Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King Review

The Swisher 2017 Ride King has a great retro look that stands out in a crowd and excellent modern features that will ensure functionality as well as style.

Ever have a taste for nostalgia that simply won’t go away? The world’s first zero-turn radius mower, the Swisher Ride King, is back in a big way. Easily one of the most unique and stunningly designed lawn tractors of any era, the 2017 Ride King is back to reclaim its crown. Thanks to a complete refresh from the bottom up, the 2017 re-release of the classic, original ZTR has been completely re-engineered to comply with all industry standard safety regulations and finds a new cloud nine with added comfort features. This lawn tractor isn’t for the faint of heart, and you’ll be drawing a lot of attention to both your mower and your lawn, thanks to the excellent manicuring cut provided by the dual blade 32” cutting deck. Compact and agile, you can get in and out of any space with a simple turn of the wheel. You wouldn’t believe it has a 360-degree turning radius until you saw it in action, and the reverse is a simple 180-degree turn of the wheel.

DESIGN & BUILD | More Than Just a Pretty Face

Right from the get-go, it’s pretty obvious that the Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King is a unique piece of machinery. The bright red and white styling with the vintage logo splashed across the front makes it look more like a museum piece than a robust, energetic lawn care machine. Powered by a 10.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine, this compact lawn tractor has got heart enough to power a dual-blade 32” cutting deck with height adjustable between 1.5” and 4.5”. With the Swisher 2017 Ride King, you’re looking at a consistent cut with outstanding maneuverability thanks to the 360-degree zero-turn steering wheel. Reverse isn’t a lever setting, it’s a direction. Simply turn the steering wheel a full 180 degrees and get the meticulous control necessary to get the job done right. Get closer and cut better without the bulky size of a modern lawn tractor. Storage is a simple matter as the newly redesigned Ride King is made to fit through most standard gates.

“Powered by a 10.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine, this compact lawn tractor has got heart enough to power a dual-blade 32” cutting deck with height adjustable between 1.5” and 4.5”.”

The Swisher 2017 Ride King carries its retro styling proudly, but it is still a modern, effective mowing machine. Solid construction and a robust frame ensure a long life from season to season. Its squat, compact design allows it to provide an exceptionally stable and highly maneuverable ride, from the anti-scalping wheels and anti-bump rollers to the comfortable, low-back seat. This lawn tractor is not intended for larger yards, for sure, but it is easily one of the agilest of them all. You might as well give up the push mower for trimming and detail work with how meticulous this mower can be.

Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King Review front view

SAFETY & DURABILITY | Redesigned for Modern Safety

A major part of the 2017 refresh for the Ride King design was the upgrade of safety features, and it also absorbs the same expectations of any modern lawn tractor. Eye protection is a must, no loose clothing, and always keep an eye on children or possible obstacles. Despite the unique capabilities of the zero-point turn system, the Operator Presence System is still in place and will automatically disengage the blades if you begin to move in a rearward direction. Simply turn the key to the appropriate “mow in reverse” position to override and continue your meticulous maintenance. If you leave the seat at any time, blades engaged or not, the engine will shut down for safety’s sake.

“…Operator Presence System is still in place and will automatically disengage the blades if you begin to move in a rearward direction.”

Thanks to modern components, Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King owners and operators can expect a longer lifespan. Corrosion resistant steel and sturdy construction simply appear vintage, but you can be sure that everything from the belts to the carbon steel washers is designed to outlast even the original Ride King.

Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King Review top view

PERFORMANCE | Exceptionally Agile and Stable

Ease of Use

Thanks to its small, compact frame, the Swisher 2017 Ride King is likely the smallest, most agile zero-turn-radius lawn tractor on the market today. Able to fit through standard yard and fence gates, its svelte design will take up much less space in your garage or toolshed than a standard lawn tractor and far, far less than a full-sized zero-point turn mower. The newly redesigned Ride King is also built low to the ground, keeping its center of gravity low to prevent tip-overs. This makes it one of the most stable mowers in its size on the market today.

Best Features

The Swisher 2017 Ride King’s best, and arguably most defining, feature is the 360-degree steering wheel. Despite the retro-vintage styling, the Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King is a capable, modern piece of equipment uniquely suited to bring extreme maneuverability to a smaller form factor. While most lawn tractors can boast, at most, a 16” turn radius, and most zero-turn mowers are far larger and much more expensive to the point of commercial pricing, the refreshed and re-engineered Ride King brings that exactitude down to homeowners with smaller lawns.

Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King Review motor

LONGEVITY & PRICE | Vintage, only in Style

There are no secrets about the inner workings of the Swisher 2017 Ride King. The owner’s manual delicately details every bit and angle, right down to the carbon steel washers and belts, so you can accurately pinpoint exactly where the problem lies, should something come up. Swisher is a very well-established name in the lawn care industry and when they claim they invented the zero-turn radius mower, the Ride King is what they originally debuted. The all steel fabricated cutting deck will resist corrosion and the seasons as it chews through your chores and leaves your lawn looking absolutely beautiful.

Be sure to check the current Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King – Amazon price here.

With an MSRP of $3479.95, the Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King is no light investment. Its price point puts it at the far low end of the zero-point turn mower market, though other ZTR mowers are going to be far, far larger and not nearly as residential yard friendly. The 2017 Ride King does find itself at the higher end of the lawn tractor market, but when you’re getting the best of both worlds, it’s worth considering. They also won’t look quite as retro-sexy with the vintage styling, and you should both want and get to enjoy every aspect of your investment.

Swisher TWR10532BS 10.5HP Ride King Review full view

Pros

• Compact design makes for easy storage
• Low center of gravity, extremely stable
• 360-degree steering, zero-point turn

Cons

• Pricey for a retro redesign (see current Amazon Price)
• Flashy styling might not appeal to all

THE BOTTOM LINE | So Good, They Brought It Back