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.
- Spartan Spartan Defender — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 48-inch deck; gas powered
- Gravely ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI — 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.
- Spartan Defender has a 4.5", 7 gauge deck deck; ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI has a Fabricated X-Factor® deck.
- Spartan Defender holds 5 gal (18.9 L) of fuel; ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI holds 3.5 gal (13.2 L) of fuel, a 1.5 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.
- Spartan Defender lists at $6,799; ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI lists at $5,599, a $1,200 difference. List price is the maker's own figure before tax, freight and dealer setup. Dealers set the final price.
- Spartan Defender has a published top speed of 8 mph; ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI has a published top speed of 7 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.
- Spartan Defender weighs 765 lbs (347 kg); ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI weighs 689 lbs (312.5 kg), a 76 lbs difference. Operating weight bears on trailer payload, ramps and soft turf. On its own it says nothing about build quality. What Spartan Defender's weight means for a trailer ›
calculated figures and what isn’t comparable
Calculated by MowerFacts
- Spartan Defender works out to 3.1 acres/hour; ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI works out to 2.7 acres/hour, a 0.4 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 Spartan Defender.
- Warranty: not published for ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI.
- Fuel Type: not published for Spartan Defender.
- Deck Material: not published for Spartan Defender.
- Drive System: not published for Spartan Defender.
- Discharge: not published for Spartan Defender.
- Cut height range: not published for ZT XL 48 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 | Spartan Defender Spartan · Zero-Turn |
ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI Gravely · Zero-Turn |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $6,799 | $5,599 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Displacement | — | 44.3 ci (726 cc) |
| Engine Power | 23 hp | 23 hp |
| Engine Make | Kawasaki | Kawasaki® |
| Engine Model | — | FR691V |
| Fuel Type | — | Gas |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 48 in (1219 mm) | 48 in (1219 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | 1 in (25 mm) | — |
| Max Cut Height | 5 in (127 mm) | — |
| Deck Material | — | 11 ga |
| Deck Construction | 4.5", 7 gauge deck | Fabricated X-Factor® |
| Deck Gauge | — | 11 |
| Discharge | — | Side |
| Drive | ||
| Ground Speed | 8 mph | 7 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 22x11-10 Carlisle Turf Armor | — |
| Reverse Speed | — | 3 mph |
| Drive System | — | Hydro-Gear® ZT-2800® Transaxles |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 765 lbs (347 kg) | 689 lbs (312.5 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 5 gal (18.9 L) | 3.5 gal (13.2 L) |
| Length | 81 in (2057 mm) | — |
| Width | 43.5 in (1105 mm) | — |
| Height | 74 in (1880 mm) | — |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Frame Construction | 1.5" by 3" Powder Coated Frame | — |
| Seat Type | Premium | — |
| General | ||
| Warranty | 3 yr | — |
Where these models differ, explained
Spartan Defender: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — joinspartannation.com.
ZT XL 48 KAWASAKI: Specs verified against the retailer listing on Jun 6, 2026 — tkpowerequipment.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.