Kubota Zero turn 60in or 72in deck?

[powerstroke444e]

We have one with a 72 on the Kubota ZD & would not want a 60 as that is what we had on a GF1800 & the 72 is faster. One peace of advice is they don't like cutting down large hills next to the pond, but the rear tires will try to float.

 

[Ob1kubota]

I have a friend who bought the ZD28 w/ the 72" deck, but traded the 72" back for a 60" because of the scalping & anti-scalp wheel issues in a few places that he has uneven ground to cover. I've got the 60" on a ZD21 and would not want any larger considering the yards mowed with it. If cut quality is a big issue, I believe the 60" is about max. IMHO. Best possible scenario for you would be a demo of a 72" if possible - removes all doubt and guesswork. Good Luck with your decision !

JL this is exactly right, I own both a ZD21-60 & brand new ZD326P-60. The 72" with the 24" blades will scalp your yard unless almost flat at the 2.5 height setting or less. It will take all the 31 Horses to keep the speed and torque in high grass for blade speed. It's the speed and condition of the blades that determines quality. The new style high lift blades K5651-34340 only dull the last three inches of the cutting edge if the travel speed is correct with RPM of the deck. This matches the same wear pattern I have experienced in the old style flat blades K5661-34330 for several dollars less and just as good of cut. Get the 60" tank deck on the 326P you won't go wrong or broke for that matter. Ladies... this is one case where 'bigger ain't better'.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

sorry to jack the thread....

i had a bolens articulator with the deck on the front.....i LOVED that mower......fast, strong, powerful..........

i've always wondered how the grasshoppers, etc. with the front mount decks compared in speed of cutting vs a zero turn.......flat, long fields? you answered hills and obstacles.......thanks!

Although I used Grasshopper mowers mostly when I had a mowing business, I learned that the 61" (may as well be a 60" as far as I'm concerned) was far more productive. The only place the 72" would have an advantage is on a large, smooth and rather flat area. However, in that instance, it was much faster to use a far larger finish mower behind the tractor.

After I sold my mowing business I ended up selling the 928D Grasshopper with the 72" deck and buying me another 722D Grasshopper with a 61" deck to use around our home. My wife and I now each have our own 722D Grasshoppers, which are powered by Kubota diesels. I also owned Scag mowers, a Dixie Chopper, JD mowers and Ferris mowers; all zero turn. I personally have a lot of obstacles, a lake to mow around and lots of different hills. None of the other zero turn mowers I owned when I was in the business performed like the front mount Grasshoppers; especially on hills. The worst mistake I made was when I bought a gas powered mower. It was a Kubota 3 cyl. gas engine that was extremely smooth, but it burned more than twice the amount of fuel than the exact same diesel version of that mower.

I've never had a Kubota zero turn mower though. I'm sure they ought to be tough. If you get one, I'd definitely go with the 60" deck and go diesel. There again, I am sort of partial to the Kubota diesels. I still own 5 things that have small Kubota diesel engines powering them.

 

[Dargo]

...down large hills next to the pond, but the rear tires will try to float.

I long ago lost the right to complain to my wife about putting the mower in the lake. With the front mount deck I've never had to trim around the lake as we can sweep the deck out over the water a good 18" or more. However, if you happen to try to push it just an inch too far...well, it's time to go get the RTV and winch it out. We've never put any into deep water fortunately, but I lost count years ago of the number of times we've done that.

 

[Dargo]

... speed of cutting vs a zero turn.......flat, long fields? you answered hills and obstacles.......thanks!

I don't see any advantage of a front deck for flat long fields. My only observation is that the front mount machines, where the front wheels on the mower deck are only guide wheels (and support no weight of the machine), ride better than even the Ferris mowers with suspension we had. I did like the Ferris suspension though. It really does work.

As an odd observation, I've discovered that the strongest built mid mount zero turn mowers had the worst ride. They were so strong that they had absolutely no flex to the frame. To be honest, several brands are far stronger than what I can take. When I hit bumps so hard that my vision blurs, my old body screams "don't EVER do that again!".

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

do the zero turns have an advantage over the front mount mowers in the long, flat fields?....i'm asking because this is what i'll mainly be cutting some day....

you mean the ones with the wheels touching but only supporting part of the weight of the deck? this is the way the articulator is......

as opposed to the strange looking ones with two big wheels for driving the machine (under the operator) and then two wheels out on front of the deck that supports the weight of the machine?

the rigid machine makes sense........

I don't see any advantage of a front deck for flat long fields. My only observation is that the front mount machines, where the front wheels on the mower deck are only guide wheels (and support no weight of the machine), ride better than even the Ferris mowers with suspension we had. I did like the Ferris suspension though. It really does work.

As an odd observation, I've discovered that the strongest built mid mount zero turn mowers had the worst ride. They were so strong that they had absolutely no flex to the frame. To be honest, several brands are far stronger than what I can take. When I hit bumps so hard that my vision blurs, my old body screams "don't EVER do that again!".

 

[art]

I don't think i fully understand what you mean here. You recommend the 72 inch deck? I have been going back and forth about it for a few weeks. I would love to have the 72 just for trimming reasons and to get the bulk of my mowing done quickly but I did not want to sacrafice quality. I have a few hills and few tight spots and was afraid the 72 might scalp due to the sheer width and weight of the deck. I had a 60 before and it did a great job and I am going with what i know but if someone knows better please chime in.

I always look at the amount of lawn and for longevity of the unit as well as resale.
The largest deck and the smallest tractor keeps trimming easy as the deck goes out beyond the machine over the edge of gardens and flower beds. wide decks keeps power units away from branches and the operator.
A 60" deck compared to a 72" loses just about 3/4 of an acre an hour at 5 mph with 100% cut. On four acres that's a bit of time to loose!

We have people that buy both for what ever reason, I've mowed with most units we sell, interesting enough, on my lawn with a ZG-23 54" deck I didn't scalp, Ferris IS1500 with a 52" deck and I did. ZD 331 with a 72 did the same as the Ferris. The ZD-326P-60 I had no issues with scalping much the same as the ZG.

I do mow about two and half inches at a minimum and at times more for good grass growth at home.

I won't say you definitely won't have a scalping issue witha 72" deck! There might only be an area or two that might need to be adjusted or changing the mowing pattern to fix it. You might be able to find a commercial cutter to come in for a one time cut to watch him!

The lower hours, less time running burning fuel, more time for the family or hobbies, the larger if possible is the way to go.

 

[jlbota]

Well I ended up with a new ZD326P with the 60 inch deck. I got to use it to mow the back of our property this evening and it is much improved over the older ZD21 I used to have. The engine is quieter and runs much more smoothly on these new models. The transmission is quite a bit stronger and more refined and doesn't push back on you under load like the old ones did. The sticks are a bit more touchy but once you run it awhile you get used to it. It seems a bit heavier in the rear going up hills but it stuck really well up or down. I could see quickly how a bigger heavier deck may cause this mower to slide a bit easier going down hill.

The deck mows excellent and really cuts the grass up pretty fine. I forgot how far these decks will throw....and I was running 3/4 throttle the whole time. Can't wait to really crank it up after I break it in a bit.

Seems like alot of thought was put into these newer ZD's with the deck access panel and the newer air screen and air filter system. Everything including all the grease fitting looks fairly easy to get to for service.

The seat is a big improvement over the old with all the adjustments that can be made and the ride is much improved although it will jar you pretty good if you hit a decent size hole or bump. There seems to be much more deck area for your legs and just seems overall bigger and more comfortable to operate.

Overall I am pleased with my decision and I forgot how nice it is too mow with one of these. It really is a time saver and I would recommend to anyone to go and try one out.

They are a bit intimidating at first if you have never ran one (especially on hills) but I learned with my ZD21 the best thing you can do is not panic if you start to slide. I think most people including myself at first tend to yank back on the sticks trying to stop and all that does it make it worse by breaking traction.
I learned to just pull back gently going down hill almost in a pulsing motion kind of like anti-lock brakes and it really slows you down pretty well and in a controlled manner.

Thanks for all the info...it really helped with my decison. I hope to get a pic or two tomorrow of the new beast.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

where abouts are you in so. eatern ohio?

i'm near portsmouth....

 

[jlbota]

I am in the Cambridge area. Right where I-70 and I-77 meet.