John Deere Zero turns?

[Dale1995]

I have been looking at several different brands of zero turn mowers the last couple of weeks. The other day I stopped by my local JD dealer and one of the salesman (who just happens to be a good friend of mine) started discussing the z900 series of mowers he had on the lot. After looking over all the models he suggested, that I take one out for a drive and not just on his lot. An hour later he shows up with a z950 with a 60 inch mulch on demand deck. I currently own a 2320 with a 62d mowing deck, and love it or so I thought. He drops it off and tells me that its full of gas and keep it for a few days so the wife and I can try it on our lot at home. After about a half hour or so of getting used to operating the mower, I decided to cut my lawn, to say the least I didn't know that cutting grass could be so much fun. Not only did it cut my mowing time by almost half, but it also allowed me to get into areas much easier. The quality of cut was superb. My next door neighbor commented on how nice it cut as they saw me zooming up and down the lawn. Needless to say I was sold on a zero turn. I have been also looking at a Toro Zmaster Z500 series, but the dealer wasn't crazy about bringing over a demo to try out. The toro is a little less money, looks like a decent deck, but some of the other features can't compare to the z900's Like height of cut adjustment, Mulch on demand, the overall placement of the controls on the tractor and other minor things. I guess that I am sold on the JD, but before I pull the plug on such a purchase, I want to hear what you guys have out there and what your opinions are. My local JD dealer ship is really bending over backwards for a sale. While my local Toro dealer doesn't seem to want to be bothered, and I know the service department at my JD dealership will take care of any issues I may have.....Toro guy I'm not so sure. Now If I could only decide which model to get. They are all the same machine, just different engines, all kawasaki powered. they range from 26 to 32 horsepower. So if you own one I want to hear the good, the bad and the indifferent. :thumbsup:

 

[tmshort]

I don't own one, but had one for 1.5 months while waiting on my 2520 to arrive (dealer loaned it to me) - it was a 900 series with a 7 iron deck.

I liked it a lot ... well built and did a good job mowing.

I don't have any other ZTR experience for comparison...

 

[ridger]

i just bought a Z920A 54 inch and i love it,i mow about 10 to 12 acres the only problem i have is down here in south texas there is no grass to cut.

 

[JiminGa]

I bought a z910 with 48" deck in the spring of 2010, absolutely love the thing, best mower I've ever owned. If I had to do it over again I would have gone with the z920 and a MOD, but that was me not realizing the value of the MOD.

 

[trook]

I bought a 60" 925 about a year ago. **** fine mower. :thumbsup:

 

[bigtiller]

I bought a z910 with 48" deck in the spring of 2010, absolutely love the thing, best mower I've ever owned. If I had to do it over again I would have gone with the z920 and a MOD, but that was me not realizing the value of the MOD.

MOD??

 

[trailbuilder]

Bought a 925 this year for the lawns here and it works well. The ride is a bit rough if you want to go fast over rough terrain/lawn but you can sure can cover some area fast! YES I would buy another!

 

[Alan L.]

Never been on one but my neighbor bought a new 9xx, a big one with 72" deck and 31HP gas engine I think, 7 iron deck. My wife and I had been out of town a couple weeks due to medical issues and when we got back and I started mowing with my Scag 61" which I love, and he shows up to help. He mowed fast and the cut was great - I had some envy. His place always looks manicured but I never see him on it because its just too quick.

 

[kennyd]

MOD??

Mulch on Demand

 

[donn12]

That might be the best mower you can buy at any price.

 

[JeffinNE]

I just upgraded from a 6 year old LT190 with a 48 inch deck to a 2320 with the 62D (also got the loader, tiller, and commercial grade aerator). For my 3 acres this is plenty fast for mowing.
Considered getting a JD zero turn--probably something in the Z900 series with a 60 inch deck and the MOD along with the 2320, but cost prohibited that. Plus the biggest downside to having both---I would rarely get to drive my 2320!!!! With both a ZTR and the 2320, the 2320 would only be used a couple times a year to til and a couple times to aerate along with a few loader projects. I like driving my tractor! Call me old fashioned.

 

[mallera]

I use a 54" JD zero turn - commercial grade that I bought used with 4 hours on it. The previous owner returned it for a smaller machine the day I was @ Southern Tractor looking. Mow 7 acres of yard with it. Only problem has been hitting a really heavy stick - or small log - in tall grass - my fault for not paying attention - & snapping a belt. Covered under warranty which transferred with the purchase. I have mulch on demand & use it often -helps to avoid sending flying missiles thru the discharge chute. Gives a really fine cut. 27 hp Kohler (check me on this hp figure) going strong on its fourth season. like it a lot & would buy again for the value & dealer service. Bob

 

[mallera]

Oops maybe Kawasaki engine rather than Kohler . Duh. I'll have to check - on vacation now on an island in Lake Huron - mower is 1200 miles away !!

 

[kude]

I just acquired a 997, and I like mowing the grass with it, To me, the lawn just looks better when cut with it, as opposed to my 3520 RMM.

 

[jcmseven]

I posted a few months back about a dilemma I had with my folks. They are both seniors and have between two houses about four acres to mow, and I also mow fairly often for my aunt and uncle who have another 5 or so. I bought a 950 ZTR to keep down at my folks place to mow with. I also have a 2320 which I use for general little tractor stuff. I loved that 950 for mowing, but my elderly and slightly demented father insisted on using it also and my mother thought it was "too dangerous" for him, so she pitched a fit until I came to get it. He actually did pretty well with it and he really only mows about 1/4 times it is done anyway so I felt her angst was not based in reality. In short, I sold the 950 (at a bit of a loss) because I had no need for it except for there (I have 7 acres, but no grass). I have since put a 54d mower on the 2320 and dad now uses it his 1/4 times and I have added about three hours to my mowing time when I go down there to mow the three properties. In short, I was not happy about this. In my short time with the 950 I came up with the following opinion:

1. It is obviously faster and does a better job than does a belly mount tractor mower.
2. It is the nicest and best cutting ZTR I have personally used (I had a 757 and a Gravely PM260Z before-the Gravely was AS nice, but did not cut quite as well).
3. It is a big improvement over the 800 series and the hydro/gear assist works as advertised.
4. I wish they had a fuel-injected model; viola, the 925 FI is now out
5. Burns a lot of fuel, but mows so quickly it is moot
6. Would buy and have another if permitted, tomorrow.

John M

 

[Grants351]

My uncle owns a 997 ZTR and I use it on my yard when my 455D is broken. It mows nice, but everytime you turn it tears up grass. It doesnt matter if you go fast, slow, whatever. The only way to avoid it is to take 20ft wide turns. Otherwise a nice mower, but divots in my yard drive me nuts. Also not the best for mowing ditches.

 

[Red Horse]

My oldest son upgraded his 655 Ztrak to a bigger machine and I bought it from him. i previously used my 3320 with a rear mount Land Pride. Needless to say the 3320 doesn't mow anymore. This thing is pushing 1500 hours and it's running strong. As someone else mentioned, much quicker that a tractor/mower.

 

[Brentwalker]

So all comments so far are about the commercial great zero-turns. While they are great machines, I felt that it was out of my price range especially for just two acres. I ended up with, at the time, the top of the residential line Eztrak Z445. Supposedly the only difference was the 7iron deck. I keep the maintenance up on it and it still runs like a champ. All I have had to do maintenance wise is all the usual maintenance items (oil/filter, etc) and just this last weekend had to replace the mower deck serpentine belt ($60) and blades ($50).
I had a lawn tractor before this and it wore me out after cutting two acres going from forward/reverse and turning the steering wheel. Now I zip through my property in about half the time I used to spend. It's so much faster I've been known now to actually mow two times a week. Just not this year as the grass has not been growing due to drought in Houston.
Not sure what they cost now but in '07 I paid around $4800.
Hope this helps.

Brent Walker
'07 JD Eztrak Z445

 

[eriepower]

Do yourself a favor and demo an ExMark X series. 29 hp Kawasaki is a nice package but it dosnt matter what engine nothing holds hills or cuts better.

 

[jwinner]

I've used a 997 diesel at work, when I have to heheh. The darn big 6' deck is hard to keep from scalping on hilly ground and it is so easy to tear up the grass if you turn too sharp. Plus one of our 997s had the hydraulic pump go out, luckily it was covered under warranty. The diesel is great on fuel, I would almost believe someone was sneaking diesel into the tank to be funny with me. If I did not have a lot of hills to mow, I would happily go with a ZTR. But not if I had hills - especially when I have to make turns on the hills.