GR2120 Yea or Nay

Pete6114 · May 22, 2013

Started looking at the F and Z mowers and came to the conclusion that both would be over-kill and are out of the lineup.I always like to overbuy, but this wont happen.....

Cant find a dealer near me that has one setup, to try out. Standard features beats Deer mowers i looked at, at the same price range.
I really want to buy American made, but man......
I had a B1700 and a L3240. Both been good as gold. I believe this would be a good mower for me, but like to hear your scoop on them please.

houstonscott · May 22, 2013

I just bought a GR2120. Have about 2.5 acres that need mowed regularly and much of that is nice lawn under sprinklers around house. I wanted diesel and the JD's were just to high a price since I didn't want a garden tractor just a good mower. Lots of oak trees and an in ground pool to get around too. A small tractor with a finish mower just was going to weigh to much (sprinklers) and not be nimble around house pool and trees. The whole thing is big enough though that a big box store riding mower was not going to hack it, so the GR2120 fit the job well. I had read that they had some issues with glide steer in the early models but that it has been solved. Sounds like quality control was lacking at Kubota for awhile. The machine is very smooth and more quite than you you expect. I'm about 240lbs and very comfortable on it, lost of room. It is a Kubota, beautiful made machine with aluminum casting in the front steering, fit finish assembly is up to Kubota standards., and that Kubota engine is up front. No sure you could go wrong with this mower, very elegant and powerful.

HS

PHILIP8N · May 22, 2013

I am in similar situation. Have L3940, so I do not need a BX. I need to replace my John Deere LX188 rider now, so I am looking at the GR2120, 48" deck, and snow blower. My big question, are these solid reliable machines now? Keep the replies coming please. Philip.

houstonscott · May 22, 2013

I really like the height control, makes a great cut on home lawn. I can set that at 2.25in, and when I get out in the rough stuff change to 3.0in. Couldn't be easer. Not sure if it will last forever but looking at the machine it's built beautifully. Ill take my chance. Glide steer is a very sophisticated system, I can see keeping the machine clean and maintained will be big on it working properly.

HS.

Pete6114 · May 22, 2013

I jumped ship and will probably end up with a Deer X540. Going to test ride tomorrow afternoon.
I been reading all day...off and on....about the GR2120. Read so much bad stuff about the older variation of it, that it scared me away from kubota mowers. Dealers tell me that the new version "GR2120" does not have the problems anymore, but since when do i believe dealers....Haven't really read anything negative on them, but then they are new and might be to early to tell. Just don't feel like taking any chances.

TailDragon · May 22, 2013

The GR2120 has been out for two years, I have not read of any problems with these unlike the earlier series.

MessickFarmEqu · May 24, 2013

Pete6114 said:
I really want to buy American made, but man......

The GR machines and F mower decks are all american made... so your good!

Pete6114 · May 28, 2013

Went to test drive the GR2120 today after a bad John Deer purchase experience. Glad it happend, because the GR seems smoother and quieter, even with the diesel engine. 4WD works darn good. Drove along dealers slope along the road. It had just stopped raining and the grass was wet. Never slipped at all, but i was worried it will flip over. Was kind of a steep slope. The only thing i will have to get used to is the steering wheel location, which is lower then any rider i'v tried out. Delivery time should be end of this week. They have to bring one in with a 54 deck. Fresh out of the crate and hasn't been sitting around. Love it. Will post pics when i have it.

CHDinCT · May 28, 2013

Pete6114 said:
Went to test drive the GR2120 today after a bad John Deer purchase experience. Glad it happend, because the GR seems smoother and quieter, even with the diesel engine. 4WD works darn good. Drove along dealers slope along the road. It had just stopped raining and the grass was wet. Never slipped at all, but i was worried it will flip over. Was kind of a steep slope. The only thing i will have to get used to is the steering wheel location, which is lower then any rider i'v tried out. Delivery time should be end of this week. They have to bring one in with a 54 deck. Fresh out of the crate and hasn't been sitting around. Love it. Will post pics when i have it.

Congrats. Just finished reading your JD thread and saw the surprise ending then flipped over here to read the rest of the story. Don't forget tho pics.

vrmnthntr · May 29, 2013

Congratulations. Hope you have better luck with this purchase. Your experience at the JD dealers is exactly why I did not purchase one. Nothing against the product, just bad service from the dealer.

Around here if your not in the "click" (buying a new $150k + tractor every year) then they don't get up from their desk to greet you at the door.

Pete6114 · May 29, 2013

vrmnthntr said:
Congratulations. Hope you have better luck with this purchase. Your experience at the JD dealers is exactly why I did not purchase one. Nothing against the product, just bad service from the dealer.

Around here if your not in the "click" (buying a new $150k + tractor every year) then they don't get up from their desk to greet you at the door.

Thanks.
Seems that apply's to dealers around here too. Just because i buy a cheap (12,000) mower instead of a 200k piece of equipment, they somehow let me know, I'm spending peanuts. Anyway.....hope it don't eventually bite JD in the butt. I bought a B1700 and a L3240 from Kubota in the past, as well as the mower just yesterday. Thats about 62K $ in total, JD hasn't got from me alone.Never mind others that also felt out of place in JD dealerships. Visited a JD dealer before every purchase. Not that i didn't try. This mower fiasco will keep me away for good, as long as Kubota treats me right and i get great service.

EastTexFrank · Jun 3, 2013

Pete, I'm sure you will enjoy your new mower. Post pics when you get the chance.

I'm also glad to see that I'm not the only one that gets ticked off at JD. I have 3 pieces of Kubota equipment at the house and another 3 at the farm, all bought because of 3 bad JD buying experiences.

Someday they are going to learn but I don't think that it's likely to be anytime soon. The attitude seems to be ingrained.

Pete6114 · Jun 4, 2013

My new mower is Still not in, but my dealer dropped off a GR 2010 loaner with 230 hr's on it.

PHILIP8N · Jun 4, 2013

I ordered a GR2120 last Friday (May 31). Dealer had to order, wanted new in crate with 48" deck. Said I would have it by this Friday (June 7). Ordered snowblower too, but don't need it now, as long as I see it by November, that is fine with me. Can hardly wait, planning to take day off. Philip.

houstonscott · Jun 4, 2013

Seems like the popularity is gaining. Seems to fill that niche where you want a long lasting machine to mow more than just a big lot property (big box store stuff) but are not looking for a garden tractor with pto implements. Briggs and Koehler just are not going to due the job for long, small diesel is the right choice. JD seems to have that due everything small diesel in the 758, but the price is over the top if you don't plan to use all that rear pto capability.

HS

EastTexFrank · Jun 4, 2013

vrmnthntr said:
Congratulations. Hope you have better luck with this purchase. Your experience at the JD dealers is exactly why I did not purchase one. Nothing against the product, just bad service from the dealer.

Around here if your not in the "click" (buying a new $150k + tractor every year) then they don't get up from their desk to greet you at the door.

The second time they ticked me off, the salesman was kicked back at his desk talking fishing on the phone with a buddy. After waiting 15 minutes, he finally hung up, came out of his office and walked right past me to talk to another customer. I turned around and left. There's a whole other story attached to this but I don't want to hijack the thread.

csr0831 · Jun 4, 2013

For the record gents.......Kubota did not have a problem so much with quality control as they did poor design. It wasen't just the glide steer, but the transmission as well. I had a 2005 GR 2100. I had the transmission upgrade put in it when it started leaking oil at 125 hours and the redesigned glide steer cables when it had about 150 hours after the right one broke. I was very disappointed in this mower and got rid of it at 225 hours. Never did cut very well either. All that said, it is my understanding that the problems have been resolved with later models. Good luck!

Pete6114 · Jun 4, 2013

Took a bike ride to the dealer, to poke around the yard and see if my mower came in yet. Didnt see it.....but i ordered armrests for it for 60 bucks, canadian. I'm used to having them and will help me stay put after a few beers.

Pete6114 · Jun 4, 2013

houstonscott said:
Seems like the popularity is gaining. Seems to fill that niche where you want a long lasting machine to mow more than just a big lot property (big box store stuff) but are not looking for a garden tractor with pto implements. Briggs and Koehler just are not going to due the job for long, small diesel is the right choice. JD seems to have that due everything small diesel in the 758, but the price is over the top if you don't plan to use all those rear pro capability.

HS

When i was looking at JD mowers, i had interest in the 758. Right up to the point when i heard that diesel run. I found it quite loud, just idling. Then the price, as you say was nuts and forgot anything 7 series rather fast. The diesel in the GR2120 sounds good and not nearly as loud. I'm gonna love it.

Retired Iron Peddler · Jun 12, 2013

Hmmm, I guess my local JD dealer is the exception. They always have time for me even if I'm only "kicking tires" and until last year only owned an old JD 345 lawn tractor. My JD 345 has been virtually problem free and what little service it has needed, they have done an excellent job and based on that, I purchased a JD 655 Z-turn from them last year. I had a couple of small problems with the JD 655 and the dealer was quick to send a tech and a service truck to my place and make the repair at no charge. I'm considering replacing my JD 345 with a JD X750 with an auto-connect 54" mower. Both my local Kubota and JD dealers have treated me very well. I have no complaints...

Bill