Strengths Easy to work on. Plain and simple to use. Cuts grass well. Strong built.

Weaknesses Loud, bad traction, parts are pricey

Overall Great mower. Gets the job done.

Strengths The colors are nice , there my Packer colors

Weaknesses I have a Z520A. You can NOT cut grass that is to long or you will smoke the $73.00 belt.I go through at least two a year. The thing has been in the shop for other issues. Bottom line, spend the extra money and get a Arons.Sorry green and gold but I would never buy a John Deere anything ever again.

Overall Junk

Strengths It does have alot of speed, seems to cut the grass well, even for the 60" deck. It mows the tall grass with ease. Had to borrow the new 900 series to cut the grass last week, and the 900 was underpowered for the 54" deck. The 520 has better HP than the 900

Weaknesses The transmissions. Right now mine is in the shop for at least the 6th time. I have had nothing but trouble with the transmissions. The right one has been changed 2 times, and now the left one is out. At 1800.00 a pop, this is not accectable from John Deere. So far the warranty has covered it, but now they are saying that these mowers are only designed for flat ground. I have had nothing but trougle on hills with this machine. Very poor traction. John Deere has addressed the same issues with the 800 series zero turns but they have ignored the 500 series. For whatever reason they stopped making this machine after only 18 months but refuse to address the traction issues. Has anyone else had this same issue? I find it strange that JD stopped making this moodel, and now this year they supposedly made all kind of improvements and relabeled it in the new 700 series.

Overall For something from John Deere I am totally disappointed. My dealer has been very helpful and understanding, but they can only do so much without the help of JD. JD has put weight kits on the 800 series as well as gearing down the transmissions because of the multitude of complaints, but because they have not sold as many of the 500 series, they have ignored the problems for the current owners, only to make changes to the new models and renumber them.

Strengths It can cut grass that is 2 feet high like butter. More power than anything I have ever seen.

Weaknesses If the grass is wet this thing can't stop. If you are mowing on a hill the machine can not stop. If you are not really really carful you will skid and make the grass look like crap. Honestly not sure if it is worth the price. The engine is ridiculously loud.

Overall Overall I was ok with buying the machine because I though John Deer would back it up if anything went wrong. Well they did when I had problems with the machine the first year. The second year that the machine gave me problems I had to pay for everything ($475). It has a 2 year warranty on it or 300 hours which ever comes first. I have used it 75 hours so fare. It is 18 months old and they said the warranty would not cover it. Now am being told the warranty is only good for 1 year even though I have all my paper work and it says it is good for two years. I was really mad but just paid the bill. About 3 weeks ago I got a letter in the mail asking me to join a class action lawsuit against John deer because they are not backing up their warranties. I joined the lawsuit. Funny, it sounds like John Deer is no longer backing up their products. GOOD LUCK!

Strengths Good price

Weaknesses none yet

Overall Last review payed too much I only paid 5,500.00 If there are any problems - just remember: Its a JOHN DEERE they will back it up!

Strengths not sure

Weaknesses belts come off, lid blows of baggers, won't work on uneven ground without chewing off the belt, 100.00 per belt!!

Overall weak

Strengths

Weaknesses Belt has come off more than three times for the blades. The power flow bagging blows the lids open eliminating the collection system! It is not good around any garden beds or trees. It is very wide. It really rips up the grass on a turn if you aren't careful

Overall Not sure it is worth the money.