F Series vs. ZD

[MMC]

Looks pretty cool to me
Toss a plow on it!
That’s about 8K
New ZD-1211 is 20K.
Still cheaper than a F, and now you'll cut 2-3X faster than an F, and plow snow in about 1/10th the time.

Ferris will have a diesel also. But...if you have a good Kubota dealer and it's cheaper, I'd go with the Kubota ZTR. But, as Haydude states, get the best seat and platform you can buy with the unit (it will be cheaper with the sale). You will thank yourself later.

Best of Luck

 

[Brown Dog]

… Kubota financing is hard to beat on new units. I’m leaning towards the zd1211 72” now …

After 20yrs I quit mowing with JD tractor & 84/110” RFM.
I had a ZD1211 72.
Good machine but bogged on my hills & was even worse when grass got thick.
It was ok on flat ground & weekly grass heights.

I have a ZD1511 72 & LOVE IT. Fluid filled tires makes traction great.

It is a one trick pony only Mowing grass but as hay dude & RJC mentioned it does it WELL !!!

No one machine does several chores well.
Buy you a bigger tractor to add a front snow blower.

Go with a Diesel 72 side discharge for mowing grass & they will NOT disappoint.
Plus saving you so much valuable time.

I had a new F3710 72 front deck & thought it being 4wd would be a good mower for my steep banks along with my ZD1511.

I HATED the front deck beating your brains out AND the LIVE front axle spinning SO BAD turning around at the end of every pass.
I Fluid filled all 4 & it DID NOT HELP

I LOST thousands at only 10hrs trading it for a ZD1611 72. Best move I ever made

The F series live front axle will not stay strait mowing horizontal swipes on my steep banks.

The F rear steer was a nightmare for me steering the rear end downhill making mower get sideways : again on steep bank mowing horizontally.

I know everyone’s application & likes are completely different.

Don’t rush into anything.

As haydude mentioned you learn to be precise with zero levers & it will master any mowing condition you can throw at it.

The extra $$ for a 1211 1511 1611 is definitely worth it imho Especially with the TRANSMISSION & not silly pump driven wheels.

 

[tradosaurus]

Here are some more aerials of the property. There are some obstacles. But not a ton.

View attachment 2260685

I mow about that amount with a 60", 24hp, Toro ZMaster 2000. Lot more obstacles and ground can be fairly rough. The MyRide system makes mowing tolerable.

 

[CigTopGun38]

After 20yrs I quit mowing with JD tractor & 84/110” RFM.
I had a ZD1211 72.
Good machine but bogged on my hills & was even worse when grass got thick.
It was ok on flat ground & weekly grass heights.

I have a ZD1511 72 & LOVE IT. Fluid filled tires makes traction great.

It is a one trick pony only Mowing grass but as hay dude & RJC mentioned it does it WELL !!!

No one machine does several chores well.
Buy you a bigger tractor to add a front snow blower.

Go with a Diesel 72 side discharge for mowing grass & they will NOT disappoint.
Plus saving you so much valuable time.

I had a new F3710 72 front deck & thought it being 4wd would be a good mower for my steep banks along with my ZD1511.

I HATED the front deck beating your brains out AND the LIVE front axle spinning SO BAD turning around at the end of every pass.
I Fluid filled all 4 & it DID NOT HELP

I LOST thousands at only 10hrs trading it for a ZD1611 72. Best move I ever made

The F series live front axle will not stay strait mowing horizontal swipes on my steep banks.

The F rear steer was a nightmare for me steering the rear end downhill making mower get sideways : again on steep bank mowing horizontally.

I know everyone’s application & likes are completely different.

Don’t rush into anything.

As haydude mentioned you learn to be precise with zero levers & it will master any mowing condition you can throw at it.

The extra $$ for a 1211 1511 1611 is definitely worth it imho Especially with the TRANSMISSION & not silly pump driven wheels.

How much does the zd1211 with 72” bog down? Is it adequately powered? I mow weekly.

How is emission system on the zd1611? Is it fixed?

5-6k for more power and the same size mower deck is a tough pill to swallow.

 

[CigTopGun38]

Yes I bought (2) 1211-72’s with 0 for 60 months. Incredibly tough to resist.
One more suggestion- IF your lawn is extremely bumpy, add an air ride seat.
The 1211 rides great “stock”, but if you can finance-in an air ride seat, it doesn’t add up to much.
If it’s not bumpy, then just go with 1211 as is.

Is the are ride seat a factory option from Kubota. I don’t see it on the website when I configure a mower?

 

[Hay Dude]

Is the are ride seat a factory option from Kubota. I don’t see it on the website when I configure a mower?

I think its a dealer-installed option

 

[CigTopGun38]

Wow ! Let's see her naked !

 

[Hay Dude]

How much does the zd1211 with 72” bog down? Is it adequately powered? I mow weekly.

It’s more than powerful enough. I mowed thick field grass 2-3’ tall with mine.
Where you run into bogging down/slowing down is when you combine hills with thick grass.

How is emission system on the zd1611? Is it fixed?

5-6k for more power and the same size mower deck is a tough pill to swallow.

I don’t think you need it because you don’t have hills. Even if you skipped cutting for a couple weeks, you’d be fine.
I was sweating it out about power. I used to have a ZD-331-72 with 31 horsepower. I traded it on a ZD-1211-72 in March and never looked back.

 

[CigTopGun38]

It’s more than powerful enough. I mowed thick field grass 2-3’ tall with mine.
Where you run into bogging down/slowing down is when you combine hills with thick grass.


I don’t think you need it because you don’t have hills. Even if you skipped cutting for a couple weeks, you’d be fine.
I was sweating it out about power. I used to have a ZD-331-72 with 31 horsepower. I traded it on a ZD-1211-72 in March and never looked back.

You guys recommend side discharge or rear discharge?

Rear discharge is probably better for horsepower. Grass evacuates faster.

Side discharge keeps grass off the machine. But it will be throwing it into gardens and pool.

 

[Hay Dude]

You guys recommend side discharge or rear discharge?

Side. Side outsells rear probably 100 to 1. Doesn’t mean it’s better. It just means side works better for almost everyone.

Rear discharge is probably better for horsepower. Grass evacuates faster.

Maybe, but your clippings will be fanned out all over your nicely cut grass.

Side discharge keeps grass off the machine. But it will be throwing it into gardens and pool.

Point the deck the other way, or get a “flap” kit that closes the chute temporarily from the seat, while you drive by pool & beds.