ZD331 & F3860 comparisons

jcummins · Apr 26, 2019

628pm said:
I had a zd326 then moved to the F2690 with 72 inch side discharge, but added the mulching kit. This is the mower I have been waiting for. Using the 72 inch deck with a mulching kit the F seems a little underpowered when mowing through thick grass. 85% of the time it is great. If I had to do it over it would be with a 60 inch side discharge with mulching kit. No sliding on mowing ditches like on the zero turn, with the 72 inch deck I don't have to get into the bottom of the ditch either. Another thing I like is during spring the bottom of the ditches are pretty wet I can go straight down into the ditch with the front of the mower and keep that mowed, eliminates a lot of weed eating (hate that).

Wife mows with the bx2680 and I mow with the F. Both with mulching kits, so we are both happy.

JT is your new F a 2690 instead of a 2990 or did you get something new out?

I did the same, except with a bigger F series. Went from ZD326 to F3680 72" side discharge. Cut my mowing time a fair bit...and a surprise the 72" deck cut better than the 60 Z deck. The reason, the F series is a ground contact deck and follows the ground, the Z is suspended. I put a blocking chute on the F series to black the discharge when mowing by flower beds etc. Works well, but will leave a windrow if kept close very long.

The F series is most definitely a cut above the Z. Very happy I made the switch. I did so because I was constantly getting the Z stuck. I have stuck the F to....but maybe 1/10th as often. The deck is well match to the HP of my F series.

4570Man · Apr 26, 2019

The higher hp F series would definitely be better. Mine is 25 hp and it’s not enough. I’m not certain it’s not running a little sick. My Grasshopper is only rated at 3 more HP and it’s 12” wider cut and does way better. I think my 72”cuts better than the 60”. I contribute that to having 5” longer blades. I’ve never ran one of the newer bigger F series but my 428d Grasshopper is a better mower than the F2560. The front deck has advantages and can leave a little less hand trimming to be done but there’s also disadvantages.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 27, 2019

The higher hp F series would definitely be better. Mine is 25 hp and it’s not enough. I’m not certain it’s not running a little sick.
I believe it must be sick. How old is it? I had the F2680e and a 72" rear discharge deck on it and never missed a beat other than on over 12" grass over the septic lines and then would slow down a bit but not on anything shorter and would even do 2' high and more on dry weeds/grass.
I did get my F3080 4wd stuck one time in a swamp where the tires loaded up and slinging mud every where and just sat there spinning but never on dry flat or super steep ground.
Editing after thought. I thought you made a mistake on model number but remembered the earlier Fs before the F2680 series were anemic according to evaluations and was quickly changed to the higher Hp models so the earlier lower Hp Fs are not representative of those made in probably the last 20 years, those after the 25 series.