Bad Boy tractors and mowers are made by Bad Boy Mowers Inc., an American company headquartered in Batesville, Arkansas, that manufactures its core zero-turn mowers on US soil using American steel. Full product details are at the Bad Boy Mowers official website.
Bad Boy is known for its commercial-grade construction, aggressive styling, and a reputation for building zero-turn mowers that outlast lighter-duty competitors at a competitive price point.
Bad Boy Mowers is a private American company that builds its zero-turn mowers entirely at its Batesville, Arkansas facility, while its compact tractor line is produced through an OEM partnership with Kukje Machinery Company of South Korea.
Knowing who makes Bad Boy tractors and mowers helps buyers understand which products are made in the USA and which come from overseas manufacturing partners.
This article covers Bad Boy’s founding, where its products are made, the difference between its mower and tractor lines, and how it compares to Husqvarna and John Deere.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Bad Boy Mowers?
Bad Boy Mowers is a privately held American company. The Sterling Group, a private equity firm, invested $205 million in a leveraged buyout of Bad Boy in 2019.
The company operates independently as Bad Boy Inc. with Peter Ballantyne serving as CEO. It is not owned by any publicly traded company or foreign parent.
Bad Boy generates approximately $190 million in annual revenue and sells through a network of more than 1,100 independent dealers across the United States.
When Was Bad Boy Founded?
Bad Boy Mowers was founded in 2002 in Batesville, Arkansas, by entrepreneurs who wanted to bring commercial-grade zero-turn mowers to rural homeowners and landowners at accessible prices.
The company showed its first mower at the Louisville, Kentucky Lawn and Garden Expo in 2002 and immediately won the Product of the Year award.
Bad Boy was the first brand to actively market zero-turn mowers to residential and rural customers rather than exclusively to commercial landscaping professionals, a positioning that drove rapid early growth.
Where Are Bad Boy Mowers Made?
Every Bad Boy zero-turn mower is made in the USA at the company’s headquarters in Batesville, Arkansas. The facility uses American steel and employs robotic welding technology across eight ABB Flexarc cells, producing approximately 300 mowers per day.
Each mower goes through a 112-point factory inspection before leaving the plant. The manufacturing process includes welding, cutting, painting, and assembly entirely on site in Arkansas.
Bad Boy is expanding its Batesville campus with a new paint facility and shipping center, adding approximately 300 jobs to the operation over five years.
Where Are Bad Boy Tractors Made?
Bad Boy’s compact tractor line is different from its zero-turn mowers. The tractors are produced through an OEM agreement with Kukje Machinery Company, a South Korean manufacturer that supplies engines and key components.
The compact tractors range from 22 to 35 horsepower and are designed for agricultural, property maintenance, and landscaping tasks that go beyond what a zero-turn mower can handle.
In December 2025, Bad Boy announced a new dedicated tractor assembly plant in Monroeville, Alabama, representing a $10.5 million investment and 50 new jobs as it moves to bring more tractor assembly to the United States.
Bad Boy vs Husqvarna vs John Deere: Who Makes Each?
All three are major outdoor power equipment brands but come from very different companies. Bad Boy is an independent American company based in Arkansas. Husqvarna is owned by the Swedish Husqvarna Group, a publicly traded company listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. John Deere is made by Deere & Company, an independent American publicly traded corporation headquartered in Moline, Illinois.
Bad Boy competes most directly with Husqvarna and Toro in the residential and light commercial zero-turn mower segment. John Deere has a much broader lineup extending into large agricultural tractors and construction equipment.
Of the three, Bad Boy is the only one that manufactures its primary product line entirely in the United States, which is a key marketing and quality positioning point for the brand.
What Products Does Bad Boy Currently Offer?
Bad Boy’s core product range covers zero-turn mowers in commercial and residential tiers, compact tractors, implements, handheld tools, and The Bandit UTV.
Zero-turn mowers include the MZ Magnum, Maverick, Outlaw, and ZT Elite series, each targeting different horsepower and deck size requirements from homeowners to professional landscapers.
The company was named Tractor Supply Co.’s top vendor of 2025, a recognition of its supply chain reliability and product value across that major retail channel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Bad Boy Tractors
Are Bad Boy mowers made in the USA?
Yes. Every Bad Boy zero-turn mower is manufactured at the company’s facility in Batesville, Arkansas, using American steel. The compact tractor line uses components from South Korean manufacturer Kukje Machinery, with new US-based tractor assembly expanding through a new plant in Monroeville, Alabama.
Is Bad Boy a good brand?
Bad Boy has a strong reputation for commercial-grade build quality in its zero-turn mower lineup, particularly among rural property owners and light commercial users. The brand is recognized for heavy-duty steel construction and competitive pricing relative to similarly built competitors.
Who makes the engines in Bad Boy tractors?
Bad Boy’s zero-turn mowers use engines from Kohler and Kawasaki. The compact tractor line uses diesel engines manufactured by Kukje Machinery Company of South Korea, which is the OEM partner that supplies both engines and major drivetrain components for the tractor models.
Where does Bad Boy sell its products?
Bad Boy products are sold through a network of more than 1,100 independent dealers across the United States, as well as major retailers including Tractor Supply Co. The company sells exclusively in North America.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.