Compare Mowers
Prices are the recommended retail prices published by each manufacturer’s Australian site, in AUD, as read on the date shown on each model’s page; dealers set the final price.
A side-by-side reference of each model's stated specifications. MowerFacts doesn’t give opinions: where a published, spec-derived rule can separate machines we mark a Data Pick and show the rule; here, read the values and decide what fits your needs.
Best suited for
What each model is built for, from its duty class and key specs. This is a neutral reference — MowerFacts does not rank one model above another.
- Kubota Z232KW-42 — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 42-inch deck; gas powered
- Ariens IKON 42 KAWASAKI — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 42-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- Z232KW-42 has a Hydro-Gear ZT-2200 transmission; IKON 42 KAWASAKI has a Hydrostatic transmission. The transmission grade tracks duty rating and speed. Grade names are each maker's own and are not comparable across brands.
- Z232KW-42 has Belt drive; IKON 42 KAWASAKI has Hydro-Gear® EZT® Transaxles drive.
- Z232KW-42 has a published top speed of 6.5 mph; IKON 42 KAWASAKI has a published top speed of 7 mph, a 0.5 mph difference. Top speed is the maker's maximum in transport. Mowing speed is lower and depends on grass, terrain and the deck.
- Z232KW-42 cuts from 38 mm (1.5 in) to 108 mm (4.3 in); IKON 42 KAWASAKI cuts from 38 mm (1.5 in) to 114 mm (4.5 in). The cut-height range is the shortest and tallest cut the deck offers. Most lawns are kept well inside it.
- Z232KW-42 holds 13.6 L (3.6 gal) of fuel; IKON 42 KAWASAKI holds 13.2 L (3.5 gal) of fuel, a 0.4 L difference. Tank size bounds how long a machine runs between stops. Consumption varies with engine, load and speed, so hours per tank are not fixed.
calculated figures and what isn’t comparable
Calculated by MowerFacts
- Z232KW-42 works out to 0.89 ha/hour; IKON 42 KAWASAKI works out to 0.96 ha/hour, a 0.07 ha/hour difference. Calculated by MowerFacts from deck width and the published top speed at 80% efficiency; it is not a manufacturer figure, and real mowing is slower.
Not comparable
- Warranty: not published for Z232KW-42.
- Blades: not published for Z232KW-42.
- Fuel Type: not published for IKON 42 KAWASAKI.
- Deck Material: not published for IKON 42 KAWASAKI.
- Price: Z232KW-42 is dealer quote only.
Verified means each manufacturer publishes the figure. A bigger number is only a bigger number; nothing here says which machine is better. The full specification table is below.
Which is faster on your property? › Measure your lawn once and MowerFacts times all 2 against it.
| Spec | Z232KW-42 Kubota · Zero-Turn |
IKON 42 KAWASAKI Ariens · Zero-Turn |
|---|---|---|
| RRP (AUD) | dealer quote | A$8,999 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | 44.3 ci (726 cc) | 44.3 ci (726 cc) |
| Engine Power | 21.5 hp | 21.5 hp |
| Engine Make | Kawasaki FR651V | Kawasaki® FR651V |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | — |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 42 in (1067 mm) | 42 in (1067 mm) |
| Blades | — | 3 |
| Min Cut Height | 1.5 in (38 mm) | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 4.3 in (108 mm) | 4.5 in (114 mm) |
| Deck Material | 10Ga steel | — |
| Deck Gauge | 10 | — |
| Blade Tip Speed | — | 17822 ft/min (5432 m/min) |
| Cut Positions | — | 13 |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear ZT-2200 | Hydrostatic |
| Ground Speed | 6.5 mph | 7 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 18 x 7.5 - 10 | — |
| Reverse Speed | — | 3 mph |
| Drive System | Belt | Hydro-Gear® EZT® Transaxles |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 643 lbs (291.7 kg) | 654 lbs (296.6 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.6 gal (13.6 L) | 3.5 gal (13.2 L) |
| Length | — | 74.5 in (1892 mm) |
| General | ||
| Warranty | — | 3 yr |
Where these models differ, explained
Z232KW-42: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — kubotausa.com.
IKON 42 KAWASAKI: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — ariens.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.