I posted this in the lawn and garden but only received 2 responses so I'm trying here. I probably should have posted here first since it is about buying. I'm looking to buy a Z this month because of the rebates. I'm can't make up my mind between the two. I will be cutting 3.5 ac every week and 5 every other week. All flat land. The price difference is around $1100 and from reading Kubota's website the only difference I see is the hp. I also looked on Kubota's site to find fuel consumption comparisons but couldn't find anything. I hate to spend an extra $1100 for just more hp but I don't want to regret no getting it if I have to have it for the amount of yard that I'm mowing. Any opinions?
I faced a decision much the same last year when it came time to replace the mower. I have just around 4 acres to cut and for the most part flat. I went to my favorite tractor dealer and asked him what I needed. My dealer is as honest as the day is long and he has always steered me in the right direction. He has a way of selling me what I need and not what I want or think I want.
I started off talking about a 331 with a 72 inch deck (you know, that Tim the Tool Man Taylor more power thing us men have). Well, thanks to him I discovered that most landscaping is set on 60" spacing, just for the purpose of grass cutting. He goes on to tell me that if I ever wanted to sell it, it would be much easier to sell a 60" deck over a 72" deck. Also, the 60" deck will fit on most trailers, most notable low trailer decks with wheels above the loading deck and also squeeze in through gate openings.
Now I'm down to a 60" deck and I started looking at the ZD326. He told me you don't need the 326 with a 60" deck unless you plan on collecting the cuttings, then the additional horse power is needed. I wasn't going to collect and if I did I still could. Remember, the ZD's are commercial quality design for all day every day use.
I was reluctant so he had a ZD323 with a 60" deck sent out to my property to try, if I didn't think it was enough machine he would drop of the ZD326 for me to try.
The only thing he collected from me was a signature for the ZD323 purchase.
This machine has ample power, in fact, I don't even run full throttle when cutting, I just don't need the power and ground speed is more than I need. I use about quart, quart and a half of diesel and burn up less that two hours of time to cut.
I do not remember the price difference between the 323 and the 326 but I remember around $1k difference. I paid $11,900 OTD (6% sales tax) for the ZD323 last July.
The only addition I added were industrial tires which I use in the spring because we get a lot of standing water. You should see the ZD323 mow through tall wet grass, the engine doesn't even load down.
My advise, try a 323 and save fuel and initial costs.