41Chev
New member
Any comments from those who have used and owned both regarding reliability, cut quality, maintenance issues appreciated. Tks.
Z997 vs. Kubota Z331
- Thread starter 41Chev
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I can not comment on the Kubota but have drove the 997's and was probably the most comfortable driving zero turn I have been on. They did have a tendancy to blow some smoke on first start up that could make youre shop a little stinky for a few minutes but have been a pretty reliable unit.
art
Super Member
Did you look at the mower drive belt? Check quiteness!
bud4410
Silver Member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2004
- Messages
- 112
- Location
- kingsville, maryland
- Tractor
- jd 3520 HST open station turf tires air seat jd 997 ztrak 72"
hi ctiguy, have you done any research on why the 997 blows some smoke on the first start up? mine just started to do it. anyone else with or without the same condition? if so share your experience. thanks............bud
zlock24
Silver Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2011
- Messages
- 116
- Location
- New Martinsville, WV
- Tractor
- jd 445, kubota bx1500,wheel horse c-160, wheel horse h-520
thats just what deisels do, a little puff of black smoke on start up is just the nature of the beast. now white smoke is bad though
Bud4410, just noticed your post. The smoke that had a tendancy to blow on these units at start up was more than you would normally expect from a diesel unit. I have seen it on more than one unit but can't speak to a unit that only started doing it after, not initially. The new ones I was around did it from day one but was not a problem just kind of annoying. After a minute or two of warm up it cleared up fine.
soonerfann
New member
Chevy,
Looking at the Z960A vs the 997. Mowing acreage and 10 ac. pasture with it once a week. What made you go with the 997 vs gas? Is the 997 overkill for me? Cost difference isn't really a factor. I figure the diesel will save me fuel and longevity vs the gas Kawasaki.
Thanks,
John
Looking at the Z960A vs the 997. Mowing acreage and 10 ac. pasture with it once a week. What made you go with the 997 vs gas? Is the 997 overkill for me? Cost difference isn't really a factor. I figure the diesel will save me fuel and longevity vs the gas Kawasaki.
Thanks,
John
John,
I had a Z850A for three years. Bullet proof machine. Had a 31 hp Kawa and sixty inch deck. It would bog down a bit if grass got ahead of me. Also did not have enough oomph to mulch. The 997 has much mor torque and handles mulching much better. It is heavier and more prone to tearing grass on turns so I have to be more careful. The 850 was also prone but a bit easier on the lawn on this point. Both are good machines but the 997 is so smooth, powerful and fuel efficient that it is worth it to me. Realize there will be more machine maintenance and cost to the diesel. Good luck and I would recommend the 997. JMHO. Greg
oldgreen
New member
You cannot go wrong with Kubota, I own a Z331 (2 years old) increadable mower. Only issue is the fuel filters need replacing often. expensive, but worth it.