My New Z-Force 48

[MBDiagMan]

In doing a little more internet surfing, I saw where Dixon uses the IZT drive in one of their models and indicate that it is for commercial use.

Have a great day,
Doc

 

[bobs]

sems like a good tractor but there are better

 

[MBDiagMan]

Yes, no matter what you own, there is always something better. The problem is that I don't have an unlimited budget.

If someone would like to donate to the "Doc's Mower Upgrade Fund" maybe I can get something better.

Have a great day,
Doc

 

[DmansPadge]

MBDiagMan... I here ya! I look at some of these people of this site that own 4 or 5 tractors??? I'm happy to own one modestly priced tractor! Ohh well... I guess if I could afford it... I'd have a ZTR, LT, GT, Sub-CUT, CUT, and a utility tractor. And I'm sure I could find a way to justify all those for my 1 1/2 acre!! Good luck with your Cub!

 

[ihcubs]

MBDiagMan,

It is actually an 18hp 44"(ZT18440kh) and for 2004 was 3899. and for 2005 will be 3999. These are suggested prices set by Snapper.

It does have grease fittings, they are greasable from the bottom and it has pump up tires all the way around. You must have over looked these items. It does have a stamped deck(just like the cub) and has grease fittings everywhere they are needed, which includes all pivot points.

Talking about bearings, I would doubt the Cub has timken bearings. They use this term only when talking about the 2000, and 3000 series tractors. When talking about the 1000 series tractors and the consumer z's they forget to mention that detail. I would "almost" promise you they are china made and can "99%"promise you the snapper is a USA made ball bearing. I could be wrong of course.

The transmissions I have seen plenty problems with are the IZT transmissions. I am afraid to have a unit with the EZT's.

I would go back and look at that www.hydro-gear.com site and look a little closer. You are right about the difference b/n the IZT and the EZT, but look at how the transmissions are ranked from top to bottom. With the EZT not being as good as the IZT. The one at the top, hyrdaulic wheel motors, is the one snapper is using. (HGM-12P 12 cu. in. wheel motor) Which is far superior to the others.

All commercial mowers use the type of system that snapper uses in its homeowner mowers. They just use heavier versions because the units are heavier and take more of a beating. No commercial company(dixon included as you stated in a later post) should consider the IZT commercial grade. Exmark, toro, scag, hustler and the big ones don't either.

Thanks for all the feedback it makes it more fun and have a great day.

 

[GrayBeard]

MB,
I bought a Dixon Ram 44 in Sept and couldn't be more pleased !
I had looked at a bunch of ZTR's before buying. Snapper included. Snapper looks like a good one but after close review of the deck and other "hardware" the Dixon seemed to suit me better. I believe my Ram has the IZT hydro system.
Good Luck .
GrayBeard

 

[MBDiagMan]

ihcubs,

Thanks for correcting me on the Snapper. Yes, I must have been looking at a different model.

Now let me correct you about the Z-Force. I think you are mixing up the Z-Force with the RZT. The RZT does not have Timken bearing spindles, but the Z-Force certainly does. The Z-Force is billed as a residential mower, but comparing it to the less expensive RZT is like comparing a Pinto to a Lincoln. Both made by the same mfg. but built in a totally different way. Everything you've said about the CC's sounds like you're talking about the RZT. Part of our misunderstanding may very well be that I don't know details about the Snapper line and you don't know details about the CC line.

The RZT, probably built in China as you suggest, has the less expensive, less rugged EZT drive. The Z-Force has the IZT drive.

The Z-Force has a floating deck, again with TIMKEN bearing spindles, is stamped but apparently rugged. At least as rugged as my 13 year old CC 2145 deck that has proven itself, also with TIMKEN bearing spindles.

Most of the time, failure claims are anecdotal rather than analytical. Someone hears of someone, who knows someone, who said that their XYZ brand machine had a failure.

It is very difficult to get scientifically gathered analytical information because the manufacturers are not anxious to publish failure statistics. I am quite sure that individual pumps and motors have experienced failures as well, but we don't have statistical information on them to come to a scientific conclusion.

Without such statistical information niether one of us can know how well these machines will hold up until a number of seasons have passed. My CC2145 has 13 seasons behind it, so I know what it is "made of" and what to expect from it. After a number of seasons with the Z-Force I will then have a better idea what to expect from it. Until those seasons pass NIETHER of us know how well ANY machine will hold up. We can look at things such as spindle construction and such to make judgement, but we can't know for sure.

BTW, the Snapper has 18HP, 44" cut, while the CC z-Force for the same price, has 22HP, 48" cut.



Graybeard,

Yes your Dixon RAM has an IZT system, and on the Dixon-ZTR website it says "proffesional use" in the write up for this mower. We have a very good Dixon dealer in this area and the 48" RAM was one that I was considering. It is a VERY good unit. In comparing it to the CC that I bought and the Snapper that I looked at, the only reasons I went with the CC over the Dixon is my 13 year experience with my current CC, the ease of removing the deck from the CC. and I bought the CC for $400 less with zero percent interest. When I get a chance for zero percent interest I leave my money in mutual funds and use theirs. The zero percent interest was the final decision maker between the Dixon and the CC.

The Dixon was clearly my number two choice, a Gravely number three choice and the Snapper number four choice.

I feel quite certain the Dixon will serve you well. Enjoy.

Have a great day,
Doc

 

[farmer_74]

I bought a RZT22 for my mother last spring and after one summer of moderate use I am well pleased. I purchased it because I felt like it was the most bang for the buck. I looked at the Z-force and they are very nice mowers, but in my situation I felt that the RZT would serve well for my mothers 1.5 acres. On the other hand, I have a Dixie Chopper for my own yard which is 3.5 acres and a little more abusive to the machinery. In a perfect world I could have bought her a Dixie Chopper quality mower for the C.C. RZT price.
My point is, let's remember that everyone's needs and budget are different and the RZT, Z-force, Snapper, etc. help give us plenty of choices.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Well, I learned something very interesting on another forum. A tech responded with his experiences with the IZT drive.

He said that he had indeed seen them fail, but that it was almost always due to water in the unit. The water gets in through the vent because of vigorous use of a pressure washer.

I will now seal the vents for winter storage and come up with a way to seal them when washing the mower.

Regardless of hydro unit type, watch closely what you're doing when cleaning with a pressure washer.

Have a great day,
Doc

 

[ihcubs]

edited post