Looking at a F925 with 3100 hours

[Ck27]

Hi everyone.

I'll give some back ground on my yard first.

I have a 14 acre yard with 3 acres of lawn that is mostly flat and smooth.

The front of my property has 1000 feet that must be mowed parellel to a ditch. My driveway is is in the middle of the ditch line and is 8 feet higher then the ditch so there's and abrupt slope at that point on both sides.

I have about 20 large spruce trees that are hard to mow around so I'm thinking a front deck to get right under is just the ticket.

I have another 6-7 acres in the back of pasture thats bumpy in spots but once again flat.

I mow the back currently with a 30 horse tractor and a 60" bush hog. It does the job nicely but it's slow to turn so it takes a bit of time.

I'd like to mow everything with a single mower if possible and being that my tractor is slow to turn around a front deck zero turn seems like it would be a good unit for my needs.

Anyhow I've been looking at John deere f900 series mowers.

I found a 925 with a 60" deck and a yanmar diesel in it.

The good: it runs nice, it's in good overall shape except for the seat. Everything works as it should.

The engine is a new yanmar that was installed a couple years ago. So it has a couple hundred hours on it.

It has had extensive work done on the front end so any steering issues shouldn't be a problem .

There's a JD dealership about 15 miles from me, my buddy is a manager there so that's another reason for looking at a JD.

Here's the bad, it has 3100 hours on it.

My brother is a diesel mechanic and he's been working on 3 cylinder yanmars for over a decade. He said they are very reliable and if I did need parts he can get them.

So my question is, how many hours should an f925 last for? The hydrostatic system is original but I have no idea how long the pumps should last.

The price is Canadian dollars but it translates to roughly to $2800 US.

Gas Onan powered f series mowers seem to go for about 1k less around these parts.

Any help or experience with F series JD mowers would be great.

Thanks

 

[beenthere]

Two things that would help you...
One, add some culverts to each side of the drive and fill in the steep slope for easier mowing.
Two, trim up the spruce limbs so you can mow around them easily.


And maybe a third, work up the old pasture and replant to get a smooth lawn for easier mowing with the F925.

Looks like you have your ducks in line to give the ZT a good trial run.

 

[Ck27]

Beenthere, thanks for the input.

My main concern is the hours on this machine as I'm not super familiar with John deere F series mowers or more spacifically their longevity.

As for my slopes here I'm hoping they won't be a huge issue as I've mowed them for years with a couple different tractor type mowers.

I prune my evergreens but I leave them fairly low to thw ground for the cold and windy Manitoba winters where we can get 50 mph winds with a foot of snow. They create an awesome wind break.

So I don't mind mowing around then even if it is a bit of a chore.

 

[zzvyb6]

The hour meter quit on my F935 at 3654 hours. There's probably 350+ on the new meter. Was a golf course mower. All I've done is new glow plugs, blades and a battery. I added the head lights, parts off of ebay. Mine has the dual tanks and had the internal tank hoses crack (and leak, thus causing it to stall). The tank selector is manual while and the tank gauge is not connected to it. So, you can think you have a full tank and then run out. I carry a 17mm open end in the toolbox to bleed out the injectors to restart the thing.

Only drawback for me (and maybe you) is that short pine needles get sucked into the radiator screen and can cause it to get an overheat warning. I use ear muffs and generally don't hear the warning or see the flashing light. Quick fix is an occasional hand wipe across the screen while mowing. I bought a new seat for it, too, so I don't get that wet crotch look or feel.

 

[Ck27]

The hour meter quit on my F935 at 3654 hours. There's probably 350+ on the new meter. Was a golf course mower. All I've done is new glow plugs, blades and a battery. I added the head lights, parts off of ebay. Mine has the dual tanks and had the internal tank hoses crack (and leak, thus causing it to stall). The tank selector is manual while and the tank gauge is not connected to it. So, you can think you have a full tank and then run out. I carry a 17mm open end in the toolbox to bleed out the injectors to restart the thing.

Only drawback for me (and maybe you) is that short pine needles get sucked into the radiator screen and can cause it to get an overheat warning. I use ear muffs and generally don't hear the warning or see the flashing light. Quick fix is an occasional hand wipe across the screen while mowing. I bought a new seat for it, too, so I don't get that wet crotch look or feel.

If the radiator is the biggest issue I'd be happy with that!! My kioti ck27 tractor has a similar issue when I'm mowing the back area of my yard. The fluff off the dandelions tends to get sucked into the radiator so I have to get off after a couple hours and clean off the radiator screen or my engine temp gets a little high for my liking.

So it sounds like from here and the research I've done online that the f series John deeres were built like tanks and seem to be reliable machines even as hours get up there.

I like the design of them, the power steering is good as my wife would like to mow as well so anything to help her be more comfy would be a good thing.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

That is a good price, the F series mower still get a good dollar even with the high hours and being older. looked at them long and hard have similar issues with trees. Went with a ZT just does not get under the trees like I had hoped. Side slopes are do able. Thing that ticks me off the most is if your not careful, and don't do a k turn the rear wheels will dig up the lawn. F series for under the trees perfect. Good luck.

 

[Ck27]

I'm also looking a zero turns, as Ive run a skid steer so the 2 stick system is normal to me.

My 2 biggest issues with a zero turn are the front Castors are great but I'm not sure if mowing next to my ditch with those is a good idea as I know it's quite possible during a moment of inclarity to have a a wheel go over the edge and perhaps end up in the ditch. I'm not sure if that could happen but I'm guessing it could.

Second is my wife really wants to help with the mowing and the 2 sticks scare the crap out of her so she's made up her mind that she doesn't like them.

That leaves me looking at cub cadet z force commercial 60" zeros with the steering wheel.

An old f925 in my though pattern would probably out last a never cub z force. I may be wrong. I tend to like older things as I find they are built tougher. They may not be as pretty or have all the creature comforts of a new mower but they do the job they were intended for well.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

The cub your looking at is a mid mount mower, I don't think it will get under the trees like the f series you are looking at, it will solve the side slop issues. Side slopes on a ZT can be scary. I have thought about putting an electric solenoid, that would pop up locking the caster wheels straight. So far it has worked without it, as long as grass is not wet. Doesn't help with getting under the trees. I wrestled with it like you, liked the f series, but you just can't find them with lower hours where they don't want an arm and leg for them. I never did check can you even buy them new?

 

[Ck27]

The cub your looking at is a mid mount mower, I don't think it will get under the trees like the f series you are looking at, it will solve the side slop issues. Side slopes on a ZT can be scary. I have thought about putting an electric solenoid, that would pop up locking the caster wheels straight. So far it has worked without it, as long as grass is not wet. Doesn't help with getting under the trees. I wrestled with it like you, liked the f series, but you just can't find them with lower hours where they don't want an arm and leg for them. I never did check can you even buy them new?

Sounds like I am indeed wrestling with the same issues.

I love a true zero but a front mount would be so handy. There's also a clean grasshopper 616 at a local dealer. That one interests me as its a front mount zero so it's the best of both worlds. It's also a grand less, has a flip up front deck for servicing. Only issue is it only has an 18 hp engine and the deck is a 50" iirc.

I guess I'm in deep thought, I'm no hurry to get a new mower as I want to get one that suites my needs. I've looked at several zero turns from Toro, cub, hustler, husky, grasshopper and deere.

I'm pretty sold on the benifits of a front deck. Only issue I'm poking around is I'm not sure how many hours is too many. I'm all for pulling wrenches and can fix **** near anything but I have a busy work life in the summer so I like to get my chores around our acreage done in timely fashion so I can relax on my time off.

I spent months looking at tractors and ended up buying my kioti ck27 new. That was 300 hours and 4 plus years ago. To this day I'm 100% happy with my tractor.

As for new f series, they make a 4x4 f series now. I've looked at them but the price tag is way up there. I could but about 10 used f925s for the price of 1 new one!!

 

[truckdiagnostics]

yup, I looked at the grass hooper and gravely used to make something close. I bought a used gravely ZT, I am having to use the push mower to get under the trees. If I had to do over, I would look long and hard at a true front mount mower! The ZT still saves time and I am ahead, but, I compromised and I kind of wished i would not have. Looks like we have the same cub cadet also, the zt doesn't get under the trees any better. Whole bunch faster, it however has twice the ground speed the cub does. Yes, you can force yourself to get under the trees with it, but you end up tearing the ground up all around them.

 

[Ck27]

My cub has 92 hours on it.

Got it broken from a neighbor in exchange for storing some equipment. It had a deck lift mechanism failure where the thin cable that holds the deck up snapped and the result was the deck hitting the ground and it took out all 3 spindles and bent the thin stamped deck.

So I put a new 48" deck under it and fixed the cable.

After that it's been 1 problem after the other, rear brakes seized repeatedly, steering issues and now the starter drive let go and took out the flywheel.

So I've put like 2 hours on it and I'm done. I'm not dumping money into a machine that is clearly a lemon.

But the good part is I've learnt a lot about residential mowers and their shortcomings.

That's what's steeringe to something built like a tank.

My 1988 JD hydro 165 is built well, has a bazillion hours on the kawasaki engine and still has the original deck spindles.

That's why I'm looking at older f series tractors as I think they built stuff better back then. Also to get similar quality in a new machine means a huge initial cost which to me is not suitable.

Anyhow I'm going to keep looking at f series and perhaps take that grasshopper 616 for a test drive..it sure is ugly but man does it look like a well built machine.

I'll probably still buy an f series as I like sitting up high, and their ground speed is quite a bit fast then the grass hopper that I'm looking at.

 

[beenthere]

Is it the Cub built by MTD?

 

[Ck27]

Is it the Cub built by MTD?

Yes it's an mtd.

It's a nice looking machine, is comfy but honestly it's money pit.

When I got my new deck I noticed the hydro belt was all cracked so I decided to replace it. After ripping 1/2 the tractor apart to replace it I found all kinds of issues that need repair.

All in all what appears to be a decent machine has a ton of cost saving measures that make it an unreliable mower.

My neighbor bought it used with like 30 hours on it. By another 40 hours he gave up as like I said he was mowing one day and the deck lifting cable broke on the one side which granaded the deck.

So he gave up, I ended up with it and I've given up as well lol.

Thus this has lead me to looking at commercial mowers cause I'll. Spend more to get a well built machine.

 

[4570Man]

A front mount is the ticket for getting under trees. I'd probably rather have a Grasshopper front mount. I'd gladly pay the $1000 extra for a diesel. Mowing that much you'll make up that amount in fuel economy pretty quick.

 

[Ck27]

An update for anyone interested.

Haven't pulled the trigger yet on an f series jd. There's been several other come up for sale in my area and I think I'll look at those before I make my decision.

The others for sale all have a 72" deck vs the 60" which would be nice. Also they have about half the hours being at around 1500 on the clock. Only thing is they are anywhere from 1k to 2k higher in price.

The high hour (3100) unit is still for sale and I bet I can get it for under the asking price. I think the hours are scaring people off.

Still not sure if I'm also one of the people who are scared of the hours to!!!

I'm still wondering how long an 925/935 will last but I have seen many with 5000 plus hours making me think that 3000 with a new engine may he a lifetime machine in the end.

 

[Creekpaddler]

I'm a little late to this party but I'll chime in anyway. Two years ago I bought a used 1997 F925 with 72" mowing deck and 1900 hours on it. It needed about $1,000 of replacement parts and upgrades to get it where I wanted it. I've enjoyed working on this machine more than any other I can recall. Since then I've been very happy with it as it saves me a lot of time compared to pulling around a three-point-hitch finish mower with my JD 5225 tractor. I have about 5 acres of lawn to mow.

 

[Ck27]

I may just buy the higher hour one and put a grand aside for repairs and see what happens.

I figure with the 60-70 hours a year I may put on it it should last.

 

[Ck27]

Just an update.

The high hour f925 sold.

I found another 925 with 1000 hours but it was super ratty so I passed.

Which brings me to a pair of f910s that a guy has. They look well kept . One is a 60" rear discharge deck and the other is a 60" side discharge. One has 1300 hours and the other has 1500 hours.

Guy says they are super clean and they look that way in the pictures.

They are priced very reasonable at about $1650 US but they are 3 hours away from me. I had my hope s set on a diesel but maybe a gas Onan powered one would do the job?

And I'm wondering if the rear discharge is any good on these mowers?

 

[8hlutt]

Just my two cents. Diesel powered mower is the way to go. Had a few gassers over the years and now a diesel. The gassers did fine and I had no complaints. Now after using a diesel tractor for a couple years, I don't think I could go back. The power and fuel usage made up my mind after a couple yard mowings. But again just my feeling on the matter. As far a rear or side discharge I would recommend a side discharge deck. Seen a couple rear discharge decks and they didn't appear to have as clean of a cut.

 

[Ck27]

I really appreciate all the info that you all have posted here as it helped me in my search.

Yesterday my search for a mower ended. .

I picked up a 2004 Kubota F3060 with 2500 hours at a city surplus sale. It's in good shape and has been well looked after.

It had some deck issues that I sorted out this morning, and a rear axle pivot leak but otherwise it's in good shape. Runs like a Swiss watch!



I really wanted an F935 but when this mower came up for $3200 US I jumped at the chance to get it. Most F935 or f925s in my area are closer to 4 grand. I will add that 4 wheel drive is a huge bonus and I now understand why most guys want a 4x4 model.

Once agan thanks to all for posting here!!