Dealer dropped off a 997 until they get our deck fixed!

[labsrus]

I got home today to see a 997 diesel zero turn in our driveway. They where suppose to drop off a 4420 to replace our 2720s ( brackets are bent to the 62D) until it got fixed but that didn't happen.
After trying a Ferris and a Exmark, my wife and I honestly decided there would be no way that we would ever have a zero turn mower, so I was not too happy. Well, this might change my mind - I did not have a chance to mow with it since it was raining but I started it up and was amazed at how quiet the diesel is!! IMO, it is twice as quiet as the other two we tried. Then I had to run it out across the yard ( very quickly ) and again was amazed on how it rode compared to the 2 others we had - I know I really can't compare it with the other too since I honestly just took it through the yard quick but I honestly feel that it rides almost twice as nice.
I just had to put a thread on here about it because I am sort of excited about trying it out - especially after I really did not want too ever, mow with another zero turn again.

 

[art]

They must be doing something different with that chassis over the 700 series. I'm running a 737 right now and it rides rougher then the Tank, Ferris, or Kubota that I've mowed my lawn with this year.
The noise level I won't get into to deep but the Kubota was noticably quieter(per neighbors) but the others I feel are about equal. Still trying to chase a rattle out of it but it is only when traveling and it is tinny like the rear guard around the engine.

 

[jenkinsph]

Well enjoy the demo 997, it should do a great job of mowing compared to a 2520 with MMM. I think your dealer wanted you to experience what a real lawnmower can do. For $17,000 it out to be good.

Hope Deere resolves all of these deck problems with the 2000 series, seems to be a lot of complaints lately. Hope you can get your 2520 fixed up right.


Steve

 

[LBrown59]

Well enjoy the demo 997, it should do a great job of mowing compared to a 2520 with MMM. I think your dealer wanted you to experience what a real lawnmower can do. For $17,000 it out to be good.

Hope Deere resolves all of these deck problems with the 2000 series, seems to be a lot of complaints lately. Hope you can get your 2520 fixed up right.


Steve

Not just lately .
It's been going on a good while i thought.

 

[turbo36]

Not just lately .
It's been going on a good while i thought.

What would we do without all these helpfull comments?

 

[Ramairfreak98ss]

sounds nice. The 997 does ride nicer than the smaller models... but what ferris model did you try? We have several and a newer suspension "IS" models they all sell from the 1500/2000/3100/4500/5100z will flat out ride a whole world nicer than any machine deere sells, mainly because theyre still fixed frames like every other brand. My 3100z is a big machine like the 997 almost, but still gas. A 4500/5100 ferris is comperable to the deere 997, same price range too.

I agree though, zero turns are bump and take a while to get the hang of until you can hod rod around lawns like a pro. For ANY homeowner looking for their own, i wouldnt consider anything without a suspension, Ferris, Badboy brands are the only ones i know of.

Dont get me wrong its a nice machine, but comfort wise i dont think its much better than most everything else its size out there.

Im sure it was fun though, 11.5mph mowing speeds are no joke huh

 

[TripleR]

Not just lately .
It's been going on a good while i thought.

Agreed, I have a two year old 2000 series and as soon as the mowing season is over, it goes back to the dealer AGAIN.

My wife and I are now looking at 4WD front deck models due to the steep inclines on our properties.

 

[hpc]

We have a 3520 and were using the 72" MMM to cut the back area with - it's
always damp to wet except for a couple of weeks in August.

For main cutting chores, we were using a Grasshopper 928 (front-mount, 61" deck)
which had the plushest ride of any ZTR we've used.

Traded in the Grasshopper for a 997. The 997's ride is more bumpy as expected;
but the fit&finish is a big step up from the Grasshopper. We have some very steep
areas to cut, walk-out basement, and drainage area along the road. The
area by the big tile out front is pretty scary - you are cutting going uphill with
a sharp turn to the left...big pucker factor when mowing over that one area.

The 997 has never slid and is quite stable. As long as you don't try to power/hot rod
your way up, it won't leave any ruts.

The 997 is one helluva of grass cuttin' machine. Plenty of power and torque.
Buy the rear bumper, though. It's cheap insurance.

Enjoy.

 

[labsrus]

Ramairfreak- I will have to check which model we tried out and I am also unsure of the model of the ExMark. After trying the 997 and really liking the ride, I would take a guess they did not bring us a Ferris with the suspension system. I guess I may have to go back and check the models out you have talked about.

hpc - The 997 never slid on me once, which I was surprised about. I even mowed on with the grass having a light dew on. Overall my mind changed about zero turns with the 997. I mowed for about 4 hours straight and my body was not telling me to quit. It did have the rear bumper on, which I could tell it would need.
I know the 2720 we got is awesome besides the problems we are having with the 62D, the 425 we have has been flawless and a great garden tractor but I am here wondering - do people sometimes have all 3 types of mowers to do there mowing??!!!
The dealer called and said they replaced every mount and arm on our 2720, so I guess we will try the 62D out again - so the 997 will be going tomorrow.

 

[ctlguy]

They must be doing something different with that chassis over the 700 series. I'm running a 737 right now and it rides rougher then the Tank, Ferris, or Kubota that I've mowed my lawn with this year.
The noise level I won't get into to deep but the Kubota was noticably quieter(per neighbors) but the others I feel are about equal. Still trying to chase a rattle out of it but it is only when traveling and it is tinny like the rear guard around the engine.

There is a suspension upgrade that can be installed on the Deere z-traks. I rode on one last weak I believe it give 3-4" of travel with a weight/spring adjustment. It made a WORLD of difference.