JD Zero Turn Reviews

[rmonio]

I’m looking for some good reviews or threads on JD Zero Turn mowers. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[Wagtail]

Well, I've had my Z355E for a couple of years now. It's been flawless for what I need.

What I mean by that is that it's not 'commercial' and that I need to keep my mouth firmly shut due to rough ground 'jarring' = the suspension simply isn't up to those standards. I purposely bought it due to it not having a ROPS for low hanging tree limbs.

I did purchase the accessory 'rear bumper/towing package' (self installed). The bumper has come in handy when backing. Although I haven't needed to tow anything yet, I can.

It has started & run first time every time. I have yet to change the oil (getting close though), any belts or the blades.

I'm very happy with it, especially the speed with which I can now mow, after I became skilled with the two-handle steering.

 

[workinonit]

I've owned several JD ZTs and though I sold the others I still have my original 717A. When I got rid of my las 910A I bought a Kubota 1211 diesel. I really like that machine much better than any of the Deeres I've owned. Every zero turn I've ever owned has had a mulching kit on it. I wouldn't own one without it.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I'm the opposite on the mulching kit. I prefer the highest lift blades I can find. I want to lift the grass as much as possible and throw the clippings as far as possible. I used to have a lawn service and have had many different brands of mowers. I have found that the JD's have the best cut for the grass around here. I only really have experience with the commercial machines, I would not hesitate to purchase one if I were in the market.

 

[kozal01]

What is your budget? There is a massive difference between the cheap homeowner models and the expensive commercial ones.

 

[rmonio]

Thank you for all of the responses! Much appreciated.

I am looking at the commercial units - primarily the M series (not R - I don’t need Diesel). Yes, they are expensive - but the value is there for sure. The extra steel in the deck, the upgraded seat, and the ROPS for lights, etc. All things I’m interested in.

I also like the raise/lower of the deck button on the drive handle and the mulching capability is interesting. Does the mulching kit do a good job?

I also thought about getting the bumpers for the deck (they are extra and have to be put on by yourself) to protect it from being hit.

-Bob

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Mulching kits seem to be personal preference. I don't like them but I also know people who like them so much the have them put on before they take delivery from the dealer. I also prefer the foot lever for deck raise. I use it to lift over bumps that I know will scalp, or if i see gravel in the lawn etc. My Commercial JD had round bar on the sides of the deck. It looks like the 9 series has the bumpers on the sides already. I would get the 9 series. I only have experience with the 7 iron decks and they are really good.

I hit a bunch of stuff with my deck and never had an issue. I was in a tight back yard with a slope going toward the privacy fence, hit one of the 4x4 posts with the deck and knocked about a 2" gash in the post. Couldn't even tell where it had hit the deck...

I had an electric foot switch operated version of a chute blocker like this LINK. It's a compromise for a mulch kit. You can side discharge in the open areas and close down the chute next to something you don't want to blow grass clippings on, flower beds, driveway, etc. It doesn't mulch the grass so you do end up with a bit of a line when you lower it but it's not bad.

 

[rmonio]

Thanks for your feedback. I have more and more leaves in my yard yearly and I also get a bit of unregular growth of the grass that (we live on a hobby farm) means more clippings. I’d prefer to have something that mulches and helps grind that stuff up. I do plan to fertilize this year and i know that will have an impact on the grass growth too.

Is there a site that shows the full list of options for the Z models? (I heard about 3-point and other items..).

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[gstrom99]

I've had my JD 530R for several years, with no trouble. The Kaw motor runs great, and the roll bar folds down. The "R" level on JD's gets you a better seat, lights, foot rests, and more. I don't use the "comfort track" or whatever they call the sliding seat track. Bumpy ride? yes, but not too bad. 54" deck and cuts perfect. It cost a bit over $5k, but I like it.

 

[RjCorazza]

I can't comment on the JD zeros specifically, but here's my 2 cents on some of your concerns...
I prefer a chute blocker to full blown mulching decks. Many prefer mulching decks, but I find them limiting when mowing thick and / or high grass. With the chute blocker down and (Gator) mulching blades I can grind up leaves to dust, but I do have to go over the windrow to finish it off.
If I were looking at a gas powered zero I would definitely want a Kawasaki engine. Happy shopping!

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I 2nd the Kawasaki. Although the Briggs Vanguard Big Block 36hp I have has been just as trouble free so far.

 

[sklunk]

I am looking at the commercial units - primarily the M series (not R - I don’t need Diesel). Yes, they are expensive - but the value is there for sure. The extra steel in the deck, the upgraded seat, and the ROPS for lights, etc. All things I’m interested in.

I also like the raise/lower of the deck button on the drive handle and the mulching capability is interesting. Does the mulching kit do a good job?

I also thought about getting the bumpers for the deck (they are extra and have to be put on by yourself) to protect it from being hit.

-Bob

If you want commercial you need to look at the Z900 units. And just so you know -- the "R" series doesn't mean diesel, they come in gas too. It's only the Z994 and Z997 that are diesel. As a matter of fact if you want the raise/lower button on the drive handle you MUST get the R series, and they come with the better seat suspension too (although those can be added to an M series later). The drive handles also have a "formed" rubber shape to them instead of just round bars with some foam on them.

I have a Z960R with MOD (Mulch on Demand) deck and it is a BEAST. 33hp Kawasaki engine, electric PTO and deck lift (that's what the button on the drive bar does). The MOD deck works like a regular side-discharge until you flip the lever, then when you engage it the mower turns into a true mulcher (it doesn't just cover the blowout chute -- there are curved plates under the deck that also move to "surround" each blade). I run Gator blades and they make a good bit of wind noise but it cuts everything I have thrown at it. I have noticed that sometimes it leaves windrows when in mulching mode depending on how high/thick the grass is, but most full-time mulching decks will do this too.

Spend some time looking around the Deere site then go look for a used one. Right now is a great time to shop since many commercial operators trade their units in at the end of the season. Some of them can be junk, but many that I have seen get taken care of during the mowing season since the operators depend on them. Then every few years they trade on new ones.

TONS of info and links on this page (if you scroll down about halfway you can see all the models listed with specs to compare):

https://www.deere.com/en/mowers/commercial-mowers/commercial-zero-turn/z900-series/

 

[rmonio]

Thanks. I’ll review those. It looks like a R model is the way to go over the M, though. Do all models have their own PTO, too?

 

[workinonit]

I'm a mulcher. I have been since 2000 and 4 ZTs. I still have my original Z717A with a 48" mulching deck. It still gets used everytime I curt grass. I've always been green and when I bought my last mower I was looking 994/997 but JD didn't have a deck raise that you could bump raise and lower to cut over roots. The deck only raises all the way up then back down when you release the button. Long story short I happened across Kubota 1211. The deck raise is controlled by 2 foot pedals. You can bump stop it as well. That's a must with 38 Live Oak trees and bad knees. Diesel, no DPF and no wheel motors. I've had it 2 seasons and so far it's the best ZT I've ever used. The mulcher will grind leaves like they were never there.

 

[mikester]

Get yourself an air ride seat, you will thank me later.

 

[workinonit]

Who has an air ride seat on a ZT?

 

[Hoss710]

I have a z545R for 3 years now. been a great machine. the fuel injected engine has never missed a beat. I added Z glide front suspension on it , and it makes a huge difference in ride quality. It's been a solid machine. I used yo have a kubota zd25 I loved that machine as it had a suspension seat and tons of torque and fuel economy being a diesel. but the cut quality was never as nice as the deere's.

 

[bigtiller]

I have a z545R for 3 years now. been a great machine. the fuel injected engine has never missed a beat. I added Z glide front suspension on it , and it makes a huge difference in ride quality. It's been a solid machine. I used yo have a kubota zd25 I loved that machine as it had a suspension seat and tons of torque and fuel economy being a diesel. but the cut quality was never as nice as the deere's.

I didn't know they made them for a Z545R. I've looked but can't find a link. Do you have a link?

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm a mulcher. I have been since 2000 and 4 ZTs. I still have my original Z717A with a 48" mulching deck. It still gets used everytime I curt grass. I've always been green and when I bought my last mower I was looking 994/997 but JD didn't have a deck raise that you could bump raise and lower to cut over roots. The deck only raises all the way up then back down when you release the button. Long story short I happened across Kubota 1211. The deck raise is controlled by 2 foot pedals. You can bump stop it as well. That's a must with 38 Live Oak trees and bad knees. Diesel, no DPF and no wheel motors. I've had it 2 seasons and so far it's the best ZT I've ever used. The mulcher will grind leaves like they were never there.

I don’t want to hi-jack the OP’s thread, but yeah I agree. Kubota makes an outstanding diesel zero turn. I don’t even bother looking at anything else, maybe a Ferris, but prolly not.

 

[beenthere]

Hay Dude
The question to answer is in the subject line. Was about a JD Zero Turn.