997 ZTrack Mower

[sunnyside360]

Looking for advice and opinions on the John Deere 997 ZTrack mower with 72" mower deck. I'm mowing approximately 6 acres of lawn about twice a week. 5 acres are relatively flat and one acre is on hill side. I'm looking to spend less time mowing -- even considered contracting out the mowing. I stopped by one of the local Deere dealers today to get info and prices --- was quoted a price of $14,500 for a new 997 ZTrack.
Any advice/opinions are greatly appreciated.

PS: I'm also looking at the Kubota Z300 Series.

 

[hpc]

I've owned a 997 for 2+ years having traded in a Grasshopper D928 (front-mount).

The Deere is great on flat and mildly hilly areas. However, if the slope
of the land is steep (say, 20 degrees or more), beware of it sliding
down if the grass is wet.

Not certain if it's the turf rear tires being too smooth.

My neighbors are using Exmark's with gas engines. I laugh when I hear
them mowing uphill or hit a spot with thick grass because their "high
powered" engines bog down (a lot!). The diesel never misses a beat going
uphill - even mowing in thick grass. Plus I use half or less fuel than
they do.

Buy the rear bumper! I've read about others who didn't ONLY to
end up ordering one after brushing against something the first time
out.

Good Luck. I highly recommend the 997.

 

[JB2]

At the Conservation Authority I work for, we have a 2008 Deere 997 Z-track with the 72" side discharge deck and we just took delivery of a 2nd, 2011 997 Z-track Mower this year.

Like stated above, the 997's Yanmar has lots of power and is great on fuel. We mow a lot of grass for the Authority and that Yanmar is very fuel efficant. We can run 16 hrs or 2 eight hr days on a tank of fuel. The quality of cut is excellent and does a very nice job cutting.

We have had little trouble with with our 1st 997 Z-trak and has servered us quite well. I had a chance to run the NEW 2011 997 yesturday and its very nice. I really like the deck lift on the hydro handle over the foot petal. I only ran it for an hr, but so far really like it.

Take Care Jason B