Z700 Series

[kozak]

I am considering buying a Z723 ZTR. I am currently cutting the lawn using a tractor style mower. It has 4 wheel drive assist which is nice & has got me out of many predicaments. Cutting the ditch is also no issue. What has me concerned about these ZTR's are the front tires .... ZERO tread. What is that all about ? Do any of you with a ZTR have any issues cutting 15 to 20 degree slopes ? Does the front end tend to slide down due to NO tread on the tires ?

Any comments from a reliability stand point regarding the Z700 series ?

Thanks for any input.

 

[arto98607]

They are just large diameter casters - no thread needed.

 

[kozak]

They are just large diameter casters - no thread needed.


View attachment 747148

That's funny. That's exactly what they look like and probably perform like. Good on even terrain.

I have seen some video's which show ZTR's having trouble in ditches. I am thinking I keep my old machine to do the ditches & then have the Cadillac for the rest of the property. It would be highly stupid to spend $9 to $11K on a ZTR and trade my old machine in for hundreds of dollars only to find I yukered myself.

 

[PatentGuy]

Keep the old machine as you say. I have a ZD1211 and 20+ degree slopes. The ZT is unmatched for open and relatively flat trimming and tight flat spaces. It is also fine going up and down 25 degree hills when fine control isn't required, but unless you have space at the bottom of the hill to slide into, can be difficult. If you need fine control on a hill you can have it to some degree going uphill.

According to folks on here this can be improved with deep tread tires. Regrettably, only turfs are available for my machine due to nonstandard rims. New tires would probably cost you more than your existing mower is worth. I would certainly keep it until you have tried the ZT.

My opinion.

 

[walker450]

I am considering buying a Z723 ZTR. I am currently cutting the lawn using a tractor style mower. It has 4 wheel drive assist which is nice & has got me out of many predicaments. Cutting the ditch is also no issue. What has me concerned about these ZTR's are the front tires .... ZERO tread. What is that all about ? Do any of you with a ZTR have any issues cutting 15 to 20 degree slopes ? Does the front end tend to slide down due to NO tread on the tires ?

Any comments from a reliability stand point regarding the Z700 series ?

Thanks for any input.

I owned a 2017 Z726X 60" for two seasons. Suspension seat. I do not have steep hills so can't comment on those personally.

I've never been a fan of zero turns mainly because of the rough ride, so I sold it and went back to mowing with my BX and recently added a GR2120 to the fleet for smaller areas near the house.

I was very impressed with the cut quality, speed, responsiveness, etc. Zero complaints. I couldn't believe how smooth the yard looked and how fast I could go.

Hopefully you have operated a few other zero turns so you are okay with getting one.

I highly recommend using one first on your own property if at all possible.

As far as ride quality, the larger Kubotas have a pivoting front axle that helps a lot, but I have never personally used one.

 

[walker450]

I forgot to mention, I've demoed a Grasshopper mower before, it rode much smoother than a normal zero turn, the mowing deck lifting up is a huge plus as well.

One thing I forgot to mention about my Z726X.... the mowing deck would have to be cleaned out very frequently, the grass would really build up for some reason, this has never been an issue with my BX. I suppose it's the higher blade tip speed was pulverizing the grass where it is cut.

 

[kozak]

Thanks for the responses guys. Two additional things have me worried now. Cleaning out underneath the mower which I have never needed to do with my riding tractor mower. That would be a real Pain. Also the rough ride. I did try my neighbours ZT but that was years ago. Hmmmmm ......

 

[timswi]

Thanks for the responses guys. Two additional things have me worried now. Cleaning out underneath the mower which I have never needed to do with my riding tractor mower. That would be a real Pain. Also the rough ride. I did try my neighbours ZT but that was years ago. Hmmmmm ......

I have a Z724. I got the front jack option so cleaning the deck with a plastic putty knife is a breeze.

My Z rides Ok...If you hit a good hole you know it.

It does better than I expected on hills. My sandmound is 35 deg+ and I can cross it. There is a pucker factor but it never felt like I was going to lose it. Don't try that on wet grass obviously. Really dry grass can get slippy too.

 

[arto98607]

I forgot to mention, I've demoed a Grasshopper mower before, it rode much smoother than a normal zero turn, the mowing deck lifting up is a huge plus as well.

One thing I forgot to mention about my Z726X.... the mowing deck would have to be cleaned out very frequently, the grass would really build up for some reason, this has never been an issue with my BX. I suppose it's the higher blade tip speed was pulverizing the grass where it is cut.

The front deck in Grasshopper is great when for example there is a need to get under fruit trees etc.

Ours is a year 1993 ex. commercial mower, with 61 inch mulching deck bought used about 19 year ago.

The deck can be manually tilted up for service, but it's very heavy so hoist is needed for tilting it up for sure - my solution is simple:
I just drive the deck up on HD car ramps, which were made out of 3"x10" 7 foot long planks.

The newer Grasshopper models have deck lift available.

 

[kozak]

Yes, the front jack option I think will be a must. Even if it is easier to take the mower off, these things weigh a ton. Kubota's are 8 gauge & JD are 9 or 10 gauge.

The ramp idea is also a consideration. Not sure if the jack option raises the front end high enough. Either way, will have to lie on my back to either remove the blades or clean the bottom of hardened grass clippings.

timswi ..... when you say you cross your sand berm do you mean up & down or actually across sideways ??

Thanks

 

[WVH1977]

I bought a new ZTR last year and looked very hard at the Z700 but for a little bit more the Z900 series looked even better and handled better. I believe you would be happy with either of those series ZTR's.

 

[timswi]

Yes, the front jack option I think will be a must. Even if it is easier to take the mower off, these things weigh a ton. Kubota's are 8 gauge & JD are 9 or 10 gauge.

The ramp idea is also a consideration. Not sure if the jack option raises the front end high enough. Either way, will have to lie on my back to either remove the blades or clean the bottom of hardened grass clippings.

timswi ..... when you say you cross your sand berm do you mean up & down or actually across sideways ??

Thanks

I go across and up and down. As I mentioned, accross is a bit of a but puckerer but it's stable--I only do that a few times a season. Mainly up and down...It's pretty steep and this thing is surprisingly stable...Never had a feeling of it wanting to go over.

I love everything about mine and maintenance is pretty easy. The only thing is it's crankin loud. My neighbor 1000 feet away says it sounds like life flight coming in lol. Hearing protection is a must.

 

[arto98607]

Yes, the front jack option I think will be a must. Even if it is easier to take the mower off, these things weigh a ton. Kubota's are 8 gauge & JD are 9 or 10 gauge.

The ramp idea is also a consideration. Not sure if the jack option raises the front end high enough. Either way, will have to lie on my back to either remove the blades or clean the bottom of hardened grass clippings.

...snip.....

Here is one of the best options if you want to avoid laying on your back to service the deck:

Kubota F models are front deck mowers and have a hydraulic deck lift making deck service possible without ramps.


They are pricey, which is the reason mine is model year 1996 ex. commercial mower with relatively high hours.
Had to do fair bit of rebuilding duo to wear, but now that's done and it will probably outlast me?








Edit:
To be fair, there are other brand front deck mowers which may, or may not have similar deck "flip" option.



John Deere, New Holland, Toro, Grasshopper and there may be others?

 

[walker450]

I agree. I cleaned my Z726X deck out by driving it on ramps and then laying on my back. No fun.

However, based on pure build quality and performance for that particular market, I would buy another in a heart-beat, no second guesses.

If my only criteria was zero turn capabilities, it would be a Grasshopper or equivalent like a Woods Mown

Yes, the front jack option I think will be a must. Even if it is easier to take the mower off, these things weigh a ton. Kubota's are 8 gauge & JD are 9 or 10 gauge.

The ramp idea is also a consideration. Not sure if the jack option raises the front end high enough. Either way, will have to lie on my back to either remove the blades or clean the bottom of hardened grass clippings.

timswi ..... when you say you cross your sand berm do you mean up & down or actually across sideways ??

Thanks

machine

 

[walker450]

Also, my Z726X was extremely loud. They is another reason I sold it. I went from a BX with a smooth running relatively "quiet" motor under a hood to the Z7 with a screaming twin cylinder right behind my head. I always doubled up hearing protection. I'm no stranger to loud noises, I've worked at a power plant, shoot, run heavy equip etc but something about that mower just made it very annoying.

So, all that said, it's a solid machine, I'd buy another in a heartbeat if I needed a high performance lighter weight mid mount style Z.

Otherwise, if it was just zero turn capabilities, a Grasshopper would be my next pick.

Obviously for pure mowing bliss it would be an out front mower with a diesel lol

I'm always watching for a good deal on a Kubota F series... just haven't came across the right deal for me yet.

 

[kozak]

Dealer here in Canada (Southpoint) dies not even answer my e-mails. Went there for a Look at a demo 751kwi but he was busy (only 1 sales rep on duty ?) with another customer. E-mailed him again that night ... no response. So I checked out the JD Z740R but the dealership indicated none available. I would have to order THIS November. I think Kubota is in the same predicament. They do not have 700's available. At least not in my area. DISAPPOINTING.

 

[arto98607]

Here is one of the best options if you want to avoid laying on your back to service the deck:

Kubota F models are front deck mowers and have a hydraulic deck lift making deck service possible without ramps.


They are pricey, which is the reason mine is model year 1996 ex. commercial mower with relatively high hours.
Had to do fair bit of rebuilding duo to wear, but now that's done and it will probably outlast me?



View attachment 747851 View attachment 747852




Edit:
To be fair, there are other brand front deck mowers which may, or may not have similar deck "flip" option.

View attachment 748100 View attachment 748101 View attachment 748102 View attachment 748103

John Deere, New Holland, Toro, Grasshopper and there may be others?

Here is a side-view photo yesterday of flipped deck:

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My ZT needs cleaned under deck a lot less than my rider did.

 

[kozak]

Nice pic of the F3060 but I would imagine they are pricey. Kubota has STILL not got back to me regarding buying a mower. I think the US is getting whatever gets built. Too much demand.

 

[arto98607]

Thanks, yes they are little pricey but so is most enything that was designed & built to last.
It's basically a small commercial use 4x4 tractor with 30 hp 4 cylinder Diesel, built to be driven backwards.