Striping Kits $40 – $300+

If you want your yard to really stand out and have a truly professional look, a striping kit is the single best cosmetic upgrade you can make to your mower. Those crisp, alternating light-and-dark stripes you see on professional ballfields and golf courses aren’t the result of different grass — they’re created by bending the grass blades in alternating directions as you mow. Light reflects differently off grass bent toward you versus away from you, and that contrast is what creates the stripe effect.

OEM striping kit options are available for most zero-turn brands, including Husqvarna, Scag, Ferris, Exmark, Gravely, and Toro. Even many residential push mowers have a striping option — Honda, for example, uses a trailing rear shield on several of their walk-behind models that acts as a basic striping attachment right out of the box.

Types of Striping Kits

There are three main types of striping kits available for zero-turn mowers, and all three mount to the rear of the mower deck:

Roller Systems are the most popular option and generally produce the most defined stripes. A weighted roller trails behind the deck and presses the grass down after it’s been cut. These tend to work best in cool-season grasses like fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass, which hold a bend well. Roller kits are available from most OEM brands and range from around $80 to over $300 depending on deck width and brand.

Bristle Brush Strips use a series of rubber or plastic bristles that drag across the turf as you mow, gently laying the grass in the direction of travel. These are typically a mid-range option in terms of price and stripe definition — not quite as dramatic as a roller, but effective and easy to install.

Heavy-Duty Rubber Flaps are the most affordable entry point and work surprisingly well. A thick rubber strip drags behind the deck and bends the grass down. These are simple, durable, and low-maintenance, and many mower owners build their own from rubber mud flap material as a DIY solution.

For the best results, plan your mowing pattern in advance. Straight passes parallel to a sidewalk or fence line tend to produce the sharpest visual effect. Alternating your pattern with each mow — north/south one week, east/west the next — also helps avoid ruts and promotes more even grass growth over time.

Grass Flap — Discharge Blocker $80 – $160

If you only buy one accessory for your zero-turn mower, make it a discharge blocker — and the Grass Flap is the best one on the market. The concept is simple: a flap blocks the side discharge chute on demand, preventing grass clippings from flying out to the right side of the mower. What makes the Grass Flap unique is the control system — it’s available in both hand-operated and foot-pedal-operated versions, allowing you to open and close the chute without stopping or dismounting the mower.

This accessory is genuinely a game-changer for anyone who mows near landscaping, garden beds, mulch, driveways, patios, parked vehicles, or neighbors’ property. Grass clippings and small debris launched at high speed from a zero-turn discharge chute can damage paint, dirty up flower beds, and send rocks or sticks flying in dangerous directions.

The foot-pedal version is particularly convenient on a zero-turn since both hands are already on the lap bar controls. A quick press of the pedal closes the chute, you clear the obstacle, and another press reopens it — all without slowing down. The hand-operated version works equally well and tends to be slightly more affordable.

Compatibility & Installation

Grass Flap makes models to fit a wide range of deck widths and brands, including Husqvarna, Scag, Exmark, Ferris, John Deere, Gravely, and many others. Most installations take 30 minutes or less and require only basic hand tools. Check the Grass Flap website for their fit guide before ordering — deck geometry varies between brands and model years.

EZ Chute — Steel Discharge Blocker $120 – $200

If the Grass Flap is the go-to discharge blocker for most homeowners, the EZ Chute is the heavy-duty alternative built for operators who want all-steel construction and a no-nonsense design. The EZ Chute is a hand-operated discharge blocker that mounts directly to the mower’s existing discharge chute and swings open or closed with a simple lever pull.

The all-steel build is the EZ Chute’s defining feature. For professional landscapers or heavy-use operators who put serious hours on their machines, having a discharge blocker that can take a beating without cracking or warping matters. The EZ Chute is also designed to self-open if it strikes a large object, preventing damage to the chute or the blocker itself.

Grass Flap vs. EZ Chute — Which Should You Choose?

Both products accomplish the same core goal, and both are well-built. The right choice really does come down to personal preference and use case:

Choose the Grass Flap if you prefer foot-pedal operation, mow frequently near obstacles, or want the most versatile control options. Choose the EZ Chute if you want all-steel durability, prefer a hand-lever operation, or are a professional operator putting high hours on your equipment.

Either way, a discharge blocker is one of those accessories that pays for itself the first time it prevents a rock from cracking a window or keeps a cleanup job out of your flower beds.

Extra Lighting $30 – $250

Lighting upgrades are one of the most underrated zero-turn accessories, and they become especially valuable as summer turns to fall. When the days get shorter and you’re trying to squeeze in a mow after getting home from work, having good visibility isn’t just about convenience — it’s a genuine safety issue. Hitting an uneven patch, a hidden stump, or a child’s toy in low light can cause real damage to you, your mower, or your property.

Most mid-range and premium zero-turns come with basic headlights, but they’re often just enough to see a few feet ahead. Upgrading to brighter LED lights — either through your OEM’s accessory catalog or an aftermarket solution — significantly expands your visibility and extends your usable mowing hours well into the evening.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Lighting

OEM lighting kits are designed specifically for your mower model, which means clean mounting, no wiring guesswork, and a factory-finished appearance. Most major brands including Husqvarna, Toro, Ferris, and Scag offer LED light bar kits in their accessories catalogs. These typically run $80 to $250 installed.

Aftermarket options offer significantly more variety. LED light bars, spot lights, and flood lights designed for ATV and utility vehicle use often mount perfectly on a zero-turn’s ROPS bar or front frame. Many of these can be found for $30 to $80 and deliver impressive brightness for the price. Just be sure to verify the wattage draw against your mower’s electrical system capacity before wiring anything in.

For most homeowners, a simple two-light LED upgrade from the OEM catalog or a quality aftermarket kit is all you’ll ever need. If you mow large acreage regularly or frequently mow in low-light conditions, a full light bar across the ROPS is worth the investment.

TOPS Rack Pack — Cargo Storage $60 – $120

The TOPS Rack Pack rounds out our list as one of the most practical organization upgrades available for zero-turns and lawn tractors. Available on Amazon in multiple sizes, the Rack Pack mounts to the ROPS bar on your mower and gives you a dedicated storage space for everything you need out on the lawn — drinks, a phone, small tools, ear protection, sunscreen, a rag, or a two-way radio.

If you’ve ever had to make an extra trip back to the garage for a tool, balanced something on your lap, or just wished you had somewhere to set your drink while you mow, the Rack Pack solves that problem cleanly. The bags are designed specifically for ROPS-equipped machines, with mounting hardware that fits snugly without rattling or shifting during operation.

Sizing & Fitment

TOPS makes several sizes in their Rack Pack lineup, ranging from compact single-bag options for smaller zero-turns to larger configurations for tractors with full ROPS frames. Before ordering, check the product listing’s fit guide — ROPS bar diameters and spacing vary between brands and model years, and getting the right size ensures a rattle-free, secure mount.

At $60 to $120 depending on size, the TOPS Rack Pack is one of the more affordable items on this list and consistently earns strong reviews from users who appreciate the convenience. It’s a small upgrade that makes every mow a little more comfortable.