jd z997 vs kubota zd331
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psdx
Gold Member
I've got a ZD331 and it's been awesome but John Deere makes great equipment also. I don't think you can disqualify either one based on specs or reliability. Other brands maybe, but these are both great machines. I think you'll find it comes down to a personal preference after you drive them.
i have a bx2360 that i was going to trade in for the zd331 to kubota
i really have no use for it anymore. not even a year old yet
john deere doesnt want it. havnt had any luck trying to sell it
but john deere wants my z930a and giving good trade in value
i wanted to upgrade to diesel which is my main reason for changing
i really have no use for it anymore. not even a year old yet
john deere doesnt want it. havnt had any luck trying to sell it
but john deere wants my z930a and giving good trade in value
i wanted to upgrade to diesel which is my main reason for changing
psdx
Gold Member
shanemsb said:
The rest of the story on this is that the owners that had machines running hot failed to clear the dry grass and other debris from the screen in front of the radiator. This quick step, coupled with watching the temperature gauge will eliminate any problem. This is covered in the operator's manual.
newt92
Gold Member
At one time, I ran a ZD25 and ZD28 in my business. Several times I had to stop and let the 28 cool down. The radiator screen builds up and just overheats the engine. I mean from one yard to the next I had that problems thru the hot summer. Now since May of 2009, I have been running a 997. I have never had to blow the screens out more than once a week. Other than a pulley bearing at around 400hrs (covered under warranty) I have had zero problems with my 997. Now it has 1400 hrs and going as strong as hour 1!!
Only thing I hate on the 997 is the deck lift. Its a push button electric lift, you push the button with your right foot and the deck lifts and rotate a knob to set cut height setting, then release button and deck drops to that setting. If mowing and you want to raise up over a tree root or whatever, you push the button and the deck comes up as long as the button is pushed, release and the deck drops fast. You cant just raise a little bit and hold, its either all the way up or down. The Kubotas use hydraulics to raise and lower with a hand lever. You can raise or lower how ever as much as you want. I miss that.
The 997s have big ole fat butts on them. Huge hood back behind you that are expensive to replace if you need too, you just dont have good vision right behind in close quarters. Kubotas are more stream lined in their design. The 997s seem to be heavier too. You just have to sit and run both and see which one you like better, and investigate the dealers too!
Only thing I hate on the 997 is the deck lift. Its a push button electric lift, you push the button with your right foot and the deck lifts and rotate a knob to set cut height setting, then release button and deck drops to that setting. If mowing and you want to raise up over a tree root or whatever, you push the button and the deck comes up as long as the button is pushed, release and the deck drops fast. You cant just raise a little bit and hold, its either all the way up or down. The Kubotas use hydraulics to raise and lower with a hand lever. You can raise or lower how ever as much as you want. I miss that.
The 997s have big ole fat butts on them. Huge hood back behind you that are expensive to replace if you need too, you just dont have good vision right behind in close quarters. Kubotas are more stream lined in their design. The 997s seem to be heavier too. You just have to sit and run both and see which one you like better, and investigate the dealers too!
art
Super Member
The ZD is a diesel!
newt92
Gold Member
Here are my opinions and experience with gas vs diesel..
I had a ZD21 (3cyl diesel) w/ 60" deck, it was equal on hp to a 25-27hp gas w/ 60" deck
The diesel was much much more fuel efficient than a carborated 2cyl gas engine.
A fuel injected gas engine will be close to as efficient as a diesel.
A 997 has a 31 hp 3cyl diesel, so you would need around a 35-37 hp gasser to be equal useable power, but the gasser will be not as efficient.
Diesel powered machine will cost more at purchase, fuel filters will cost more, and the engine will last far longer than a gas machine. Now, is the added costs worth the extra fuel saved?? Thats for you to think about. If your commercially mowing, I would go diesel, but homeowner, might want to stick with a gasser..
Are you looking for a 60" or 72" mower deck?
I really don't think you need that industrial of a mower. I don't want to try and talk you out of it, but that's a lot of mower for a homeowner. I have a Deere 345 that I mow the lawn with, 12 years old and has about 750 hours. Our mowing season is short. As much as I would love the 997 it make no economical sense for me to pay $14k on a mower that will not drastically shorten my mow time and is much more expensive than a similar gas model that would go way longer than needed for a homeowner such as myself. If you really require diesel, go for it. But you don't need it and it will cost much more to own as a homeowner than a gas. Theres a big difference from me who cuts my lawn every week - week and a half in the summer to a lawn pro who cuts 25 acres a day. I'd really suggest taking a closer look at the gas models before you buy.
And Kubota Fan, the 7 iron deck is one of the best in the industry, if not the best. Really no deck compares. But you can still get the 7 iron in a gas ZTR.
And Kubota Fan, the 7 iron deck is one of the best in the industry, if not the best. Really no deck compares. But you can still get the 7 iron in a gas ZTR.
i was considering the x749 also. what do you think. duznt have 7 iron deck and only 8.5 mph. dealer suggested x749
i have more cutting time during the year, i am having to cut grass now in february, cut a couple times in january. its ridiculous. too early to b cutting
i have more cutting time during the year, i am having to cut grass now in february, cut a couple times in january. its ridiculous. too early to b cutting
I would keep your BX, then no need for the 749, and get a gas ZTR with a 60" deck. Something like the Deere Z920A with a 60" 7 iron deck or comparable. It is still a commercial duty mower but list is only $11.5. Which is still a lot in my book. If your the type that has to have the greenest, nicest lawn in the neighborhood, I'd get something like the Z920A. If you just need to cut the lawn they make homeowner versions that will do the same thing, a little slower but will look and work just fine. Don't get to caught up in speed. Top speed doesn't matter as much as average speed. If you have a lot of trees that you can only go 3MPH around anyway, what will it matter to have the extra top speed. A lot of turning and such slows you down a lot as well. Unless you drive these every day as lawn pros do, you don't get the full use of the top speed.
I would look into the Bad Boy mowers (Bad Boy Mowers) Really sweet machines. If I were getting a ZTR, it would more than likely be a Bad Boy. Only wish it had Deere's 7 iron, but besides that, I like everything on the Bad Boy better, especially the price. A 'compact' CAT diesel with 61" deck starts at only $11.5. Have a lot of nice features like an air ride suspension and seat. Make a lot more sense when comparing dollars and sense. And up to 15MPH. Along with the diesels, I'd take a good look at the Outlaws, which are gas but very good quality. A buddy of a buddy sells them and has been trying to convince me forever. Next mower (be a while) will likely be a ZTR and more than likely a Bad Boy. The price is just so much better, and they have a lot of better features.
newt92
Gold Member
The Kubotas I had cut very well!! I loved the machines, my issue was with the dealer. Had my 28 for a month and a half waiting on parts and doing the job, and when I got it back still wasnt fixed. As a commercial cutter, thats not good!
The top speed of the mower dont mean crap to me. Dixie Choppers run 15mph? Who cares. My deeres run like 12, but I only mow around 6 avg. Ground conditions tell how fast you run.
newt92
Gold Member
Stick with a gasser. You dont want a 997 with 60" deck anyway. To big and clumsy of a machine for a 60" deck.
psdx
Gold Member
Martian said:
Anyone know the depth of the deck, and if it's fabricated or stamped?