New ZTR'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

[Scaper]

New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

Hello folks, I have been trying out the new ZTR's for the past month and a half. So far I have been on the Kubota ZD 18 54" deck, MTD Pro. 60" deck, and the Grass Hopper M225 with the 61" deck. These are all supposed to be top of the line with the exception of the MTD. I also have demoed the new 721D Grasshopper front mount 61" deck with the new G2 hydro motors. Well here goes my 2 cents. The Kubota was very nice to look at but didn't cut worth a hill of beans. I was so disappointed with the machine I took it back after two hours of use and I could have used it all day if I have wanted. The MTD kept cutting out on me while I was moving forward at speed over bumps or when I made a tight right hand turn. Cut quality was the worst of all I have used to date. The Grasshopper 225 was the best cutting of the ZTR's I have been on and no problems with the mechanics. The one thing I will say that all the ZTR's had in common was that they beat the dog crap outta me on anything but the smoothest ground around and they all tore the turf up when turning. Boy was I ready to get off these machines at the end of the day and some, as I have said as early as possible. I also tried the Grasshopper 721D (20.9 hp Kubota diesel) with the 61" quick mount deck that tilts up for cleaning. I found this mower to have buy far the best cut quality of all the units. It handled extremely well and rode like a large easy chair compared to the ZTR's. I loved the ability to get under trees and bushes to trim closer to edges then I could with the ZTR's because of the fact that I had a clear field of view. The 721D also disturbed the ground some when I turned around but no where near the damage of the ZTR's especially the ZD 18. Has anyone else done this type of comparison between the ZTR's and the front mounts? I cut about 15 acres a week this year and I would like to make a new purchase for my business some time soon. The 721D with 61" deck and 14 hours on the clock was $9.800 and the 725 25Hp gas Kubota 3 cyl. with the 61" deck and no hours is $10.000 even. I think I can beat these prices since they came from a dealer known for the highest prices in my state. Does anyone have any thoughts on the Grasshopper G2 hydro pumps. Well I hope someone takes the time to read this and get back with me you have all been a great deal of help in the past. Thanks, Scaper

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

Scaper, Have you tried out an Exmark Lazer. Highly recommended machine. Or a Dixie cutter.

 

[Scaper]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

I haven't tried a Lazer Z yet but the dealer I git the grasshopers from said it rides about the same as the 225 GH. I asked for a demo on the Lazer and was told ExMark had changed their poilcy on demos, You can no longer take an Exmark and put hrs on it on the job site. You have ton drive it at the dealers yard. Sounds like a pile of crap to me but that came from twom ExMark dealers in the area. I hope to find someone who will let me use it in the real world for a couple of hours some time soon. I did see that ExMark has a full suspension seat for their larger top[ of the line Z mower. Thanks Scaper.

 

[Snell]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

Any chance to check out the Dixon 7000 series commercial mower?

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

I don't know if they make a big enough one for you but I tryed out one of those new john deere ztr and they are by far the best that I have been on. If I can get a good enough of a deal I'm going to trade mine for one.

 

[Scaper]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

I think the JD ZTR is made by Exmark for JD. If I remember right thats what I have been told. Although I may be wrong it may be MTD that makes them for JD. Which ever one it is they also make Lesco's mowers and they are the same as JD's ZTR. I think that the only differance between the three is the decks that are hanging under them. Does anyone own the Grasshopper 721 or 725 mower. If so how do you like them and do they seem heavy enopugh for commercial mowing?
Thanks Scaper

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

A few weeks back, a Grasshopper 725 sold for $3000 at a local auction. My landscaper friend was @ Myrtle Beach that week and was "sick" when I told him...

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

Scaper,
The one I was talking about was the new sst, super spin steer, model that came out. That thing will spin on a dime and give you some change! According to the deere dealer it's the first design of it's kind. I don't know if that's true or not but that's what he said.

 

[Bird]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

Richard, my brother just asked me this afternoon whether I'd seen or driven one of those spin steer machines. He tried one out at the dealer's and was quite impressed with it.

Bird

 

[schlepkus1]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

I have used front mount grasshoppers since 1999, they are far and above faster, smoother, and better cutting than mid-mounts (you refer to mid mounts as ZTRs) it is just plain physics that make them work better. We bought a really good mid mount grasshopper in '03 and returned it after 5 minutes of mowing. Exmark lazer z stormed the market and is a good mower. Price is lower and you can fit more on the trailer but nothing compares to the ride and the mauverability of a front mounted deck!!!

Hello folks, I have been trying out the new ZTR's for the past month and a half. So far I have been on the Kubota ZD 18 54" deck, MTD Pro. 60" deck, and the Grass Hopper M225 with the 61" deck. These are all supposed to be top of the line with the exception of the MTD. I also have demoed the new 721D Grasshopper front mount 61" deck with the new G2 hydro motors. Well here goes my 2 cents. The Kubota was very nice to look at but didn't cut worth a hill of beans. I was so disappointed with the machine I took it back after two hours of use and I could have used it all day if I have wanted. The MTD kept cutting out on me while I was moving forward at speed over bumps or when I made a tight right hand turn. Cut quality was the worst of all I have used to date. The Grasshopper 225 was the best cutting of the ZTR's I have been on and no problems with the mechanics. The one thing I will say that all the ZTR's had in common was that they beat the dog crap outta me on anything but the smoothest ground around and they all tore the turf up when turning. Boy was I ready to get off these machines at the end of the day and some, as I have said as early as possible. I also tried the Grasshopper 721D (20.9 hp Kubota diesel) with the 61" quick mount deck that tilts up for cleaning. I found this mower to have buy far the best cut quality of all the units. It handled extremely well and rode like a large easy chair compared to the ZTR's. I loved the ability to get under trees and bushes to trim closer to edges then I could with the ZTR's because of the fact that I had a clear field of view. The 721D also disturbed the ground some when I turned around but no where near the damage of the ZTR's especially the ZD 18. Has anyone else done this type of comparison between the ZTR's and the front mounts? I cut about 15 acres a week this year and I would like to make a new purchase for my business some time soon. The 721D with 61" deck and 14 hours on the clock was $9.800 and the 725 25Hp gas Kubota 3 cyl. with the 61" deck and no hours is $10.000 even. I think I can beat these prices since they came from a dealer known for the highest prices in my state. Does anyone have any thoughts on the Grasshopper G2 hydro pumps. Well I hope someone takes the time to read this and get back with me you have all been a great deal of help in the past. Thanks, Scaper

 

[Kernopelli]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

I have used front mount grasshoppers since 1999, they are far and above faster, smoother, and better cutting than mid-mounts (you refer to mid mounts as ZTRs) it is just plain physics that make them work better. We bought a really good mid mount grasshopper in '03 and returned it after 5 minutes of mowing. Exmark lazer z stormed the market and is a good mower. Price is lower and you can fit more on the trailer but nothing compares to the ride and the mauverability of a front mounted deck!!!

Couldn't agree more. I have had 2 Grasshopper front mounts that were both excellent mowers and currently have a "good" ( not talking Lowes/Home depot model) JD front mount ZTR and it has surprised me. Frankly I bought the JD only because the price was REALLY right and didn't expect it to compare favorably to the Grasshoppers but so far I have been almost as pleased with it as the Grasshoppers. ALMOST........

 

[Dargo]

Re: New ZTR\'S VS. 725 or 721D Grasshopper

I also have demoed the new 721D Grasshopper front mount 61" deck with the new G2 hydro motors.

I still have that exact mower in my stall. I had a mowing business for a while and think I counted that I had close to 15 different ZTR mowers. Other than fitting more on a trailer, thousands of hours of seat time tells me that there is no other advantage. If you really want a mid mount ZTR, I'd highly suggest a Ferris with suspension. It won't ride as well as a front mount machine, but it's a lot better on the operator.

My 1999 721D G2 with a 61" deck has just over 2000 hours on it. As I've mentioned here many times before, it's still on it's original deck belt. There is zero measurable wear in any of the 3 deck bearings and I've had zero down time; zero. For one year I mowed the back side of the dam on a large lake and I'd literally back up it with the rear wheels a foot in the air all the way up each time. The owner had a 4X4 tractor with turf tires on his tractor and he was amazed that I never had an issue, never tore up his grass and he could never climb the hill.

I've gone through several different brands just because I didn't want to get hooked on one brand and not realize what else was out there. I've long since sold my mowing business and bought a 2nd front mount Grasshopper. You know, his and hers mowers. I did buy a 25 hp 3 cyl Kubota gas powered Grasshopper and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It was known as the "GassHopper". It used fuel at a 2.2:1 rate as compared to the same engine in diesel. It was powerful and smooth, but a major league gas hog. I suppose all the reasonably high powered gas ZTR mowers are extremely thirsty. I'm used to getting around 9 to 9 and a quarter hours of run time on an 8 gallon diesel tank. It killed me to constantly stop to refill the gas machines. Besides, if I live a few more years the fuel difference would pay for itself not to mention how much longer the diesel Kubota will run.

One guy has a Motor Coach just like mine that runs that exact same Kubota diesel engine for it's generator. (makes it nice when I have 3 identical engines when it comes to oil changes and air/oil filter changes). He said he always runs Amsoil 15W40 HD Diesel/Marine oil and a Wix filter, but he has just over 14,000 hours on that engine!!! Granted, it's not being bounced around like on a mower and I'm sure it gets cleaner air, but that's still a lot of hours!