Husqvarna Z246 22 HP 46-Inch Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Briggs & Stratton Endurance V-Twin

The Z246 is Husqvarna’s mid-range 46-inch zero-turn for the homeowner ready to leave the steering-wheel tractor behind. The platform pairs a 22-horsepower Briggs & Stratton Endurance Series V-twin engine with twin Hydro-Gear EZT transaxles and a ClearCut fabricated steel deck — the same air-induction deck technology found on Husqvarna’s premium Z254 and Z200-series machines, scaled to the 46-inch deck size that fits typical suburban storage.

Power comes from a Briggs & Stratton Endurance Series V-twin OHV engine displacing 724cc. The Endurance Series is Briggs’s residential-grade extension of the brand’s commercial engine line, sharing the same overhead valve architecture, full pressure lubrication, and dual-element premium air filtration. Owners running the Z246 on a typical weekly residential schedule will see oil and filter changes once a season — essentially the entire engine maintenance routine. Electric key start, automatic choke, and a regulated charging system handle cold mornings without operator intervention.

Twin Hydro-Gear EZT transaxles power the rear wheels independently, allowing true zero-radius pivoting controlled through a pair of lap bars. Top forward speed is 6.5 mph and reverse runs around 3.5 mph. The Hydro-Gear EZT is the most widely-used residential zero-turn transmission in North America — well-supported, well-understood, and serviceable at most independent mower shops.

The 46-inch ClearCut fabricated steel deck cuts at six height settings between 1.5 and 4 inches via a foot-lift pedal and pin-locked indicator. Two cutting blades work in a side-discharge configuration. Air-induction ducting pulls air through the top of the deck shell to lift grass blades for a cleaner cut and improved discharge dispersal. The deck accepts an optional Husqvarna mulch kit (sold separately).

Operator comfort centers on a high-back seat with armrests, soft-grip lap bars, and a vibration-dampening foot deck. The dashboard layout is honest and minimal: ignition, throttle, choke, PTO knob, hour meter, fuel gauge. The chassis is welded steel with corrosion-resistant powder-coat throughout, and the fuel tank capacity is 3.5 gallons — enough for several hours of continuous mowing.

The standard rear hitch accepts most popular tow-behind attachments — dump carts, broadcast spreaders, plug aerators, and dethatchers all mount without modification. Hour meter, cup holder, and a 13-position deck height adjustment are factory standard.

For half-acre to two-acre properties where the homeowner is ready to step up from a steering-wheel tractor to a true zero-turn, the Z246 is one of the most balanced choices in the residential category. The combination of a Briggs Endurance V-twin engine and Husqvarna’s ClearCut deck delivers cut quality and reliability at a price closer to entry-level zero-turns than most owners expect.