Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower Review – Is It Any Good?

Choosing the right riding lawn mower can be very difficult – especially if you have never bought one before.

A riding lawn mower will no doubt be more expensive than a push mower so you really have to make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

Husqvarna is a company that is known for their outdoor equipment but if you have never bought a riding lawn mower before, you may not know much about them or their products.

Still, the company is renowned for making reliable, heavy-duty lawn mowers that can even be put to commercial use.

So to help you make an informed decision if you are in fact in the market for a riding mower, we tested and reviewed a popular Husqvarna mower: the Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower.

Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower Overview

“The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower is a zero-turn radius mower which makes it very maneuverable. It’s suitable for multi-acre properties and can be used for either commercial or residential purposes. This is a gas-powered mower with enough power to tackle tough grass and weeds.”

Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower First Impressions

The first thing that anyone will notice about this mower is that bright orange finish that is the trademark of most Husqvarna products – much like how John Deere is known for making bright green equipment.

Then, when we first started riding the Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower, we were taken by how comfortable the seat was. The back of the seat rises pretty high so you get good lower back support.

Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower Key Features

• 54” Cutting Deck – This is almost as large a cutting deck that you can find in 2022. The purpose of this feature was to cover more ground with a single pass and help you finish your mowing job fast.
• 26 Horsepower Engine – The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower tops out at about 6 mph. The powerful 26 HP Kohler engine can also be swapped out for a 24 or 21.5 HP engine.
• Automatic Brakes – The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower will release or engage the brake automatically once the handles are pushed or pulled.
• Steel Cutting Deck – The cutting deck was very well-built and durable. The plastic covering is a bit of a letdown but overall, durability should be no issue.
• Hydraulic Transmission – The transmission is low-maintenance and performs very well.
• Rear Engine Guard – There’s a frame that surrounds the rear engine so you don’t have to worry about backing up into something and damaging it.
• Triple Blade – There are three cutting blades that can spin as fast as 18,500 FPM.

How Does it Perform?

The zero-turn radius is awesome. We were able to whip around flower beds, trees and other obstacles with no problem.

The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower uses air induction technology.

What this does is draws air from the top and bottom of the cutting deck to help stand grass blades upward as the mower rides over them.

This makes for a very clean cut. This mower was especially effective with tall, wet grass.

How Loud is it?

We tested the Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower outfitted with the Kohler engine – the most powerful of all the engine options.

It was a little on the loud side; but no more than other riding mowers in this price range.

How Heavy is it?

The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower with the Kohler 7000 series engine weighs 640 pounds.

Is it Easy to Maneuver?

The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower was exceptional in terms of maneuverability. The zero-turn radius made it very easy to get around objects and cover areas efficiently.

Is it Good for Hills?

The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower also performed very well on hills. The 26 HP engine is powerful enough to get up small hills.

However, it felt a little unsteady on steep hills (about 30 degrees or more).

What Size Lawn Does it Suit?

The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower would be a good choice for anyone with a property of about 2-acres.

Cutting Performance

Overall we were very pleased with how the Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower cuts. We very rarely had to go over the same area twice.

It makes clean cuts on thick grass, weeds and even wet grass. The blades are very sharp and spin fast enough to cut fine grass.

How Durable is it?

The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower seems like it would last for many years. It has a mostly steel construction and the cutting deck is made from reinforced stamped steel.

The chute cover is made of plastic which is a bit of a weakness as rubber offers better protection.

Clipping Options

This is a side discharge riding mower with the option to attach a mulching kit or a clipping bag.

Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Offers a very comfortable ride
• Makes crisp cuts
• Spring-loaded deck lift
• Very maneuverable
• Easy to operate
• Rear engine protector

Cons:

• Plastic chute protector
• Doesn’t have a full headlight
• The deck belt sometimes slips off

Overall Score: 97/100

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Who Should Buy the Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower?

The Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower would be a great option for anyone with a large property to mow.

It will help you save a lot of time on mowing so if you’re pressed for time, this would be a good option. It would also be good for anyone who needs a commercial mower.

Husqvarna z254 vs z254f – What’s The Difference?

The main difference is that the z254f version tops out with a 23 HP Kawasaki engine. However the z254f version has a higher back so it’s slightly more comfortable. The cutting deck is also a bit more durable.

Other Zero-Turn Mowers to Consider

Cub Cadet zt1

The Cub Cadet zt1 comes with a 726cc Kawasaki engine that tops out at 7mph. It has a 50 inch cutting deck and a hydrostatic transmission. This is a good mower for both commercial and casual use.

Pros:

• Starts up quickly
• Cuts grass fast

Cons:

• Plastic chute protector

John Deere z375r

We really liked that the armrests came standard on this mower which really makes a difference in terms of comfort. The John Deere z375r features a 54” cutting deck, 25 HP engine and has a fuel tank capacity of 2.1 gallons.

Pros:

• Good durability
• Optional mulching kit

Cons:

• Runs loud

Ariens Ikon

This is a very comfortable mower that would be suitable for properties 2+ acres. It has a fabricated cutting deck with a width of 52 inches. It also features a 23 HP Kawasaki engine.

Pros:

• Cuts clean
• Affordable

Cons:

• Bright orange color

Final Assessment

Really, our only gripe with the Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower is the plastic chute cover.

So is it any good? We would definitely say so. It’s also not the best at night mowing because of the lack of a full headlight; but who is really trying to mow at night anyway?

With proper maintenance, we don’t see why the Husqvarna Z254 54″ 26HP Lawn Mower couldn’t last for 10 years so if you are looking for a solid investment, we recommend it.