Adding a New ZD1211-60 to the Arsenal

[xring100]

Well I'm finally pulling the trigger on a new mower. I'm paying of the M8540 later this month and I put a down payment on the mower today.

I've known for some time I wanted a diesel. I've considered the following JD 997, Ferris 5100Z, Grasshopper 725DT, Kubota F-series, Walker H24D, Hustler Z Diesel. All seem to be nice mowers

I really like the Ferris and John Deere but have excluded them bassed on price.
AWD F-series is expensive and does not turn like a zero turn.

In the end I narrowed it down to grasshopper or Kubota.
I love the Grasshopper front decks and have used my neighbors to mow with. Aside from my wife finding them terribly ugly (I can't disagree) the only thing I don't like is the fact they are essentially front drive the traction loss is significant even with bar treads it's very easy to spin out and tear up the ground.

My Firewood buddy has a ZD21 which I like

Things I like about the new 1211:
Wet Clutch Manually engaged PTO v Electromagnetic clutch
Drive Shaft to the deck
No manual selector between the fuel tanks
uses a transfer system to move the fuel
Hydraulic Deck Lift
New LCD information center
Pivoting axle with integrated maintenance lift is cool. (not as nice/easy as the flip up front decks)

It's Orange and matches all my other outdoor equipment from Echo to Stihl

I'm finally going to get rid of the Cub Cadet RZT it's been a miserable 11 years. I won't miss getting rid of it. I only regret spending money on it.

I will post pictures when I get it in late March to mid April.

 

[PsRumors]

Congrats. I just picked up a left over ZD326H with 72" deck and it is awesome. The 1211s look like a great machine, will be curious to hear how the engines do with being lower HP and higher torque. I especially like the 26x12-16 wheel and tire combo, so much so I may buy a set for my 326

 

[xring100]

Congrats. I just picked up a left over ZD326H with 72" deck and it is awesome. The 1211s look like a great machine, will be curious to hear how the engines do with being lower HP and higher torque. I especially like the 26x12-16 wheel and tire combo, so much so I may buy a set for my 326

Thanks the dealer had a 326 60 left over he also had a 72" 1211 I think the 60" should be fine . Kubota claims the deck is 17% more efficient for a ~6% drop in power. My suspicion is that the 72" should be fine. I liked the new features over the 326 $for 800 more. I'm wondering how the ride differs from the 326 with the low profile tires seems like it might be a stiffer ride

 

[PsRumors]

I'd be curious about the ride difference as well. When mine was delivered I went over everything but the tire pressure, just forgot to check. After the first use did check and pressure was at 20lbs, have dropped it to 12 but haven't used it since. But even with the tires at 20 psi the ride was very good.

I suspect the ride is still very nice with the low profile tires

 

[LPSteinmetz]

Well I'm finally pulling the trigger on a new mower. I'm paying of the M8540 later this month and I put a down payment on the mower today.

I've known for some time I wanted a diesel. I've considered the following JD 997, Ferris 5100Z, Grasshopper 725DT, Kubota F-series, Walker H24D, Hustler Z Diesel. All seem to be nice mowers

I really like the Ferris and John Deere but have excluded them bassed on price.
AWD F-series is expensive and does not turn like a zero turn.

In the end I narrowed it down to grasshopper or Kubota.
I love the Grasshopper front decks and have used my neighbors to mow with. Aside from my wife finding them terribly ugly (I can't disagree) the only thing I don't like is the fact they are essentially front drive the traction loss is significant even with bar treads it's very easy to spin out and tear up the ground.

My Firewood buddy has a ZD21 which I like

Things I like about the new 1211:
Wet Clutch Manually engaged PTO v Electromagnetic clutch
Drive Shaft to the deck
No manual selector between the fuel tanks
uses a transfer system to move the fuel
Hydraulic Deck Lift
New LCD information center
Pivoting axle with integrated maintenance lift is cool. (not as nice/easy as the flip up front decks)

It's Orange and matches all my other outdoor equipment from Echo to Stihl

I'm finally going to get rid of the Cub Cadet RZT it's been a miserable 11 years. I won't miss getting rid of it. I only regret spending money on it.

I will post pictures when I get it in late March to mid April.

Congrats! I just got a call yesterday from my dealer who said that my ZD1211 rear discharge is in. He also said that he had been talking to other salesmen who said they would go with the regular blades over the mulch kit so we are torn right now as to whether or not to have it installed. With the mower being a new model I can't find any info on the mulching blades but Kubota talks at length about their redesigned clean cut blades.

 

[xring100]

Congrats! I just got a call yesterday from my dealer who said that my ZD1211 rear discharge is in. He also said that he had been talking to other salesmen who said they would go with the regular blades over the mulch kit so we are torn right now as to whether or not to have it installed. With the mower being a new model I can't find any info on the mulching blades but Kubota talks at length about their redesigned clean cut blades.

Awesome congrats on the new purchase.
I really like the improvements made over the ZD326. I have no doubt they will be every bit as good hopefully there are no hickups with the new electronics. I looked at the Kubota parts catalog a few days ago to see what blades they listed. Currently only the one PN is listed for the side discharge deck. ZD300's had 2 or 3 to choose from. Im waiting to see how the deck cuts before I decide on the mulch kit.

I'll probably go finalize the paperwork in the next week or so. Usually we wouldn't need it untill late april but its been very warm this month in Southern Michigan my yard is already starting to green up.

 

[PsRumors]

I'm curious to know how the new low profile rear tires perform and what Kubota was trying to accomplish. I know the 26x12-16s look slick but how are they performing?

I may have to try a set on my mower

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The rear discharge deck has a different shape which allows or makes the grass stay in the cutting area longer than the side discharge thus almost being a mulching "deck". If you cut your grass on a regular, more often than me, schedule you'll see how the rear discharge deck lays the cut grass evenly spread out over the ground under you, not in the wind into your face. Also being able to cut on both sides up close is great and not having to be concerned where "stuff" you run over is shooting to.
I've been using rear discharge decks for over 10 years after 38 years using side discharge decks. I messed up and got a side discharge deck a few years ago on one of my F mowers and after actually using the rear discharge decks for so long I just can't hardly "love" the side discharge deck anymore. My small Z has a side discharge deck but it's my wife's and as far as I know it doesn't come with a rear discharge deck.
I believe after you have actual hands on experience for more than a test drive you'll be a rear discharge lover.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

The rear discharge deck has a different shape which allows or makes the grass stay in the cutting area longer than the side discharge thus almost being a mulching "deck". If you cut your grass on a regular, more often than me, schedule you'll see how the rear discharge deck lays the cut grass evenly spread out over the ground under you, not in the wind into your face. Also being able to cut on both sides up close is great and not having to be concerned where "stuff" you run over is shooting to.
I've been using rear discharge decks for over 10 years after 38 years using side discharge decks. I messed up and got a side discharge deck a few years ago on one of my F mowers and after actually using the rear discharge decks for so long I just can't hardly "love" the side discharge deck anymore. My small Z has a side discharge deck but it's my wife's and as far as I know it doesn't come with a rear discharge deck.
I believe after you have actual hands on experience for more than a test drive you'll be a rear discharge lover.

I haven't used either having never had enough property to warrant anything other than a push mower. That changed when we bought 7.5 acres in Oct with at least 5 acres being mowable. As far as rear discharge...I settled on that after having done my research online and deciding that is the way I wanted to go. How I arrived at that decision is tough to say as the people that like side discharge seem to far outnumber the rear discharge folks. I have no doubt that I will be happy with it though and can't wait to get it. BTW...thanks for the description of the mowing deck...it might almost make a mulching kit obsolete or at least an added expense for little gain.

 

[LPSteinmetz]

Awesome congrats on the new purchase.
I really like the improvements made over the ZD326. I have no doubt they will be every bit as good hopefully there are no hickups with the new electronics. I looked at the Kubota parts catalog a few days ago to see what blades they listed. Currently only the one PN is listed for the side discharge deck. ZD300's had 2 or 3 to choose from. Im waiting to see how the deck cuts before I decide on the mulch kit.

I'll probably go finalize the paperwork in the next week or so. Usually we wouldn't need it untill late april but its been very warm this month in Southern Michigan my yard is already starting to green up.

i was set to buy a ZD326 but by the time I was ready they were no longer producing the rear discharge as they were already making their transition to the new models. Good luck on your purchase!