F Series vs. ZD

[EddieWalker]

I have a 60 inch zero turn with a 26hp engine. I like it for small areas, around the house, along the driveway, and in the dog yards. It's advantage is it's maneuverability. Not how quickly it cuts the grass. While in theory it should cut a lot of grass really quickly, the limiting factor is how rough your land is. My grass feels smooth to walk on, smooth to drive a vehicle over, but for the zero turn, it beats you up if you go too fast. When I'm done mowing, I'm wore out. It's not fun, it's not relaxing, and it's not something I enjoy doing.

My 37 hp tractor pulls my 7 foot finish mower. It doesn't cut as close to the ground as my zero turn, it doesn't have the same quality of finish, but it's relaxing to mow with it. I can mow several acres and not feel beat up. I enjoy mowing with the tractor, I hate mowing with the zero turn. One is fun, the other is work.

Now I have a bigger tractor and a 12 foot batwing. The finish isn't as nice as the finish mower, but for open areas, not close to the house, it looks pretty nice.

I've reduced the amount of area that I mow with the zero turn to as little as possible. In my opinion, zero turns where designed for mowing residential yards as fast as possible by professionals that want to get it done so they can get to the next one. They do not care about comfort, it's all about speed.

Before spending $20,000 on a mower that won't be any faster, and will make mowing more painful, I would look into a bigger tractor that you can mow faster, and then buy a bigger mower in the future. Add a sunshade to the mower, install on a comfortable seat, and it will be enjoyable to mow your land.

 

[CigTopGun38]

Do you get a lot of snow? Do you have the JD style quick attach? You could get a rear blade or a snow pusher for it.

I’m not a lot of help on a zero turn. I’ve used one at my place once a struggled with it a little on my hills but your place looks good for one.

Nice looking place too!

I am in Connecticut. So it snows. Not a ton…but I have to be able to remove it. Our driveway is a hilly 3/4 mile long.

Right now I use a 54” rear econor blower. Driving it backwards blows

It does not have a quick disconnect for anything. It’s an older tractor so finding attachments and implements is a challenge.

 

[CigTopGun38]

I have a 60 inch zero turn with a 26hp engine. I like it for small areas, around the house, along the driveway, and in the dog yards. It's advantage is it's maneuverability. Not how quickly it cuts the grass. While in theory it should cut a lot of grass really quickly, the limiting factor is how rough your land is. My grass feels smooth to walk on, smooth to drive a vehicle over, but for the zero turn, it beats you up if you go too fast. When I'm done mowing, I'm wore out. It's not fun, it's not relaxing, and it's not something I enjoy doing.

My 37 hp tractor pulls my 7 foot finish mower. It doesn't cut as close to the ground as my zero turn, it doesn't have the same quality of finish, but it's relaxing to mow with it. I can mow several acres and not feel beat up. I enjoy mowing with the tractor, I hate mowing with the zero turn. One is fun, the other is work.

Now I have a bigger tractor and a 12 foot batwing. The finish isn't as nice as the finish mower, but for open areas, not close to the house, it looks pretty nice.

I've reduced the amount of area that I mow with the zero turn to as little as possible. In my opinion, zero turns where designed for mowing residential yards as fast as possible by professionals that want to get it done so they can get to the next one. They do not care about comfort, it's all about speed.

Before spending $20,000 on a mower that won't be any faster, and will make mowing more painful, I would look into a bigger tractor that you can mow faster, and then buy a bigger mower in the future. Add a sunshade to the mower, install on a comfortable seat, and it will be enjoyable to mow your land.

Man you are killing me…and my bank account!!!! Hahaha

I agree larger tractor with much larger attachments would be Nice. But newer larger tractors with attachments would be 50-60k all in.

Plus maneuverability is terrible with them

 

[Hay Dude]

Man you are killing me…and my bank account!!!! Hahaha

I agree larger tractor with much larger attachments would be Nice. But newer larger tractors with attachments would be 50-60k all in.

Plus maneuverability is terrible with them

Meh……you’d be surprised. I plow snow with a 135HP Challenger with a plow mounted on the loader and it’s very maneuverable.

Here’s my F-3680. I sold it last year and bought 2 ZD-1211-72”

 

[CigTopGun38]

Meh……you’d be surprised. I plow snow with a 135HP Challenger with a plow mounted on the loader and it’s very maneuverable.

View attachment 2260690




Here’s my F-3680. I sold it last year and bought 2 ZD-1211-72”
View attachment 2260687

When you mowed with the f3680…did you mow in low or high gear? Also what rpm?

Based on f series user manual high rpm low gear is 5.5mph…which is already faster than my current setup.

Max rpm and high gear is 12 mph. I don’t think anyone is mowing at that speed.

 

[Rustyiron]

I've had both, and fully agree with HayDudes early post.
Remember anything with "lawn mower" size tires is going to ride roughly if you go fast enough.
If I had to generalize the difference between the F and a Z, think about what vehicle you drove in your 20's and what (and how) you drive now.
The Z is a hotrod
The F is a gentleman's vehicle.

 

[Hay Dude]

When you mowed with the f3680…did you mow in low or high gear?

High range, unless on very steep ground. The problem with low range is that the foot throttle becomes very touchy.
Overall, the ride is challenging because the foot throttle can be a mess when going over bumpy ground. A ZD-1211 is much smoother because it has twin sticks. Honestly, I think the F series looks better on paper than it performs in the real world.

Also what rpm?

Full throttle

Based on f series user manual high rpm low gear is 5.5mph…which is already faster than my current setup.

I ran high range full RPM, but at 5.5MPH, I would be thrown out of the seat on a bumpy lawn. The problem is the small tires on the back flap up & down over bumps harshly. It sort of “bucks” like a bronco on rough ground. It also has a steering wheel which is very touchy on bumpy ground.

Max rpm and high gear is 12 mph. I don’t think anyone is mowing at that speed.

No, definitely not. 12MPH is reserved for transport over pavement.

 

[CigTopGun38]

I've had both, and fully agree with HayDudes early post.
Remember anything with "lawn mower" size tires is going to ride roughly if you go fast enough.
If I had to generalize the difference between the F and a Z, think about what vehicle you drove in your 20's and what (and how) you drive now.
The Z is a hotrod
The F is a gentleman's vehicle.

Do you think the zd or f ride smoother. Seems like haydude thinks zd run smoother. I’ve read other posts who disagree. John Thomas thinks the f series run smoother.

So I’m conflicted. And getting conflicting information.

 

[Cycledude]

Have you considered Scag ? They supposedly build the best mowers but crazy expensive.

 

[CigTopGun38]

Have you considered Scag ? They supposedly build the best mowers but crazy expensive.

I’m about to drop 24k on this Kubota…the scag zero turns I think are cheaper?

Maybe I’m expecting too much from these machines? I realize they won’t ride like Cadillacs but I do want something faster than my JD that only goes 3mph.