Gravely ZT X 42 21.5 HP 42-Inch Zero-Turn Mower with Kawasaki FR651V V-Twin and X-Factor Deck

The ZT X 42 is Gravely’s residential 42-inch zero-turn for owners who want the brand’s reputation for build quality scaled down to a suburban property. Gravely has been designing serious mowing equipment since 1916, and the ZT X line distills 100-plus years of commercial-mower engineering into a residential platform priced for half-acre to two-acre yards. The X-Factor fabricated deck and welded tubular steel frame are direct ports from the brand’s commercial line.

Power comes from a Kawasaki FR651V V-twin OHV engine displacing 603cc. The FR series is the residential-grade extension of Kawasaki’s commercial FX engine line, sharing the same overhead valve architecture, full pressure lubrication, and dual-element premium air filtration. Owners running the ZT X 42 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 serviceable transaxles power the rear wheels independently, allowing true zero-radius pivoting controlled through a pair of lap bars. Top forward speed is 7 mph and reverse runs at 3 mph. The serviceable EZT is a meaningful upgrade over the sealed EZT used by most competitors at this price point: when the transmission eventually needs service, it can be opened, inspected, and rebuilt at a Gravely dealer rather than replaced wholesale.

The 42-inch X-Factor fabricated steel deck cuts at 13 height settings between 1.5 and 4.5 inches via a foot-lift pedal and pin-locked indicator. Two cutting blades work in side-discharge configuration. The deck is engineered with airflow geometry borrowed from Gravely’s commercial mowers — noticeably stronger discharge than the stamped decks common at this price.

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. The frame is welded tubular steel with reinforcement plates at high-stress points — the same construction philosophy Gravely uses on its commercial Pro-Turn series.

The standard rear hitch accepts most popular tow-behind attachments — dump carts, broadcast spreaders, plug aerators, dethatchers, and lawn rollers all mount without modification. Cup holder and hour meter are factory standard.

For half-acre to two-acre properties where the homeowner wants Kawasaki engine reliability and Gravely’s heritage of build quality without paying for the commercial-tier ZT HD, the ZT X 42 is one of the most balanced residential zero-turns at its price point. The serviceable EZT and X-Factor deck are the value story.