Zero-Turn and Ride-On Equipment Component Manufacturing
OEMs building zero-turn mowers, garden tractors, and compact ride-on platforms need more than stamping capacity from a component supplier. They need a manufacturing partner with deep application knowledge, proven exhaust and NVH expertise, and the production discipline to support multi-platform programs at enterprise scale.
CS Cosmos STIHL has delivered that since 1972. For more than 50 years, we have taken ride-on equipment components from initial design concept through prototype validation, pilot production, and full-volume manufacturing — delivering mufflers, exhaust systems, stamped assemblies, and finished subcomponents to the OEMs behind the most demanding outdoor power equipment on the market. As a developmental supplier to main OEM brands, we have the reliability and consistency that procurement teams require when qualifying a Tier 1 supplier.
OEM-Grade Components for Zero-Turn & Ride-On Platforms
The operating environment is unforgiving. Continuous duty cycles, high vibration loads, constant exposure to dirt, moisture, and debris, and significant thermal stress from engine proximity combine to separate purpose-built OEM components from generic alternatives.
Every zero-turn mower muffler, structural bracket, and welded subassembly we produce is engineered for these conditions. Our role in the OEM supply chain spans early-stage design-for-manufacture consultation, precision manufacturing across stamping, welding, and finishing operations, and repeatable high-volume production that supports your assembly line with consistent quality, lot after lot.
Core Component Categories We Support
Our manufacturing scope for ride-on and zero-turn platforms covers the full range of metalformed lawn and garden equipment components these machines require:
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Exhaust system components: Mufflers, exhaust shells, mounting brackets, and heat shields designed for continuous-duty engine platforms.
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Stamped structural components: Frames, engine mounts, deck panels, guards, and reinforcement brackets formed to tight tolerances for consistent assembly line fit.
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Welded assemblies: Spot-welded and MIG-welded brackets, subframes, and multi-part subassemblies delivered weld-complete.
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Surface-finished components: High-temperature coatings, corrosion-resistant plating, and black oxide treatments specified for outdoor and exhaust-adjacent exposure.
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Assembly-ready subcomponents: Kitted parts with line-side packaging where applicable, reducing inbound material handling and assembly time for high-volume OEM programs.
Zero-Turn Mower Muffler & Exhaust System Solutions
The muffler is one of the most technically demanding components on any ride-on platform. A zero-turn mower muffler must manage sound attenuation, backpressure, thermal load, and vibration fatigue — all within a tight packaging envelope dictated by engine placement, fuel system routing, and operator proximity. CS Cosmos STIHL has been solving these engineering problems for leading OPE manufacturers for more than five decades.
We approach exhaust as an integrated system. The muffler, exhaust routing, mounting hardware, heat shielding, and surface finishing are designed and manufactured as a coordinated solution — not sourced as disconnected parts from multiple suppliers.
Muffler Types & Configurations for Ride-On Platforms
Configuration depends on the application. Engine platform, emissions requirements, packaging constraints, and noise targets all drive the selection. We manufacture both non-catalytic and catalytic muffler assemblies, optimizing shell geometry, baffle placement, and internal flow paths based on each application’s acoustic performance and backpressure requirements.
Mounting strategies extend service life. Isolation brackets, welded mounts, and vibration-dampening configurations address the sustained vibration loads common to mufflers for zero-turn mower and ride-on mower muffler applications. Our engineering team works alongside OEM design engineers to balance sound attenuation against backpressure — critical for maintaining engine performance on commercial-duty platforms.
Noise, Heat, & Endurance Requirements in Commercial Duty
Continuous duty cycles amplify every potential failure mode. Thermal cycling fatigues welds and seams. Engine and cutting deck vibration is transmitted through mounts and brackets. Moisture, grass debris, and chemical exposure accelerate corrosion on unprotected surfaces.
We engineer against these failure modes at the design stage. Material selection, weld joint design, coating specification, and mounting strategy are driven by the specific thermal, vibration, and environmental profile of the target platform. Heat management near the operator zone and adjacent components, such as fuel lines and wiring harnesses, is addressed through heat shield placement and thermal barrier coatings.
This approach supports OEM compliance and testing processes. Components are designed and documented to meet the durability, emissions, and safety validation requirements that govern commercial outdoor power equipment — providing quality and compliance teams with the technical confidence they need during the approval process.
Stamped, Welded, & Finished Assemblies for Ride-On Equipment
Our scope extends well beyond exhaust systems. OEMs building ride-on platforms need a supplier capable of producing the full range of stamped, welded, and finished metal parts that make up these machines — from structural brackets and engine mounts to guards, panels, and multi-part welded subassemblies.
One roof, one quality system, one accountable supplier. Our integrated manufacturing pathway moves components from stamping through welding and surface finishing to assembly-ready delivery. This consolidation eliminates the coordination burden and quality risk that comes with managing multiple suppliers for interconnected parts — a meaningful advantage for enterprise OEMs managing complex, multi-platform supply chains. Our solution is American-engineered and American-made.
Examples of Ride-On Equipment Assemblies
Typical assemblies include brackets and mounts for cutting decks, engine cradles, and wheel assemblies. Structural supports, operator platform guards, and stamped panels are manufactured to the dimensional tolerances required for consistent assembly line fit. We also produce housings, frames, and structural reinforcements where our deep drawing and heavy stamping capabilities apply.
High-Cosmetic & Class-A Finish Considerations
Cosmetic quality influences purchasing decisions in competitive retail and dealer environments. We maintain strict process controls to prevent dents, burrs, slug marks, and surface blemishes through every stage of production.
Finish options are matched to the exposure environment and cost targets. Corrosion-resistant plating provides long-term protection for structural components. High-temperature painting is specified for exhaust-adjacent parts. Black oxide offers a cost-effective protective finish for interior components. Our team helps OEM engineers select the right finish based on operating environment, appearance requirements, and total landed cost.
Deep Drawing & Metal Stamping Capabilities Behind These Components
Strength, rigidity, and dimensional repeatability start at the press. CS Cosmos STIHL’s deep drawing and metal stamping operations produce the shells, formed parts, and precision stampings that become the mufflers, structural components, and finished assemblies our customers rely on.
Fewer handoffs mean tighter control. Deep drawn shell production, progressive and complex stamping, welding, and finishing all operate under one roof — delivering tighter dimensional control and faster speed to market when seasonal demand windows are tight.
Deep Drawn Components for Exhaust & Structural Applications
Deep drawing produces seamless, high-strength shells. These are used in muffler bodies, structural housings, and formed enclosures across ride-on equipment platforms. The process delivers superior strength-to-weight ratios compared with fabricated alternatives, with the dimensional consistency required for high-volume OEM assembly.
Scalability matches seasonal production calendars. Our deep drawing capacity supports the ramp-up and ramp-down schedules that define the outdoor power equipment market. One supplier and one validated process from development through full production eliminates requalification risk.
Fabricated assemblies for low-volume requirements. We also have fabricated assemblies as a solution for those customers who are interested in the benefit of low investment for low-volume applications.
Metal Stamping Assemblies
Progressive and complex stamping operations produce brackets, mounts, panels, and structural components. Secondary operations, including piercing, forming, and trimming, are completed in-line where possible to reduce handling and maintain tolerance integrity.
DFM collaboration drives cost-down. We work with OEM engineering teams to target weight reduction, part consolidation, and weldment simplification — driving per-unit savings while maintaining or improving part performance. Repeatability is validated for the dimensional consistency that automated and semi-automated assembly environments require.
Engineering Support
Choosing a component supplier is a commitment that extends across the full product lifecycle. CS Cosmos STIHL’s engineering team works alongside OEM design and procurement groups from initial concept review through prototyping, pilot production, full-volume manufacturing, and ongoing continuous improvement.
Our collaboration model is built for enterprise OEM expectations. Design-for-manufacture reviews, prototyping, manufacturability feedback, and validation support are standard. The goal is to identify cost, weight, and performance optimization opportunities before tooling is committed — not after.
DFM, Cost-Down, & Weight Reduction Levers
Material optimization is the starting point. Selecting the right grade, thickness, and formability characteristics for each application avoids over-specification. Assembly simplification through part consolidation and weld strategy changes delivers significant per-unit savings on high-volume programs. Cycle-time and scrap reduction opportunities are evaluated during DFM reviews, targeting total cost improvements across the supply chain.
Supplier Transition Without Retooling
Switching suppliers mid-program carries risk. CS Cosmos STIHL supports drop-in supplier replacement programs designed to minimize that risk. Where tooling transfer is involved, our team evaluates compatibility and manages the transition to maintain dimensional and process continuity.
Documentation packages include PPAP-level deliverables. Detailed inspection plans, run-at-rate validation, and full traceability records support a seamless transition that maintains your production schedule and quality standards without interruption.
Manufacturing Scale, Quality Systems, & Delivery Model
OEM readiness means consistent quality at production volume. Flexible capacity to match seasonal demand and a delivery model that supports your assembly schedule are baseline requirements. CS Cosmos STIHL’s capacity and decades of OPE-focused experience provide the foundation for reliable, scalable supply across single- and multi-platform programs.
Quality & Process Controls
Our ISO-aligned quality system includes in-process inspection checkpoints at each major manufacturing stage. Traceability protocols for high-volume programs ensure every lot can be traced back through materials, processes, and inspection data.
Testing and validation support your compliance requirements. Dimensional inspection, weld integrity verification, and coating thickness checks are standard for ride-on equipment components. We provide the documentation and process transparency that quality and compliance teams need to validate supplier performance against durability, emissions, and safety standards.
Production Flexibility for Seasonal Demand
Outdoor power equipment follows a well-defined seasonal cycle. We plan capacity allocation, material procurement, and production scheduling around our customers’ seasonal ramp requirements. Lead time expectations and program management cadence are established during onboarding and adjusted as programs mature.
Packaging and delivery options are configured for OEM production workflows. Line-side packaging, kitting, and custom configurations reduce inbound handling and material staging time.
Common Use Cases
The following applications represent the core of our ride-on and zero-turn component work. Each reflects a distinct set of engineering requirements, material considerations, and performance expectations.
Zero-Turn Mowers
Mufflers and exhaust components engineered for commercial duty cycles with superior noise attenuation and thermal management. Heat shielding and vibration-resistant mounts protect adjacent systems and extend component life. Welded assemblies and corrosion-resistant finishing withstand the moisture, debris, and chemical exposure inherent to outdoor commercial use.
Garden Tractors & Ride-On Mowers
Ride-on mower muffler applications prioritize packaging efficiency, noise compliance, and durability within tighter cost targets. Structural brackets, guards, and stamped supports are produced to consistent tolerances for efficient assembly line integration. Assembly-ready subcomponents reduce inbound handling and accelerate final assembly throughput.
Compact Tractor & Light Equipment
Exhaust and endurance solutions matched to small engine platforms used in compact tractors and light agricultural equipment. Stamped and welded assemblies provide the strength and rigidity these applications demand. Finish requirements account for outdoor and agricultural exposure, with material and coating selections that balance corrosion protection against cost.
Materials & Thickness Ranges
Common material families include cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, and high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) grades. The right material balances formability, corrosion resistance, strength, and cost for each application. Exhaust-adjacent components often require high-temperature-capable materials or specialized coatings to maintain structural integrity under sustained thermal load.
Joining, Finishing, & Assembly Options
Spot welding and MIG welding are selected based on joint requirements, production volume, and component geometry. Plating, black oxide, and high-temperature painting and powder coating are specified based on operating environment, cosmetic requirements, and cost. Assembly options include welded subassemblies, kitted component sets, and custom packaging configured for direct delivery to your assembly line.
Start a Conversation With Our Engineering Team
Sourcing a zero-turn mower muffler, exhaust system, stamped assembly, or finished subcomponent for a new or existing ride-on platform? Whether you are qualifying a new Tier 1 supplier, exploring cost-down opportunities on an existing program, or transitioning production from another source, CS Cosmos STIHL brings more than 50 years of application expertise, 9M+ annual unit manufacturing capacity, and ISO-aligned quality systems to support your program from initial concept through full production.