The Ariens ZENITH 52R Zero-Turn Mower is the machine contractors reach for when they need a proper commercial unit but don’t want the footprint of a 60″ deck. It’s built around the Kawasaki FX730V engine, heavy-duty ZT-3200 drives and a 132cm fabricated deck that’s designed to hold up to daily use on mixed ground.
If you’re maintaining estates, commercial sites or council spaces where access is tighter, the 52R gives you the professional build of the bigger ZENITH models in a more manageable size. Suffolk Mowers supports the full ZENITH lineup with parts, blades, belts and setup help to keep crews moving through the season.
What the ZENITH 52R Is Known For
The ZENITH 52R is the “everyday” commercial machine in the Ariens line-up. It sits above the APEX and IKON ranges and gives you the same professional backbone as the ZENITH 60R, just with a 52″ deck that’s easier to work around buildings, trees, play areas and tighter gateways. It’s the size most contractors can justify putting on the trailer because it works on small and large sites without feeling out of place.
The Kawasaki FX730V engine, ZT-3200 drives and ENVY fabricated deck are all proven commercial components. Together they give you the confidence to send this mower out all week on real-world work, not just light, tidy lawns.
Who the ZENITH 52R Is Built For
- Grounds maintenance contractors cutting schools, care homes, housing areas and business parks.
- Councils and local authorities managing mixed sites where a 60″ deck is sometimes too wide.
- Large estates and venues that want a pro-level machine with good manoeuvrability.
- Operators moving up from APEX who now need something truly built for daily commercial use.
Strengths That Matter on the Job
Commercial Deck for Long-Term Use
- 132cm ENVY deck is fully fabricated and designed for constant use.
- Improved airflow and discharge help it stay cutting cleanly at working speeds.
- Forged aluminium spindles run cooler and handle impact better than cast units.
- Optional mulching kit means you can switch between rougher work and finer finishes when contracts demand it.
Engine and Drive You Can Trust
- Kawasaki FX730V V-Twin is a true commercial engine, not a homeowner compromise.
- Hydro-Gear ZT-3200 transaxles are built for repeated stop-start and slope work.
- CBT (Constant Belt Tension) keeps belt slip down and cutting quality up, even as components wear.
Operator Comfort for Long Days
- Suspension front forks and a full suspension seat smooth out holes, ruts and rough ground.
- High-back seat with lumbar support and armrests keeps operators in a stronger working position.
- Foot-operated deck lift with pin selector makes quick height changes easy during a job.
Where the ZENITH 52R Fits in the Ariens Range
- Versus APEX: ZENITH 52R is heavier, stronger and more comfortable. It’s the next step when mowing becomes full-time work.
- Versus IKON: IKON is domestic/semi-pro; ZENITH 52R is for daily commercial routes and council work.
- Versus ZENITH 60R: 52R has the same commercial core but a narrower deck, better for tighter sites and mixed layouts.
- Versus ARROW stand-ons: ARROW is for constant on/off, urban work; ZENITH 52R is for longer seated mowing where comfort and deck size matter more.
Support, Servicing and Accessories
Suffolk Mowers stocks belts, blades, filters, tyres and common ZENITH parts, along with mulching, striping and lighting kits. For contractors and councils, that means less downtime waiting on spares and more time with the machine earning its keep.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Number | 991320 |
| Engine | Kawasaki® FX730V V-Twin OHV |
| Engine Displacement | 726 cm³ |
| Maximum Engine Power | 16.6 kW / 22.2 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Drive System | Hydro-Gear® ZT-3200 Transaxles |
| Fuel Capacity | 19.3 l |
| Max Speed (Forward / Reverse) | 12.9 km/h / 6.4 km/h (8 mph / 4 mph) |
| Deck Type | Side discharge (mulching kit optional) |
| Deck Material | 3.6 mm sheet steel, double thickness around blade support |
| Deck Construction | Fabricated, welded |
| Cutting Width | 132 cm (52″) |
| Cutting Heights | 3.8 cm – 12.7 cm (1.5″ – 5.0″) |
| Cutting Positions | 15 |
| Deck Lift System | Foot operated, vertical pin selector |
| Number of Blades | 3 |
| Spindle Material | Forged Aluminium |
| Spindle Drive | V-belt |
| Spindle Clutch | Electric Ogura® |
| Front Wheels | 13 x 6.5-6 |
| Rear Wheels | 22 x 10.5-12 |
| Seat | Full suspension, adjustable high-back seat with lumbar support and armrests |
| ROPS | Fitted as standard |
| Hour Meter | Yes |
| Weight | 421 kg |
| Length | 201 cm |
| Width | 171 cm w/ chute; 141 cm w/ mulch kit |
| Height | 125 cm (ROPS folded); 184 cm (ROPS up) |
| Warranty | 4 years / 750 hrs (limited) |

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