Kubota ZD 1511-72 Fuel Economy

[rustyshakelford]

Sunnyside;

I’ve recently started looking at the ZD 1211-72 and ZD 1511-72 as an upgrade from my present John Deere Z820 with 60” deck. With a full summer of mowing, under your belt, are you still happy with your ZD 1511-72?

My goals are to eliminate gasoline powered equipment, as much as possible, because we have few sources of non-ethanol contaminated gasoline here. I have a 300 gallon diesel tank but, buy gasoline as I need it in 5 gallon containers and using about 25 gallon per month for the John Deere ZT and Polaris Ranger.

I also want a 72” deck to reduce mowing time. I keep about 9 acres mowed around our ranch house and probably another 10-12 acres around our out buildings.

I’m also very inclined towards rear discharge, over side discharge. On windy days I get filthy with present side discharge pretty quickly. I know that even rear discharge won’t be like mowing in my two cab tractors but, it has to be an improvement. Did you get side or rear discharge?

I’ve been really happy with my John Deere but, JD doesn’t offer rear discharge on the diesel ZT with 72” deck. They do have rear discharge on their 60” deck model only.

I’ve looked at the ZD 1211, at local Kubota Dealer but haven’t found a ZD 1511 to look at yet. Going to call a couple other dealers today to see if they have one?

I couldn't see the point in spending 20k on a mower when the benefits over the 1211 were not very big. 1211 has handled everything I have thrown at it including heavy grass I'd usually use the mx8 or 15 on.

Definitely get 72" RD deck. ONLY Way to go.
No dust. No clippings or rocks slung on driveway or roads.
John Thomas will be along shortly I'm sure lol

I love my ZD1211-72RD
You stay clean as a pin & your NOT waiting on grass clippings to be processed in tall, thick or damp grass.
FINE MACHINE !!!

I'm SOLD on PTO Shaft Powered Trans & Deck.

We have the same mower except for the 60" deck. I'm completely sold on the RD. I'm staying clean, and the cut and clippings are great. Really mulches it up fine. Can't believe they don't push these harder

Brett

 

[Brown Dog]

With the RD deck, you'll need to keep the Radiator & transmission blew off every 4-6hrs.
My High Temp alarm (horn) has sounded several times before I got in habit to watch temp gauge.
I use my Stihl BR600 back pack blower & never any water.

 

[Brown Dog]

... I'm completely sold on the RD. I'm staying clean, and the cut and clippings are great. Really mulches it up fine. Can't believe they don't push these harder ...

ALL Dealers Push Side Discharge because that's what they keep in stock & most people don't know the difference.

A few dealers tried their best to talk me out of a RD.
I've mowed with RD mowers behind my JD for 18+ years & wouldn't dare change to SD.
My father in law wished he'd bought a 72" RD instead of his ZD1211 60" side shooter.

Everybody's application is different though I know. That's why I'm glad Kubota now offers RD in 72" decks on the Zero mowers.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

ALL Dealers Push Side Discharge because that's what they keep in stock & most people don't know the difference.

We push side discharge decks because they preform better in a wider range of conditions. Glad your happy with rear, thats great, but your are giving up some performance in that design.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Drove 90 miles, one way, this morning to nearest Kubota Dealer with a ZD1511 available to see. I test drove both ZD1511 and ZD1211. I was impressed with both but, really pleased with the size, legroom, and air-ride seat on the ZD1511.

None of my local Kubota dealers stock any variety of the ZD1511 and the only ZD1211, I saw locally, was up on a rack in shipping frame. I’ll get a price bid from locals but, they’re going to have to really sharpen their pencil to get an order.

 

[Brown Dog]

I thought the floorboard & legroom were identical on both machines with the 1511 longer out back for the DPF

 

[Brown Dog]

We push side discharge decks because they preform better in a wider range of conditions. Glad your happy with rear, thats great, but your are giving up some performance in that design.

Performance as in cut ?

I'm Not disputing or trying to argue at all :

The ONLY drawback with RD Deck, I've found - is the radiator stops up more often while cutting Really DRY grass :-(

The cut is Just as Slick as my father in laws ZD1211 side discharge IMHO.

 

[lostcreekranch]

We push side discharge decks because they preform better in a wider range of conditions. Glad your happy with rear, thats great, but your are giving up some performance in that design.

I’m in the market for a new, bigger, ZT so would appreciate more on your opinion of reduced performance with rear discharge? Are you the gentleman that produces the very excellent Kubota videos?

My issue with my JD Z820A, 60”, side discharge is getting filthy dirty while mowing.

Please elaborate to help me make my final decision.

Thanks!

 

[sunnyside360]

The ONLY drawback with RD Deck, I've found - is the radiator stops up more often while cutting Really DRY grass :-(

Very little debris ever collects in the screen of my ZD 1511-72 SD.

Had a JD X485 with mmm several years ago -- worst machine I ever had for plugging radiator screen. Had to clean at times before I was done mowing, and it overheated a number of times. Had to keep one eye on the heat gauge and one on deck when mowing. Other than that it was a great little tractor.

 

[Ranger1969]

I’m in the market for a new, bigger, ZT so would appreciate more on your opinion of reduced performance with rear discharge? Are you the gentleman that produces the very excellent Kubota videos?

My issue with my JD Z820A, 60”, side discharge is getting filthy dirty while mowing.

Please elaborate to help me make my final decision.

Thanks!

Rick,

I have 43 hours on a new 1211-72SD I bought at the beginning of the season this year. I traded in a ZD28 with over 700 hours on it. That was a 2005ish model and it had about 31HP. The 1211 has about 26 HP and I am glad to report it has more cutting power than the old ZD28. In my opinion the 1211 has plenty of power to cut anything you throw at it until the grass is so high you should be running a brush hog. In my area the 1211 was selling for $15,000 and the 1511 $20,000 for the same size cut (72in).

I will say that if the grass is blowing a certain direction I will get coated with grass clippings. I have never tried the RD but in windy conditions it could be a nice feature.