3Ts
Elite Member
I've been using a 3pt finish mower and it's finally time to replace it. I've decided a John Deere ZTR is what will replace it. My choices around here are pretty much limited to John Deere and Kubota. The Kubota dealer has several models on display for both residential and commercial, but start around $5k. The John Deere starts around $2.5k and goes up from there. So the JD wins out over Kubota. However, JD has only 2 commercial units on display, but can get the entire line. Lowe's is about 50 miles from him and has a Z525e on display but for about $700 more than the JD dealer wants. I don't especially like to purchase something like this sight unseen because I don't know how well it's going to "fit me", but then again if I can save $1,000 . . .
So I've been looking at the specs and advertising info for the 3xx series and all I can see for the differences are: 20 vs 22 hp engine, 15 vs 18 inch seat, rubber foot mat or not, etc. Things that seem to me to be pretty unimportant. I've not been able to find a 3xx unit around to go look at, so my question to y'all is: Are the 5xx series worth the extra 1k over the 3xx series? Is there really a difference between the different 3xx units?
The land varies from small rocks (~3 inches) all the way thru clay and sand. There are lots of obstructions (trees) to mow around which is why the ZTR. The land is mostly gentle slopes with some small sections pretty steep. The area to be mowed is currently about 1 acre, but plan to expand that up to about 4 acres over the next few years.
What are your thoughts on the 3xx, especially compared to the Z525E.
So I've been looking at the specs and advertising info for the 3xx series and all I can see for the differences are: 20 vs 22 hp engine, 15 vs 18 inch seat, rubber foot mat or not, etc. Things that seem to me to be pretty unimportant. I've not been able to find a 3xx unit around to go look at, so my question to y'all is: Are the 5xx series worth the extra 1k over the 3xx series? Is there really a difference between the different 3xx units?
The land varies from small rocks (~3 inches) all the way thru clay and sand. There are lots of obstructions (trees) to mow around which is why the ZTR. The land is mostly gentle slopes with some small sections pretty steep. The area to be mowed is currently about 1 acre, but plan to expand that up to about 4 acres over the next few years.
What are your thoughts on the 3xx, especially compared to the Z525E.