rough lawn is more up and down instead of jerking your head back and forth. This rider is not quite as maneuverable as the R220 and R330 “Swedish” Riders.
Buy it here through Amazon: Husqvarna 967181801 R120S Articulating Riding Mower, 42-Inch
Features of the Husqvarna R120S:
Articulated steering: The articulated steering gives excellent maneuverability and facilitates driving around obstacles such as trees and bushes. Note: This mower is not a true zero-turn. It will mow completely around an 8 inch post without leaving a mark but it will not pivot inside it’s own length.
Pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission: Speed and direction are controlled with your foot. This lets you keep both hands on the steering wheel for maximum control.
Single lever height adjustment: The gauge wheels stay on the ground with this deck. When you raise or lower the cutting height you always get the same consistent cut.
Deck is very easy to remove: You can quickly remove the deck to clean underneath or sharpen the blades. Changing from mowing to using the optional snow blade is a 5-10 minute task.
Engine behind the driver: Thanks to the rear-mounted engine, you get better view of what you are mowing. No looking around a big hood. No looking down and back to see what you are trimming.
External Fuel Cap: The tank is easy to fill and is transparent so you can easily see how much is in the tank.
7 MPH Forward Speed: A lot of owners state they can mow faster with this deck than their old lawn tractor.
There is a snow blade for this rider. It’s part number 967 16 73-01.
Buy it here: Husqvarna 967181801 R120S Articulating Riding Mower, 42-Inch
I found this review of the R120S on the Husqvarna site.
From Pleasantly Surprised,
The R 120S is my third lawn cutter. I started with a typical riding mower to handle a 1 acre lot and then moved to a top-of-the-line Gravely Zero Turn mower to cut a 3 acre lawn. I recently moved to a smaller 3/4 acre property and decided to get the R 120S over its bigger R 220T sibling or another zero turn mower. I can honestly say: I made the right choice.
Zero Turn (ZT) mowers can be very fast. My previous unit could cut at 12 mph! But that is hard on machinery and the rider too. Cutting accuracy also suffers as the machine starts bouncing and rocking. Then there is the biggest ZT drawback: ‘turf tearing’ when you make a less than perfect 180 degree turn. ZT mowers skid when making many manoeuvres. You get damaged grass all the time. When I had 3 acres to cut, I could live with these deficiencies. With a 3/4 acre lot, I want better cut quality.1) Handling. Turning circles are really measured in feet no matter what the brochures say.
2) Ground Speed. Most cut at 5 mph or less. After my super fast Gravely Zero Turn, 5.5 mph feels like I am backing up!
2) Speed. The R 120S cuts at 7 mph. Not blinding speed but just about right for my smaller property. Note that the bigger R 220T cuts at 6 mph. I have tried both. I am happier with the R 120S.
3) Handling. It takes a little practice but it’s worth the effort. I can cut closer and more accurately than any of my former mowers.
4) Smoothness. Surprise! The one cylinder Briggs & Stratton motor is smooth and relatively quiet compared to the V-twins I had previously. Having 2 blades rather than 3 also means quieter operation
Jesse
Paul, thanks for your help. I have 1.25 acres to mow with a huge, flat front lawn with a fairly steep 4′ ditch. The back is small and not so flat. I currently have a 2012 JD x300 with a 48″ deck. I can get most of what I need to with this mower but I would like to reduce the mowing time. Recently I borrowed a ztr and reduced my mowing time significantly. I don’t mind spending up to $5000 or so, but am unsure what to get. I’ve been looking at JD ztrak 300 or 500, toro timecutter, husqvarna articulated. Not for sure if I should go with a bigger deck either. Any suggestions?
Thanks allot
Paul
Hi Jesse, a 48-52 inch deck is a great size for 1.25 acres. You can get done quickly and the deck is small enough so it can maneuver around trees, shrubs, etc. well. If you plan on mowing your ditch with the ZTR I suggest the John Deere 500 series, Toro Timecutter HD Ariens IKON XL etc. In other words mowers with a heavier ZT2800 or ZT3200 transmissions. If you buy from a dealer be sure you can return the mower if it won’t mow your ditch.
The articulated 4 wheel drive Husqvarna is a good mower for going up and down a slope but trying to mow across the slope (like a ditch) you may feel it’s too top heavy.
Jesse
Awesome! A few of the reviews on the toro timecutter state that it gets stuck easily, I wonder if that is due to the size of the tires being smaller on most models. The JD z500 comes with 22 and 23″ rear tires depending on the model. Also, with the JDz500 I believe it goes from 48″ deck to 54″. Do you think the 54″ is overkill for 1.25 acres?
Thanks allot for your help!!!
Paul
Hi Jesse, Trust me on this: Mowing commercially over the years I stuck every ZTR I ever owned at one time or the other. The bottom of ditches and waterways are the worst. In fact, I used to carry 300 feet of rope in the truck just for the time I got a ZTR stuck and the entire lawn was too soft to back the truck onto.
With the decks raised all the way up you only have about 4 inches of clearance under the deck so soft, wet areas of the lawns always get you in trouble.
That said, Larger rear tires do make a small difference – front caster tires also make a big difference. There’s a lot of weight on the front so if you have a lot of soft ground to mow the largest front casters tires you can get are the best. The Z500, Ariens Apex and Toro MX series all have the larger rear and larger front wheels.
The John Deere 48 inch decks will give you a more even and better cut than the 54 inch – especially if your lawn is rough and has dips and bumps.
John
Paul, great site. We live in Indianapolis, Indiana. Just under 1/2 acre. Several flower beds out in the yard, 6 or 8 trees out in the yard. All have landscape blocks around them, and the house is surrounded by beds with landscape blocks as well. Mostly flat, the back is a little bumpy. A slight slope in the front down to the sidewalk. I have an old lawn boy walk behind and an old wheel horse rear engine today. Both work, but I’ve rebuilt several times and know at some point something new is needed.
It is now April 2016. I recently stumbled upon the Husqvarna 120 and am intrigued. It looks like it has been discontinued, but my local dealer still has a few for $1999. I am also looking at the Toro SW4200 and Gravely ZTX 42. Any suggestions for me on these 3 diverse options?
John
Paul, I went for the Toro sw4200. They delivered it today. I mowed with it and was very happy with the results. It felt a little akward, but I’m sure as I get used to it, it will be great. Thanks for the insight.
Paul
Hi John, The steering wheel ZTRs do take a little time to get used to because there is no castor in the steering and they slow down so you don’t tear up your turf. Give it a few mowings.
Missy Schlotfledt
Paul, we have an 145 RV Park in Kennewick Washington 99338 with 12 acres. we want to break it up and assign areas to teams who are our camp workers who live here part time. Lots of inside corners, which some are bordered with timbers and some are just asphalt &concrete to grass. The sites are mostly flat with some common areas of slope and lots of newly planted trees and flower beds. Currently using Grasshopper which will continue to mow about 1/2 or 6 acres. Just bought Cub Cadet Z Force lap handle-entry level commercial they said and Cub Cadet Steering Wheel 52 inch deck light weight. So not go to far into into it, we are trying set up teams and lessen the trim time and hand mowing around inside corners in which each site has at least 2. I really thought I found the right mower with the Husqvarna R120 and 220 but they are discontinued. I don’t see very many used ones for sale and only one place I found has 3 for sale on eBay with $225 shipping. Would it be wise to purchase this, will it be hard to get service? is there any other front deck riding mowers for my aging workers that can get inside corners:) I would really appreciate you help. You are welcome to google map or go to our website to see our layout. http://www.columbiasunrvresort.com, 103907 wiser parkway, kennewick wa 99338. I really appreciate your website. Thanks, Missy
Paul
Hi Missy, Sorry, I am behind this week. I’ve been visiting my new grand daughter. In my area of the country we pronounced your last name “slow felt” or is it “slow flet”?
There are very few choice for good front deck mowers and even fewer choices for front decks that will last with crews.
The R120 is not the right choice. It’s not built heavy enough for use by multiple people. If you teams try to trim with it they will have the deck knocked off within a couple of mowings. The R220 will do better, especially with the Combi cutting deck but unless you have a local dealer who knows the unit I would not suggest it.
The best choice by far is a Walker S or C series with a mulching deck. If you have leaves, etc to pick up buy the collector model for clean up and the extra mulching deck for the rest of the year. You can trim on both sides. One will be able to do all of your trimming – two will be able to do all of your mowing faster than the three units you have now. The Walker’s are commercial mowers and built to outlast even the Grasshopper two or three times over.
Start here: The Walker Advantage
Doug
Hi John. I would be curious to know what local dealer is selling them for $1999. A dealer in NC recently put a few up for sale for that price and I was to slow on the trigger. They all sold by the time the weekend was through. Thanks.
Paul
I haven’t seen any for a while now. I’m wondering if they have sold off the back stock. The 220 and 330 are still available.
John
I live in CT and have about 1 acre mostly flat, some slopes not too steep and I had been considering the Craftsman Model 20390, but the R120S has caught my interest. I really like the Craftsman because of the description in your review of the dependable engine and transmission. How would the R120S stack up up in comparison? I would like to use it to pull a sweeper as well, would this have any negative consequences for the transmission? I’d also be interested in your comments of using a sweeper vs a bagger. Thanks very much, and I really appreciate your column and all the good info it provides!
Paul Sikkema
@John, A bagger is attached to the tractor so you don’t even know it’s there (until you get it caught in a bush) A bagger does make your tractor about 12 inches wider because of the tube from the deck to the bagger. Baggers don’t work well on wet grass. Baggers can be very dirty when cleaning up dry leaves in the fall. Baggers are easier to dump.
I use a sweeper because I have the front deck Husqvarna’s. (Old Husqvarna 970’s) But I also use it when I have to clean up wet grass. My wife wants the dog yard mowed short so I had a situation 2 weeks ago where it was very humid and when I mowed that yard the clippings just turned to a wet mess. Instead of the dogs tracking all that into the house I used the sweeper to clean up those clippings. It didn’t do the job on the first pass but after going over the yard twice I had all those clippings picked up. I would not have been able to do that with a bagger. With a sweeper you need and area where you can dump the clippings and then shovel them into a pile. I compost them so I just dump them in front of the compost pile and then work them in. If you buy a sweeper don’t be cheap. Buy one of the two Craftsman or the Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper, 44-Inch
. These are high speed sweepers that pickup even small grass clippings.
The R120S is capable of pulling a sweeper.
Drew B
Hi Paul. I’ve been looking at a lot of lawnmowers recently and I really like the Husqvarna R 120S Rider. I have a lot of trees and obstacles to go around on my property but its not too large about one acre. I want a mower that can handle a lot of leaves. Also the property is on a dead end which drains water into it when it rains and turns pretty swampy in one spot. I’ve read on this site that the hydrostatic transmission is not as good as a CVT, please help me to decide as a first time buyer, any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Paul Sikkema
Hi Drew, The R120S can handle leaves but there is no bagger for it. You will have to mulch and then collect them with a pull-behind sweeper. (That works well for me)
Yes, the new CVT’s are strong tranny’s but don’t rule out a hydro if you mainly mow.
Please read this review. It will give you a good understanding of what lawn tractors are capable of and then we can narrow your selection down to one or two. 2014-2015 Craftsman T3000 Model 20390 42 in 22 hp Yard Tractor Review
Jake
First off, great site! Thank you for providing such great info. I just bought a house with a 1.2 acre lot and a bunch of landscaping — raised beds, trees, shrubs, etc. It’s quite a maze but mostly flat. There’s a bit of a slope on one side of the house, but that area is small enough that I could cut it with my current push mower in probably five minutes, anyway.
I am intrigued by both this Husqvarna model and the Toro TimeCutter SW4200. In one of the comments below, you say that you like this model yourself, but you recommend the SW4200 for everyone else. Why is that?
Thank you!
Paul Sikkema