ZD1211 or F2690

[Ck27]

Cut quality on my f is very good as long as the blades are sharp even on the bumps.

 

[ironpen]

I am strongly considering a new F series. I was looking hard at the F3990 until I read all the posts about the DPF causing problems. I know those are also very expensive to replace when the time comes (at least on New Hollands). Is the 2690 strong enough that it doesn't bog down? I now use a New Holland MC35 which has been a very good mower....but it has 35hp. It's getting a little long in the tooth and while the engine, steering, etc is still fine, the deck has been causing down time for repairs. Is the 25.5 hp enough for you guys? I cut 10 or 12 acres per week with it and there are a few spots (ditches) that require power to go in and out of, but 95% plus is flat. One of the things I like the least about the mc35 are the rear wheels on the deck. They do not turn at all and eat up the little 5 inch wheels especially if you leave the deck down when you turn. I am unable to visualize what the mechanism on the F series rear deck wheels are like. Do they rotate?? The MC has a 72 inch rear discharge deck. Will the 2690 turn that ok? Most of the ones I have seen advertised are 60 inch and I definitely do not want that. Unfortunately, there are none that I can locate to go look at. I would appreciate your thoughts on the power, the rear deck wheels, and if the 72 inch deck will overload it. Am I wrong the avoid the 3990 because of the DPF filter? One other question...I want a canopy and is there any way to install running lights on a canopy on these mowers? TIA

 

[ironpen]

ok, couple of more things. After looking at Messick's website...there don't appear to be rear wheels on the deck, just anti scalp rollers. How do you adjust the height of the rear of the deck?? Are there grease fittings on the spindles and if so are they easily accessible without taking the spindle covers off? Are there grease fittings on the axles of the front wheels and their rotating mechanism above the wheel? What is the small skinny lever to the right of the steering column? Thanks again.

 

[Ck27]

ok, couple of more things. After looking at Messick's website...there don't appear to be rear wheels on the deck, just anti scalp rollers. How do you adjust the height of the rear of the deck?? Are there grease fittings on the spindles and if so are they easily accessible without taking the spindle covers off? Are there grease fittings on the axles of the front wheels and their rotating mechanism above the wheel? What is the small skinny lever to the right of the steering column? Thanks again.

I'll try an answer a few of your questions.

The turning on an f series mower is very easy with the deck down , no issues at all as the front wheels turn with the mower.

The rear wheels on the deck are adjusted by removing the pin that hold them in and inserting them into different holes. The deck height is adjusted by installing spacers either on top or below the front wheels. Just pull a pin and remove the wheels and install spacers from the stack on the top or the bottom depending if you want the deck higher or lower. The rear lifting points on the deck also need to be adjusted when changing the deck height. You just pull a pin and insert it into a higher or lower hole. It's not super fast the change the deck height but it only takes a min.

The skinky lever on the right side of the steering column is the parking brake lever.

Greasing the deck is easy. There's 3 holes in the belt covers that are over top of each spindle grease zurk. The front wheels have grease fittings on the bearings and the pivots.

All the other grease zurks on my f3060 are accessible without too much trouble, the drive shaft zurks are not accessible unless I lay underneath but thats no biggie.

I can't speak to wether the engine has enough power or not cause I have a 30 hp in mine and being that it's also a 4 cylinder it's got lots of power. I'm sure the 25 hp engine would be fine.

Other then that I will say that my f3060 is an amazing machine. It's got a smooth ride over the bumps , sips fuel, is easy to service and more importantly it's a mowing beast. I love mine and would buy it all over again.

I can cut many acres an hour and mow at least 6 acres a week and it does the job easily. In fact it's so fast and does such a good job my yard seems small.

 

[jcummins]

There are no rear wheels to the deck except the anti-scalp. The rear of the deck is held at the correct height by attachment to the F. The F just pushes the deck around on those front two wheels. It works quite well.

I mow 4+ acres. Going from the ZD to the F, it cut a full hour off my mowing time. I have a mix of open areas, and fair amount with several trees. I have another acre or so that I mow every 3rd time or so, one of which includes a fair size pond dam.

With the ZD 26hp...some taller stuff I had to slow down more than I do with the F3690. So, think the F2690 will be very good on normal yard, in the taller stuff, you'll have to slow down.

 

[Pete6114]

I opted for the 2690 over the F3990. The dealer told me he wont sell the 3990 till all the issues are fixed. That was mid 2015.

 

[Sigarms]

My .02

The F beats most zero turn mowers in every aspect unless you have a lot of tight areas to mow (open area, the F is a handsdown winner).

I have about 55 trees in front of the house (added some have low hanging branches), and what I find doing is using my older zero turn around the trees and then use the F out in the open.

I was going to sell that old zero turn after I picked up the F, but since I have a boy who likes to mow, added the tighter areas around the house, glad I didn't.

 

[ironpen]

Pete6114.....any issues with the amount of available power?? Do you a 72 inch deck or a 60 incher? I will never own a zero turn mower...too much work for me to keep it straight! My mc35 New Holland is the same concept as the F series. Back engine, front deck, steering wheel and no levers.

 

[kuboman]

Pete6114.....any issues with the amount of available power?? Do you a 72 inch deck or a 60 incher? I will never own a zero turn mower...too much work for me to keep it straight! My mc35 New Holland is the same concept as the F series. Back engine, front deck, steering wheel and no levers.

I have the 2680 with 72" deck. I have no complaints on the power. Normal cutting barely makes it work.

 

[ironpen]

Does the 2680 have the same 25.5 hp engine as the 2690?