zero turn mowers EXPENSIVE

[Sawyer Rob]

All I will say is... Kubota makes the best z turn; it will be the only one you will ever buy.

Too bad that isn't true... It would make the decision a lot easier...

SR

 

[4570Man]

Too bad that isn't true... It would make the decision a lot easier...

SR

In the mid mount category it is. For a front mount it’s debatable.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would have little doubt that there are players in that business of commercial turf care that have a lot more experience than Kubota. Having said that, same could be said for Skidsteers and particularly tracked loaders, but Kubota seems to be taking that industry segment by storm.

 

[m7040]

Started with A Kubota ZD 28 and then moved up to a ZD 331. It is fast sturdy and built very stout. It can go fast through tall grass and still give a nice 72 inch cut. Sold the 15 ft woods batwing and now mowing only with the ZD. No change of implements and always ready

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've seen more than one guy on line that bought a mid mount Kubota and wasn't happy with it...

Around here, we have plenty of Kubota dealers, but I don't see all the landscapers rushing out to buy them! I do see them with Toro's and Grasshoppers though.

SR

 

[workinonit]

Nothing but green and stainless loaded on landscape trailers around here.

 

[Tinhack]

Started with A Kubota ZD 28 and then moved up to a ZD 331. It is fast sturdy and built very stout. It can go fast through tall grass and still give a nice 72 inch cut. Sold the 15 ft woods batwing and now mowing only with the ZD. No change of implements and always ready

Eeeeeew. I think I stepped in something. You went from a 15' cutter to a 6' cutter? :confused3:

 

[bnold]

Finishing my 2nd season with this. Lots of hills for me, a standard ZT would destroy my lawn.

Front tracking steering wheels was the ticket, still ZT . Tons of power, have an aluminum clamshell powered bagger.

Not like Cub Cadet residential

My only complaint is the mower is on the verge of too heavy...

 

[Hay Dude]

In the mid mount category it is. For a front mount it’s debatable.

I have a Kubota ZD331 72”. Bought it used for 7500 with 1400 hours in average to good condition. I had to rebuild the center gearbox on the deck last month. $600. :thumbdown:
I still am convinced its an excellent zero turn. I mean grasshopper uses Kubota diesels. Kinda funny reading someone say grasshopper is better when they used Kubota diesels, and who knows what else in their zero turns.
I think Ferris might be the very best mower though.

 

[4570Man]

I have a Kubota ZD331 72”. Bought it used for 7500 with 1400 hours in average to good condition. I had to rebuild the center gearbox on the deck last month. $600. :thumbdown:
I still am convinced its an excellent zero turn. I mean grasshopper uses Kubota diesels. Kinda funny reading someone say grasshopper is better when they used Kubota diesels, and who knows what else in their zero turns.
I think Ferris might be the very best mower though.

From a durability standpoint I don’t think anything can compete with a Kubota ZT. They’re all around built like a tank but the notable changes over other brands is no pump drive belts, a dedicated transmission case like pretty much all other equipment vs pumps and motors with hoses to go bad, no deck drive belt, and that heavy double deck belt that lasts forever. Did your gear box have oil in it when it failed?

 

[m7040]

Yes went from 15 ft to 6 ft for sure. The mowed area was also reduced with planting of trees and mowing is required around the new tree plantings for the first few years to make them survive better. So the hassle of hooking up the batwing mower did not seem worth it for the remaining acreage. The zero turn can get around the trees easy and makes short work out of the remaining open areas. Sure the batwing using the tractor with a cab is very comfortable but it has to be stored and hooked up and taken off. So for large open areas of say 10 acreage or more it is the way to go

 

[Hay Dude]

From a durability standpoint I don稚 think anything can compete with a Kubota ZT. They?*e all around built like a tank but the notable changes over other brands is no pump drive belts, a dedicated transmission case like pretty much all other equipment vs pumps and motors with hoses to go bad, no deck drive belt, and that heavy double deck belt that lasts forever. Did your gear box have oil in it when it failed?

Yep had oil.
The reservoir is really small and if it loses oil that would be a disaster.
The shaft and pulley had to be replaced

 

[m7040]

The ZD 331 is performing great but some of the commercial zero turn mowers would likely perform great as well. In my case I like the reliability of Kubota and performance and also that it uses diesel from a storage tank with transfer pump making it easy to refuel

 

[Hay Dude]

The ZD 331 is performing great but some of the commercial zero turn mowers would likely perform great as well. In my case I like the reliability of Kubota and performance and also that it uses diesel from a storage tank with transfer pump making it easy to refuel

Exactly. It’s so easy once you get your diesel tank set up. Kubota parts/service network is impressive. I dont think Id ever buy an emissions version.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have a Kubota ZD331 72? Bought it used for 7500 with 1400 hours in average to good condition. I had to rebuild the center gearbox on the deck last month. $600. :thumbdown:
I still am convinced its an excellent zero turn. I mean grasshopper uses Kubota diesels. Kinda funny reading someone say grasshopper is better when they used Kubota diesels, and who knows what else in their zero turns.

Only thing that's in my Grasshopper that's Kubota, is the diesel...

SR

 

[RustyA]

15 years ago choked up and bought a Hustler FasTrack with dual hydros and Honda engine. One mower belt and two front tires later it's still the best money I ever spent on a mower. Maybe a gently used one on Craigslist? Raptor model is entry level and not commercial grade at all. Look for FasTrack model. Deck is 1/4 inch welded steel. Love my Hustler.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have owned 5 Kubota ZDs in gas and diesel models and 4 Kubota F models, all diesel with 2 one wheel drive and three 4 wheel drives. Currently own a Kubota ZD1211 and F2690 4wd and much prefer the F's over the Zero turns but do recommend the Kubota mowers for dependability. Get a good one to start with and you'll never regret it vs the cheaper and off brand/odd brand models. There is a reason Kubota has dominated the small/medium size tractor and now mowing machines market world wide. Get the 4wd f if you have steep hillside or ditches but 2wd is fine with flat ground. I've had lots of changes with land sales and purchases and tax write off needs is why I have traded so often.

 

[Frankenkubota]

Surprise.

since retired, I try to buy nice used cars. Im finding out I have to spend 2 to 3 times what I spend for a car on a lawn mower! This time, I'm buying all new stuff!

If I choose Kubota, it's 4 to 5 times as much!

i'm going to have appx. 5 acres of pretty smooth grass to mow, just planted winter rye and it's popping up everywhere! 3 of those acres have large pines, 15 to 20 ft apart. All my local advisers are telling me zero turn will be the best solution.

I have been shopping and am leaning toward the Huskvarna Z254F. It has a Kohler gas engine. It also has a fabricated vs pressed deck. The experts advice getting a fabricated deck.

The reviews were mostly positive but who really know who's writing those reviews. The reviews are helpful but I'd rather rely on advice from some of you folks.

When ever I think of Kohler I have 3 memories. They make toilets, lots of toilets. I lived in Oshkosh WI during my drinking years. It was a 2 hour drive to Kohler in the summer, 10 minutes across the lake in the winter. The ride back, fueled with lots of beer, was always exciting. Kohler has built one of the premier golf destinations in this country, maybe in the world. My dad and i played there a few times and have lots of fond memories.

Anyone have an opinion on Huskavarna Z254F zero turns.

Thx in Advance

thx all, didn't mean to quote the entire post, still learning.

IMHO, here's what it comes down to, in all things.

You are always better off buying the best. That's pretty easy. And I try to. There is a current post about a generator and buying a HF POS or a $2200 Honda. I bought the Honda and used it once in 2 years. I do run it occasionally, like the dish washer. I also bought a very expensive Mx5800 because I believe they are the best.

Old saying, you can never go wrong buying the best. What they don't say is, you can always go broke buying the best, or go without.

I did not buy a $150K Mercedes and I use my car more than the above stuff. It's kinda like insurance, how much is too much? I bet it's different for you than him.

Thx again to everyone. It's always the same, pay me now , pay me later or pay me now and pay me later.

Do these zero turns ever go on sale? Seems to me fall would be the time? If price is no object, should I get diesel?

 

[riptides]

I have a Kubota gasser. If I had to do it again, I'd go with a Kubota diesel.

When I went looking, I went for "the best" engine, the dual hydro pumps and the deck gauge and cutting size. All in that order. Then the wife upsized my choice.

Now with a few seasons under me, I should have upsized the upsize and gone diesel.

Mowing speed is another factor I forgot to mention. I love speed and full throttle. The cut is still awesome.

 

[Katahdin]

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum:

42" Toro z420 purchased new for about $1500 at Home Depot, it was half price due to being a "last year's" model. 16hp Briggs and Stratton engine.

Mower is now 14 years old, I mow about an acre, at least 50 hours per year.

Only major issue was the 3/4" axle shafts snapped, but there was a $100 kit to upgrade to 1-inch axles.

I replaced the first carb this year.

It's been a great, inexpensive, residential-grade mower.