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.
- Spartan Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 44-inch deck; gas powered
- Husqvarna Z242F — 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.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower has a V-belt drive from engine crankshaft transmission; Z242F 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.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower cuts from 25 mm (1 in) to 127 mm (5 in); Z242F cuts from 38 mm (1.5 in) to 102 mm (4 in). The cut-height range is the shortest and tallest cut the deck offers. Most lawns are kept well inside it.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower lists at A$11,999; Z242F lists at A$9,499, a A$2,500 difference. List price is the maker's own figure before tax, freight and dealer setup. Dealers set the final price.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower holds 18.9 L (5 gal) of fuel; Z242F holds 13.2 L (3.5 gal) of fuel, a 5.6 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.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower has High density, rubberised discharge; Z242F has Collect/Mulch/Side discharge discharge.
4 more differences, calculated figures and what isn’t comparable
Other verified differences
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower has a published top speed of 8 mph; Z242F has a published top speed of 6.5 mph, a 1.5 mph difference.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower weighs 309 kg (681 lbs); Z242F weighs 264 kg (582 lbs), a 45 kg difference.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower has a 23 hp engine; Z242F has a 21.5 hp engine, a 1.5 hp difference.
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower has a 1,105 mm (43.5 in) deck; Z242F has a 1,067 mm (42 in) deck, a 38 mm difference.
Calculated by MowerFacts
- Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower works out to 1.13 ha/hour; Z242F works out to 0.89 ha/hour, a 0.24 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
- Displacement: not published for Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower.
- Warranty: not published for Z242F.
- Fuel Type: not published for Z242F.
- Deck Material: not published for Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower.
- Deck Construction: not published for Z242F.
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 | Spartan Shield HD 42 in Zero Turn Mower Spartan · Zero-Turn |
Z242F Husqvarna · Zero-Turn |
|---|---|---|
| RRP (AUD) | A$11,999 | A$9,499 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | — | 44.3 ci (725.9 cc) |
| Engine Power | 23 hp | 21.5 hp |
| Engine Make | Air cooled, 90-degree V-Twin, normally aspirated petrol engine | Kawasaki |
| Engine Model | — | FR Series |
| Fuel Type | Unleaded fuel - maximum of 10% ethanol in fuel (see engine manufacturers specifications) | — |
| Cylinders | — | 2 |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 43.5 in (1105 mm) | 42 in (1067 mm) |
| Blades | 2 | 2 |
| Min Cut Height | 1 in (25 mm) | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 5 in (127 mm) | 4 in (102 mm) |
| Deck Material | — | Steel |
| Deck Construction | 4” Deep, Fabricated | — |
| Spindle Type | Cast aluminium sealed bearings | — |
| Anti-Scalp Rollers | — | Yes |
| Discharge | High density, rubberised | Collect/Mulch/Side discharge |
| Cut Positions | — | 6 |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | V-belt drive from engine crankshaft | Hydrostatic |
| Ground Speed | 8 mph | 6.5 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 20" turf armour tyres | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 681 lbs (309 kg) | 582 lbs (264 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 5 gal (18.9 L) | 3.5 gal (13.2 L) |
| Length | 81 in (2057 mm) | 75 in (1905 mm) |
| Height | 44 in (1118 mm) | 40 in (1016 mm) |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Frame Construction | Mainframe 1.5” x 3” (38.1 mm x 76.2 mm) powder coated fusion welded tube frame. Front caster wheels mounted with commercial duty greaseable roller bearings on each wheel | — |
| Seat Type | Premium | 15" high back |
| Commercial Warranty | 3 Year or 300 Hour Domestic Warranty | — |
| General | ||
| Warranty | 3 yr | — |
Where these models differ, explained
Z242F: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — husqvarna.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.