Narrowed down my selection to a Kubota Z121SKH-48 or a Deere Z535M. Wondering what people think about these and which one they would choose. The JD is about $400 cheaper at the end of the day. Dealers are located same distance apart. Service seems the same at both dealers. Mowing just under an acre on mostly flat grass. JD has a 25Hp B&S engine with Tuff TorqueTZT7-D drive train with a 10 gauge stamped deck. Kubota has a 21HP Koehler engine with a ZT3100 drive train with a 10 gauge welded deck. Not a fan of the ROPS fixed bar on the Kubota due to the trees that I have to mow under/around...wondering if that can be removed. Appreciate your thoughts on this one.
Buying Advice Kubota Z121SKH-48 versus John Deere Z535M
- Thread starter HD99FLHR
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Dftodd
Elite Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2014
- Messages
- 3,528
- Location
- vilonia, arkansas
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S
Welded deck is gonna hold up much better then the stamped deck over time. I have the z121s. Very happy with it. Got around 30 hours on it so far. Only beef with it is the rops location. Being 6'1" tall, I ride with the seat all the way back. A couple times while dodging a tree branch I've knocked the ol' noggin pretty good on the darn thing. Wife is 5'5" tall and operates with the seat forward some so she can reach the foot rest. She has a much easier time avoiding the rops.
The Deere was an automatic no go for me, but that was due to the local dealer. I've had regular dealings with there service department through my work, and after some billing disputes and plane phony charges, they pretty much turned me off from there brand,
The Deere was an automatic no go for me, but that was due to the local dealer. I've had regular dealings with there service department through my work, and after some billing disputes and plane phony charges, they pretty much turned me off from there brand,
Thanks for the input. Looked at the JD a little closer today and decided to go with the Kubota. The JD has a large one piece plastic section under the seat that runs to each side cover/surround. It has to be removed if you need to get under there for any maintenance/repairs down the road. The ROPS can be removed from the Kubota so I can avoid hitting my head when mowing under/around the trees. 4yr/300 hour warranty and 0% interest makes it even more appealing.
