BEATRICE, Neb.  — Exmark has unveiled its 2018 Lazer Z Diesel commercial zero-turn riding mower. The new model features a new 96-inch UltraCut Flex Wing cutting deck and a Yanmar liquid-cooled diesel engine equipped with Exmark’s patented RED Technology.

Exmark Director of Marketing, Daryn Walters, said the new Lazer Z Diesel delivers increased power, productivity and durability for landscape professionals maintaining large properties, or who regularly mow in tough conditions.

“The Lazer Z Diesel is the right tool to make quick work of the largest, toughest jobs. Capable of mowing in excess of 10-acres per hour, the 96-inch model is the most productive diesel mower Exmark has ever built. It also raises the bar for the cut quality, operator comfort, fuel efficiency and ease-of-use professionals can expect from a large zero-turn mower.”

“As a result, the Lazer Z Diesel is the ideal choice for municipalities, universities, landscape contractors and others that need a highly productive, versatile, efficient and durable mower to maintain vast expanses of turf,” Walters added.

Exmark engineers placed the engine and radiator lower in the Lazer Z Diesel chassis, lowering the machine’s center of gravity for improved handling and increased stability. The design couples the engine directly to the transmission, completely eliminating drive belts for a more robust, efficient powertrain. With reduced service requirements and extended service intervals, the Lazer Z Diesel drive system delivers maximum uptime and a lower total cost of ownership compared to other machines.

The all-new UltraCut Flex Wing cutting deck is a rear-discharge design featuring a 48-inch center deck with two 24-inch wing decks, for a 96-inch total cutting width. The deck uses four matching blades to deliver consistent cut quality across the entire 8-foot width of cut. The configuration is also designed to deliver unmatched performance when equipped with the optional Mulch Kit accessory. Both wing decks can flex up to 20-degrees up and 15-degrees down to minimize scalping and maximize productivity on uneven terrain. The ability to hydraulically raise or lower the wing decks eases loading and unloading. Raising the wing decks also reduces the required trailering space, allowing the 96-inch Lazer Z Diesel to fit on most trailers designed for 72-inch zero-turn riders.

In addition to the large 96-inch UltraCut Flex Wing cutting deck, the new Lazer Z Diesel is available with Exmark’s exclusive 60- or 72-inch UltraCut cutting decks in side- or rear-discharge configurations. Fully fabricated and welded from high-strength 7-gauge steel, UltraCut cutting decks feature Exmark’s exclusive flow-control baffles for a signature quality of cut. A hydraulic deck lift is standard on every Lazer Z Diesel machine.

Cutting-edge RED Technology-equipped, liquid-cooled Yanmar diesel engines power the new Lazer Z Diesel machines. For applications requiring maximum power and torque combined with quiet operation, Exmark offers the 1.6-liter common-rail direct-injection powerplant as an option on all three models. A 1.3-liter turbo-diesel engine option delivers maximum fuel efficiency, responsive power and reduced noise on 60- and 72-inch Lazer Z Diesel models. Both engines deliver the reduced exhaust emissions necessary to achieve EPA Tier 4 compliance.

Exmark’s patented RED Technology works with electronic governors in the Yanmar engines to increase responsiveness by virtually eliminating the governor lag associated with traditional mechanical governors. This increased responsiveness allows the engine to operate at a lower, more fuel-efficient RPM level without compromising productivity or cut quality. RED Technology also tracks machine health, delivering on-screen service alerts and productivity statistics to maximize machine uptime and encourage regular, required maintenance.

New Lazer Z Diesel machines include a number of technologies designed to increase operator comfort through reduced exposure to bumps and vibration. Isolation mounts under the seat base and footrest, and within the motion control system, provide three-dimensional isolation from vibration transmitted through the mower frame. The full-suspension operator seat features Exmark’s scissor link ball-bearing suspension system, Elastomeric Vibration Control (EVC) stretch fabric base and custom seat cushion foam for all-day operator comfort.

Exmark includes a 5-years/2,000 hours warranty, with no hour limitations in the first 2 years with each Lazer Z Diesel model.