Buying Advice Kubota ZD1211 or Exmark Lazer Z X series

[weathda]

The toro in the video has the MyRide. Interestingly, I can see it working to a point, but doesn't seem to compare with the 4 wheel independent suspension. Great video.

Daugen, I found the 2017 manual for the IS3200Z. It shows all the grease points on the mower, but none on the suspension. I think they use plastic bushings now. The suspension maintenance would come at a cost - maybe not as much to a homeowner who only puts on a 100 hours/year. I guess one has to ask how much headache or repairs they might be willing to make for the sake of comfort and your spine. Good food for thought.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

That's the reason I won't buy a zero turn is because of the ride quality and the stability on hills. I prefer a garden tractor over zero turn.

. . . . [/url]

The ONLY advantage a garden tractor has over a zero turn in terms of ride quality is that garden tractors have pneumatic tires on the front, while some zero turns have rock hard flat free caster tires that ride like a steel-wheeled tractor.

The other reason a garden tractor may seem to ride better is because they are slower. The bumps are a little softer at 4-5 mph than they are at 9-10 mph. But just because a zero turn can go 10 - 15 mph doesn't mean that you have to, or even should, mow at that speed.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

The ONLY advantage a garden tractor has over a zero turn in terms of ride quality is that garden tractors have pneumatic tires on the front, while some zero turns have rock hard flat free caster tires that ride like a steel-wheeled tractor.

The other reason a garden tractor may seem to ride better is because they are slower. The bumps are a little softer at 4-5 mph than they are at 9-10 mph. But just because a zero turn can go 10 - 15 mph doesn't mean that you have to, or even should, mow at that speed.

Bigger tires plays a huge part in ride quality, all other things aside. The little tires on a zero turn drop down in holes and ruts more.

Also most zero turns don't have suspension on the front where most tractors do.

 

[DK35vince]

Bigger tires plays a huge part in ride quality, all other things aside. The little tires on a zero turn drop down in holes and ruts more.

Also most zero turns don't have suspension on the front where most tractors do.

I can tell you that my zero turn ( Hustler Super Z with 6' deck, 35 HP Kawasaki, suspension seat , flex forks and 8 PSI tire pressure) rides MANY times better than my garden tractor. Also rides better than my 35 HP compact tractor.
The thing will mow circles around my Tractor with a 7' rear finish mower.
I mow 8 acres of lawn, would take an entire day or more to mow if I ever tried mowing it with my Wheel Horse garden tractor.
Takes 3 1/4 hours to mow with my Kioti DK 35 w/7' rear finish mower.
The Super Z will mow it in 2 hours. Its that fast.

 

[daugen]

would take an entire day or more to mow if I ever tried mowing it with my Wheel Horse garden tractor.

don't you dare, you should be preserving that old girl. which model?
said the owner of a 1968 Cub Cadet

I have to tell you, my JD garden tractor, diesel X750, a real dinosaur in the evolution of things, rides remarkably well. 26x12 inch tires, I guess I have the air low enough and the steering is power so well insulated from vibration. My Massey 2wd tractor rides the best, those big tires aired down since I'm not running an FEL on that tractor. My Kubota tractor and ancient Cub Cadet tie for absolute worst ride (filled tires) while my Gravely garden tractor is fair. Not good though. The Michigan seat on the JD was well worth the 600 bucks they charge for it though the identical seat can be bought for 325. I have mowed with a Kawasaki powered Exmark also helping out mowing the graveyard at church and found that to be pretty hard riding, though that was years ago, maybe they have a better set up now.

Am thinking those new high tech plastic wheels, assuming they don't break, should offer a little compliance and ride better.

 

[DK35vince]

would take an entire day or more to mow if I ever tried mowing it with my Wheel Horse garden tractor.

don't you dare, you should be preserving that old girl. which model?
said the owner of a 1968 Cub Cadet

1978 Wheel Horse C-101
I bought this used in 1986 and still have it.
Still in good condition and running good.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I can tell you that my zero turn ( Hustler Super Z with 6' deck, 35 HP Kawasaki, suspension seat , flex forks and 8 PSI tire pressure) rides MANY times better than my garden tractor. Also rides better than my 35 HP compact tractor.
The thing will mow circles around my Tractor with a 7' rear finish mower.
I mow 8 acres of lawn, would take an entire day or more to mow if I ever tried mowing it with my Wheel Horse garden tractor.
Takes 3 1/4 hours to mow with my Kioti DK 35 w/7' rear finish mower.
The Super Z will mow it in 2 hours. Its that fast.

Lol a 35hp zero turn should mow at 12mph lol I would think anyway, my dad's 21hp 445 mows around 9mph with 5ft deck, sadly my 24hp husqvarna tops out around 5.5 mph with 54in deck.

 

[DK35vince]

Lol a 35hp zero turn should mow at 12mph lol I would think anyway, my dad's 21hp 445 mows around 9mph with 5ft deck, sadly my 24hp husqvarna tops out around 5.5 mph with 54in deck.

It will mow at 13-14 MPH, and we mow at that speed in the smoother sections of the lawn.
Other sections require slowing down unless you like being thrown off the seat

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

It will mow at 13-14 MPH, and we mow at that speed in the smoother sections of the lawn.
Other sections require slowing down unless you like being thrown off the seat

Maybe you should upgrade to a roll cage, 5 point seat belt, helpmate, fireproof suit and let her rip, if she gets airborne, less friction for the tires lol.

Don't forget the dukes of hazard horn for when she does lift off .

 

[DK35vince]

Maybe you should upgrade to a roll cage, 5 point seat belt, helpmate, fireproof suit and let her rip, if she gets airborne, less friction for the tires lol.

Don't forget the dukes of hazard horn for when she does lift off .

I bought an upper end commercial zero turn for a reason.
Longevity and Speed.
When mowing I like to see results, fast.

 

[daugen]

I honestly think some of us who mow at 3 to 5 mph are simply amazed at how fast zero turns can mow. But unless you are mowing the municipal ball fields, or have a big open lawn without many obstructions and plantings, not sure how anyone can maintain the top speeds posted for zero turns. Also means the motor is running flat out to make enough tip speed to mow the grass at that speed. Lots of discussions on whether to run air cooled mowers flat out, I don't..., but if you want to go fast, make a lot of noise, bounce around, and get the absolute max done, a ZT is the only way to go. All I can say is that some of us like to smell the roses a little bit more, I have serious back and neck problems and can't take the bouncing. So I'm happy to slow down, even with 5 acres of lawn to mow. Some of us drive Corvettes, some of us drive Buicks...

I think for many of us it's how fast can you mow comfortably. The improvements in suspension for lawn mowers has come a long way. I saw a link to some new Simplicity garden tractors that actually have leaf springs in front and rear. Leaf springs in a mower, remarkable. Well, Ferris has fully independent upper and lower control arms with shock absorbers.
We are getting little vehicles for our lawn.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Get a commercial quality ztr with suspension or at least a sus. seat. You will be happy. All the R and D is going toward zero turns. In 10 years tractor style mowers will be rare.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Get a commercial quality ztr with suspension or at least a sus. seat. You will be happy. All the R and D is going toward zero turns. In 10 years tractor style mowers will be rare.

Unless they make a zero turn that's safer on hills I don't see tractor style mowers being rare, that's like saying there will be no economy car, every time I look, zero turns cost more $$

 

[RjCorazza]

I went with a Kubota zd326 about 10 years ago, and do not regret my choice for a second. Just the fuel handling alone made a diesel worth the up front expense. The higher torque of the diesel, better fuel economy, and stability of a zero turn on hills make for a fast grass cutting experience.

 

[ProjectKing]

I bought a large farm in the TN hill country and want a top quality mower that is durable and will last many years. I need something that can handle a hill, an occasional rock without braking and high grass if necessary. The Kubota is diesel & Exmark is gas. I was leaning toward the Kubota even though it is more than I'd like to spend but found that the Exmark is $2,500 less which is why I turn to you experts. Is the Kubota worth $2,500 more? And I'm open to another Zero turn option if there is something better than my top 2 choices.

So how many acres are you mowing a week? If you could provide pics of the land that would be awesome.

I would go with the Kubota ZD. But if you are on really hilly land I would suggest a Kubota F3860. However one is expensive and the other is crazy expensive! Haha!

Here's a couple videos about my ZD326. Theres no comparison on quality of Kubota ZD mowers and other brands. The ZD mowers are built like farm tractors with high quality transmission, engine, driveline, etc. I've seen ZD mowers with over 5,000 hours that have been run everyday that still fire right up and run well.

Zero Turn Mower Power House! Kubota ZD326 - YouTube

Zero Turn Diesel Power! Kubota ZD326 Mowing with POV - YouTube

 

[lhansman]

Being a proud Kubota L45 owner when I need a new mower I went looking at the Kubota zero turn line. I wanted a long term mower but wasn't sure I wanted to pay the premium for the diesel engine given that my property is only a little over an acre. I went to the spring demo day a few years ago that my Kubota dealer was having and tried out the Kubota line and liked them. However, I have a number of steep slopes on my property and there was a large ditch in the test area and the Kubota was very difficult and did not feel safe trying to cut straight along the ditch slope.

My Kubota dealer had just become a Cub Cadet dealer and their representative suggested I try the new Z-Force zero turn with a steering wheel on the slope. I couldn't believe the difference - it was no problem at all to mow in a straight line along the slope and felt very safe. After four years I have had no issues with the machine and as others have pointed out the lawn is cut in less than half the time. I also burn about half the gasoline that I used to burn with my old lawn tractor mower with a comparably sized engine.

They may not measure up to the longevity of the commercial units with a diesel engine but the Cub Cadet zero turns with the steering wheel are excellent cutters on flat and sloped ground in my opinion.

 

[ProjectKing]

Being a proud Kubota L45 owner when I need a new mower I went looking at the Kubota zero turn line. I wanted a long term mower but wasn't sure I wanted to pay the premium for the diesel engine given that my property is only a little over an acre. I went to the spring demo day a few years ago that my Kubota dealer was having and tried out the Kubota line and liked them. However, I have a number of steep slopes on my property and there was a large ditch in the test area and the Kubota was very difficult and did not feel safe trying to cut straight along the ditch slope.

My Kubota dealer had just become a Cub Cadet dealer and their representative suggested I try the new Z-Force zero turn with a steering wheel on the slope. I couldn't believe the difference - it was no problem at all to mow in a straight line along the slope and felt very safe. After four years I have had no issues with the machine and as others have pointed out the lawn is cut in less than half the time. I also burn about half the gasoline that I used to burn with my old lawn tractor mower with a comparably sized engine.

They may not measure up to the longevity of the commercial units with a diesel engine but the Cub Cadet zero turns with the steering wheel are excellent cutters on flat and sloped ground in my opinion.

That's great info! Yes the front wheels on the Cub are fixed and steer kinda like a lawn tractor. So all for wheels are holding directional stability. On a traditional zero turn the rear tires have to do all the work... propelling and steering. It's not for everyone!

 

[MESSMAKER]

Unless they make a zero turn that's safer on hills I don't see tractor style mowers being rare, that's like saying there will be no economy car, every time I look, zero turns cost more $$

I did not say that they would not exist, just you will have way fewer choices. It has already happened to garden tractors. You will only find a few. The SCUT has taken over.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I did not say that they would not exist, just you will have way fewer choices. It has already happened to garden tractors. You will only find a few. The SCUT has taken over.

I have had my eye on one of those steering wheel zero turn units, seems there not bad on hills

 

[Tractorable]

I researched ZTR's for quite a while but ended up going with a garden tractor (X590) because I like my machines to do more than one thing. With the garden tractor I can mow, tow a dump cart, chicken tractor, aerator, spreader, lawn sweeper, or run a snow blower if I want to.....ZTR's are faster but GT's are more versatile.