Kubota ZD 1511-72 Fuel Economy

[rustyshakelford]

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.

My dealer told me the same thing based on two they sold in the past and that it doesn't cut everything. It has nothing to do with the deck in my case the 1211 SD I tried cut worse than my RD in the same conditions. What fixed the poor cut was the keep the grass shorter and not let the Bahia stem out. Cutting once a week is producing an excellent cut and I stay clean with nothing in my face or clothes. Take the blower to the mower when I put it up and anytime I'm blowing the shop out and it's good as can be.

I know the specs say you loose some blade speed but in my experience the grass stays in the chamber longer and really mulches the clipping up very fine

Brett

 

[Brown Dog]

The 60" RD deck blade tip speed is Slower than the 72" RD deck BTS.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep, 17,300 fpm for 60” vs. 18,400 fpm for the 72”.

21”+ blades vs. 24”+ blades at same rpm.

 

[Brown Dog]

I'm in the market for a new, bigger, ZT so would appreciate more on your opinion of reduced performance with rear discharge .... Please elaborate to help me make my final decision ...

I guess Messick's didn't want to start a Dispute

Have you Purchased ZT yet ?

 

[lostcreekranch]

I guess Messick's didn't want to start a Dispute

Have you Purchased ZT yet ?

Yep, made a deal, now dealer working on getting ZD1511 with 72” rear discharge deck from Kubota Warehouse in Dallas. Told them I would not take one from another dealer stored for unknown time and conditions.

I may PM the guy at Messicks to find out what his statement is based on. Kind of CS to make a statement like that and not back it up with facts.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Anyone know if same blades are used on both ZD1211 and ZD1511 with 72” decks? Same blades for 72” side and 72” rear discharge?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep, made a deal, now dealer working on getting ZD1511 with 72” rear discharge deck from Kubota Warehouse in Dallas. Told them I would not take one from another dealer stored for unknown time and conditions.

I may PM the guy at Messicks to find out what his statement is based on. Kind of CS to make a statement like that and not back it up with facts.

Stopped by Kubota Dealer this morning to find out why they’ve been on “Radio Silence” since I agreed to their deal on the ZD1511 with 72” rear discharge. They now claim none in Dallas Warehouse and that Kubota would not be shipping any more ZD1511’s until 2018?

There are two in stock at Texas Dealers and I agreed to consider them if they tell me how long they’ve had them and where were they stored? Inside or outside?

These guys sure make it difficult to spend $20K?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Stopped by Kubota Dealer this morning to find out why they’ve been on “Radio Silence” since I agreed to their deal on the ZD1511 with 72” rear discharge. They now claim none in Dallas Warehouse and that Kubota would not be shipping any more ZD1511’s until 2018?

There are two in stock at Texas Dealers and I agreed to consider them if they tell me how long they’ve had them and where were they stored? Inside or outside?

These guys sure make it difficult to spend $20K?

I ordered my stuff for the same reason as you. Hate things sitting in the sun and people touching them. The ZD took a couple weeks to come in and the rtv took several months and came from Georgia. Good luck. Hopefully they were showroom models or still in the crate

Brett

 

[lostcreekranch]

I ordered my stuff for the same reason as you. Hate things sitting in the sun and people touching them. The ZD took a couple weeks to come in and the rtv took several months and came from Georgia. Good luck. Hopefully they were showroom models or still in the crate

Brett

Thanks Brett, we’re on same page on this. Are you still happy with your rear discharge? I’d rather have the ZD1511 but, may consider the ZD1211 again with 72” RD?

How does yours do in deep thick grass? Does rear discharge spread cutting fairly evenly?

Unless we have a very hard freeze, we really don’t have a start / finish to mowing season here. You’re a bit north of me so your mowing season may be shorter?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Thanks Brett, we’re on same page on this. Are you still happy with your rear discharge? I’d rather have the ZD1511 but, may consider the ZD1211 again with 72” RD?

How does yours do in deep thick grass? Does rear discharge spread cutting fairly evenly?

Unless we have a very hard freeze, we really don’t have a start / finish to mowing season here. You’re a bit north of me so your mowing season may be shorter?

Man I love the RD and won't buy a SD again. The extra time the grass spends in the chamber really mulches it up. I'm talking about tall grass too. The only thing it doesn't do well in is bahia but nothing really does. Once I get it under control and not headed out it flus thru it and looks great. Really happy with this purchase. Never thought I'd buy a 15k mower but zero regrets. You're still welcome to give it a try and see the RD in action. Wind direction doesn't matter as the grass doesn't get in you anymore

Brett