Best Reviewed
Lawn Tractors
- Best lawn tractor overall John Deere X304 *Est. $3600
- Best light-duty lawn tractor John Deere D110 *Est. $1600
- Best riding mower Weed Eater One *Est. $700
- Best zero-turn mower Snapper 150Z ZT2142 *Est. $2600
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- Fast
- Leaves no uncut swaths
- Brand with good repair record
- Not for slopes
- Two-lever steering requires practice
- Manual cutting height adjustment
- Cutting tall grass can require two passes
The 42-inch John Deere Z225 is the least expensive residential zero-turn mower the company makes. The 2011 model meets new EPA emissions requirements, but otherwise is the same as the Z225 from previous years, which has accumulated mostly positive reviews. The Z225 is fast, with a maximum speed of 7 mph, and since it leaves no circle of uncut grass at turns, it can cut mowing time by about half compared with a regular lawn tractor. The main drawback is that zero-turn mowers tend to slide on slopes, so it's mainly for a flat lawn. John Deere has a good repair record, but the newer, less expensive Snapper 150Z ZT2142 (*Est. $2,600) fares better in tests of cutting performance in bagging mode -- and offers conveniences such as push-button startup and electronic adjustment of cutting height.
We found excellent comparison tests of the John Deere Z225 at ConsumerReports.org, where it's ranked and rated along with 13 other zero-turn mowers and a total of 38 lawn tractors and riding mowers of other types. Nearly two dozen owners also rate and review the Z225 at ConsumerReports.org, and we found additional owner-written reviews at Lowes.com and HomeDepot.com. An older single-product review at ConsumerGuide.com covers the 2007 version of the Z225, but is still relevant.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
This big roundup review rates and ranks the John Deere Z225 in comparison with 13 other zero-turn mowers (and 37 other types of riding mower and lawn tractor as well), based on tests that cover handling and ease of use as well as performance in all three cutting modes. Based on a survey of readers, the report also compares brand repair records. Nearly two dozen owners also rate and review the John Deere Z225 here.
Review: Tractors and Riders, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2011
2. Lowes.com
About a dozen owners review the John Deere Z225 here, giving it a reasonably high average rating, with many enthusiastic comments about this mower's performance, speed and ease of use. A few complain about frequent repairs.
Review: John Deere Z225 18.5-HP Hydrostatic 42" Zero-Turn Mower, Contributors to Lowes.com
At the time of our report, only one owner reviews the 2011 Z225 at this retail site, saying it cuts well if grass isn't too tall, but that the dual-lever steering takes some time to learn.
Review: John Deere 42 in. 18.5 HP, Zero-Turn Riding Mower, Hydrostatic, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
This older single-product review covers the 2007 version of the John Deere Z225, which lacked an oil filter. (The 2011 model has full-pressure lubrication.) Overall, though, the tests here are still applicable; most features are the same and the Z225 earns a reasonably positive review.
Review: John Deere EZTrak Z225 Zero-Turn Riding Mower, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, March 2007
These owner-written reviews are even older than the review at ConsumerGuide.com, but it's interesting to see that even in 2007, owners praised the Z225 for making mowing fun and fast.
Review: Customer Reviews for 42 in., 18.5 HP, Exclusive John Deere Engine by Briggs & Stratton, Mower, Contributors to HomeDepot.com, 2007
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