Compare Mowers
These mowers are in different classes — showing only attributes they share.
List prices are the manufacturer’s published figures, re-checked daily; they exclude tax, freight and dealer setup.
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.
- Ariens ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 60-inch deck; gas powered
- Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 72-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI lists at $8,299; PRO Z 972S EFI lists at $18,199, a $9,900 difference. List price is the maker's own figure before tax, freight and dealer setup. Dealers set the final price.
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI holds 5.1 gal (19.3 L) of fuel; PRO Z 972S EFI holds 14.9 gal (56.4 L) of fuel, a 9.8 gal 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.
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI weighs 900 lbs (408.2 kg); PRO Z 972S EFI weighs 1,631 lbs (739.8 kg), a 731 lbs difference. Operating weight bears on trailer payload, ramps and soft turf. On its own it says nothing about build quality. What ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI's weight means for a trailer ›
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI has a 23.5 hp engine; PRO Z 972S EFI has a 38.5 hp engine, a 15 hp difference. Published horsepower is the maker's rating at a stated engine speed. It is a different measure from displacement, and two engines of equal rating can pull differently.
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI has a published top speed of 8 mph; PRO Z 972S EFI has a published top speed of 14 mph, a 6 mph difference. Top speed is the maker's maximum in transport. Mowing speed is lower and depends on grass, terrain and the deck.
4 more differences, calculated figures
Other verified differences
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI has a Hydrostatic transmission; PRO Z 972S EFI has a 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400 transmission.
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI has a 60 in (1,524 mm) deck; PRO Z 972S EFI has a 72 in (1,829 mm) deck, a 12 in difference.
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI has a 44.3 ci (726 cc) engine; PRO Z 972S EFI has a 61 ci (999 cc) engine, a 16.7 ci difference.
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI cuts from 1.5 in (38 mm) to 5 in (127 mm); PRO Z 972S EFI cuts from 1 in (25 mm) to 5 in (127 mm).
Calculated by MowerFacts
- ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI works out to 3.9 acres/hour; PRO Z 972S EFI works out to 8.1 acres/hour, a 4.3 acres/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.
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 | ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI Ariens · Zero-Turn |
PRO Z 972S EFI Cub Cadet · Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $8,299 | $18,199 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | 44.3 ci (726 cc) | 61 ci (999 cc) |
| Engine Power | 23.5 hp | 38.5 hp |
| Engine Make | Kawasaki® FX730V | Kawasaki® |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 60 in (1524 mm) | 72 in (1829 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | 1.5 in (38 mm) | 1 in (25 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 5 in (127 mm) | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Cut Positions | 15 | 16 |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400 |
| Ground Speed | 8 mph | 14 mph |
| Reverse Speed | 4 mph | 6 mph |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 900 lbs (408.2 kg) | 1631 lbs (739.8 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.1 gal (19.3 L) | 14.9 gal (56.4 L) |
Where these models differ, explained
ZENITH 60 - KAWASAKI: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — manualslib.com.
PRO Z 972S EFI: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — cubcadet.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.