John Deere or Kubota mower

[Fuddyduddy1952]

If money is a concern why not consider a zero turn. We cut 2 acres with either a lap bar or a steering wheel zero Cub Cadet. When wife uses the one and me on the other we can cut in an hour or so. Usually I do it all.

 

[dodge man]

You could add a deck to your current BX I’d think. The end loader comes off easy enough and I’m sure with practice the BH would too.

 

[kurtfromct]

You could add a deck to your current BX I’d think. The end loader comes off easy enough and I’m sure with practice the BH would too.

I’ve taken the backhoe off plenty and put 3 point implements on bunch of times. It’s easy and I’m sure the loader would be too. I don’t want to deal with swapping the machine over from mowing to work. It was never my intention. I would also need to buy turf tires (I know not a huge deal). The diesel garden tractor market doesn’t have many options and that’s what I wanted.

 

[kurtfromct]

If money is a concern why not consider a zero turn. We cut 2 acres with either a lap bar or a steering wheel zero Cub Cadet. When wife uses the one and me on the other we can cut in an hour or so. Usually I do it all.

The price of the bx1880 is good for me. Wish was 60” cut and not 54”. And I wonder how good that cut quality is. The x750 seems more ideal but it’s a noticeable amount more. Honestly an entry level commercial zero turn would be a cheaper option. But it’s not what I’d prefer

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

My two pesos:

I am getting rid of a 1991 JD 430 diesel because I picked up a used Kubota ZD326 zero turn.

I cannot speak regarding other diesel garden tractors, but as a mower, the Kubota is in a different and far superior universe.

I can move about twice as fast now. I don't know if the Kubota has a higher blade speed or what, but I am flying compared to the JD. Also, you don't understand the maneuvering advantage of a zero-turn until you try it. With the JD, I mowed up a rectangle of yard, across, and then back down the other side, because I could not turn it in place. I mowed over the same grass many times, wasting time and fuel. I also mowed across the grass, did a little loop, and then mowed back next the strip I had just mowed. Another waste. With a zero-turn, you turn like a wheelchair, very quickly, and go right back down a strip next to the one you just cut.

It's also very easy to mow right up to things in tight areas. Forget that with a tractor. And you don't have a big hot engine right in front of you, pumping exhaust in your face. It's behind you, like the exhaust, and you get a clean breeze.

Moving the control levers is somewhat more pleasant than turning a wheel all the time.

The Kubota has a built-in jack, so access to the underside of the deck is very easy. Not so with the JD. It's torture.

Kubota makes hitches for mowers.

I'm probably just getting on your nerves with this post, since you said you don't want a zero-turn, so sorry about that. I thought there was some small chance it would be helpful.

 

[zzvyb6]

I have a JD 1435 diesel, 72" front mower, 60" broom for snow removal, and I also can run a 540 rpm Winpower pto generator on it with a 3:1 geared reducer. I also have an older JD F935 same architechture that runs the same machinery. I reserve the 935 for a 76" rear discharge deck that easily takes on high grass, sticks, weeds, and whatever is afraid of it. They are not that plentiful around here (Michigan) but they sip fuel, easy to run (steering wheel), aux hydraulics if needed and nearly impossible to kill.

 

[dodge man]

I had a BX2350 for 10 years and mowed with a 60” deck with a mulch kit. If you have a golf course quality yard probably not good enough for you but for most people it cuts pretty good.

 

[350c]

I replaced my John deere 455 garden tractor with 60" deck (older series than the X's) with a Kubota B2920 which is the next size up from the BX.

When it comes down to strictly mowing the John deere garden tractor just out performs the Kubota.

Now the Kubota has far more capabilities than that 455 garden tractor but man when it comes to mowing I sure wish i still had that garden tractor to mow with.

Maybe the BX's deck configuration and tractor mow better than the B's but the only compliant I have about Kubota is when we start talking about mowing.

stucknutz, I agree. I've had both Kubota and JD and overall have found the JD to be better. For mowing, I currently have a Cub Cadet steering wheel zero turn but my old JD X500 does better mowing. I have bad knees so I much prefer the dual pedals on the JD to the treadle pedal. If the JD has a drive-over auto-connect deck, that is a great feature.

 

[Mike0616]

Take l look at the Kubota GR2120. Sounds like what you're looking for. Mine was under $14k for mower and front snowblower, weights, etc. it's four wheel drive and is similar to the larger units as far as construction, just a smaller unit for smaller jobs.

 

[JeffinNE]

Is having diesel for primarily mowing really needed?

A JD X570 with a 54" deck is half the price...