The new Woods FZ22-2 builds on their popular compact ZTR, improving everything from the mower’s stability to its maintenance access. Add in a line of accessories for jobs ranging from moving snow to cleaning pavement, and you have a machine that can do the job of a ZTR and a garden tractor.
Power
This mower uses a 22 HP Kawasaki FS Series engine mated to a Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 hydrostatic transmission. Together, they’re able to deliver a top speed of 9 mph. The engine comes with a paper air filter and a foam prefilter to keep the engine internals clean, while a rotating grass chopper keeps the outside clean and cool. The transmission uses a spin-on oil filter for easy fluid changes. An 8.5-gallon tank carries enough fuel to run the mower all day.
Comfort and Performance
Speaking of serviceability, this updated mower has a new flip-up seat with a built-in support, making it easy to reach the battery. This seat moves forward and back as well as up and down to get a good position for operators of any size, while the lap bar linkage was redesigned to deliver smoother, lighter action for better control. All of this comes in a package with better weight distribution than the outgoing model for better hill stability.
Decks
The FX22-2 is available with a choice of 54 and 61-inch wide MX decks. This constructed deck is 5 inches deep and uses Woods’ patented V-Baffle system uses a combination of baffles and welded supports to hug the blades. This gives the MX the same amount of vacuum as a stamped deck. A welded bumper protects the shell from bumps.
The deck’s TrueFloat mounting system lets it float front to back and side to side to hug the ground and avoid scalping. Cutting height can be set from 1-5 inches.
Each blade is supported by a greasable spindle with three bearings to spread out the load and reduce wear.
Accessories
Where the FZ22-2 really shines is its variety of accessories. ZTRs are usually limited to mowing, but this mower can handle tasks that would normally require a garden tractor.
The snow thrower attachment clears a 50-inch swath, has a manual discharge chute that rotates 180 degrees, and a deflector that can be adjusted from the operator’s position.
The dozer blade is 60 inches wide and tilts 25 degrees to the right and left.
For pavement cleanup, Woods offers two 60-inch power brooms. The FSW6000F rotates manually 30 degrees to the right, while the FSW6000T can rotate 25 degrees left or right and has a built-in electric lift.
There are also several add-ons that improve usability when moving. By adding the Powertilt lift, you can easily tilt the deck up to take up less space during transport or to get access to the underside for cleaning.
Since the mowing chamber already has baffles, the mulching kit just adds high lift blades and a chute plug to keep grass inside the deck while it’s being chopped up. There’s also a blower-driven grass collection system that actively pulls clippings out of the deck and deposits them into bags with a total of 15 cubic feet of storage.
The headlight kit adds illumination. If you need a little extra room, an extended footrest can be added when the deck, but it gets in the way of the blade and power broom attachments. sunshade
Turf tires standard, but chevron tires available for more grip on hills at the expense of scrubbing. Tire chains are also available for better traction on snow and ice.
Warranty
Kawasaki guarantees the engine for three years, and Hydro-Gear guarantees the ZT-3400 for 6 months. The rest of the FZ22-2 is covered by Woods for two years or 2,000 hours of operation.
When You’re Getting Serious About Lawn Care, Go to Shank’s
For over 35 years, Shank’s Lawn Care has helped homeowners and landscape professionals with their lawn care equipment. We’re an authorized Woods, Hydro-Gear and Kawasaki Power dealer, which means we have the parts and support you need to get the most out of their mowers and attachments. If you’re looking for a new ZTR, or you need help with your current equipment, visit us at 4900 Molly Pitcher Highway in Chambersburg, PA. That’s on the south end of town, one mile east of I-81 from Exit 10.
We also ship parts and accessories across the U.S. and Canada. To order, visit us online at www.shankslawn.com.