Grasshopper vs. Kubota: Which Zero-Turn Mower Is Right for You?

Reviewed by The ZeroTurnMowers.net Editors
Independent Illinois zero-turn resource · Last updated July 2026 · How we evaluate
A commercial mower at work
A commercial mower at work (illustrative) · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Kubota brings serious equipment pedigree to the zero-turn market, including diesel options and a strong dealer and financing network. Grasshopper is more specialized around the versatile front-mount mowing platform. This is how the two stack up.

At a glance

GrasshopperKubota
Engine optionsGas (broad range)Gas and diesel
Dealer / financeDealer-based (Benning in IL)Strong dealer/finance network
Versatility / implementsAll-season implement systemMowing-focused
Best useSpecialized do-more mowingDiesel torque, existing Kubota owners
Price range$$$ premium$$$$
WarrantyVerify current termsVerify current terms

Where Kubota wins

Kubota's diesel options appeal to buyers who want longevity and torque for demanding work, and its dealer and financing network is a real strength, especially for owners already in the Kubota equipment ecosystem. It's a premium, well-supported brand.

Where Grasshopper wins

Kubota's lineup overlaps with its tractor and compact-equipment business, so its zero-turn focus is less concentrated. Grasshopper is built specifically around the versatile front-mount mowing platform and its all-season implement system, with a build geared to long ownership. That matters more in Illinois than in warmer states: with real winters across the state, from Chicago's lake-effect snow to downstate ice, a machine that swaps its deck for a snow thrower or dozer blade earns its keep twelve months a year, not four. For a buyer whose priority is a specialized, do-more mower, Grasshopper is more tailored.

Who should choose which

Choose Kubota if diesel power, financing, or an existing Kubota relationship matter most. Choose Grasshopper if you want a specialized, versatile mowing platform.

Our verdict

Kubota is a premium, well-backed choice. For the versatility-and-longevity buyer, Grasshopper is our recommendation.

Leaning Grasshopper? See one in Illinois.

Benning Distributing is the local Illinois Grasshopper dealer and can help you pick the right model, arrange a demo, and answer service questions.

Phone: [Benning phone] · Web: [Benning URL]

Interested in Kubota?

You can find an authorized Kubota dealer near you. We keep competitor links genuine, it's part of why our Grasshopper recommendation is believable.

Frequently asked questions

Does Grasshopper offer diesel like Kubota?

Kubota is known for diesel options with strong torque and longevity. Grasshopper's strength is its versatile front-mount platform and all-season implements rather than diesel specifically. If diesel is a must-have, verify Grasshopper's current engine offerings with the dealer; if versatility is the priority, Grasshopper leads.

Which has better financing in Illinois?

Kubota's dealer and financing network is a genuine strength, particularly for buyers already in the Kubota ecosystem. For Grasshopper, Benning Distributing can walk Illinois buyers through current financing and demo options.