The Toro Z4200 is an extremely highly rated zero turn mower from their Timecutter range. But why is it so highly rated and what kind of work is it suitable for? If you are looking for a zero turn model which can work well in tight corners of your yard or irregular shaped areas, as well as power through any open areas you have then the 42” inch cutting deck that this model carries really is ideal. We really cannot find many significant faults with this mower and there are tons of pros.
Toro Z4200 Review - Specifications |
|
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toro |
| Model | Z4200 |
| Engine | 19 HP Kohler Courage Twin Cam |
| Deck Size | 42 inches |
| Cutting Modes | Side Discharge, Mulching (Optional) |
| Cutting Heights | 1.5 - 4.5 inches |
Toro Z4200 Review – Key Features
- Kohler Engine – The Kohler engine the Toro Z4200 is fitted with is extremely reliable. Although this mower is targeted at the homeowner, this engine is actually designed to withstand commercial style use and packs a lot of power – so it easily handles any lawn you homeowners throw at it. Another thing about this engine, is that it is a lot quieter than engines in most other lawn mowers of this size.
- Cutting Deck – As already mentioned this model comes with the 42” cutting deck as opposed to the 50” one which other models in the Timecutter series are equipped with. This cutting deck is EXTREMLY good at trimming close to any features you may have in your yard, such as tree’s or flower beds for example. The result is an extremely high quality of cut even in these “hard-to-reach” areas.
- Movement – The most notable asset here is speed. This mower is so fast and can reach speeds of 7mph, which is pretty impressive. This obviously gives you one massive benefit – it takes less time to mow your lawn. And the less time you have to spend mowing your yard, the more time you have for other things. It can tend to slide a bit when going downhill though. This is something you might want to take into account if you do have some hilly areas to tackle. The rear wheels do seem to be a bit on the narrow side and tend to spin going downhill. Toro do say that the tyres are this size to maximize the trimming ability of the Z4200 and that you shouldn’t really plan to use this mower on slopes any greater than 15 degrees. Please, please take this into account if you do have conditions in your yard like this. It’s not really a criticism of the model, but defiantly something to take into account.
- Easy To Turn – Once you learn how to use the controls properly it’s very easy to turn. In fact you actually save a lot of time on the turns compared to a traditional style ride on mower.
- Washout Port – The washout port is defiantly a nice feature here – makes life so much easier when it comes to clearing up.
- Straightforward Maintenance – It’s extremely easy to change the oil and do a self service with this model, as access to the required areas is very easy. Too many mowers these days seem to conceal these area’s away making it really difficult for you to perform these extremely important tasks.
- Clear Vision – You don’t have a motor in front of you blocking your vision, which is defiantly an advantage. You have perfectly clear vision and will easily be able to see any potential obstructions you might have missed earlier.
- Fuel Efficient – In comparisons to similar models the Toro Z4200 is very fuel efficient – less trips to the gas station.
- Comfy – Overall it is really comfortable to ride and the ergonomic hand grips are designed really well. Although there isn’t actually an adjustable foot rest. So for smaller people this may be a problem as even with the seat pushed right forward you might not be able to touch your feet on the foot rest.
- Extra Features – Some features which you would probably consider a necessity will cost you extra bucks, e.g. An Hour meter, mulch kit.
Conclusion:
Overall we would highly recommend this mower. It has a perfect balance of speed, power and agility. It works well in both open areas and areas with features such as trees. The only time we probably wouldn’t recommend it is if you have extreme angled slopes you have to combat. Other than that, near perfection!
Our Rating
Thank you
You bet, Hank! Glad it helped 🙂
I have this mower and after airing up a tire and putting the battery in I was ready to mow. Then it wouldn’t start. I went an bought a new battery, still wouldn’t start. My manual suggested maybe a blown fuse. Bought and replaced them, still no start. What should I try checking next? I really need to get some of the dead grass off and using the walk behind mower just wears this old lady (80 Yrs) out. I don’t want anyone else doing the mowing because I have a lot of things planted and I know where they all are. Please answer ASAP!
Hi Eula,
If the battery checks out and the fuses are good but your mower won’t start it’s not a bad idea to check the starter itself, make sure all of the filters are clear, and then check your wiring.
When troubleshooting a mower, it’s a good idea to run through these steps:
• Check for clogs in pipes and around the blades.
• Check and clean all connectors (including removing corrosion from battery connections), make sure any exposed wiring is intact and that there is no fraying. Double check the plug wire/ spark plug wire and plug as well.
• Make sure you’re using fresh gas, that the oil is clean, and that the air filter is clog-free. Also check that the fuel filter is allowing fuel to flow through.
• Since you’ve replaced the battery and fuses, you may want to check the starter (or ignition switch) itself next. This is a part that tends to go bad more frequently than many people realize and it tends to be overlooked. The last time I had a part on my mower go bad and felt a little stuck during the troubleshooting process, it was the starter that was the problem.
Let me know if this helps and if you manage to get it running 🙂