John Deere z425??

[BLUEBONNET2]

good morning,
just ordered a JDz425 and was wondering...any of you guys have one? 48" cut, briggs engine..... Any problems with the "stamped deck"???? thanks to all for the info....

good luck,
bluebonnet2

 

[shot_gun]

I used a friend of mines for about 15 minutes. I have to say I was totally impressed. It is a mowin machine. I went through some thick grassand thatch with out slowing down. I didn't expect to much figuring I'm comparing it to a 797/72 deere ztrack but it was really good. I think you will really enjoy it.

 

[larso1]

I've had mine for less than a year and still low hours, and no problems yet. The way I see it, when you are in the $4k category as these ztr's are, you get a compromise of features. On the plus of course you get the separate pump and motors found on higher end units instead of the less costly integral type, and it seems to have good build quality and and ergonomic design, for me anyway. On the other hand, you give up the heavy welded deck (or the heavy formed 7-iron model) and the powered deck lift. If you go to the Bad Boy lower end ZT-series, the high end features go the other way with nice welded deck and powered lift, but IZT pump/motors (which by the way have proven reliable). Some bad-mouth this JD ztr deck for being light gage but it has been pointed out that it's the same deck found on many of their garden tractors, and I've heard few complaints about them. I got a good deal on mine through my BIL's JD dealership, and that kind of cemented my choice. Plus, I also like JD green and yellow! It's the only one on my block

 

[larso1]

I should also add on the cutting performance, it's great, so much better than my previous LT, and sooo much faster. No stopping to reverse and turn....it's all just a continuous flow of motion, forward, pivoting, reversing. I have the Power-Flo bagger with fan assist that's driven off the deck pulley and the Briggs twin has plenty of power to drive the fan and cut my lawn, although I don't let my grass length get out of hand. I set the mower up myself, and saved $50 installing the bagger system too. Check your tire pressure because it's delivered to the dealer way too high (on purpose for transport). Also check that the deck is leveled properly and all this should ensure you get an excellent cut the first time. The dealer should do all this but just to be sure.....

 

[Big_Lug]

I have a 1999 JD GT 235 with the 18 Briggs and the 48" stamped deck and have been very pleased with it. It has never been in the shop and the deck looks maybe 2 yrs old. No rust whatso ever, and I am a stickler to washing my mower. I just ordered the JD 802 A with the 60" and 25hp Kawasaki just cause I now have acres to cut. I paid $7395 plus tax.Will pick it up on 7/14/08.

 

[larso1]

Big Lug, don't know if you've seen this thread on that particular new model, but it might pay to take a look here. Problem description to problem resolutions are covered at the lawnsite thread link below:

"Aloha,
I was doing some research on the 800 pro series for my coffee operations. Over at www.lawnsite.com there's a very long thread about the JD 800s being sluggish. Go take a read, it's full of commentaries from professional lawn care types.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=227501

I hope this helps,"
__________________
Fred Cowell, Coffee Farmer

 

[BLUEBONNET2]

good morning,
the z425 was delivered yesterday about 1 pm, and the dealerships delivery was disappointing at least.... no pin in the mowing height adjustment....don't know what happen, however, who ever did the make ready missed it....and no HAT.....unit was dirty, like it had been used... .02 hrs on the meter,
so i guessed they started it before delivery....no floor mat...now the good news....full of gas, oil levels ok....light system very bright(9 pm)....very fast(8 mph in the booklet)....the driver went back to the dealership after a cell call and brought back the height pin and my HAT....
so i went to work....2.5 ac. in about 1hr. 45 min. very smooth cut(new blades) very tight (as in smooth) steering.....took it to some 10" high stuff on transport height and it worked just fine....the briggs worked just fine....made in tennesse in the good old USA...

i would recommend this unit to anyone looking for a very well built z turn for small to medium sized mowing jobs....will let everyone know more later, after about 50 hrs....

good luck,
bluebonnet2

 

[larso1]

Well, I bought mine a year ago and I had to send in a card to get my hat, which took a couple weeks (no biggy). I didn't know that there was a floor mat available for these, and any lighting system would have been an add-on extra. So, I think you did OK. You might want to check tire pressures and deck leveling to ensure that was all set up too. I did my own setup right out of the crate, at the dealership, using their tools. I did the power-flo bagger install at home and saved $50 on that Everything is working good and I'm happy