Kubota ZD18

BillyP · Jul 11, 2007

I found a Kubota ZD18 at the local Kubota dealership. I haven't looked at it but he tells me it's in good shape with 148 hours. Some guy traded it in on a bigger model. Asking price is $6,000. Actually he told me he "had" to have 6K.

If it's in good shape, would that price be in line?

Thanks in advance.

art · Jul 11, 2007

I think thats a good price with so low hours. The book doesn't rate them other then in the commercial list and we know that it should have to be several thousand by now. They sold for about 3000 more when new.

BillyP · Jul 11, 2007

Thanks, Art! I did find out who owned it previously. I tried to call but he wasn't home. I'll get with him and see what he has to say about it.

Thanks again

diyDave · Jul 14, 2007

You might want to ask this question over at lawnsite, repair and mechanic part of the page, it seems there are some problems with hydraulic pumps on zd 18's and 21's, with this in mind, I would make the sign of the cross, and run like h*ll from this mower!

ozzie tractor · Jul 16, 2007

these things have had issues with hydro's and hydraulic pumps. they have been updated at least twice that i know of. to be honest i dont like these things and they are nowhere near bota's usual standard. at 1000hrs they feel and look just about buggered. in comparison the F series doing the same work are in much better shape at 3000 hrs. the zd's are still going but everything is sloopy and rattles. but this is just my opinion. others may disagree.

art · Jul 16, 2007

We have them working hills that originally were thought to only be four wheel drive territory and doing fine. The hydro's were redone and one that I was looking at the other day was just over 2100 hours and has only been in to have the pumps updated. That unit was not what he wanted to trade but his 1145's aren't being used because his fleet of zd's is carring the load.

BillyP · Jul 16, 2007

UPDATE:

I gave up on the ZD18. First off, the dealer said the unit was "fully" serviced and ready to go. I called back later and ask if I could possibly do a demo at my house. The guy said I don't know, I'll have to ask the dealer but he did offer to let me demo it at their place. Told me to call back the next day. The next day I call and the dealer said he didn't think it would be a problem for me to demo it but they needed time to service it. Told me to call back tomorrow. I quit playing tag a long time ago.

Anyway, I've decided to let this deal slide by.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I really appreciate it.

crbr · Jul 16, 2007

BillyP said:
UPDATE:

I gave up on the ZD18. First off, the dealer said the unit was "fully" serviced and ready to go. I called back later and ask if I could possibly do a demo at my house. The guy said I don't know, I'll have to ask the dealer but he did offer to let me demo it at their place. Told me to call back the next day. The next day I call and the dealer said he didn't think it would be a problem for me to demo it but they needed time to service it. Told me to call back tomorrow. I quit playing tag a long time ago.

Anyway, I've decided to let this deal slide by.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I really appreciate it.

Good decision.

ozzie tractor · Jul 18, 2007

art said:
We have them working hills that originally were thought to only be four wheel drive territory and doing fine. The hydro's were redone and one that I was looking at the other day was just over 2100 hours and has only been in to have the pumps updated. That unit was not what he wanted to trade but his 1145's aren't being used because his fleet of zd's is carring the load.

thats a fair call. i like the jd 1145's even less than a zd 18/21. i still stand by my claim a F3560 (or 3680, its basically the same unit with new body and deck) will age a heck of a lot better than a zd. i have also sort of got sick of working on zd 18/21's. first it was the charge pump and a major update to the trans. so lots of machines where repaired. then they all come back again with another major update to the same parts. the hydro's here in oz where not updated but replaced due to the charge pump exploding and spewing metal into them, thus destroying them. then with the last update due to increased pump capacity the deck would not lower at full rpm due to the hydraulic systems return now being to small for the amount of oil going through there.
as i said originally, they are still going but they are certainly used.

coobie · Jul 18, 2007

I do not have a ZD18 but I did buy a new kubota ZD326 pro with a 60 inch deck and could not be happier with its performance.Where I live is somewhat hilly and the 326 mows great.The only complaint I have is that I had a simplicty/ferris ZTR with independent suspension before the kubota and the ride on the ferris was much smoother.coobie