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.
- Grasshopper SO26 — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 52-inch deck; gas powered
- Exmark Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI) — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 52-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 4 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- SO26 uses a Vanguard engine; Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI) uses a Kohler ECV740 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.
- SO26 holds 9.3 gal (35 L) of fuel; Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI) holds 8 gal (30.3 L) of fuel, a 1.3 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.
- SO26 has a 49.4 ci (810 cc) engine; Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI) has a 45.6 ci (747 cc) engine, a 3.8 ci difference. Displacement is the engine's size, not its output. A larger engine is not necessarily a more powerful one.
- SO26 lists at $13,365; Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI) lists at $13,999, a $634 difference. List price is the maker's own figure before tax, freight and dealer setup. Dealers set the final price.
what isn’t comparable
Not comparable
- Engine Power: not published for SO26.
- Weight: not published for SO26.
- Ground Speed: not published for SO26.
- Transmission: not published for Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI).
- Fuel Type: not published for Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI).
- Cut height range: not published for SO26.
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 | SO26 Grasshopper · Commercial |
Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI) Exmark · Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $13,365 | $13,999 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Engine Make | Vanguard | Kohler ECV740 |
| Displacement | 49.4 ci (810 cc) | 45.6 ci (747 cc) |
| Engine Power | — | 25 hp |
| Cylinders | 2 | — |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | — |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 52 in (1321 mm) | 52 in (1321 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | — | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | — | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | T-Drive Transmission | — |
| Ground Speed | — | 8.5 mph |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | — | 987 lbs (447.7 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 9.3 gal (35 L) | 8 gal (30.3 L) |
Where these models differ, explained
SO26: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — grasshoppermower.com.
Vertex S-Series (52 in EFI): Specs verified against the retailer listing on Jun 6, 2026 — howardbrothers.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.