Ariens APEX 60
Key strengths
- +Serviceable Hydro-Gear ZT-3100 transaxles, not the sealed EZT of the IKON
- +Fabricated deck built for demanding conditions
- +Commercial-grade Kawasaki FR engine with cast iron liners
- +Fully welded tubular steel frame
- +Wide 60-inch cut for open ground
Worth knowing
- −No suspension seat
- −Only 7 mph top speed
- −A 60-inch deck is too wide for gated yards
Ariens APEX 60
The APEX is the top of Ariens' residential range, and it fixes the one real weakness of the cheaper IKON models. Where the IKON uses sealed EZT transaxles you replace when they wear, the APEX steps up to serviceable Hydro-Gear ZT-3100 units you can maintain for the long haul, which changes the ownership maths on a machine you plan to keep. A fabricated deck, a commercial-grade Kawasaki FR engine and a fully welded frame back that up, with a wide 60-inch cut for open ground. There is no suspension seat and it tops out at 7 mph. For three or more acres and an owner who wants Ariens build with a drivetrain worth keeping, it is the one in the range to buy.
Specifications
| Brand | Ariens |
| Model | APEX 60 |
| Cutting deck | 60 inches |
| Engine | Kawasaki FR691V V-twin, 726cc |
| Power | 23.0 HP |
| Transmission | Serviceable Hydro-Gear ZT-3100 |
| Top speed | 7.0 mph |
| Warranty | 3-year / 300-hour limited |
| Recommended use | Residential |
| Best for | 3+ acres |
| Typical price | $5,499 |
Related reading
What owners say
The Apex 60 is generally underrated. I've had mine 2 years and its given me 100 % trouble free service. Ariens provides a great many self service "How To" videos on youtube which owners can download for reference, nice for DIY'ers. Before my purchase I was counseled to avoid the 60" deck as it was too wide for residential properties. I'm glad I ignored this. The offset the 60" deck provides between the wheels and the left edge of the deck makes the Apex 60 perfect for cutting along fence and other structure edges while preserving 100% maneuverability. Mowers with deck edges even with or narrower than the mower wheels would obviously not allow this unimpeded operation. Also, wider deck = fewer passes = faster mowing + less hours on machine. Everything else about the Apex 60 is great. It is a high quality, rugged, basic machine; over-designed if anything. When I need a $2,000.00 seat in order to comfortably sit on a riding mower for an hour,,, I'll stop mowing and hire it done. Until then, the thickly padded Apex 60 seat is perfectly fine.
- +60" deck
- +Official DIY Maintenance videos
- +Over-designed ruggedness & simplicity
- −Engine roll bar now an option.