Price Check Best price on a ZD21 on the east coast.

[RRacing]

Thank Eric,

I have looked at several models and the kubota has the most of what I was looking for. I have a bad back ( couple of busted discs) and needed something with a floating seat. I really like the diesel engine /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif .The hydraulic deck I could do without .I also like the lifting front wheels.I test drove the JD s . Nice units , Controls are less responsive and the seats don't absorb the bump as well as I liked. The farris is also a nice machine but it feels much larger than the deere and the kubota. You also sit higher on it which would make me feel uncomfortable on the hills. Also most of the people I have talked to that have cut steeper hills recomended the kubota as well.I called Dave at Roorks farms and his prices are very good I'm waiting on a call back from him now on some other details.It is a lot of money but it is also alot of mowing machine. I will also try Frederick equipment to see what they have to say. and Carver as well.

Thank you for all of your help.

Jim

 

[curt1]

Exmark does make very good machines too. I have a Exmark walk-behind that I have had for over 5 years and have had 0 problems other than the normal wear and tear...tires, plugs, air filters, etc.. I have the ZD21 but if I had to choose another brand, then Exmark with a Kawasaki engine would be my very next choice. I would steer clear of any mower made by JD. Just my personal opinion.

Curt

 

[JLoaf]

If you have a bad back, you may want to look into something with an out-front deck. I reduced the air pres in the tires of my ZD and it still beats me silly at times (now I have an excuse /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif).
Before I got my ZD21, I used a friends Grasshopper w/ out-front deck. The Grasshopper has the same 21 hp Kubota diesel engine as the the ZD.
The ride is much better than my ZD. I believe this is due to the overall length of the machine, and possibly the fact that it has 6 tires on the ground instead of 4.
The front deck is also better for getting under low limbs, bushes, etc.
My ZD doesn't have headlights while the Grasshopper and many other brands do. Headlights are a great feature when trying to finish the job late in the day.
A friend of mine owns a Snapper dealership. He priced a 61" cut front deck mower w/ 21 hp Kubota engine for around $8,500.
There are many mowers with the kubota diesel engine. I love my Kubota engine, but would prefer some other features that Kubota doesn't offer.

 

[ESM]

Jim,
Be sure to post back and let us know how it goes. As for hills, the ZTR mower design does seem to be a pretty stable platform. But as you say maybe some more then others. The biggest slope I have is about 15 degrees (27 percent grade). I have no problems at all mowing that but that also isn't what I would classify as really steep. I have noticed that if the grass is a little wet the back end can slide a little if you try and change direction too quickly. For instance driving down the hill then turning to go across it. I wonder if a front mounted mower like JLOAF is suggesting would be more or less stable?

Eric

 

[RRacing]

I reall appriciate all of the feed back you guys have provided. Many dealers won't tell you how a unit performs on hills but they will sell u the unit no questions asked. LOL.I talked to both Roorks and carver today and also Frederick equipment.Frederick is so far the cheapest with a $9399.00 price but you must add tax.Roorks says out the door $9500.00 for the zd 21 and $9800.00 for the dz 25. I'm really leaning toward the dz 25. LOL but will probable settle for the dz 21.
But Carver brought up a good point that the BX 2230 would also be a good canididate for the hills with its 4 wd.So I called around for 1 but they are even more money.I also checked on the JD 2210 and I should have pricing tommorrow. I hope to make my desision by tomorrow afternoon and pick up the unit on saterday.Dave at Roorks has been awsome. And the people at Frederick motors were very helpful.And Carver threw the fly in the ointment with the BX 2230 , LOL. But they were also helpful.I also checked on the grass hopper and they were about $1000.00 more at the local dealer.
Once again I can't thank you guys enough for all of your input.

Thank you
Jim

 

[ESM]

Are you planning to use Kubota financing? If so, I'm not sure you can avoid the 5% MD tax regardless of where you purchase. I'm sure the dealer you purchase from can give you more info just be sure to ask IF you're financing.

Eric

 

[RRacing]

I was planning to buy it out right . Its a stretch to say the least but I hope it will pay for itself in the long run.Right now it takes me about a day and some change to cut the grass because I have to use a weed wacker to do the banks and some of the spots I can't get with the old craftsman. Lately the grass needs cut once a week and owning a manufacturing business doesn't afford me the time to keep it looking nice.I only have about an acre of the 4 I can cut with the craftsman because of the hills or it just plain won't get traction even at 15 percent grade, LOL. I hope this all works out to be much easier and less time consuming.

Thank you
Jim

 

[curt1]

If I had it to do over again, I would buy the ZD25. A little more money for 4 more diesel HP. I have almost 260 hours on mine since Spring of 2004. It is a great mower and is very stable on hills...compared to the Great Dane I once owned.
It has plenty of power for a homeowner who keeps their grass cut on a very regular basis. For commercial use, it is a little low on horsepower. The ZD25 or ZD28 would be better choices for that type use. Tall, wet grass is a little hard on it, even though at a very slow speed it will cut it. So you may be fine with the ZD21. It is a nice mower.

Curt

 

[kevincook]

I would have someone bring the machine over so you can demo it on the hills you want to mow. No sense in spending $10k on a machine to only get it home and findout you don't like the way it performs.

Kevin

 

[RRacing]

Well I talking to the 2 local Kubota dealers they won't demo anything at my place /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. They will hardly give me the time of day. So I'm headed to Roorks in the morning to test drive a ZD25 and a bx 2230 and a gr 2100 to see which would be best for my application. I took some pictures of the hills to show them what I'm up against, And I will be hopefully coming home with the right peice of equipment. I also checked with the local grass hopper dealer and they also will not do demo's at my house ( insurance reasons?) I'm leaving at 4:00 A.M. and should be back by early afternoon. Dave at Roork Farm has been Great to deal with and has answered all of my questions. This will be my first Kubota. I have only owned deere equipment since I grew up on the farm. I'm sure I will be very Happy. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again.
Jim