Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Zero-Turn Mower Review
What's Included
(1) Zero-turn mower
The Mustang is one of Troy-Bilt’s most popular and dependable models. So, they make sure to offer it in several different models to appeal to different consumer needs. The Troy-Bilt 17AQNAMU066 Mustang Fit is geared to homeowners with a large lawn, small farms, hobby farms, and other places that need to cut a lot of grass, but don’t need to over-invest in a giant commercial-size zero-turn riding lawnmower.
You see this reflected in the fact that the 34-inch stamped steel cutting deck is just the right size to fit easily through a typical 36-inch garden gate. The deck can be easily adjusted via a single hand control through 8 distinct settings. You can cut as low as 1.5 inches to keep the grass neat and trim during peak conditions or set it as high as 4-inches for when times get overly dry and you want to shade the sensitive turf from drying out.
The cutting deck even has an innovative deck wash port that makes it easy for you to clean away any stuck-on grass clippings. All you need to do is attach a standard garden hose with a modest amount of water pressure. Consistent cleaning helps prevent corrosion issues and mold problems that can sometimes pop up when wet grass clippings get matted onto the underside of the stamped steel cutting deck.
The cutting blades and the dual EZT hydrostatic transmissions that drive the wheels are all powered by a robust 452 cc Troy-Bilt engine. It has a long-standing reputation for reliability and power.
The Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit was also designed with user comfort and convenience in mind. The controls are ergonomically comfortable. The seat has a high back and is also very comfortable, for times when you might need to put in a long mowing session. The fuel tank is only 1.2 gallons, which should be enough to take care of a half an acre at a time. If you need to mow more than that, you will need to make multiple refueling stops.
Troy-Bilt even stands by its build quality with an impressive three-year warranty on the Mustang Fit.
Key Features
- Dependable 452 cc Troy-Bilt engine
- 34-inch stamped steel cutting deck
- Fits through most 36-inch garden or farm gates
- 8 height adjustments
- Cuts from 1.5 to 4-inches
- Dual EZT hydrostatic transmission
- Zero Turning radius
- Comfortable controls and a high back sheet
- 1.2-gallon fuel tank
Performance
The 452 cc Troy-Bilt engine is as reliable as it is powerful. This translates into a superior amount of torque for the 34-inch cutting deck and the dual EZT hydrostatic transmission. It also turns on a dime with the precision hand controls.
If there’s a complaint it’s the small 1.2-gallon fuel tank, which requires you to stop cutting and head back to the garage to cut more than half an acre at a time. It can be a little bit of an issue if you have a multi-acre yard. Still, you are only losing a few minutes at a time to it.
Ease of Use
The Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit is very easy to use. The controls are comfortable as is the seat, which means you can keep cutting throughout a long day without feeling like the machine is beating you up. It was even designed to minimize vibration.
If you need to move the Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit through multiple gates you will really come to appreciate the way the 34-inch cutting deck slips through a 36-inch wide gate.
Cut Quality & Options
The Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit’s 34-inch stamped steel cutting deck lets you cut wide swaths of grass in a single pass. The ability to adjust the height of the cutting deck from 1.5-inches to 4-inches is certainly nice for dialing in for the prevailing growing conditions. There are 8-distinct settings, all linked to a single easy to use hand control.
It’s also worth noting that this is a true “Zero Turn” riding lawnmower. When you turn to cut the next row or you need to weave around trees and landscaping features you can trust it has the nimbleness and cut quality to not leave any stray blade of uncut grass behind.
Maintenance
As a gas-powered riding lawnmower, the Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit will need the usual maintenance measures. It will need quality, high-octane fuel, routine oil changes, and clean air filters. Depending on how much you use it, the belts and other moving parts will need to be greased and the battery will need to be pulled during cold winter storage.
When you’re cutting, you need to be mindful of the somewhat small 1.2-gallon fuel tank. Riding lawnmowers have a knack for getting dust and pollen in the fuel tank which settles to the bottom. If this happens and you run the fuel tank out or nearly empty, it could suck some of this debris into the fuel system. This could impact overall performance or prematurely clog the fuel filter.
The deck wash feature in the stamped steel deck is a nice touch. You simply hook up a standard garden hose and it washes away any stuck on organic debris before it can contribute to corrosion issues.
Safety Features
The Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit has all the standard safety features you expect to see on a zero-turn gas-powered riding lawnmower.
Special Features
The deck wash port is a nice touch that helps you keep the underside nice and clean.
The dual EZT hydrostatic transmission does a good job of putting the power down produced by the 452 cc engine.
Cost-Effectiveness
The true zero turning radius of the Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit means you aren’t going to have to double back to catch a few errant uncut blades of grass. The three-year warranty it’s backed by also makes a statement of build quality.
The 1.2-gallon fuel tank is a little on the small side. If you need to cut a multi-acre lawn in a single day, you might lose some time while making frequent trips to the garage just to grab the gas can.
