IKON vs Liberty Z
IKON vs Liberty Z compared side by side: specs, ratings, price and owner feedback from our independent reviews.
| IKON | Liberty Z | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.5 | 3.8 |
| Performance | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Build quality | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Reliability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Value for money | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Comfort & ergonomics | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Features | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | — | $5,599 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Engine | Kawasaki FR651V 21.5 hp (42 and 48-in.); Kawasaki FR691V 23 hp (52 and 60-in.), per Ariens | Kawasaki FR 18 to 24 hp; Kohler 7000 20 to 26 hp; Scag SR 24 or 27 hp; Briggs PXi 24 hp |
| Displacement | 726 cc V-twin (as listed by Ariens) | — |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear EZT hydrostatic transaxles (52-in., per AllMachines) | Hydro-Gear ZT-2800 (36 and 42-in.); Tuff Torq TZ450 (48, 52 and 61-in.) |
| Drive | Zero-turn, dual-lever steering | Zero-turn, dual-lever steering |
| Deck size | 42, 48, 52 and 60 in. | 36, 42, 48, 52 and 61 in. |
| Deck construction | ENVY ELITE fabricated 11-gauge steel, 4.5 in. deep | Dual-plate steel |
| Cutting height | Up to 4.5 in. (13 positions on the 52-in., per AllMachines) | 1.5 to 4.5 in., 0.25 in. steps |
| Blades | 3 spindles (52-in., per AllMachines) | — |
| Discharge | Side discharge with caged anti-scalp wheels | Side discharge |
| Top speed | 7 mph forward, 3 mph reverse (52-in., per AllMachines) | Up to 7 mph forward, 5 mph reverse |
| Front tires | 11x6-5 (52-in., per AllMachines) | 11-in. casters, 4x5 or 6x5 depending on deck |
| Rear tires | 20x10-8 (52-in., per AllMachines) | 20-in. drive tires, 8, 10 widths depending on deck |
| Weight | 682 lb (52-in., per AllMachines) | 555 lb (36-in.) to 695 lb (61-in.) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 US gal (52-in., per AllMachines) | 3.5 US gal (36 and 42-in.); 5.5 US gal (48, 52 and 61-in.) |
| Model numbers | 918002 (42), 918003 (48), 918005 (52), 918006 (60), 918026 (ONYX 52) | SZL-36H-18FR through SZL-61H-27SR (14 models) |
| Chassis | One-piece welded tubular | — |
| Seat | High-back with molded armrests | — |
| Blade tip speed | About 18,000 ft/min (52-in., per AllMachines) | — |
| MSRP range | — | $5,599 to $7,399 |
| PTO clutch | — | Ogura GT1 74 ft-lb; GT2 108 ft-lb on 61-in. |
| Spindles | — | Aluminum with sealed ball bearings |
| Verdict | The IKON is a sensible middle choice for lots of one to three acres, pairing a Kawasaki V-twin with a fabricated deck at a modest price. The EZT drive and… Read the full review |
The Liberty Z is the widest-ranging and cheapest Scag, with a 36-inch gate-friendly option and a 5-year frame warranty. Lighter drives and smaller tanks than the Freedom Z are the… Read the full review |
