Bad Boy MZ Magnum Review

MZ Magnum review

Bad Boy MZ Magnum overview

The MZ Magnum is the entry point to Bad Boy’s zero-turn range, a lever-steered mower built around a welded rail frame and a thick steel deck. This Bad Boy MZ Magnum review is based on the maker’s current product page, which shows one model family in 48, 54 and 60-inch widths with a choice of two engines.

Bad Boy does not publish a cash price on that page, only a financing estimate of about $80 a month, so you will need a dealer quote for the real number. Bad Boy also sells a similar MZ Rambler, so ask which one a dealer is quoting.

Engine and drive

The Kawasaki FR651V is a 726 cc air-cooled engine rated at 21.5 hp and is offered on all three decks. A Kohler 7000 KT724 of 747 cc and 24 hp is offered on the 54 and 60-inch decks only. Power figures are the maker’s own and have not been checked on a dyno by us.

Drive comes from a pair of Hydro-Gear EZT-2200 units, which the page also labels ZT 2200 integrated drive systems. Top forward speed is up to 6 mph, the slowest of the three Bad Boy zero-turns we reviewed, and a steering dampening system is fitted to calm the levers.

Deck and cutting

The deck is sloped at the nose, formed and welded, and comes in either 3/16-inch plate or 7-gauge steel at the buyer’s choice, with extra quarter-inch side plates and baffling. Cutting height runs from 1.5 to 4.5 inches through a foot-assist lift and a dial. Spindles are PEER maintenance-free units and the blades engage electrically.

The page does not state blade count or length, so we have left those out. It also contradicts itself slightly, with one section mentioning only 48 and 54-inch decks while the specification header lists 60 as well.

Size and comfort

Weights are 659 lb for the 48-inch, 687 lb for the 54-inch and 715 lb for the 60-inch. Overall length is 76 inches. Tires are 18×9.5-8 at the rear and 11×6-5 at the front, which are small compared with the 22 and 23-inch rears on its bigger siblings. The 6-gallon tank is a good size for the class, and the seat is a cushioned unit that slides fore and aft.

Warranty and who should buy

Bad Boy’s warranty page lists the MZ Rambler and Magnum at 2 years or 200 hours, with the leading edge of the deck shell covered for life, labor for the first year only, and the engine covered separately by its maker. Registration within 30 days is required, and rental use is excluded.

The MZ Magnum suits owners of flat to gently rolling lots of one to three acres who want a thick deck at a modest price. Shoppers with bumpy ground or larger lawns should look at the ZT Elite or Maverick, which add suspension and bigger tires.