EZtrak Z445

[Mr Grizz]

Looking at the EZtrak Z445 for my wife to cut the grass does anyone have one. I know they are pretty new.


Mr Grizz

 

[Mr Grizz]

here is a picture

 

[DieselPower]

That's a mean looking lawn munching machine.

 

[DeereF525]

I'm a John Deere man, but I think the new EZ-Trak mowers aren't built heavy enough. The list price on deere.com is $4,650, and for that you could get a better conventional riding mower, like a X300 series. If you really need a zero-turn, you might want to check a Ferris IS500Z. These sale for around $5000 and have independent suspension. My best friend is a Deere dealer but also carries the Ferris commercial mower line. The only draw back is that is has only a 44" deck instead of 54". If they still made them, I'd reccommend a front mount mower like my F525 or a F725. You can find used ones on machinefinder.com. If you are located anywhere near Charlotte, NC, give SJ Black & Son a look for the Ferris.

 

[BleedGreen]

I'm a John Deere man, but I think the new EZ-Trak mowers aren't built heavy enough.

I hate to disagree with another John Deere man - but in this case I think I need to... The frame, (1-1/2" x 2" steel tube) hydro pump, (Kanzaki DUP10) and wheel motors (Parker Ross) on the EZtrak Z425 / Z445 come directly from the 717A / 727A Commercial Z-Trak Mowers. You can't get any heavier than that - especially for a homeowner unit. In addition, the engine on the Z445 is a Kawasaki, so there are no worries there. Now the controls, seat, parking brake and mower lift are not as nice as the Commercial units - and you lose the HD Donaldson air cleaner, as well as the ROPS - but there is nothing there that suggests the EZtrak will not hold up for homeowner usage. The only big difference is in the mower deck... Our commercial units utilize the awesome 7-IRON II, while the EZtraks use the standard homeowner decks - the same as what is used on the "X" Select Series lawn and lawn & garden tractors. Again, I hate to disagree with a fellow Deere man - but in this case I feel I needed to...

 

[Grizz]

My wife got her new toy today.

 

[littlediesel]

I test drove a new Z445 today. It seemed very impressive. However, I was not able to demo the mower for cut quality. Does anyone know how they cut? Also, the mower deck appeared very loose and was concerned on how they may cut grass. Any info would be appreciated.

Jon.

 

[prosperity]

the engine on the Z445 is a Kawasaki

BleedGreen - are you sure they have a Kawasaki?

I just glanced at the Z445 the last time at my dealer - didn't take exact note of the engine, but I thought it might have been something non-Kawasaki.

Edit - just looked at the specs, and you are right. I must have been looking at a Z425 which has a B&S engine.

 

[littlediesel]

Bleedgreen,

I went to a John Deere dealer yesterday to see the EZtrak Z445 again and he pulled out his spec book and told me the Hydro pump and wheel motors are not the same as the 717A /727A. He said they are the same brand but different model numbers. I would suspect they are of the same quality but different flow and/or pressure specs.

 

[RollTideRam]

My friend has the 7xx model. His was the first ztr I have ever been on. I would have to take lessons to mow with one. He said he knocked a few boards off his fence learning to drive it. They are fast but way differant than regular riding mowers. JC

 

[jonmiller]

My wife and I decided on a Z445 last week as well. Got it delivered just in time for some snow to come our way (southeast Iowa).

Last night it was warm and dry enough to start it and cut a couple strips of grass. It seems like a great mower. Definitely is quite a machine coming from an old Husky riding mower!

It does "clunk" when engaging the blades. But that Kawasaki motor is fairly quiet compared to any lawn mower engine I have ever had.

Oh yeah, and it cuts really nice too! It will just take some getting used to after years of having a steering wheel.

 

[Nuru]

Every so often, i look at the ZTRs, but i think i would definitely go for the commercial versions as I think my learning curve would be a bit of an experience for my yard.

 

[moreosu]

I love my z445. I purchased mower the start of 2007.The only thing is I can't drink my BEER as i would like doing mowing.

 

[Nuru]

I love my z445. I purchased mower the start of 2007.The only thing is I can't drink my BEER as I would like doing mowing.

OH yes you can! Only 17 bucks too. Now i am not advocating drinking and driving at all, even on your own lawn, but ....etc

Thirst Aid Helmet, Beer Hat, Beer Helmet, Beer Can Hat, Drinking Hat

But if you do, get a ROPS for that ztr so you can stop yourself from falling over on a hot day, if you nod off to sleep.

 

[GreenWannabe]

OH yes you can! Only 17 bucks too. Now i am not advocating drinking and driving at all, even on your own lawn, but ....etc

Thirst Aid Helmet, Beer Hat, Beer Helmet, Beer Can Hat, Drinking Hat

But if you do, get a ROPS for that ztr so you can stop yourself from falling over on a hot day, if you nod off to sleep.

Only troble with those is they don't come in GREEN!!!

 

[Nuru]

Have you considered a used one or a used CT/GX? There are some good values out there is you look at the used market.

 

[RisingSun]

I have run a Z445 for two years now and its a great machine. Used to take me twice as long to cut my grass than it does now and to be honest its way more fun.

 

[wood181]

I have run a Z445 for two years now and its a great machine. Used to take me twice as long to cut my grass than it does now and to be honest its way more fun.

Now that you guys have had the 445 for a while, are there any regrets?

And, how much area are you covering in, say a couple of hours?

I'm thinking of one of these, but I have 5 acres.....

 

[GreenDrummer]

I test drove a new Z445 today. It seemed very impressive. However, I was not able to demo the mower for cut quality. Does anyone know how they cut? Also, the mower deck appeared very loose and was concerned on how they may cut grass. Any info would be appreciated.

Jon.

I am just joining this group...so sorry for the late entry. I have a EZtrak 445 and it is now 3 years old. It has started leaving strips of uncut grass between the 3 blades. I have changed the spindle shaft (3 @ 21.00 ea.) and new John Deere OEM blades. Agri Supply sells a set for not quite 1/2 as much. Still I am seeing grass that is getting by. For the first 2 years it has performed very well. Now I am sad to see that my 5000.00 investment can't leave a smooth cutting path. If you have 5 grand to spend on a mower...don't waste it on a residential unit...go ahead and spend it on a commercial unit with machined spindles and welded mower deck. Anyone out there want to buy a 3 year old EZ445?

 

[keerym]

I would follow the instructions in your manual to level the deck side to side and front to back. Usually they suggest the front slightly lower than the back. This provides a little additional suction which may fix your issue. Other wise call a dealer service department and describe the problem.

I assume since you've done some replacement work that you have also cleaned the entire underside of the deck? I also assume you run at full throttle and have checked the belt tension on top of the deck?