Compare Mowers
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.
- Cub Cadet Z3 50S — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 50-inch deck; gas powered
- Ariens APEX 52 KAWASAKI — prosumer: larger home properties and light acreage; 52-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- Z3 50S has a Hydro-Gear ZT 2800 transmission; APEX 52 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.
- Z3 50S has Hydrostatic drive; APEX 52 KAWASAKI has Hydro-Gear® ZT-3100® Transaxles drive.
- Z3 50S holds 3.5 gal (13.2 L) of fuel; APEX 52 KAWASAKI holds 5.1 gal (19.3 L) of fuel, a 1.6 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.
- Z3 50S carries a 3-year warranty; APEX 52 KAWASAKI carries a 4-year warranty, a 1 year difference. Warranty length is the maker's published term. Conditions and commercial-use limits differ between makers.
- Z3 50S has a published top speed of 7 mph; APEX 52 KAWASAKI has a published top speed of 8 mph, a 1 mph difference. Top speed is the maker's maximum in transport. Mowing speed is lower and depends on grass, terrain and the deck.
2 more differences, calculated figures and what isn’t comparable
Other verified differences
- Z3 50S has a 50 in (1,270 mm) deck; APEX 52 KAWASAKI has a 52 in (1,321 mm) deck, a 2 in difference.
- Z3 50S cuts from 1 in (25 mm) to 4.5 in (114 mm); APEX 52 KAWASAKI cuts from 1.5 in (38 mm) to 5 in (127 mm).
Calculated by MowerFacts
- Z3 50S works out to 2.8 acres/hour; APEX 52 KAWASAKI works out to 3.4 acres/hour, a 0.5 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.
Not comparable
- Weight: not published for Z3 50S.
- Deck Material: not published for APEX 52 KAWASAKI.
- Deck Construction: not published for APEX 52 KAWASAKI.
- Start Type: not published for APEX 52 KAWASAKI.
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 | Z3 50S Cub Cadet · Zero-Turn |
APEX 52 KAWASAKI Ariens · Zero-Turn |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $5,899 | $5,999 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | 44.3 ci (726 cc) | 44.3 ci (726 cc) |
| Engine Power | 23 hp | 23 hp |
| Engine Make | Kawasaki® | Kawasaki® FR691V |
| Engine Model | FR Series | — |
| Cylinders | 2 | — |
| Start Type | Ignition Key | — |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 50 in (1270 mm) | 52 in (1321 mm) |
| Blades | 3 | 3 |
| Min Cut Height | 1 in (25 mm) | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 4.5 in (114 mm) | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Deck Material | 11-gauge steel | — |
| Deck Construction | Reinforced Fabricated | — |
| Deck Gauge | 11 | — |
| Blade Tip Speed | — | 18000 ft/min (5486.4 m/min) |
| Cut Positions | 15 | 15 |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear ZT 2800 | Hydrostatic |
| Ground Speed | 7 mph | 8 mph |
| Reverse Speed | 3.5 mph | 4 mph |
| Drive System | Hydrostatic | Hydro-Gear® ZT-3100® Transaxles |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | — | 816 lbs (370.1 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.5 gal (13.2 L) | 5.1 gal (19.3 L) |
| Length | — | 79 in (2007 mm) |
| General | ||
| Warranty | 3 yr | 4 yr |
Where these models differ, explained
Z3 50S: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — cubcadet.com.
APEX 52 KAWASAKI: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 7, 2026 — ariens.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.