Kubota ZD331 Mower

[sunnyside360]

Looking for advice and opinions on the Kubota ZD331 mower with 72" deck. I'm mowing approximately 6 acres of lawn about twice a week. 5 acres are relatively flat and one acre is on hill side. I'm looking to spend less time mowing -- even considered contracting out the mowing. I stopped by one of the local Kubota dealers today to get info and prices --- was quoted a price of $14,600 for a new ZD331 mower.
Any advice/opinions are greatly appreciated.

PS: Also considering John Deere 997 ZTrack mower.

 

[KJINTF]

I Picked up the ZD326 w/60" deck and LOVE it
Slashed the cutting time of 2.5 to 3 acres of level lawn from 3.5 hours to 45 minutes. I believe it cuts faster and does a cleaner job than anything else out there.
You can not go wrong with the ZD machines from Kubota

 

[Unregistered2013]

the price is pretty good, for now -- i got mine two year ago for $12,500 -- but prices always go up!

i mow 3 acres in an hour --

-- the machine is pretty near perfect --

-- i think i spend more time greasing the zerks and cleaning off the deck than i do mowing -- !!

the service is very easy on the machine, and it's very accessible.

the only downside for any ZT is wet, soft ground -- because they're heavy and 2wd, they tend to get stuck in it -- that's what the RTV is for --

 

[Unregistered2013]

ps sunnyside -- try beatty diesel in erie pa -- that's where i got mine!!

 

[hizoot]

I have an Exmark zero turn..and love it for the time savings....but hate it for the very rough ride. I put on the high dollar suspension seat from exmark (Northern tool and John Deere also sell it) but it just barely lessend the harsh ride. I guess because it is so much faster, you really hit the bumps harder. I would get a demo ride around your place,to see if you need to include a better seat.

 

[KJINTF]

They do indeed ride a bit harsh if the lawn is not perfectly smooth
Believe the harsh ride comes from going almost 3x the speed I was doing on the Honda 4518. Found a seat suspension adjustment on the Kubota smoothed things out somewhat.

 

[gregkabob]

I bought the ZD326S last Sep and it's a beast. Mows so quick and with a great cut. If your land is smooth you can really fly. If it's not smooth might look at not getting the no flat front tires and as there is no way to adjust the air in them. On mine I lowered the air a bit both front and back and the ride is much better over my bumpy ground.

Also if you are spending a lot of time cleaning off the deck do as my buddy suggested to me who uses one for his mowing buisness. Take off the pulley guards. It makes a lot of differance on how much grass collects on top of the deck.

Bottom line it's a great mower and you can't go wrong getting one.

 

[om21braz]

I've had a ZD21 w/ 60" Pro deck since 2005. It has been a very good machine. A friend with a ZD28 & 72" notes his is more prone to scalping than the ZD21/60" he had previously. I ran a new 326 a little last year and I think the deck/quality of cut has improved since the older Pro deck came out. Also I wish I had the access panel above the deck as the newer units do - maybe I need to cut out mine out as others have done. If the weight of the Kubota does'nt bother you or the fact the controls are not as "quick" as some of the other brands - the Kubota is a hard machine to beat. Lastly, I'd say the $14,600 price you have quoted is pretty close to the bottom.

 

[sunnyside360]

I visited some more dealers the last couple of days and decided to go with the ZD331. I test drove one and liked it. The deal wasn't bad either --- $13,300 for a new Kubota ZD331 with 72" deck (list is $16,350).
Many thanks again for all your help.

 

[om21braz]

I visited some more dealers the last couple of days and decided to go with the ZD331. I test drove one and liked it. The deal wasn't bad either --- $13,300 for a new Kubota ZD331 with 72" deck (list is $16,350).
Many thanks again for all your help.

$13,300 is an excellent price on that machine. Approx. 15% off list is typically the best discount anyone gets.

 

[tawilson]

I've had a ZD21 w/ 60" Pro deck since 2005. It has been a very good machine. A friend with a ZD28 & 72" notes his is more prone to scalping than the ZD21/60" he had previously. I ran a new 326 a little last year and I think the deck/quality of cut has improved since the older Pro deck came out. Also I wish I had the access panel above the deck as the newer units do - maybe I need to cut out mine out as others have done. If the weight of the Kubota does'nt bother you or the fact the controls are not as "quick" as some of the other brands - the Kubota is a hard machine to beat. Lastly, I'd say the $14,600 price you have quoted is pretty close to the bottom.

I modidfied my ZD28 so I can remove the whole footrest area. I cut a slot for the brake and moved a couple of bolts. I got the idea after looking at the newer machines with the access hole.
And to stay on topic, good choice to the op, I love my mower.
I remembered I had done a thread on this mod a while back. This is a pic of the mower the first time I took the deck off. After seeing the dirt and grass under there I prefer the deck removal to cutting a hatch.

 

[KJINTF]

Congrads - I KNOW you will love the ZD331

I figured out an easier method to get to the grease fittings
Only problem is backing off the hoist in a straight line
The front tires want to spin around and fall off the side

 

[missingstexas]

Congrads - I KNOW you will love the ZD331

I figured out an easier method to get to the grease fittings
Only problem is backing off the hoist in a straight line
The front tires want to spin around and fall off the side

I especially love the choice of hydration. Hydration is critical to getting work done :thumbsup::licking:

 

[KJINTF]

Now how did that can get into the picture?

You found it, thanks - I was looking for it a while back
However there are always more where that one came from
Used to be with the Honda 4518 it took 6 or more of those cans to finish the lawn. Now with the Kubota it's less than one - to hard to steer while enjoying the sights and dodging the trees plus the last full can ended up all over me

 

[sunnyside360]

$13,300 is an excellent price on that machine. Approx. 15% off list is typically the best discount anyone gets.

After taking delivery almost 2 weeks ago, I have to say the Kubota ZD331 with 72" Pro Commercial deck is one heck of a mower --- very fast and very nice cut. I'm amazed at how little fuel it uses and mowing time has been cut by more than 50% and may get better with experience. Heck, my seat time may get way less because my wife really likes the mower.
No regrets so far, and seems to be a very good choice for a large zero turn mower. Thanks again for all the advice given above.

 

[missingstexas]

Awesome! Thanks for the follow up here. It's always good to hear experience after a few test drives. I'm thinking I'll order my zd326 in 60" in a few weeks. I got some good financial news this week and hope I can finally pull the trigger. I'm seriously considering the rear discharge...

 

[sunnyside360]

Awesome! Thanks for the follow up here. It's always good to hear experience after a few test drives. I'm thinking I'll order my zd326 in 60" in a few weeks. I got some good financial news this week and hope I can finally pull the trigger. I'm seriously considering the rear discharge...

My neighbor got a ZD326-60 side discharge two years ago and it is an awesome mowing machine. They are built so rugged and relatively quiet running. Zero problems to date.

 

[om21braz]

Sunnyside360, Glad to hear the ZD331 is doing well for you! If you mow in extremely dusty conditions, just keep an eye on the air filter. The local dealer here notes that dirty air seems to be the number one reason for engine troubles. He has several commercial guys running the ZD series machines that have 4000 to 5000 hrs. on these machines - so far. One guy is on his 3rd deck, same mower. His is one of the older ZD's with a stamped deck.

 

[KJINTF]

Was wondering how the guy can be on his 3rd cutting deck until you mentioned the older ones had a stamped deck. Looks as if the deck on my ZD326 will last forever, they are fabricated and very well built.

Dusty, WIX has a direct cross for both the outside element and inside air cleaner elements.

I picked up a few Kubota filters at the dealer
Outside air, Engine, Charge pump, HST for the tune of $145.00
Next time they will be the WIX cross reference filters

 

[om21braz]

I picked up a few Kubota filters at the dealer
Outside air, Engine, Charge pump, HST for the tune of $145.00
Next time they will be the WIX cross reference filters

That's almost 3X what those for the earlier ZD series are. The parts man forewarned me of that in case I was thinking of trading up to the new series.