Zero turn mowers

joes_427_vette · Jan 31, 2008

Stopped at the JD dealer yesterday to check out a ZTR. The cheapest version they have with a Yanmar diesel lists for $16,000. Needless to say a bit more than I wanted to pay. They had other versions with Kawasaki engines but I'm not impressed with them.
The green paint is very expensive.

dancce · Jan 31, 2008

Have you checked out the "Bad Boys" built in Arkansas?

Bad Boy Mowers

dancce

Kahuna · Feb 1, 2008

I have JD equipment but found the X-Mark to be a better buy for a zero turn mower. They cost about the same, perhaps a little less, but are built heavier and really cut the grass.

ddivinia · Feb 1, 2008

joes_427_vette said:
Stopped at the JD dealer yesterday to check out a ZTR. The cheapest version they have with a Yanmar diesel lists for $16,000. Needless to say a bit more than I wanted to pay. They had other versions with Kawasaki engines but I'm not impressed with them.
The green paint is very expensive.

I have had a JD 757 coming up on 3 years. It has been awesome. I wanted a diesel also, but went with the gas powered Kawasaki engine. It has been excellent.

There might be better options out there, but i am happy with my 757.

I think the best way to buy one is at the end of mowing season, most landscapers dump them cheap. I would look that way instead of new next time. As solid as these mowers are - i think it will be a long time before I need another one.

D.

ddivinia · Feb 1, 2008

joes_427_vette said:
Stopped at the JD dealer yesterday to check out a ZTR. The cheapest version they have with a Yanmar diesel lists for $16,000. Needless to say a bit more than I wanted to pay. They had other versions with Kawasaki engines but I'm not impressed with them.
The green paint is very expensive.

I have had a JD 757 coming up on 3 years. It has been awesome. I wanted a diesel also, but went with the gas powered Kawasaki engine. It has been excellent.

There might be better options out there, but i am happy with my 757.

I think the best way to buy one is at the end of mowing season, most landscapers dump them cheap. I would look that way instead of new next time. As solid as these mowers are - i think it will be a long time before I need another one.

D.

newt92 · Feb 1, 2008

Joes 427, I run 2 Exmarks with the 25hp Kubota deisel and really like them. They are around $13,000 new I think. How much are you going to mow, You may be better off getting a gas version. The gassers with the EFI are as fuel efficient as a deisel. I have a business and put about 300 hrs a piece on them and I am trading a 2 yr old machine every winter. If you buy a mower from a landscape business be carefull, look the machine over very, very well, some are run really hard. I have seen mowers with only 200-300 hrs that look like they were run through a demo derby! I am a owner/operater and the other machine is run by a retired friend who has run similiar machines himself. If your dealer has any Demos for sale that is your best bet. They should have 100 hrs or less and the bugs should be worked out of them and have full factory warranty left. Plus you will save some money.

garyfisher123 · Feb 1, 2008

If diesel is requirement on your new ZTR then I highly suggest checking out a Kubota ZD series. We have a ZD18 for the farm/house that is a great mower. Not sure what size deck you are looking for but the ZD's seem to be priced pretty good.

ddivinia · Feb 1, 2008

garyfisher123 said:
If diesel is requirement on your new ZTR then I highly suggest checking out a Kubota ZD series. We have a ZD18 for the farm/house that is a great mower. Not sure what size deck you are looking for but the ZD's seem to be priced pretty good.

The Kubota is pretty crazy cool.

One thing you will find out, you will not have to mow anywhere near as long as you did with a lawn tractor. My Ztrack cut my mowing time in half. In the almost 3 years of ownership, I think I have 120 hour on it. I have 4 acres to mow around my house.

D.

BCNU · Feb 1, 2008

I wish John Deere would come out with some other diesel options like Kubota has. Some people would like to have a diesel but do not need a 31 horsepower machine. This spring I will be in the market for either a 997 Deere or a ZD331 Kubota with a 72 inch deck but I mow 20 yards every week. I have found these 2 machines spec out pretty close to each other, but the Kubota is around $2100. cheaper on the list price. I will be visiting both dealers to see which one gives the better deal.

Apples · Feb 2, 2008

Joes 427
If you are looking for a Yanmar diesel, try a Dixie Chopper. They have 35.5 hp models, with 74" and 66" decks. They are well made,quick,and leave a very nice cut. They cost around $11,500- $12000. I'm very happy with my Dixie Chopper.

newt92 · Feb 2, 2008

I bought a Kubota ZD-21 new and ran it for 3 years then sold at 1300hrs, and bought a ZD28 with a 72" deck. Then also bought a ZD-25 with a 60" deck. These are great machines, as long as you have a dependable dealer. My ZD-28, the rear main seal started leaking so I took it to the dealer as still under warranty. Two other minor problems were addressed while there, fuel tank leaked when full, and one hydro pump was weak. The mower was in the shop for ONE AND A HALF MONTHS before it was released. I either called or stopped every ten or so days to find out the progress. When I got it back the hydro problem was much worse, couldnt even use it when it got warmed up! This is when I traded the other ZD-25 for my first Exmark. Then one week later I took the ZD-28 back in and they had it for ONE MONTH AND FIVE DAYS this time! It was fixed I think, never mowed with it after that, but the dealer never even called or nothing after to see if it was fixed or to explain why this took so long. One time the store manager even admitted most of the problem was the service manager! Was he fired, no! I also want to make this clear, I AM NOT BASHING KUBOTA, like the John Deere thread the other day, Kubota is a great product, my problem was the weasel dealer.

My Exmark dealer is top notch! They are a large John Deere dealership and if I have a problem take it in and it goes into the shop right then and there and is looked at right away, couldnt ask for anything more. I have a Mowing business so I need to get back up and running ASAP.

Kubotas are the Cadillac of mowers IMO, I also really like Exmarks, but not had alot of seat time on other brands. Make sure your dealer is going to take care of you before you buy. Sorry for the long post, I just had to rant and rave about my Kubota experience!!!

Dennis

prosperity · Feb 2, 2008

I was in the same situation 2 years ago.

I have a small commercial mowing operation, and 2 years ago I finally decided to go the zero-turn route.
Being that everything I own is diesel, including my wife's VW New Beetle, I was quite hung up on a diesel zero-turn myself.

I've had nothing but Deere equipment since I can remember. Also, living in a very rural area, my Deere dealer is the closest (30 miles away).

For my first zero-turn, the 997 was just way too much - too big, too heavy, and of course, too expensive. I researched the Kubota diesel, and looked like the right size setup for me. But, the nearest Kubota dealer is 60 miles each way, plus I have no experience with them. My Deere dealer has always come through for me if I ever have a problem during mowing season.

So, they had a 727A zero-turn demo machine, which I brought home to try out for a few days. This one has a Kawasaki vertical shaft 23hp with 54" deck. A little smaller than I would have liked, but they gave me a deal on it I couldn't refuse to keep it.
Still not a diesel - it did take me a long time adjusting to running a gas engine for sure.

Went through the last season with that machine, and really got to love it. Small and nimble, and seemed to have plenty of power for my uses.
I am now negotiating to trade that in on a 757 (horizontal shaft Kawi 25hp w/60" deck). The new 2008 line of zero-turns is coming out this month, so I figured I could get a deal on one of their 757's since they are now out dated. I've heard nothing but good reviews on the 757 - plus it is a tried and true machine. I surely would not want one of the new 2008's as this is their first production year.

So, yes, still a slight bit disappointed on not having a diesel for my zero-turn, but these Kawaski engines seem to really put out the power, and have a great history. Sure, the Kawasaki might have to be rebuilt by ~1000 hours, but I usually trade every 2 years, so that is not a concern.

ddivinia · Feb 2, 2008

My JD 757 has been a wonderful machine. I have only put blades and a battery in it in addition to the usual fluid changes, etc. I figure this machine will last me forever.

D.

BCNU · Feb 2, 2008

I have been running a 757 Deere for the last 6 years and would recommend one to anybody. The Kawasaki engines are great , mine has never been back to the dealer for anything.

B8FISH · Feb 3, 2008

I've been using my 757 for about a year and wouldn't part with it. Normal fluid changes, no problems, shorter cutting time for larger area and super smooth looking lawn.

jcmseven · Feb 4, 2008

I ditto the 757 comments. I do not really like ZTR's but I liked this one that I bought for my dad. My father is getting a bit more feeble in his elder years, so I suspect I will hire out his mowing during the weeks I cannot do it for the upcoming year. I sold my dad's 757 last month--to my dealer--who is using it for his lawn care business. I suppose that tells you a bit about the machine, when the dealer is eager to give you a fair price to buy it back for his personal business.

John M

ddivinia · Feb 4, 2008

jcmseven said:
I ditto the 757 comments. I do not really like ZTR's but I liked this one that I bought for my dad. My father is getting a bit more feeble in his elder years, so I suspect I will hire out his mowing during the weeks I cannot do it for the upcoming year. I sold my dad's 757 last month--to my dealer--who is using it for his lawn care business. I suppose that tells you a bit about the machine, when the dealer is eager to give you a fair price to buy it back for his personal business.

John M

How did you do on resale? I always wonder, but really don't care because I don't plan on selling it.

D.

garyfisher123 · Feb 4, 2008

ddivinia said:
How did you do on resale? I always wonder, but really don't care because I don't plan on selling it.

D.

Before we purchased the Kubota ZD18 I looked at couple of used 7x7's and the resales seemed VERY high. This is the main reason I switched back to going new. I sometimes wander if this high priced resale trend is on it's way back down a little as many lawn companies are going out of business or downsizing.

jcmseven · Feb 5, 2008

I sold it for $4500.00. I could have probably gotten more, but my dealer is also a good friend and had cash on hand to buy, so I felt it fair. GF123 is correct. One problem with these machines is that they tend to not depreciate that much (I paid $7000, tax included new two years ago) and JD in particular offers such program discounts it is rarely beneficial not to go new. All in all, I felt it was a fair deal for all involved on my dad's machine. Interestingly, I am planning to hire my friend to mow some for my folks this year--and he will be doing so with my dad's old mower. Go figure.

John M