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.
- Ferris 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 48-inch deck; gas powered
- Scag Freedom Z — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 48-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) uses a Briggs & Stratton® CXi engine; Freedom Z uses a Kohler® 7000 Series engine. The engine maker builds the engine; the mower maker chooses the model, rating and fit, so the badge alone does not settle output or longevity.
- 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) holds 3 gal (11.4 L) of fuel; Freedom Z holds 6.5 gal (24.6 L) of fuel, a 3.5 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.
- 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) lists at $7,478; Freedom Z lists at $6,899 to $7,799, a $579 difference. List price is the maker's own figure before tax, freight and dealer setup. Dealers set the final price.
- 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) has a published top speed of 8.5 mph; Freedom Z has a published top speed of 8 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.
- 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) has a 25 hp engine; Freedom Z has a 24 hp engine, a 1 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.
1 more difference, calculated figures and what isn’t comparable
Other verified differences
- 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) weighs 775 lbs (351.5 kg); Freedom Z weighs 745 lbs (337.9 kg), a 30 lbs difference.
Calculated by MowerFacts
- 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) works out to 3.3 acres/hour; Freedom Z works out to 3.1 acres/hour, a 0.2 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
- Displacement: not published for Freedom Z.
- Warranty: not published for Freedom Z.
- Transmission: not published for Freedom Z.
- Fuel Type: not published for Freedom Z.
- Deck Material: not published for Freedom Z.
- Deck Construction: not published for 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101).
- Drive System: not published for 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101).
- Start Type: not published for Freedom Z.
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 | 500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101) Ferris · Zero-Turn |
Freedom Z Scag · Zero-Turn |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $7,478 | $6,899–$7,799 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | 44.2 ci (724 cc) | — |
| Engine Power | 25 hp | 24 hp |
| Engine Make | Briggs & Stratton® CXi | Kohler® 7000 Series |
| Fuel Type | Gas | — |
| Cylinders | 2 | — |
| Start Type | Electric | — |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 48 in (1219 mm) | 48 in (1219 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | 1.5 in (38 mm) | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 4.5 in (114 mm) | 4.5 in (114 mm) |
| Deck Material | 10-gauge, Fabricated | — |
| Deck Construction | — | Dual-plate cutter deck constructed of 2 steel plates. Reinforcement plate at cutter deck spindles. |
| Deck Gauge | 10 | — |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | Dual Hydro-Gear® ZT-2800® transaxles with 7" cooling fans | — |
| Ground Speed | 8.5 mph | 8 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | — | 20″ x 10″-10″ |
| Reverse Speed | 4 mph | 5 mph |
| Drive System | — | Hydro-Gear ZT2800 Transaxle |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 775 lbs (351.5 kg) | 745 lbs (337.9 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 3 gal (11.4 L) | 6.5 gal (24.6 L) |
| Length | 78.5 in (1994 mm) | — |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Seat Type | — | Padded with arm rests, adjustment forward and back (tools required) |
| General | ||
| Warranty | 3 yr | — |
Where these models differ, explained
500S Zero Turn Mower (48 in / 5902101): Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — ferrismowers.com.
Freedom Z: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — scag.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.