Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question below. (I do moderate the comments so it may not show up right away) Thanks for watching and please Subscribe!
Once again great review. Paul. Your review of the Ikon XD a few years back convinced me to purchase and it has been great. Couple things I will miss from the Ikon XD. I liked the small ROP bar, the dial height was nice and easy to adjust and I do think they should reengineer the placement of the gas funnel and cap. Definitely preferred it tucked in behind the fender instead of protruding out in front. The new model does have its benefits. Could they please place a metal tag showing the belt diagrams for the deck and drive.
Great video. Thanks for the detailed walk through of this Ariens Ikon. Earlier this month I bought a Cub Cadet Ultima 50" from HD. After 2 uses the PTO/electric clutch stopped working. I exchanged it for another Cub Ultima. After one use on the second Cub the ignition switch on that one went out. Returned it for a refund and bought this Ariens Ikon 52 from Lowes. I just picked it up this morning and mowed my back yard as soon as I got home. Man was I impressed. Cut quality was noticeably better than the Cub. I am hoping to get many years of good service out of this mower.
Your video gave me reason to consider this unit over the Toro Timecutter Max. I appreciate all the time and effort you put in to this presentation in order to give us the most info possible. Im a subscriber now. Thank you so very much.
So, now I've got accessories to look into... your videos can be expensive! It all started when you tipped me off about the LED light upgrade kit for their snowblowers, which was very much a worthwhile upgrade. 👍
Great to see you reviewing the Ariens Ikon again. Not certain if you work / service your own Ariens but could you do a diagramed video on how to change the Ikon's Hydro Drive Belt. I have the Ikon XD 42 inch and changed the Drive Belt and certainly seemed more difficult than it should have been.
Awesome...that was rather an in depth and very informative video that I seen so far...I finally retired my JD 111 I and pruchase an Ikon 42 inch in July 2023 its a very sturdy build equipement and just recently purchased the non power bagger....I definetly like when you pointed out about the ZT 2200 transmission I was gettting a bit concern since this units are seal for life with no fluid change but now that you have pointed out some positive improvement by Ariens and pre-preventing maintenance to keep them runing longer, I definetly feel at lot better.... there is one minor thing that I cannot see to get just right is the levers.... I cannot get them to match the foward movement. one as to be foward a bit more to get the machine moving straight a bit annoying but getting use to it ..Thank you
Thank you. To adjust the levers - stand in front of the mower and look at the panel below the seat - the panel has the fuel window on the right. On that panel you will see two bolts on each side. Those are the bolts to set the "track" if one transmission wants to go faster than the other and you can adjust them to make the levers even. I don't know exactly which bolt does what but I'd start with the top bolt on the side that's "behind" and screw it out one turn at a time.
Paul, thanks so much for the in-depth review! Planning to buy one in the very near future. You mentioned that the mulcher deck cover was about $65, but all I’m seeing on the Ariens site is a kit for $200. Do you have a link and did I understand correctly that the cover can be used with the original stock blades? Thank You!!
Since I made this video Ariens has replaced the single discharge baffle with a complete bolt -in mulch kit. The new kit includes a full under-deck skirts and new mulching blades. I haven't talked to Ariens about this change but my guess is the because the deck is so good at lifting the grass, cutting it, and then throwing it out that it has too much airflow and won't cut the grass fine enough with just the mulch baffle. The new kit allows the deck to hold the grass and re-chop it finer/smaller so it drops down into the lawn.
Hey Paul nice review on the ariens ikon. I mow 1 1/2 acres and this is my 1st zero turn. I have the onyx model and i love it. I've cut with it twice now and my lawn never looked better. Took a little getting used to buy not bad. Question, what do you run for air psi on your ikon?
When the dealer delivered the mower they had 18psi rear and like 3psi in the front. I'm not quite sure if i need to increase the psi or leave it like i got it. @@PaulSikkema
The dealer may not be aware these new tires use a higher pressure. 3 and 18 will ride very smooth but you may just pop the fronts off the rimes with that little pressure.
No, all parts like deck pulleys and blade spindles are exactly the same for the the IKON, ONYX, ZT x and ZT XL. The only real Differences between them is paint color, transmissions, and the deck shell.
Great review. I noticed that the IKON deck doesn't have washout ports and have also noticed that some of the newer decks from other manufacturers are no longer installing washout ports. Does this mean that there have been problems with introducing water to the 'underdeck' or is simply a cost saving measure for the manufacturer? Again, great video and please keep them coming.
I've never been a fan of washout ports and when MTD first started installing them I thought they were idiots. I'm really glad to see them go... 1. They don't work well unless you drop the deck right to the ground. 2. If you use one on your cement driveway it will stain the driveway badly - you'll need to use a pressure washer to get the cement clean. 3. Running the deck with water running into it can force water into the sealed bearings. (don't use a pressure washer on the deck spindles) 4. Most don't work well - they just make a mess.
Can you comment on how to and how hard it is to remove blades for sharpening? Thanks. Just bought a Onyx and love it. Best review I have seen. New subscriber!
There are a dozen ways to lift the mower and change the blades. Here are six. 1. I have a work bench made just for mowers that is 18 inches tall. I put the mower up on that and then use a auto floor jack to lift the front of the mower up enough so I can get under the deck with an impact to remove the bolts holding the blades. (I usually have two sets of blades - one set is on the mower and one set is cleaned, sharpened and ready to go.) 2. I've also used the ramp on my landscape trailer. I hang one front wheel off the trailer ramp and then lay on the ground to change two blades. I then move it to the other side and change the last blade. 3. I used to hang a come-a-long from the rafter in my garage and lift the front of the mower up high enough to change the blades. Be sure to use a safety jack stand or blocks of wood to support the mower before you get under it. 4. If lifting the front of the mower is not an option you can remove the deck. Here is a video on doing that: ua-cam.com/video/TlWNiSK_u4w/v-deo.html 5. Here is another video how many people do it. ua-cam.com/video/rJ0YCM0gAvs/v-deo.html 6. Last but not least - I have a farm jack that works very well for lifting zero-turns and is really handy for other lifting chores. Here is an example: amzn.to/3SW2Qas. Be sure to use jack stands to safely hold the mower when you are under it: amzn.to/3YTjTxW
Here is the Gravely accessories page. All of these items also fit the Ariens IKON www.gravely.com/en-us/power-equipment/zero-turn-mowers/zt-x/zt-x-52-kawasaki
How about the wheels? I’ve seen a couple of reviews complaining about the wheels especially the front wheels going flat many times. Thanx for a great detailed video I’ve learned a lot about your presentation and will be buying one soon.
I've had no problems with the front tires on this IKON. I like these larger tires. The properties I mow are all old houses and two empty lots that had houses demolished on them in the last 10 years. (I've had four flat tires on my car in the last two years because of nails) I had constant flat front tires on the older IKON XD I have. I finally filled both of them with Slime tire sealant and fixed that issue.
@@PaulSikkema Hello, and thank you for the quick response. That was the only concern I had and was leery about pulling the trigger. One thing I had noticed on the reviews is the signs of hard operator used especially for a non-commercial unit. I like yourself from what I have seen take good care of my equipment and don’t abuse it. Either way thanks so much for the education and service you provide through your detailed video, keep up the good work.
Yes, the "two guys and a mower" crews don't realize that they use a zero-turn more in one season than a homeowner does in five years - and they can't understand why the residential mower they bought is not holding up :) In addition they always HAVE to modify it and then complain it doesn't mow right... They just have to realize that to make money - you have to spend money. Buying commercial equipment actually saves them money and a lot of headaches.
I don’t know your name but I just want to tell you thank you for your thorough review videos and unbiased reviews. I’m in the market for one. Trying to figure out what differences there are between this ikon and the onyx other the. Black Vs orange.
The IKON and the ONYX are the same mower. The ONYX has a few more features. (You can order these as accessories for the IKON) Rubber Floor Mat Deck Lift Transport Lock More aggressive rear tires Storage tray under floorboard
@@PaulSikkema thank you paul! My one last question or concern I saw on a review was a guy from North Carolina where I live who was complaining about the discharge shoot having that rectangle notch out of it for some reason that makes the foot area/ mower platform fill up with debri and gets you incredibly dirty with clippings etc. that was one thing that kind of was killing my vibe with this zero turn mower unfortunately. I was all in otherwise, but that is a concern or issue I’m not too stoked about.
I believe you watched the second video by Big South Outdoors? Getting grass all over the operator is not a problem with the mower or the design of the mower - it's changes that he made to the mower that caused this to happen. Lets go through a couple of points. 1. The Ariens deck and the Ariens blades are designed to work together. You will have to watch Big Souths other video to know this but he is not using the Ariens blades. He found aftermarket blades for a Dixie chopper that were cheaper and has them installed. The problem with the the aftermarket blades is the aerodynamics of the blades is completely wrong for this deck. They are too short, too flat, cut at a different level and the sail of the blade is wrong so that they don't give the proper lift and throw to get the grass out of the discharge. The new IKON deck is much taller/deeper than other residential decks. When you are using the Ariens blades this allows the blades to lift the grass up, cut the grass evenly and the keep the clipping above the blades. The sail and the other curves in the Ariens blades then use that deep deck to get the clippings out the discharge as quickly as possible. By putting those after market blades on he screws up that aerodynamics. Because the aftermarkets are flat, they don't lift the grass as well and don't keep the grass up in the top of the deck to get rid of it out the discharge. Instead the grass clipping want to blow out the bottom of the deck - and - up over the operator platform. 2. Discharge chute and notch in the deck Leave the discharge cover down when using this mower. Ariens designed it so that it doesn't sag over time and leave windrows. With the correct blades and the cover down you will never have any problems with grass blowing up in your face. The notch on the top of the deck is there so when you install a bagger the bagger discharge boot doesn't stick out so far. It only sticks out about 4 inches instead of the 8-14 inches other manufactures baggers boot stick out. Even with the discharge cover held up - and using the proper blades that notch will not cause grass to fly up in your face. The deck really does work great with the correct blades and the discharge cover down. Watch this video ua-cam.com/video/J1yVhoTO3aU/v-deo.html. I mowed tall dry grass for over two hours and had almost NO grass on the top of the deck and NONE up on the operators platform. They correct blades are the key. 3. I learned deck and blade design from one of the industry's leading deck engineers, Gary Kunz. I have spent many hours over the last 30 years listening to him and learning how decks work. This Ariens deck uses all that information, years of Ariens/Gravely testing and state-of-the art engineering to give you the best cut and get the grass out of the deck as quickly and cleanly as possible. If you use the correct blades and leave the safety discharge chute cover down you will never experience the "blow by" he showed you in the video.
Great video Mr. Paul also we appreciate the information , I own a 2021 ikon 52 with non serviceable hydro gear transmission with 73 hrs. I would like to replace the fluid after the break in .How would u suggest doing it. Thanks again for your time.
You have to pull the transmissions out of the mower - there is no other way. Here's a video that shows you how to do it - yes the mower is green but the process is the same for your Ariens. ua-cam.com/video/l5c5zq5qz8Q/v-deo.html
I bought the same mower from a Gravely/Ariens dealer. Have 43 hours on mine now and it's been rock solid. Wish the fuel tank was larger, but it is what it is. So the Hydro gear trans does not have a drain and fill plug on this Ikon 52?
The tank is one gallon larger than the previous IKON HD so that's a plus. The Gravely ZT X is the only ZT2200 (EZT) trans on the market where you can drain the oil with the trans installed on the mower.
@PaulSikkema Bummer - hopefully I can get over 500 hours out of them. I am doing 50 hours a year at this point. Next mower will be commercial grade for sure.
The deck height is accurate from the factory. Use the magnetic pin to set the height - make sure both rear tires have the same pressure. The side to side tilt is adjusted using the holed plates you see on the sides of the deck.
Paul - question for you regarding transmissions. You mentioned that the ikon has a 2200 and gravely x has 2200 with service oil plug. For residential mowing only (1/2 acre) should I go with the gravely machine since it’s serviceable?
If you plan to use your mower more than 500 hours in the next 10 years than it would be good idea to get the trannys were you can change the oil. How to figure that out? Number of hours it takes to mow your lawn X number of times you mow your lawn in a year = hours per year So, say 2 hours each time X 26 times a year (average here in the midwest) = 52 hours.
I've personally never owned an areins. My neighbor bought one like that, at least it looks like it about 2 weeks ago. I honestly have never heard him cuss....until he used it. He seems to HATE it. Have you ever had any problems with the brakes sticking? He's taken his bake to the dealer twice because he can't get the brakes to release. Didn't know if you had ever experienced that.
No, Is it just one side? It's a very simple system. A cable on one end is tied to the brake on the ZT-2200 the other is bolted to a latch/lever on the handle. If you have someone move the handle you can see the cable move (it's right in front of the tire) You can see the cable at minute 33:00 in the video. The first thing I'd check is if the cable engages the brake at the tranny - second I'd check if the bolt is too tight on the latch/lever.
I’m concerned that the discharge shute seems too rigid so an “accident “ against a post or tree would see it shatter rather than deflect. Also if the shute is removed altogether are the blades still under the deck or dangerously exposed?
The chute is made out of a poly material that won't break. Safety First! Do you know how far a riding mower can throw rocks, debris and baseballs? There is only one reason to remove the chute on this mower and that is to install the power unit for the bagger.
There are no residential zero-turns that are rated for over a 15 degree slope. They are ALL to lightweight to handle hills, That said I recommend going with a heavier ZTR or a commercial version. The Ariens APEX, Ariens Zenith would be a much better choice.
@@PaulSikkema yes, I am realizing that I need a commercial model now. I came across a model that they claim theirs can hold traction on hills. I can’t remember the name brand right now but they have a bunch of different types of machines to get jobs done.
Yes, the Ventrac with duals can handle up to 30 degrees slopes - so steep you can't walk up it. It is also avery good general purpose tractor and they have dozens of other attachments for it. If you just want to mow the lawns also look at the Cub Cadet steering wheel ZTR. Again, the dual wheel models can handle slopes no ther zero-turns can. www.cubcadet.com/en_US/commercial-equipment Finally, another good option is a standon zero-turn with a 60- inch or larger deck. Gravely, Toro and Wright standons can handle mowing sideways on slopes very well.
That's weird. It sounds like an assembly issue at the factory. Go to support.rapid-care.com/ - sign up there and then ask Ariens support about your seat. I'm guessing they will send you a new seat where the armrests are put on correctly.
This mower can mow 5 acres but it is very lightweight so it will beat you up mowing that much at one time. I suggest going with an Ariens APEX or Zenith instead. They are a lot heavier and have better seat suspensions.
The sticker that comes with the hitch states 300 lbs - but - it will pull 400 lbs rolling weight. My only concern is how steep your ramp is. Zero Turns are very light in the front so you may have to throw 20-50 lbs of weight on the front of the foot rest area to keep the front end from popping up.
It's the little things that count, TORO makes a great mower, but the seat is too low and even with a good suspension gets tiring. I want to try an Ariens, but my old Husqvarna just won't quit, bought it for all purpose around the house, mow 2 different 3 acre plots with it for years and pull a 10' trailer with it. Have an old 21" self propelled MTD that is still great to use, a lot of people make good equipment, seems like it comes to personal choice, I am impressed with this review and still interested in trying an Ariens, didn't know that Gravely an Ariens were together.
Yes, Ariens listened and raised the seat up on this one! I have 4 inch pieces of 2 inch PVC pipe under the seat of the Toro I have to raise it up so I can use it.
I'm not a dealer - I suggest contacting your local Ariens dealer to find out the price and any special deals they have. www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
I am looking to upgrade my Toro 22" electric push. Grass has become very healthy this season and it has been taking me 2+ hours to mow (bagging) my 3/4 acre lawn. Will also be using a new machine to help with leaves in fall. Looking at the Ariens Ikon 42/48, Gravely ZT 42 & ZTX 48. Any suggestions on one of these machines over the others? Thanks!
The mowers are the same frame, etc., but the Gravely has more "features." For example, the Gravely's have serviceable transmissions and more aggressive tires. The ZTX has the most extras like spring assist for the deck, vibration foot pad and seat, tool box and so on. If you want the best value - get the Ariens. If you want the most features - get the Gravely.
And, When will the 2024s be available? And how do I know what year I'm looking at in Lowe's??? Yes, also it has front headlights, the heavy, adjustable lap bars and NO chains holding the deck - and so on. The 2022 models are labeled IKON XD. There will be no change for 2024. The 2024 models won't start production until the snowblowers are done being manufactured this fall. I'll ask when I talk to Ariens the 17th but depending on how much snow we get, they won't start production until February.
I am pretty sure the reason many of these belts fail is because Lowe’s delivers them via flatbed and uses a fork lift to load and unload these ZTR’s. They don’t use pallets and just run the forks under the mower and lift and bend the hell out of everything. I watched it happen today as mine was being unloaded. The driver then proceeded to topple the mower off the forks and upside down onto the pavement crushing the machine.
The fd 590v kawasaki on a john deere i have has a plastic cam and the sump gasket failed and filled the sump with antifreeze so kawasaki isn't bullet proof to me.
Yes, Plastic Cam gears were common in many engines built pre-1998. I(I had a 1996 29 HP Kohler that had a plastic cam) In addition John Deere used different parts in the FD 590V than what the "standard" Kawasaki engines used at that time. Do you know how many hours you had on it when it when the sump gasket failed?
Back then the U.S. auto manufacturers pretty much built their vehicles to last about 100,000 miles. In fact, if you went to trade your vehicle in and it had over 100 K the dealers wouldn't give you much for it. John Deere had the same philosophy, they built the residential machines with an expected life of about 200 hours. For most owners that was 5-8 years of use. Building that obsolescence into the the mowers insured they were able to sell more... Yes, a John Deere engineer actually said that outloud and it caused a huge stir in the industry around that time. Your lawn tractor was a little more expensive at the time than the 110 series so 500 hours is about right for their "planned obsolescence." Back then even the commercial Kawasaki engines were not built to last as long as the Kohler or Briggs engines - but they were $300 cheaper so they became very popular with the smaller commercial operators. Eventually though Kawasaki improved their engines until nowadays they are ranked as one of the best on the market. The current residential Kawasaki engines are engine of choice for almost all ZTR manufacturers.
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Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question below. (I do moderate the comments so it may not show up right away) Thanks for watching and please Subscribe!
Hands down, best review on this Mower on the internet!
By far the best review on the Arien Ikon out there. Paul covers every detail. He should be a paid spokesman for the manufacturer!
All I will say is, extremely well presented review. No BS and straight to the point.
This is a very detailed and well put together video. Great job.
Once again great review. Paul. Your review of the Ikon XD a few years back convinced me to purchase and it has been great. Couple things I will miss from the Ikon XD. I liked the small ROP bar, the dial height was nice and easy to adjust and I do think they should reengineer the placement of the gas funnel and cap. Definitely preferred it tucked in behind the fender instead of protruding out in front. The new model does have its benefits. Could they please place a metal tag showing the belt diagrams for the deck and drive.
Great video. Thanks for the detailed walk through of this Ariens Ikon.
Earlier this month I bought a Cub Cadet Ultima 50" from HD. After 2 uses the PTO/electric clutch stopped working. I exchanged it for another Cub Ultima. After one use on the second Cub the ignition switch on that one went out. Returned it for a refund and bought this Ariens Ikon 52 from Lowes. I just picked it up this morning and mowed my back yard as soon as I got home. Man was I impressed. Cut quality was noticeably better than the Cub. I am hoping to get many years of good service out of this mower.
Your video gave me reason to consider this unit over the Toro Timecutter Max. I appreciate all the time and effort you put in to this presentation in order to give us the most info possible. Im a subscriber now. Thank you so very much.
Thank you for a thorough review because I’m looking to upgrade my icon XD to the new icon 52.
Thanks for getting back to me about that assist bar to get on and off the mower, installed it yesterday it works great just what I needed.
Paul I always enjoy your equipment reviews. They are very thorough and contain the detail that potential buyers seek. Nicely done !
So, now I've got accessories to look into... your videos can be expensive!
It all started when you tipped me off about the LED light upgrade kit for their snowblowers, which was very much a worthwhile upgrade. 👍
Very good and well done comparison. I bought 23 gravely zt XL 42 and love it! Long video but still learned a good amount on comparison
Great to see you reviewing the Ariens Ikon again. Not certain if you work / service your own Ariens but could you do a diagramed video on how to change the Ikon's Hydro Drive Belt. I have the Ikon XD 42 inch and changed the Drive Belt and certainly seemed more difficult than it should have been.
Great review, thanks. I have a 48" Ikon on the way and I'd appreciate a video of you installing the hitch. Keep up the good work!
I'll get it done this week.
Great video!! Can’t wait for mine to come in.
Great review Paul!
Good review Paul, thanks.
Great review! Incredibly informative!
Great video, I have been looking into the Ariens Ikon. This has helped me out. Thanks
Great informative video
Awesome...that was rather an in depth and very informative video that I seen so far...I finally retired my JD 111 I and pruchase an Ikon 42 inch in July 2023 its a very sturdy build equipement and just recently purchased the non power bagger....I definetly like when you pointed out about the ZT 2200 transmission I was gettting a bit concern since this units are seal for life with no fluid change but now that you have pointed out some positive improvement by Ariens and pre-preventing maintenance to keep them runing longer, I definetly feel at lot better.... there is one minor thing that I cannot see to get just right is the levers.... I cannot get them to match the foward movement. one as to be foward a bit more to get the machine moving straight a bit annoying but getting use to it ..Thank you
Thank you. To adjust the levers - stand in front of the mower and look at the panel below the seat - the panel has the fuel window on the right. On that panel you will see two bolts on each side. Those are the bolts to set the "track" if one transmission wants to go faster than the other and you can adjust them to make the levers even. I don't know exactly which bolt does what but I'd start with the top bolt on the side that's "behind" and screw it out one turn at a time.
Fantastic review!!!! Thanks!!!!!
Paul, thanks so much for the in-depth review! Planning to buy one in the very near future. You mentioned that the mulcher deck cover was about $65, but all I’m seeing on the Ariens site is a kit for $200. Do you have a link and did I understand correctly that the cover can be used with the original stock blades? Thank You!!
Since I made this video Ariens has replaced the single discharge baffle with a complete bolt -in mulch kit. The new kit includes a full under-deck skirts and new mulching blades.
I haven't talked to Ariens about this change but my guess is the because the deck is so good at lifting the grass, cutting it, and then throwing it out that it has too much airflow and won't cut the grass fine enough with just the mulch baffle.
The new kit allows the deck to hold the grass and re-chop it finer/smaller so it drops down into the lawn.
Hey Paul nice review on the ariens ikon. I mow 1 1/2 acres and this is my 1st zero turn. I have the onyx model and i love it. I've cut with it twice now and my lawn never looked better. Took a little getting used to buy not bad. Question, what do you run for air psi on your ikon?
I haven't even checked that yet. The manual recommends 27-33 front and 9-11 rear. So I'll set mine at 30 and 10.
When the dealer delivered the mower they had 18psi rear and like 3psi in the front. I'm not quite sure if i need to increase the psi or leave it like i got it. @@PaulSikkema
The dealer may not be aware these new tires use a higher pressure. 3 and 18 will ride very smooth but you may just pop the fronts off the rimes with that little pressure.
How about the deck pulleys and blade spindles? Are the Gravely parts stronger?
No, all parts like deck pulleys and blade spindles are exactly the same for the the IKON, ONYX, ZT x and ZT XL. The only real Differences between them is paint color, transmissions, and the deck shell.
Great review. I noticed that the IKON deck doesn't have washout ports and have also noticed that some of the newer decks from other manufacturers are no longer installing washout ports. Does this mean that there have been problems with introducing water to the 'underdeck' or is simply a cost saving measure for the manufacturer?
Again, great video and please keep them coming.
I've never been a fan of washout ports and when MTD first started installing them I thought they were idiots. I'm really glad to see them go...
1. They don't work well unless you drop the deck right to the ground.
2. If you use one on your cement driveway it will stain the driveway badly - you'll need to use a pressure washer to get the cement clean.
3. Running the deck with water running into it can force water into the sealed bearings. (don't use a pressure washer on the deck spindles)
4. Most don't work well - they just make a mess.
@@PaulSikkema Thanks for the info. You're a good man.
Can you comment on how to and how hard it is to remove blades for sharpening? Thanks. Just bought a Onyx and love it. Best review I have seen. New subscriber!
There are a dozen ways to lift the mower and change the blades. Here are six.
1. I have a work bench made just for mowers that is 18 inches tall. I put the mower up on that and then use a auto floor jack to lift the front of the mower up enough so I can get under the deck with an impact to remove the bolts holding the blades. (I usually have two sets of blades - one set is on the mower and one set is cleaned, sharpened and ready to go.)
2. I've also used the ramp on my landscape trailer. I hang one front wheel off the trailer ramp and then lay on the ground to change two blades. I then move it to the other side and change the last blade.
3. I used to hang a come-a-long from the rafter in my garage and lift the front of the mower up high enough to change the blades. Be sure to use a safety jack stand or blocks of wood to support the mower before you get under it.
4. If lifting the front of the mower is not an option you can remove the deck. Here is a video on doing that: ua-cam.com/video/TlWNiSK_u4w/v-deo.html
5. Here is another video how many people do it. ua-cam.com/video/rJ0YCM0gAvs/v-deo.html
6. Last but not least - I have a farm jack that works very well for lifting zero-turns and is really handy for other lifting chores. Here is an example: amzn.to/3SW2Qas. Be sure to use jack stands to safely hold the mower when you are under it: amzn.to/3YTjTxW
@@PaulSikkema Thank you for the very thorough reply. I see you have snow where you live. MN? Ontario Canada here!
I did live in Chippewa Falls, WI for 15 years. I moved to Iowa 3 years ago and I don't get near as much snow now.
@@PaulSikkema Small world to find your video, I'm in Hallie. Shame about the Leinie's brewery shutting down.
Thanks for the detailed review. Not seeing very many yet tbh. Did you ever do the hitch install review?
I have the filming done - I just have to get the video edited and posted. It should get done tomorrow afternoon.
@@PaulSikkema 👌
Here's the hitch assembly video ua-cam.com/video/aLI40n-weDA/v-deo.html
@@PaulSikkema Thanks 🙏👍👍 I just ordered it and received it from Ariens for my new Ikon 60.
Paul you mention several Gravely parts that can used on the Ariens. Could you post the part numbers, especially the seat isolators. Thanks
Here is the Gravely accessories page. All of these items also fit the Ariens IKON www.gravely.com/en-us/power-equipment/zero-turn-mowers/zt-x/zt-x-52-kawasaki
How about the wheels? I’ve seen a couple of reviews complaining about the wheels especially the front wheels going flat many times. Thanx for a great detailed video I’ve learned a lot about your presentation and will be buying one soon.
I've had no problems with the front tires on this IKON. I like these larger tires. The properties I mow are all old houses and two empty lots that had houses demolished on them in the last 10 years. (I've had four flat tires on my car in the last two years because of nails)
I had constant flat front tires on the older IKON XD I have. I finally filled both of them with Slime tire sealant and fixed that issue.
@@PaulSikkema Hello, and thank you for the quick response. That was the only concern I had and was leery about pulling the trigger.
One thing I had noticed on the reviews is the signs of hard operator used especially for a non-commercial unit. I like yourself from what I have seen take good care of my equipment and don’t abuse it. Either way thanks so much for the education and service you provide through your detailed video, keep up the good work.
Yes, the "two guys and a mower" crews don't realize that they use a zero-turn more in one season than a homeowner does in five years - and they can't understand why the residential mower they bought is not holding up :)
In addition they always HAVE to modify it and then complain it doesn't mow right...
They just have to realize that to make money - you have to spend money. Buying commercial equipment actually saves them money and a lot of headaches.
I don’t know your name but I just want to tell you thank you for your thorough review videos and unbiased reviews. I’m in the market for one. Trying to figure out what differences there are between this ikon and the onyx other the. Black Vs orange.
The IKON and the ONYX are the same mower. The ONYX has a few more features. (You can order these as accessories for the IKON)
Rubber Floor Mat
Deck Lift Transport Lock
More aggressive rear tires
Storage tray under floorboard
@@PaulSikkema thank you paul! My one last question or concern I saw on a review was a guy from North Carolina where I live who was complaining about the discharge shoot having that rectangle notch out of it for some reason that makes the foot area/ mower platform fill up with debri and gets you incredibly dirty with clippings etc. that was one thing that kind of was killing my vibe with this zero turn mower unfortunately. I was all in otherwise, but that is a concern or issue I’m not too stoked about.
I believe you watched the second video by Big South Outdoors? Getting grass all over the operator is not a problem with the mower or the design of the mower - it's changes that he made to the mower that caused this to happen. Lets go through a couple of points.
1. The Ariens deck and the Ariens blades are designed to work together. You will have to watch Big Souths other video to know this but he is not using the Ariens blades. He found aftermarket blades for a Dixie chopper that were cheaper and has them installed. The problem with the the aftermarket blades is the aerodynamics of the blades is completely wrong for this deck. They are too short, too flat, cut at a different level and the sail of the blade is wrong so that they don't give the proper lift and throw to get the grass out of the discharge.
The new IKON deck is much taller/deeper than other residential decks. When you are using the Ariens blades this allows the blades to lift the grass up, cut the grass evenly and the keep the clipping above the blades. The sail and the other curves in the Ariens blades then use that deep deck to get the clippings out the discharge as quickly as possible.
By putting those after market blades on he screws up that aerodynamics. Because the aftermarkets are flat, they don't lift the grass as well and don't keep the grass up in the top of the deck to get rid of it out the discharge. Instead the grass clipping want to blow out the bottom of the deck - and - up over the operator platform.
2. Discharge chute and notch in the deck
Leave the discharge cover down when using this mower. Ariens designed it so that it doesn't sag over time and leave windrows. With the correct blades and the cover down you will never have any problems with grass blowing up in your face.
The notch on the top of the deck is there so when you install a bagger the bagger discharge boot doesn't stick out so far. It only sticks out about 4 inches instead of the 8-14 inches other manufactures baggers boot stick out.
Even with the discharge cover held up - and using the proper blades that notch will not cause grass to fly up in your face.
The deck really does work great with the correct blades and the discharge cover down.
Watch this video ua-cam.com/video/J1yVhoTO3aU/v-deo.html. I mowed tall dry grass for over two hours and had almost NO grass on the top of the deck and NONE up on the operators platform. They correct blades are the key.
3. I learned deck and blade design from one of the industry's leading deck engineers, Gary Kunz. I have spent many hours over the last 30 years listening to him and learning how decks work. This Ariens deck uses all that information, years of Ariens/Gravely testing and state-of-the art engineering to give you the best cut and get the grass out of the deck as quickly and cleanly as possible. If you use the correct blades and leave the safety discharge chute cover down you will never experience the "blow by" he showed you in the video.
Great video Mr. Paul also we appreciate the information , I own a 2021 ikon 52 with non serviceable hydro gear transmission with 73 hrs. I would like to replace the fluid after the break in .How would u suggest doing it. Thanks again for your time.
You have to pull the transmissions out of the mower - there is no other way. Here's a video that shows you how to do it - yes the mower is green but the process is the same for your Ariens. ua-cam.com/video/l5c5zq5qz8Q/v-deo.html
@@PaulSikkema thank you sir . 👍
I bought the same mower from a Gravely/Ariens dealer. Have 43 hours on mine now and it's been rock solid. Wish the fuel tank was larger, but it is what it is.
So the Hydro gear trans does not have a drain and fill plug on this Ikon 52?
The tank is one gallon larger than the previous IKON HD so that's a plus.
The Gravely ZT X is the only ZT2200 (EZT) trans on the market where you can drain the oil with the trans installed on the mower.
@PaulSikkema Bummer - hopefully I can get over 500 hours out of them. I am doing 50 hours a year at this point. Next mower will be commercial grade for sure.
Would like to adjust the deck height. Where can you get a service manual? The website doesn't have one listed.
The deck height is accurate from the factory. Use the magnetic pin to set the height - make sure both rear tires have the same pressure.
The side to side tilt is adjusted using the holed plates you see on the sides of the deck.
Paul - question for you regarding transmissions. You mentioned that the ikon has a 2200 and gravely x has 2200 with service oil plug. For residential mowing only (1/2 acre) should I go with the gravely machine since it’s serviceable?
If you plan to use your mower more than 500 hours in the next 10 years than it would be good idea to get the trannys were you can change the oil. How to figure that out?
Number of hours it takes to mow your lawn X number of times you mow your lawn in a year = hours per year
So, say 2 hours each time X 26 times a year (average here in the midwest) = 52 hours.
Any updates on the belt issue? I just ordered one. Supposed to be here Thursday.
The belt issue was fixed last year and only involved a few mowers sold through Lowes
I've personally never owned an areins. My neighbor bought one like that, at least it looks like it about 2 weeks ago. I honestly have never heard him cuss....until he used it. He seems to HATE it. Have you ever had any problems with the brakes sticking? He's taken his bake to the dealer twice because he can't get the brakes to release. Didn't know if you had ever experienced that.
No, Is it just one side? It's a very simple system. A cable on one end is tied to the brake on the ZT-2200 the other is bolted to a latch/lever on the handle. If you have someone move the handle you can see the cable move (it's right in front of the tire) You can see the cable at minute 33:00 in the video. The first thing I'd check is if the cable engages the brake at the tranny - second I'd check if the bolt is too tight on the latch/lever.
I’m concerned that the discharge shute seems too rigid so an “accident “ against a post or tree would see it shatter rather than deflect. Also if the shute is removed altogether are the blades still under the deck or dangerously exposed?
The chute is made out of a poly material that won't break. Safety First! Do you know how far a riding mower can throw rocks, debris and baseballs? There is only one reason to remove the chute on this mower and that is to install the power unit for the bagger.
Im looking to get a new ikon 52 , is there any good deals on these in the winter?????
There is a sale going on right now. Talk to your local dealer for the best price please.
Best deal is at Lowe’s if you can get 10% off
Good on big hills? Currently running a toro 54” and it just makes it up the hill. It tends to bounce or lift on the front.
There are no residential zero-turns that are rated for over a 15 degree slope. They are ALL to lightweight to handle hills, That said I recommend going with a heavier ZTR or a commercial version. The Ariens APEX, Ariens Zenith would be a much better choice.
@@PaulSikkema yes, I am realizing that I need a commercial model now. I came across a model that they claim theirs can hold traction on hills. I can’t remember the name brand right now but they have a bunch of different types of machines to get jobs done.
@@PaulSikkema it’s Ventrac
Yes, the Ventrac with duals can handle up to 30 degrees slopes - so steep you can't walk up it. It is also avery good general purpose tractor and they have dozens of other attachments for it.
If you just want to mow the lawns also look at the Cub Cadet steering wheel ZTR. Again, the dual wheel models can handle slopes no ther zero-turns can. www.cubcadet.com/en_US/commercial-equipment
Finally, another good option is a standon zero-turn with a 60- inch or larger deck. Gravely, Toro and Wright standons can handle mowing sideways on slopes very well.
@@PaulSikkema thank you for your valuable feedback and advice! Very helpful to say the least!
Are the armrests adjustable? One of mine is lower than the other and it drives me nuts
That's weird. It sounds like an assembly issue at the factory. Go to support.rapid-care.com/ - sign up there and then ask Ariens support about your seat. I'm guessing they will send you a new seat where the armrests are put on correctly.
Excellent...
I got a 5 acre residential would you recommend this mower for my home
This mower can mow 5 acres but it is very lightweight so it will beat you up mowing that much at one time. I suggest going with an Ariens APEX or Zenith instead. They are a lot heavier and have better seat suspensions.
If i add the tow, can i pull a 400lb jet ski up out of the water or am i way over the weight limits?
The sticker that comes with the hitch states 300 lbs - but - it will pull 400 lbs rolling weight. My only concern is how steep your ramp is. Zero Turns are very light in the front so you may have to throw 20-50 lbs of weight on the front of the foot rest area to keep the front end from popping up.
@@PaulSikkema thanks, i will stick with my f150
Have one on order...
It's the little things that count, TORO makes a great mower, but the seat is too low and even with a good suspension gets tiring. I want to try an Ariens, but my old Husqvarna just won't quit, bought it for all purpose around the house, mow 2 different 3 acre plots with it for years and pull a 10' trailer with it. Have an old 21" self propelled MTD that is still great to use, a lot of people make good equipment, seems like it comes to personal choice, I am impressed with this review and still interested in trying an Ariens, didn't know that Gravely an Ariens were together.
Yes, Ariens listened and raised the seat up on this one! I have 4 inch pieces of 2 inch PVC pipe under the seat of the Toro I have to raise it up so I can use it.
What was the cost of the IKON XD in 42" ?
I'm not a dealer - I suggest contacting your local Ariens dealer to find out the price and any special deals they have. www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
I am looking to upgrade my Toro 22" electric push. Grass has become very healthy this season and it has been taking me 2+ hours to mow (bagging) my 3/4 acre lawn. Will also be using a new machine to help with leaves in fall. Looking at the Ariens Ikon 42/48, Gravely ZT 42 & ZTX 48. Any suggestions on one of these machines over the others? Thanks!
The mowers are the same frame, etc., but the Gravely has more "features." For example, the Gravely's have serviceable transmissions and more aggressive tires. The ZTX has the most extras like spring assist for the deck, vibration foot pad and seat, tool box and so on.
If you want the best value - get the Ariens. If you want the most features - get the Gravely.
So if it says envy on the deck that will be a 2023 model??
And, When will the 2024s be available? And how do I know what year I'm looking at in Lowe's???
Yes, also it has front headlights, the heavy, adjustable lap bars and NO chains holding the deck - and so on.
The 2022 models are labeled IKON XD.
There will be no change for 2024. The 2024 models won't start production until the snowblowers are done being manufactured this fall. I'll ask when I talk to Ariens the 17th but depending on how much snow we get, they won't start production until February.
Ten four. Thank you
How high will mower cut
5 inches
Would you pick a Ariens Icon 42 or a Hustler Raptor X 42?
I'd pick the Ariens IKON, or Gravely ZT-X.
Kooooooool
I am pretty sure the reason many of these belts fail is because Lowe’s delivers them via flatbed and uses a fork lift to load and unload these ZTR’s. They don’t use pallets and just run the forks under the mower and lift and bend the hell out of everything. I watched it happen today as mine was being unloaded. The driver then proceeded to topple the mower off the forks and upside down onto the pavement crushing the machine.
The fd 590v kawasaki on a john deere i have has a plastic cam and the sump gasket failed and filled the sump with antifreeze so kawasaki isn't bullet proof to me.
Yes, Plastic Cam gears were common in many engines built pre-1998. I(I had a 1996 29 HP Kohler that had a plastic cam) In addition John Deere used different parts in the FD 590V than what the "standard" Kawasaki engines used at that time.
Do you know how many hours you had on it when it when the sump gasket failed?
500 hours
Back then the U.S. auto manufacturers pretty much built their vehicles to last about 100,000 miles. In fact, if you went to trade your vehicle in and it had over 100 K the dealers wouldn't give you much for it.
John Deere had the same philosophy, they built the residential machines with an expected life of about 200 hours. For most owners that was 5-8 years of use. Building that obsolescence into the the mowers insured they were able to sell more...
Yes, a John Deere engineer actually said that outloud and it caused a huge stir in the industry around that time.
Your lawn tractor was a little more expensive at the time than the 110 series so 500 hours is about right for their "planned obsolescence."
Back then even the commercial Kawasaki engines were not built to last as long as the Kohler or Briggs engines - but they were $300 cheaper so they became very popular with the smaller commercial operators. Eventually though Kawasaki improved their engines until nowadays they are ranked as one of the best on the market. The current residential Kawasaki engines are engine of choice for almost all ZTR manufacturers.
Hello