Brand New John Deere Z970R

[Dz302]

The traction is much better with the tweel vs the standard rubber tire in my opinion. Bigger contact patch and much more give or compliant to the surface it's running on. Another big advantage I noticed straight away is the greatly improved ride and overall comfort over a rubber tire machine. between the give of the tweel and the expensive seat, its rides like s Cadillac ! and the constant height of the machine itself. My 17 year old M665 JD zero turn has over 1000 hours on it of hard mowing with not one single issue or breakage of any kind, that machine has a 23 HP engine and a 60 inch deck. The new 970R has 35 HP and a 60 inch deck. I wanted the bigger motor just because I could get it and I figured that it wouldn't have to work as hard to produce the same result as my old M665 ...

 

[Amvcane]

Very nice machine, congrats.
Have never seen Tweels before or have researched them yet. Since reading this thread I have only looked at some pictures of them and they look very compliant. During long term storage, say during the winter when some may not be using the machine, do they recommend taking the weight off the wheels to avoid shape deformation from sitting for extended periods of time?

 

[plowhog]

Will be interesting, over time, to see if "Tweels" revolutionize the industry, or grow a stigma as a sales gimmick. Probably somewhere in-between, of course.

My uncle had an innovative idea. He kept his tractor in shape and lubed up by driving it in parades during the off season. Beneficial for him, entertaining for the crowds. The Tweels would certainly be eye-catching in a parade!!

 

[crazyal]

I think the UV rays will attack the plastic like it will attack rubber. Keep it inside when not in use and they should last a very long time. The problem is cost and the lack of being able to add ballast. Get the cost down near the price of a rubber tire and they should stand a chance to catch on. Otherwise they are going to pretty much be for commercial moving services that suffer from flats where one flat could sideline a machine for an hour or two and people who want the cool factor.

 

[Jamming]

Interesting..ride of the tweel that is. I have a X739 and it almost bounces me out of the seat at times. Mowing about 6 acres of flat pocket ghoper land. Bumpy as ****. I would love to try these out on my 739 and wifes 300.

 

[morristvu]

John Deere is still the champ in this space.

 

[RoyJackson]

Did they change the HP ratings for some reason because I cannot see needing a 35 HP mower just spinning a 60" mower when a 25 HP motor does just fine?

If you want a bagger or lawn vacuum, the 25 HP machines just don't have the power for them (I have a Z920 with that 25 HP engine)

Now, a comment for the OP...very nice machine!! I'm jealous!!
(actually, I have the hots for a 997...but only because I prefer diesel engines)

 

[DK35vince]

Did they change the HP ratings for some reason because I cannot see needing a 35 HP mower just spinning a 60" mower when a 25 HP motor does just fine?

Depends a lot on how thick/fast your grass grows and the speeds you like to run.
My previous Zero turn was 21 HP with a 54" deck and I was very often forced to slow down from full speed due to running out of power.
I upgraded to a 35HP with 72" deck and sure glad I didn't go with any less power.
Trying to mow fast growing spring grass I still occasional use all the power its got mowing at or near full speed.

Now to the OP Nice zero turn

 

[two_bit_score]

Here is my new John Deere 970 R .....35 HP Kawi motor, 60 inch 7 Iron deck, top of the line isolated suspension seat, tweels, Cross port hydro, all of the options....my last John Deere zero turn ( M665) has over 1000 hrs on the clock and is 17 years old, although its still going strong I wanted a new one so I picked another top of the line JD.

I am most impressed by the comfort and ride quality. The best seat in combination with the Michelin Tweels prove to deliver an awesome ride, very comfortable. The quality in mowing is a given, nothing mows like a Deere!

Very very pleased with it.....

Very nice mower!

I'm interested in the performance of the Tweels over time. It's a very interesting concept.


TBS

 

[RoyJackson]

Very nice mower!

I'm interested in the performance of the Tweels over time. It's a very interesting concept.


TBS

Me too...also, the price.
My Z920 Deere beats the **** out of me if I try going at full bore.