2022 Ariens Ikon XD 52' - Big Box Store vs Ariens Dealer - Quality Differences

Videos showing two Ariens mowers the IKON XD 52" MODEL 915266 (KOHLER ENGINE) and the 915267 (KAWASAKI ENGINE). Both are supposed to be the same except for the motor but there are major quality differences between lowes version and dealer.

[prestonjordan]

I got mine from Lowe’s and it’s exactly like the one from the dealer.On the other hand I didn’t pay as much as you did.And I have the Kawasaki engine.I’m in the U.S.btw and it runs like a champ.

[jackphillips]

Just had a new Ikon XD 52” delivered by Lowe’s Lawton Oklahoma. It is exactly the same as your dealership mower. Except it has the Kawasaki engine.

[Rebel]

I think now Ariens uses exclusively Kawasaki engines on their 2024 models. I also like the pan door on them now as it makes it much easier to change out the belts.

[juliedewyer]

I bought one like you got at the dealer, from Lowes 3 months ago. Much of the main reason I got the one I did was the seat comfort! Its the same except Kawi engine. 18.5 hrs in 3 months and running great! Super comfy too. 😊

[mikefruge]

Based on my experience, the choice between these two mowers is clear, go with the Kawasaki engine. I purchased a Cub Cadet XT1 46 lawn tractor with the Kohler 7000 Series 22 horse engine. I decided to check the air filter well ahead of the maintenance schedule at 15 hrs. I was shocked to find the amount of dust and debris getting past my low-hour air filter. I contacted Kohler and sent photos. Kohler sent me a new filter housing and filter. This replacement failed as well. Kohler claimed they offer 3 grades of filter for this engine. The filter on my Cub Cadet was the minimal filter. I questioned why Kohler would do such a thing as sell engines with less than adequate filtration. The answer, which they did not give, is a price point. A cheaper filter system allows Kohler to underprice Kawasaki and Briggs and Stratton, thereby getting more of their Kohler engines into more mowers. After I sent Kohler photos of the second failure, they refused to do anything more until I had an engine failure. The engine did indeed fail with only 83 hrs. Fortunately, the dealer took the mower back. I purchased a Husqvarna Z254F with a 23 Kawasaki engine. Mr. Jones, please do another video. Open the filter of this on these two mowers and show the difference. Show the valve covers. I think the results of this comparison will be all anyone needs to make their choice.

[dustpru]

I just bought one from lowes for 3799. Got 10% off due to the battery not being charged. But I got the one you received from the dealer with a kawasaki

[dcgeorgia]

Thanks for providing this informative video. It is helping me determine which zero-turn mower I'll be purchasing soon.

[erichester]

I tried to buy the Ariens XD 52 at our local dealer and they told me that they weren't getting anymore this year that Lowes was getting all the 52 inch XD's instead of them. I went to Lowes and bought the Arien's XD 52 with the Kawasaki engine, mine looks just like the one you bought from your dealer with the nice padded seat and rubberized grips on the handles. I did order the rubber mat and the Ariens hitch for mine from Amazon. I ended paying $3699.00 + tax for mine at Lowes and our dealer had them for the same price earlier in the season before they couldn't get anymore of the 52 inch.

[mattludwick]

I just bought an Ariens Ikon 52” from Lowe’s yesterday. After the military discount and the 3 yr protection plan, I paid $4317. It has the 23 hp Kawasaki engine, seat adjustment, the nice foot pedal that raises the deck, a step on the left side, high back plush seat, two LED headlights, two USB ports in the cup holder, 11 gauge steel deck, I mean it’s the freaking Cadillac of mowers imo. The only thing it’s missing is a roll bar. I love this machine.

[bobbymele]

I am looking to buy the 52” and undecided on Kawasaki or Kohler. I’m told the Kohler has plastic Cam Gears that fail after 500-600 hours.
Great video, very informative. Thanks for taking time to make. 🙏🏻

[alementary]

I got the Ikon XD 60" from Ace Hardware. They must've had the dealer version, and I got it for $4199 plus tax (USD). Only used it twice so far, but LOVE it. Came with the better seat and the rubber floor mat, and metal pulley covers rather than plastic.

[visitors]

Just purchased at Lowes. Like others have reported. Same seat, Kawasaki engine 23 HP. Handle bars are the same.

[TVJAB]

I bought a ikon xd52 from lowes and it has the bigger seat like you have from the dealer. I also only paid 2800.00 for it compared to what you just paid. Second zero turn I bought from lowes. I go in and ask for a manager then ask the manager for a discount. They gave me 20% off both times I purchased one. And I also got an additional 5% off for using the lowes card.

[LT-pvho]

The one from Lowes looks like the put a Husqvarna seat and handles on it when they assembled it.

[blipsmann]

Another difference is there is a less chance of something being put together wrong from the dealer. I’ve heard nightmare stories of problems with mowers from the box stores and then the dealers have to fix them. Just buy from a dealer and help the guy out and do yourself a favor.

[HotNewMusic]

I bought mine from Lowes, and Got the better seat, the grips, and the KAWASAKI engine for less than you paid. Maybe Canada just got a bad shipment or something.

[broncomustangponypower]

The one I got from Lowes is exactly like yours from the dealer but much cheaper. The seat, handles, and position of the seat the same. Now my neighbors Ariens XD52 looks likes yours-but it was last years model. Seat on the engine like yours, same handles like yours. I am thinking you did not get a newer model Ariens at Lowes, but the previous years model. Mine also has the newer tires also. I do have the Kawasaki engine on mine from Lowes.

[hankrogacki]

I believe the actual difference is the x I got the icon XD 52 and the mowers outside the store at Lowe's where the earlier versions possibly without the armrest and adjustable seat with the different style handles covers inside the store before I purchased I noticed they had six xd52s with different decaling different seating trim was way different which matches the dealer tractor in this video so I believe it's a matter of age and upgrade as I believe mine is as the dealer version in this video

[Wvuboy]

I got mine from Lowe’s last early winter was the floor model 0.2 hours for 2400. It’s exact like yours from the dealer with the seat and handles except I got Carlisle tires.

[FullTimeGrind]

I think you bought last year's model from Lowe's because I just got one delivered Thursday and it's the exact same as the one from the dealer I paid a whole lot less than $6000