zd-21 factory update

[usedcarz]

just got a letter from kubota on my zd-21, stating that there have been some problems with parking brake. supposed to take to dealer and a 'foot' operated parking brake will be installed at no cost. i called dealer, and they have no knowledge of any such thing, but supposed to contact kubota to find out and call me back tomorrow. anybody else received any such notices??

 

[Boner]

Heck, I've had mine almost a month, and haven't recieved a payment book.

Are they going to do away with the handle? What is wrong with the one on the unit now?
Thanks for the update, Madhouse.

-Ben

 

[kubmech]

First thing I noticed when the zero turns came out was, (unlike all the others I've seen) was that when you set the handles to neutral (all the way out) a break did not automatically engage, and to top it off, they used a "hand brake". This seems like an accident waiting to happen to me. Wondered how they could let something like that go out?? To make things worse it goes into freewheel with the handles all the way out? Really not sure what Kubota was thinkin' here. But it looks like someone noticed (or they already had there first lawsuit) and they're taking steps to make it safer. The natural creep forward to maintain position on upslopes is another head scratcher? What about down slopes?

 

[Boner]

THAT definitly was a head scratcher for me, but that's OK, mine does NOT creep. I tested some that did, but mine does not. On the flip side, if I shove my sticks forward and let go, THEY DO NOT COME BACK. (you wanna start talking safety hazard.) Of course my dealer says this is normal. As far as the hand brake, I haven't had a problem, other than it takes way too much brain power to go through the sequence of events that it takes to EXIT the mower, while LEAVING it RUNNING. It never fails. While mowing, I will have to remove my butt from the seat for whatever reason, and it takes 10 friggin minutes to put every do-dad in their correct place so the darn thing wont kill when I get up. ...and generally something like the sticks are not ALL THE WAY out, and the thing kills anyway.
Ya gotta smile.

For all you diesel mechs, tell me something. They have this thing so that if you come off the seat for a couple seconds it kills the engine. (I assume through decompression) , but if you get back on the seat, and the engine hasn't completely come to a stop, it will wind back up and life goes on. So, If I understand this correctly, when I come off the seat, engine decompresses. (safety) When I get back on, engine comes back to life. (compression regained?) All of this with the PTO engaged. Is this good for the engine to decompress, and recompress with a load on it?

 

[Bird]

Boner, I haven't even seen one of those ZDs yet, but I sure would have expected that seat safety to be an electric solenoid fuel shutoff instead of having anything to do with the compression. Is that not the case?

Bird

 

[kubmech]

Oh yea, I forgot about the controls not coming back to neutral automatically. Bet that's the next mod. It is quite a procedure to set everything so you can get off, The engine shuts down by solenoid cutting off the fuel. No sweat can do it all day.

 

[Boner]

That's a relief. THX

"Oh yea, I forgot about the controls not coming back to neutral automatically. "

Is mine not the only one doing this?

 

[kubmech]

They're all like that./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[usedcarz]

i personally liike the handles staying in position for a short time. you can light a cigarette and mow one-handed. yep, boner, it takes an act of congress to get off while running, and i hope this new foot brake will make it easier. by the time you set and de-set everything it's easier to just run over it!! haven't heard from dealer yet about update, but i also been out of town and he may have called?? i'm going to try mulching blades since we're headin' into leaf season, and i'll let ya know how that works