Z530M vs Tiger Cat II
Z530M vs Tiger Cat II compared side by side: specs, ratings, price and owner feedback from our independent reviews.
| Z530M | Tiger Cat II | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.3 | 3.8 |
| Performance | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Build quality | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Reliability | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Value for money | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Comfort & ergonomics | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | $5,899 | $11,729 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Horsepower | 24 HP | — |
| Engine | Kawasaki V-twin OHV, air-cooled | Kawasaki FX or FT, Kohler Command PRO or PRO 888, Briggs Vanguard EFI or BIG BLOCK |
| Displacement | Not published by Deere | — |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Tuff Torq TZT7-U hydrostatic, twin lever control | Dual Hydro-Gear 12 cc pumps with Parker 14.5 ci wheel motors |
| Drive | Zero-turn, dual hydrostatic | Zero-turn, dual-lever steering |
| Deck size | 48 in (54 or 60 in optional) | 48, 52 and 61 in. |
| Deck construction | Accel Deep, side discharge, four-point lift | Velocity Plus tri-plate steel with cast-iron spindles |
| Cutting height | 1 to 4 in (0.25 in steps) | 1 to 5 in., 0.25 in. steps |
| Blades | Side-discharge blades; MulchControl kit optional | — |
| Discharge | Side discharge; mulching and bagging with optional kits | Side discharge |
| Top speed | 8 mph forward, 4 mph reverse | 12 mph forward, 5 mph reverse |
| Turning radius | Zero | — |
| Front tires | 13x6.5-6 casters | 13x6.5-6 flat-free casters |
| Rear tires | 22x9.5-10 | 24x9.5-12 (48 and 52-in.); 24x12-12 (61-in.) |
| Weight | 772 lb (no fuel) | 1,175 to 1,277 lb depending on deck |
| Dimensions | 48-in. deck standard; see Deere spec sheet for overall size | — |
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 US gal (17 L) | 9.5 US gal |
| Recommended property size | Up to about 2 acres of flat ground with obstacles | — |
| Seat | 20 in with armrests and ComfortGlide | — |
| Rollover protection | Foldable ROPS and seat belt | — |
| Battery | 12V | — |
| Towing (with optional hitch) | 250 lb; 100 lb tongue weight | — |
| Deck options | 54 in (+$200), 60 in (+$500) | — |
| Model numbers | — | STCII-48V-23CV through STCII-61V-36BV (16 models) |
| PTO clutch | — | Ogura GT3.5 clutch brake, 250 ft-lb |
| MSRP range | — | $11,729 to $14,349 |
| Power range | — | 22 to 36 hp (table); heading says up to 32 hp |
| Verdict | The Z530M offers a 24 hp V-twin, 8 mph speed, roll bar, ComfortGlide seat and a 4-year warranty. It costs much more than the Z300 line but is built tougher. Read the full review |
The Tiger Cat II is a fast, heavily built compact commercial mower with a deck and clutch far beyond residential machines. Its price starts above $11,700. Read the full review |
