Quick Answer / TL;DR: Grasshopper lawn mowers are made by The Grasshopper Company, an independent, family-founded manufacturer headquartered in Moundridge, Kansas, since 1969. Grasshopper is not owned by Husqvarna, Deere, or any conglomerate. The company builds commercial-grade zero-turn and out-front mowers in Kansas, selling them exclusively through authorized dealers, and sources engines from Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton Vanguard, Kohler, and Kubota.
What You Need
Before you evaluate or buy a Grasshopper mower, gather the following so you can verify the machine’s origin, support network, and long-term ownership costs like a pro:
- Model and serial number — located on the frame plate; needed to confirm engine supplier and parts compatibility.
- Your nearest authorized Grasshopper dealer — use the dealer locator on the manufacturer’s website; Grasshopper does not sell through big-box retailers.
- Engine identification — note the engine brand and model (Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton Vanguard, Kohler, or Kubota diesel) since engine parts are serviced through that engine’s network, not Grasshopper’s.
- Comparison research — see how independent brands stack up in our who makes Bobcat lawn mowers? full guide.
- A service budget estimate — dealer-serviced commercial machines carry different maintenance economics than box-store brands.
While you’re researching brands, our team also has a full breakdown of the EGO Power+ Z6 rear bumper for battery-powered buyers.
Step-by-Step Guide: Understanding Who Makes Grasshopper Mowers
Step 1: Verify the Manufacturer
The Grasshopper Company is the sole manufacturer of Grasshopper-branded mowers. There is no parent conglomerate, no offshore outsourcing of core assembly, and no badge-engineering arrangement with another brand.
The company was founded in 1969 by the Ives family in Moundridge, Kansas, and remains privately held and Kansas-based — rare in an industry where most brands have been absorbed by large holding companies.
Expert insight: “In my shop, the first question I ask about any commercial mower brand is who actually controls the parts pipeline. With Grasshopper, the answer is simple: one company, one factory, one dealer network. That’s why their 15–20 year-old machines are still getting serviced instead of scrapped.”
Step 2: Learn the Manufacturing History
Grasshopper’s history spans over 55 years of continuous American production — a longer independent run than most commercial mower brands. Use this timeline to gauge parts continuity and resale confidence:
| Milestone | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Company founded | 1969 | Moundridge, Kansas — still HQ today |
| First out-front zero-turn mower | 1969 | Pioneered the out-front deck design |
| Commercial dealer network established | 1970s | Dealer-only sales model adopted early |
| PowerFold deck system introduced | 1990s | Patented folding deck for transport |
| Current lineup (700D, 900D series) | Present | Diesel and gas commercial mowers |
The out-front design — where the cutting deck sits ahead of the front wheels — was pioneered by Grasshopper, not copied from competitors. It delivers better visibility under obstacles and remains the brand’s signature engineering choice.
Step 3: Confirm Where the Mowers Are Built
All primary assembly occurs at the Moundridge, Kansas facility. Grasshopper is not a high-volume commodity manufacturer — it builds to commercial spec in lower quantities than brands like Husqvarna or Deere, which contributes to the higher per-unit price point.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse Grasshopper with Grazer lawn mowers. Grazer was a separate line produced under contract; many units used Grasshopper platforms or components within the same regional manufacturing ecosystem, but they are not the same brand and parts support differs.
Step 4: Identify the Engine Suppliers
Grasshopper does not manufacture its own engines. Like virtually every mower brand, it sources powerplants from established third-party suppliers:
- Kawasaki — most common in gas-powered models; known for reliability and wide service availability
- Briggs & Stratton Vanguard — used in several mid-range commercial models
- Kohler Command Pro / EFI — used in select models, including EFI variants for better fuel efficiency
- Kubota diesel — powers the heavy-duty 900D series diesel models
💡 Pro Tip: This matters for long-term ownership because engine parts are serviced independently of Grasshopper’s own parts network. A Kawasaki-powered Grasshopper can get engine service from any Kawasaki-certified shop — a genuine advantage if your dealer is far away.
Step 5: Factor Independence Into Your Buying Decision
An independent manufacturer controls its own quality standards, parts continuity, and dealer relationships. With Grasshopper, you are not buying a rebranded product from a rotating supply chain — a key reason these machines hold resale value well.
The trade-off: parts and sales run through authorized dealers only, not national retail chains. Build that into your long-term service plan before you buy.
Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting
- Mistake 1: Assuming Grasshopper is owned by a big conglomerate. Buyers often lump it in with Husqvarna-group or MTD-owned brands. It isn’t. Verify any ownership claim against the company’s own published information before trusting a used-listing description.
- Mistake 2: Confusing Grazer with Grasshopper. Grazer units built on Grasshopper platforms are frequently mislabeled in used listings. Check the serial plate and deck stampings — misidentification leads to ordering the wrong parts.
- Mistake 3: Ordering engine parts from Grasshopper instead of the engine maker. If your machine runs a Kawasaki or Kohler engine, use that engine’s model number for filters, carburetors, and internals. Grasshopper dealers handle chassis and deck parts; the engine network handles the powerplant.
- Mistake 4: Expecting big-box service. Grasshopper sells dealer-only. Buyers who assume Home Depot–style returns and support are disappointed — establish a relationship with an authorized dealer before purchase, not after.
- Mistake 5: Judging price against mass-market brands. Grasshopper builds commercial-spec machines in lower volumes. Comparing a 900D diesel to a box-store residential zero-turn is an apples-to-oranges comparison that leads to poor buying decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns The Grasshopper Company?
The Grasshopper Company is a privately held, family-founded business started by the Ives family in 1969. It has never been acquired by Husqvarna, Deere, Stanley Black & Decker, or any other conglomerate, and remains headquartered in Moundridge, Kansas.
Are Grasshopper mowers made in the USA?
Yes. Primary assembly takes place at the company’s Moundridge, Kansas facility, where Grasshopper has built mowers continuously since 1969. Some components — including engines — are sourced from suppliers like Kawasaki (Japan) and Kohler, which is standard across the industry.
What engines do Grasshopper mowers use?
Grasshopper sources engines from Kawasaki, Briggs & Stratton (Vanguard), and Kohler for gas models, and Kubota diesel engines for the heavy-duty 900D series. The company does not manufacture proprietary engines.
Can I buy a Grasshopper mower at a big-box store?
No. Grasshopper sells exclusively through its authorized dealer network. This dealer-only model is central to its commercial-grade support, parts continuity, and setup quality.
Are Grazer mowers made by Grasshopper?
Grazer was a separate line produced under contract; many Grazer units were built using Grasshopper platforms or components within the same regional manufacturing ecosystem. However, they are distinct products, and parts support should be verified by model and serial number before purchase.
Did Grasshopper really invent the out-front mower?
Yes. Grasshopper introduced its first out-front zero-turn mower in 1969, pioneering the deck-ahead-of-front-wheels layout that improves visibility under obstacles. The design remains the brand’s signature engineering approach today.
