Upgrade my Z122R?

dragoneggs · May 13, 2019

I have a 42in deck with mulching kit and I love it but...

I have about an acre to mow or a little more as I do my aging neighbor's yard too. It gets into tight spaces and I really don't need a wider cut. That said, it does not do as good on the steep terrain I have. Sidehill mowing is a bit hairy especially when wet. There are a few spots where my front wheels come off the ground trying to get to another patch.

I know I can add some weight to the front but don't think that will help much with sidehill mowing. Unfortunately my plot is such that is much more efficient to mow across rather than up and down.

My tranny also seems to whine a lot... I don't know if it is getting worse or it is just bothering more. Wondering if it is under powered for my hilly property? I have had this for several years, low hours and in great shape so a trade in or sell/buy shouldn't be too painful.

Anyone have any suggestions for an upgrade without going wider on my cut. 48in might be okay but I do get into a few 'scalp' spots especially on my neighbor's plot. I guess what I am wondering is whether if there is a better Z turn option or do I need to go 4WD? If you think 4WD, then what small, good quality dedicated mowers should I look at. I already have a BX with BH and I don't want a belly deck for it.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 14, 2019

dragoneggs said:
I have a 42in deck with mulching kit and I love it but...

I have about an acre to mow or a little more as I do my aging neighbor's yard too. It gets into tight spaces and I really don't need a wider cut. That said, it does not do as good on the steep terrain I have. Sidehill mowing is a bit hairy especially when wet. There are a few spots where my front wheels come off the ground trying to get to another patch.

I know I can add some weight to the front but don't think that will help much with sidehill mowing. Unfortunately my plot is such that is much more efficient to mow across rather than up and down.

My tranny also seems to whine a lot... I don't know if it is getting worse or it is just bothering more. Wondering if it is under powered for my hilly property? I have had this for several years, low hours and in great shape so a trade in or sell/buy shouldn't be too painful.

Anyone have any suggestions for an upgrade without going wider on my cut. 48in might be okay but I do get into a few 'scalp' spots especially on my neighbor's plot. I guess what I am wondering is whether if there is a better Z turn option or do I need to go 4WD? If you think 4WD, then what small, good quality dedicated mowers should I look at. I already have a BX with BH and I don't want a belly deck for it.

You know I'm going to tell you a Kubota F2690 with 4wd, don't you?

:laughing:

:cool2::drink:

dragoneggs · May 14, 2019

Ha ha... there goes $15k

JOHNTHOMAS · May 14, 2019

dragoneggs said:
Ha ha... there goes $15k

It's just money earned to spend to support family, make life safer and more enjoyable and help others. Yep, F2690 4wd for you!!!!!

timswi · May 17, 2019

I have a Z724..I think the smallest model is a 48"..Mine's 54. It does surprisingly well on steep slopes as long as it's not wet, up/down and or across. Very stable and low COG. All 2wd Z's have issues with wet grass on hills..Wonder when Kubota is going to put 4 wheel steering on these like Cub has done..We have one of those at the gun club and it really holds hills well.

dragoneggs · May 18, 2019

timswi said:
I have a Z724..I think the smallest model is a 48"..Mine's 54. It does surprisingly well on steep slopes as long as it's not wet, up/down and or across. Very stable and low COG. All 2wd Z's have issues with wet grass on hills..Wonder when Kubota is going to put 4 wheel steering on these like Cub has done..We have one of those at the gun club and it really holds hills well.

Yeah I will be watching for that. As turn that handles steep slopes. Gotta have that minimum turn radius.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 18, 2019

timswi said:
I have a Z724..I think the smallest model is a 48"..Mine's 54. It does surprisingly well on steep slopes as long as it's not wet, up/down and or across. Very stable and low COG. All 2wd Z's have issues with wet grass on hills..Wonder when Kubota is going to put 4 wheel steering on these like Cub has done..We have one of those at the gun club and it really holds hills well.

I traded my BX2370 yesterday for a Z724X (Also still have the F2690 4WD for steep and open land mowing) and took it out for its firsts test drive. Got it stuck on a fairly steep cross hill in a drain depression/rut/10" ditch because it was wet. Brother had to pull me out with the BX2370 I sold him last week

. Any way the Z was doing better on the hillsides than I thought it would and pretty impressed with hill side stability. It wasn't cutting the grass very well at all and had Barlows install new mulching kit which includes new blades before I picked it up. Really disappointed with cut. Brought it back over to my house and went to internet, haven't got owners manual yet. Looked up deck cutting instructions and found that there is a lock up lever hidden down beside seat that locks the deck up off the ground. Unlocked the deck and all of a sudden my new to me (Used with 99.5 hours and 2 year extended warranty purchased by previous owner and still months left on the original warranty) Z was cutting like a new mower should.
I drove it down some fairly steep hills and across some of them and it stuck like glue. I had previously owned a Z121/122? and a ZD326 and liked them but decided the F was better and enough since I also had the F at the same time as the Zs. My wife and grandson who have taken over most of my mowing said they hated the ride on the BX being to rough so opportunity knocked and I took advantage of it. I believe the ride/drive of the F made them hate the BX which would beat one to death on my rough yard. This Z has a suspension seat with arm rests and rides comfortable as a mower can ride. The real test came when my grandson came home and tried it and had to go back out in near 90 degrees day and try it again. He plans to finish mowing job today and he gives it a total thumbs up. He may want to kick the new F2690 to the curb when it arrives and mow with the Z724X. I can and will assist with either one and believe my wife will also but she hasn't tried the new Z yet.
Had looked for any owners and input for the Z724X and found none so glad to see another one whom seems satisfied. A go to guy if I have questions in the future.
Dragoneggs, get that F!!!!!