Ecstatic with the purchase - ZD326H 72" deck

[PsRumors]

I wanted a ZTR for my 5.5 acres and dad's 8. I read and read and almost let reviews and people talk me out of a 72" deck and diesel but that was what I wanted. After several demos I purchased a left over ZD326H a month ago. This evening I got the mower up to dad's and cut his pasture. Was a little concerned about power, the brochures for the mower say 26hp but based on cross referencing the sticker on the engine it has 24.5hp and 70lbft of torque.

The mower did awesome. As you can see the grass was a little over grown but it had plenty of power to get the job done in one pass with a 4" blade height. Now I wont try to claim I was able to run full stick but I didn't have to creep either.

The only complaint I can even come up with is the tires. I came home and ordered a set of R4 type tires and if that isn't enough I will fill them with water. The stock tires just slide and spin to easily.

And with 9.7 hours it only took 8.2 gallons to fill it back up.

 

[xring100]

How much did you mow that was that tall? If most of the 9.7 hours was that deep id say your doing pretty good for fuel. With that much area to cover id say the 72" was a good call. Most gas engines would have probably burned closer to 15 gallons although I'm not sure about the FI models. The 22hp Briggs in my turd cadet burned ~1.25 gallons per hour. Personally i would have mowed that deep stuff with a brush hog. I now see why kubota uses the single double v belt to power the side spindles.

 

[PsRumors]

Mowed roughly 6 acres that tall, took less than two hours, the other 7.7 hours was spent cutting a more reasonable height of grass.

 

[ProjectKing]

I wanted a ZTR for my 5.5 acres and dad's 8. I read and read and almost let reviews and people talk me out of a 72" deck and diesel but that was what I wanted. After several demos I purchased a left over ZD326H a month ago. This evening I got the mower up to dad's and cut his pasture. Was a little concerned about power, the brochures for the mower say 26hp but based on cross referencing the sticker on the engine it has 24.5hp and 70lbft of torque. The mower did awesome. As you can see the grass was a little over grown but it had plenty of power to get the job done in one pass with a 4" blade height. Now I wont try to claim I was able to run full stick but I didn't have to creep either. The only complaint I can even come up with is the tires. I came home and ordered a set of R4 type tires and if that isn't enough I will fill them with water. The stock tires just slide and spin to easily. And with 9.7 hours it only took 8.2 gallons to fill it back up. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=462942"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=462940"/>

Looking good! I have a ZD326. It's a power house. I'm very curious about the r4 tires. Can you post pic of them when you install?! (0:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

R4s have less rubber on the ground than turfs but are better in mud. Also sidewalls are a bit stronger for R4s than turfs which is why I get R4s for tractors with FELs. I had a F2680e 2wd that I used on mostly level ground that came with turfs. I sold the F2680e and bought a F3080 4wd with turfs. Later sold and older F3080 with turfs and bought the F2680e back. The in between owner apparently wanted the 2wd F2680e to go where a 4wd would go and changed turfs to R4s. Didn't work so he traded the F back to Barlows. I hated the rougher ride of the R4s especially on the pavement when moving the machine and doubt they had as good traction as the turfs which have more rubber on the ground.
I now have two Zs and a Z on slick grass and especially going down hill or even uphill on high slick grass is going to be slippery. I slide uncontrollably down hills on my small Z, nature of the beast. The more I pull back on the lever to get it to stop the faster it goes.
Be interested in a side by side comparison on the same elevation and high grass as to handling between the two type tires for you.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Most mowers that don't have turfs have a bar lug type of tire but not true R4s. I am curious as to where you can find an R4 for your mower. I might get some for my Ferris if they are available at a reasonable price. I got some R1 tires for my light duty Craftsman ZTR and they do great in the mud but don't seem to have much more traction in the dry grass but they will dig a big hole or trench if you aren't careful when turning especially if trying to hold it straight on a slope. I got the bar lug tires from a golf cart supply place, the tires for the craftsman are the same as golf cart tires.

 

[ProjectKing]

Most mowers that don't have turfs have a bar lug type of tire but not true R4s. I am curious as to where you can find an R4 for your mower. I might get some for my Ferris if they are available at a reasonable price. I got some R1 tires for my light duty Craftsman ZTR and they do great in the mud but don't seem to have much more traction in the dry grass but they will dig a big hole or trench if you aren't careful when turning especially if trying to hold it straight on a slope. I got the bar lug tires from a golf cart supply place, the tires for the craftsman are the same as golf cart tires.

I'm pretty sure rear BX R4 tires fit ZD 326. I think ride would be much harder since R4 is heavy duty. Also they may also tear the heck out of the grass when turning. I'm looking forward to report from OP.

 

[Monster5601]

The only complaint I can even come up with is the tires. I came home and ordered a set of R4 type tires and if that isn't enough I will fill them with water. The stock tires just slide and spin to easily.

I have a ZD323 with a 60 inch deck cutting four acres, mostly field grass and in low areas where water easily ponds. The ZD just cuts right through the tall grass without issue but in the soft soil the turf tires became slicks. I install R4's and never got stuck again.

Looking good! I have a ZD326. It's a power house. I'm very curious about the r4 tires. Can you post pic of them when you install?! (0:

Here is a ZD323 60 inch with R4's

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm pretty sure rear BX R4 tires fit ZD 326. I think ride would be much harder since R4 is heavy duty. Also they may also tear the heck out of the grass when turning. I'm looking forward to report from OP.

Me to.

 

[ProjectKing]

I have a ZD323 with a 60 inch deck cutting four acres, mostly field grass and in low areas where water easily ponds. The ZD just cuts right through the tall grass without issue but in the soft soil the turf tires became slicks. I install R4's and never got stuck again. Here is a ZD323 60 inch with R4's <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=466932"/>

Man that's awesome! Aren't those R1's? I thought R4 was industrial tread.

Does the cleats tear the grass up when turning? I really love the look of the tires on the ZD!