Can You Tow With a Zero-Turn Mower?

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Zero-turn mowers are now turning into a large lawn owner’s essential machine in keeping a well-trimmed and lusciously green yard. But they aren’t just limited to mowing your lawn or helping you with your landscaping and gardening tasks, they can offer a variety of other tasks to simplify your work around your turf. 

Can you tow with a zero-turn mower?

Many larger zero-turn mowers have a built-in hitch where you can attach equipment that you can tow. Most tow hitches are added on larger ZTRs since they have a stronger engine that can carry or hold the extra weight. However, any zero-turn mower can tow, as long as it falls within its weight capacity.

How much weight can a mower tow?

As a rule of thumb, a z-turn mower can smoothly tow a piece of equipment that is ideally no more than 50% (60% at most) of its weight.  However, when considering the weight of the extensions you’re going to tow, you also have to include the rider’s weight in its capacity to carry and move weight efficiently. But depending on your mower, the weight it can carry may be more or less than its required load capacity. 

For example, a 50-inch Toro Timecutter weighs 621 pounds, if the mower has a 60% load capacity then it can carry about 370 pounds. Given that you weigh about 200 pounds, then the maximum weight your zero-turn mower can tow is 170.

Though this is a general rule, it doesn’t apply to all zero-turn mowers. The towing capacity of your mower is always indicated in the ZTR manual. However, if you’ve bought a secondhand mower, always know that residential mowers can tow only up to half of their weight. A commercial mower can tow up to twice its weight, given that it’s designed to pull heavy loads beyond its weight.

Zero-turn towing capacity

The towing capacity of a zero-turn mower differs depending on the brand, model, and the overall weight of your specific ZTR (including the rider’s weight). That being said, below you will find summarized tables showing the towing capacity of the most popular brands alongside their models.

Cub Cadet zero-turn towing capacity

Cub Cadet zero-turn modelWeightTowing capacity
ZT1-42500 lbs250 – 300 lbs
ZT1-42E500 lbs250 – 300 lbs
ZT1-46570 lbs285 – 342 lbs
ZT1-50585 lbs292 – 351 lbs
ZT1-54600 lbs300 – 360 lbs
ZT2-50600 lbs300 – 360 lbs
ZT2-54615 lbs307 – 369 lbs
ZT2-60752 lbs376 – 451 lbs
ZTX4-48850 lbs425 – 510 lbs
ZTX4-54925 lbs462 – 555 lbs
ZTX4-601092 lbs546 – 655 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the Cub cadet towing capacity further depending on your weight.

John Deere zero turn towing capacity

John Deere zero turn modelWeightTowing capacity
Z335E491 lbs245 – 294 lbs
Z345R500 lbs250 – 300 lbs
Z345M496 lbs248 – 297 lbs
Z355E570 lbs285 – 342 lbs
Z355R575 lbs287 – 345 lbs
Z365R575 lbs287 – 345 lbs
Z375R590 lbs295 – 354 lbs
Z515E776 lbs388 – 465 lbs
Z530M780 lbs390 – 468 lbs
Z530R834 lbs417 – 500 lbs
Z545R832 lbs416 – 499 lbs
Z720E965 lbs482 – 579 lbs
Z735E990 lbs495 – 594 lbs
Z730M965 lbs482 – 579 lbs
Z735M965 lbs482 – 579 lbs
Z740R1040 lbs520 – 624 lbs
Z915E1178 lbs589 – 706 lbs
Z920M1220 lbs610 – 732 lbs
Z930M1275 lbs637 – 765 lbs
Z945M1275 lbs637 – 765 lbs
Z950M1275 lbs637 – 765 lbs
Z960M1252 lbs626 – 751 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the John Deere towing capacity further depending on your weight.

Husqvarna zero turn towing capacity

Husqvarna zero turn modelWeightTowing capacity
Z142474 lbs237 – 284 lbs
Z146474 lbs237 – 284 lbs
Z242551 lbs275 – 330 lbs
Z246504 lbs252 – 302 lbs
Z248F581 lbs290 – 348 lbs
Z254542 lbs271 – 325 lbs
Z254F595 lbs297 – 357 lbs
Z448725 lbs362 – 435 lbs
Z454745 lbs372 – 447 lbs
Z454XS961 lbs480 – 576 lbs
Z460823 lbs411 – 493 lbs
Z460XS973 lbs486 – 583 lbs
Z5481100 lbs550 – 660 lbs
Z554L1215 lbs607 – 729 lbs
Z554X1250 lbs625 – 750 lbs
Z560L1250 lbs625 – 750 lbs
Z560X1309 lbs654 – 785 lbs
Z572X1359 lbs679 – 815 lbs
MZ48595 lbs297 – 357 lbs
MZ54770 lbs385 – 462 lbs
MZ61770 lbs385 – 462 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the Husqvarna towing capacity further depending on your weight.

Bad Boy zero turn towing capacity

Bad Boy zero-turn modelWeightTowing capacity
Maverick1005 lbs502 – 603 lbs
ZT Elite839 lbs419 – 503 lbs
ZT Avenger746 lbs373 – 447 lbs
MZ Magnum687 lbs343 – 412 lbs
MZ Rumbler632 lbs316 – 379 lbs
Renegade Diesel1862 lbs931 – 1117 lbs
Renegade Gas1628 lbs814 – 976 lbs
Rogue1538 lbs769 – 922 lbs
Rebel1382 lbs691 – 829 lbs
Revolt Stand-on1040 lbs520 – 624 lbs
Maverick HD1073 lbs536 – 643 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the Bad Boy towing capacity further depending on your weight.

Toro zero turn towing capacity

Toro zero-turn modelWeightTowing capacity
TimeCutter 75734675 lbs337 – 405 lbs
TimeCutter 75740645 lbs322 – 387 lbs
TimeCutter 75750738 lbs369 – 442 lbs
TimeCutter 75756836 lbs418 – 501 lbs
TimeCutter SS5000588 lbs294 – 352 lbs
Titan 75316819 lbs409 – 491 lbs
Titan Max 76601876 lbs438 – 525 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the Toro towing capacity further depending on your weight.

Kubota zero turn towing capacity

Kubota zero turn modelWeightTowing capacity
Z231KW-42621 lbs310 – 372 lbs
Z231BR-48737 lbs368 – 442 lbs
Z251BR-54749 lbs374 – 449 lbs
Z251KH-54771 lbs385 – 462 lbs
Z411KW-48874 lbs437 – 524 lbs
Z421KW-54884 lbs442 – 530 lbs
Z421KWT-60930 lb465 – 558 lbs
Z412KW-48904 lbs452 – 542 lbs
Z422KW-54918 lbs459 – 550 lbs
Z422KWT-60954 lbs477 – 572 lbs
Z724XKW-481207 lbs603 – 724 lbs
Z724XKW-541223 lbs611 -733 lbs
Z726XKW-601276 lbs638 -765 lbs
Z723KH-481212 lbs611 -733 lbs
Z724KH-541225 lbs612 -735 lbs
Z725KH-601256 lbs628 -753 lbs
ZD1511RL-60R1984 lbs992 -1190 lbs
ZD1511LF-722006 lbs1003 -1203 lbs
ZD1511LF-72R2028 lbs1014 -1216 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the Kubota towing capacity further depending on your weight.

Ariens zero-turn towing capacity

Ariens zero-turn modelWeightTowing capacity
Zenith 60 Kawasaki900 lbs450 – 540 lbs
Apex 48 Kohler825 lbs412 – 495 lbs
Apex 60 Kawasaki870 lbs435 – 552 lbs
Apex 52 Kawasaki850 lbs425 – 510 lbs
Ikon-XD 42 Kawasaki661 lbs330 – 396 lbs
Ikon-XD 42 Kohler661 lbs330 – 396 lbs
Ikon-XD 52 Kawasaki681 lbs340 – 408 lbs
Ikon-XD 52 Kohler681 lbs340 – 408 lbs
Ikon-XD 60 Kawasaki697 lbs348 – 418 lbs
Edge 42 Briggs510 lbs255 – 306 lbs
Edge 42 Kohler497 lbs248 – 298 lbs
Edge 34 Briggs447 lbs223 -268 lbs
Edge 34 Kohler464 lbs232 -278 lb
Edge 52 Kawasaki560 lbs280 -336 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the Ariens towing capacity further depending on your weight.

Troy-Bilt zero turn towing capacity

Troy-Bilt zero-turn modelWeightTowing capacity
Mustang Z42580 lbs290 – 348 lbs
Mustang Z46623 lbs311 – 373 lbs
Mustang Z54658 lbs329 – 394 lbs
Mustang Z54 XP683 lbs341 – 409 lbs
  • Note that I have excluded the rider’s weight. You will have to reduce the Troy-Bilt towing capacity further depending on your weight.

Why can’t a zero-turn mower tow heavier weight?

A z-turn mower is not equipped to carry a load over 60% of its weight mostly since it will put a heavier strain on the engine. Your engine powers your mower to trim your lawn at a certain speed and the more powerful the engine, the more tasks it can handle which includes towing gardening accessories. However, with a smaller engine design to make your mower run, it doesn’t have enough capacity to tow extremely heavy accessories.

Craftsman and Dixie’s zero-turns are designed to also carry heavier weight. They can tow about 700-1000 pounds and up to 2000 pounds respectively.

What can a z-turn mower tow?

As long as your mower has a hitch, it can pull various accessories to improve your efficiency in working around your garden or lawn. Your z-turn can mow various gardening accessories such as:

  • pull-behind sprayers
  • fertilizer, or seed spreaders
  • lawn carts or utility trailers
  • aerator
  • lawn sweeper
  • lawn roller

How to install a hitch kit to your zero-turn mower?

Towing is essential for gardeners in hauling seedlings, fertilizers, and other materials that a large garden needs for up-keep where a ZTR can fulfill the function of a tractor and tow them across your property. However, most medium- to small-sized zero-turn mowers do not have an installed tow hitch but you can easily buy a hitch and install it on your mower.

Materials Required:

Instructions

  1. Bring your mower to secure space on a hard and even surface like your garage or your driveway.
  2. Once you’re in a safer area,  turn your engine off.
  3. Measure the rear support of your mower and mark the spot where you’re going to drill at the exact center of the bumper.

NOTE: Although almost all ZTRs have rear metal support, some are made with a rear fender or cover, do not install your tow hitch on any non-metal material on your mower. 

  1. Drill holes on the metal support to fit the bolts or screws for your hitch.
  2. Position your hitch and add the bolts. After which, secure your hitch with the bolt nut.

Types of tow hitches

There are three common types of tow hitches used on zero-turn mowers: a simple hitch, a towing ball, and a hitch pin. Though there are other types, these three, by far, offer security and the best support for whatever accessory you’re going to tow.

Simple Hitch

A simple hitch or a hitch plate is a small metal plate shaped like a wide L-bracket. The plate comes with a large hole in the middle where you can attach your chain or hook to secure your accessory on your mower.

Towing Ball

The towing ball is literally a small ball where you can loop your chain around or attach your hook. The towing ball is usually attached to a hitch plate (view on Amazon).

Hitch Pin

The hitch pin is a large pinhead that you secure on your mower. Some of these pins are magnetized to add an extra hold of your hook, loop, or chain to prevent it from getting undone as you pull your equipment across your lawn.

Zero-turn mowers are versatile machines that drastically improve your efficiency around your lawn. From quick clean mowing to towing massive gardening equipment around your large property, your machine easily becomes your all-around help.

Photo of author

Medi

EL Mehdi (Medi), the founder and voice behind Desired Lawn Mower. He is a riding mower enthusiast who enjoys spending more time discussing and covering various ride-on mower topics. He has been active in the industry for years comparing models of different ZTR and lawn tractor brands.