Thinking about a z122 with a 42" deck

JOHNTHOMAS · Aug 23, 2017

glennm said:
Well I drove the 42 in the lot at the dealers yesterday. It looks like it won't take long to get used to it? Is the mulch kit easy to install or should I let the dealer do it'll? They are bringing me the 48 to try in my yard today, I think I will likely get the 42 due to some tight areas. This seems like a lot of machine for the price?

The mulching kit is/was $199 and if the dealer will install it for that, let them. I just bought a BX2370-1 and Barlows installed it for the parts price but he's like that. If they want to charge more than $30 to install then you may want to do it but be warned a couple of the bolts on mine (Z121) were bears to get off and then I installed block plate wrong at first till I redone it correctly since the blade was hitting the plate. I might would pay more than $30

:laughing:

glennm · Aug 25, 2017

Well, they dropped off the 100 series with the 48" deck for me to try. It was great, took some to get used to but I really liked it. Now the question is which one? I don't know if the Kawasaki engine is an advantage? Is the Koehler just as good? I liked the suspension seat and the leds but I doubt I would use the lights. Does the smaller deck provide as nice a cut? Help me decide

riptides · Aug 25, 2017

glennm said:
Well, they dropped off the 100 series with the 48" deck for me to try. It was great, took some to get used to but I really liked it. Now the question is which one? I don't know if the Kawasaki engine is an advantage? Is the Koehler just as good? I liked the suspension seat and the leds but I doubt I would use the lights. Does the smaller deck provide as nice a cut? Help me decide

I had a Koehler for years and years in some not name brand garden tractor. The machine fell down around it. LOL. I went with the Kawa engine due to the increase HP, deck and blade speed I was looking at. It's a careful dance on the specs and then if you get some test cutting time, perhaps you can tell the difference.

Seats are big time important in my book. Mine is not a suspension seat, but it is big and comfy with the adjustable arm rests to boot.

While deck size is important for the obstacles one might encounter, the depth of the deck, plus size, plus blade speed is the key to quality IMHO. I ended up with a sixty inch deck, was looking at 50, ended up going bigger but not biggest.

Lights for me would be of use in parking mode only, my buildings for equipment don't have lights. I'd rather be doing something else at dusk than mowing, IMHO. LOL.

JOHNTHOMAS · Aug 25, 2017

I'd pick Kawasaki engine over Kohler due to input to me from a Kubota dealer that sells both. I'd take biggest deck possible if it will do the job. I'd absolutely take the suspension seat over the non suspension. I'd take a rear discharge every day over a side discharge. I'd add a mulching kit to any side discharge if I was required to buy a side discharge. A smaller deck will usually do a better cut if the land isn't level due to spanning holes/dips/gullies etc but same cut on level land.:2cents:

timswi · Aug 25, 2017

As far as the motor, it's a prefrence..My Kubota dealer steered me away from the Kaw due to something about cam gears..Didn't really care. My experiences with Kohlers have been fantastic..If it was a choice between a Briggs and anything else, I'd take anything else--Briggs response to their oil pump over-pressure problem that they knew about and blew up a ton of motors, never again.

As far as the mulcher, let the dealer do it...Just get the machine and learn it and enjoy it--That's what they're for.

glennm · Aug 25, 2017

One last thought. Is it worth the extra money to get a 400 series? They tend to be fairly long term purchases

timswi · Aug 25, 2017

Not sure what a 400 is..But I'll tell you the 700 series is worth a look. I was looking at what you are inquiring about but once I saw the difference, I went with the 724.. Yes long term investment. I dont trade when the whim hits me. Too much wasted money. Buy what you want and need the first time---And keep it.

riptides · Aug 26, 2017

timswi said:
Not sure what a 400 is..But I'll tell you the 700 series is worth a look. I was looking at what you are inquiring about but once I saw the difference, I went with the 724.. Yes long term investment. I dont trade when the whim hits me. Too much wasted money. Buy what you want and need the first time---And keep it.

I started at the 100's, looked at the 400's (one was still in the crate) and then did a side by side on a 726 and a new 400. Ended up with a 726.

When you think in terms of hours at a time cutting, and years of cutting, and look at both machines side-by-side, bigger to me says comfort and longevity.

JOHNTHOMAS · Aug 26, 2017

timswi said:
As far as the motor, it's a prefrence..My Kubota dealer steered me away from the Kaw due to something about cam gears..Didn't really care. My experiences with Kohlers have been fantastic..If it was a choice between a Briggs and anything else, I'd take anything else--Briggs response to their oil pump over-pressure problem that they knew about and blew up a ton of motors, never again.

As far as the mulcher, let the dealer do it...Just get the machine and learn it and enjoy it--That's what they're for.

I had a Kohler many years ago and thought it was fantastic, well it was fantastic. I sold it after years of use and the buyer used it for another 15 years. Not hearing good reports on newer Kohlers which surprised me and my dealer said they are not what they were. Don't really know other than long time ago experience. Shame when a company with good rep goes down hill.

glennm · Aug 31, 2017

Well, I decided to go with the 122 (42" deck). Delivery tomorrow. I don't have a lot of grass (less than an acre) so it should be plenty of mower for me. The dealer is installing the mulch kit before delivery