Kubota F series

[Hay Dude]

I can go back to turf tires, too with 4wd.
Bar tires on my ZD331 are just too rough when you have to hustle on commercial jobs.
Moving fast and bar tires on a zero turn not a good match.
Especially when the HOA President is a miserable old lady that complains about everything :gloomy:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

F Owners who also have/do run a zero turn:

I have a unique, large customer property I am admittedly doing some damage to by a zero turn with bar tires. Turf tires will not hold on the hills. The property is steep and there are a decent amount of trees to cut under. On top of that, the turf is mostly weeds and grass mixed, so the root system is not all that strong. I知 getting a smattering of complaints about tire marks.

Is an F the answer to my needs? I missed out on a chance to get a 3680 72 last year.
Over the winter, should I make the switch?

I guess that's me the one with both. I've owned Fs for over 12 years. Had a 2wd F for level rental acreage property and a F 4wd for hillside home property acreage. Done some selling and trading over the years of Fs and Zero turns (Gas and Diesel). Last year i traded my F3080 4wd to a new F2990 4wd and also bought a ZD1211. One has rear discharge and the other has side with mulching kit and both have turf tires. The new F came first so Grandson helps me mow now and he loved the F after a couple years with a BX and F. Then the gas 7xx ZD replaced the BX and then the ZD1211 replaced the gas and he really liked the ZD1211 but alas this year he gets first choice and always picks the F which leaves me on the ZD which has gotten stuck twice in two different small ditches since I've owned it and it becomes uncontrollable sometimes going down my slopes/hills. Any way I approached Kunota dealer (Barlows) a couple weeks ago while having a RTV500 serviced about trading the ZD to a F. $20,000 for a second F is not in my plan so I told him if he got a low hours trade in F to call me about trading in my ZD1211 to another F. Guess you can see how I feel about Fs after trying the ZD3xx, smallest Kubota gas ZD and a ZD7xx and ZD1211 and several Fs. Told him to get me my old 2wd F back if he could since I've bought it from him twice before.

 

[Hay Dude]

I guess that's me the one with both. I've owned Fs for over 12 years. Had a 2wd F for level rental acreage property and a F 4wd for hillside home property acreage. Done some selling and trading over the years of Fs and Zero turns (Gas and Diesel). Last year i traded my F3080 4wd to a new F2990 4wd and also bought a ZD1211. One has rear discharge and the other has side with mulching kit and both have turf tires. The new F came first so Grandson helps me mow now and he loved the F after a couple years with a BX and F. Then the gas 7xx ZD replaced the BX and then the ZD1211 replaced the gas and he really liked the ZD1211 but alas this year he gets first choice and always picks the F which leaves me on the ZD which has gotten stuck twice in two different small ditches since I've owned it and it becomes uncontrollable sometimes going down my slopes/hills. Any way I approached Kunota dealer (Barlows) a couple weeks ago while having a RTV500 serviced about trading the ZD to a F. $20,000 for a second F is not in my plan so I told him if he got a low hours trade in F to call me about trading in my ZD1211 to another F. Guess you can see how I feel about Fs after trying the ZD3xx, smallest Kubota gas ZD and a ZD7xx and ZD1211 and several Fs. Told him to get me my old 2wd F back if he could since I've bought it from him twice before.

I know these sound like really detailed questions, but here goes.

1. The F is a taller unit, so it probably won’t cut as far under low branches as the Z will. This may be a little bit mitigated by the F deck sticking out a little further???
2. Also, being taller, one would think more tippy on steep side slopes? Maybe this isn’t as bad since they have 4 tires?
3. I’m really used to twin handles for steering, the F has a steering wheel. How much difference in comfort or steer-ability?
4. The option of a rear discharge deck is something I cannot decide on. I think because of the need to direct clippings away from plant beds, sidewalks, etc is so important that I would stay with side discharge. I just can’t envision rear discharge.....would think it would leave a constant carpet of clippings laying behind deck?

Is there anything else Im missing or not thinking about?
I would really hate to sell the ZD331, get an F and its unable to do the job.

 

[dsb5610]

F Owners who also have/do run a zero turn:

I have a unique, large customer property I am admittedly doing some damage to by a zero turn with bar tires. Turf tires will not hold on the hills. The property is steep and there are a decent amount of trees to cut under. On top of that, the turf is mostly weeds and grass mixed, so the root system is not all that strong. I知 getting a smattering of complaints about tire marks.

Is an F the answer to my needs? I missed out on a chance to get a 3680 72 last year.
Over the winter, should I make the switch?

I had a JD F911 2wd with turfs followed by a ZD326p with turfs followed by a 725d Grasshopper with chevrons and currently a JD 1570 4wd with turfs. All were side discharge except the 1570. When mowing a slope sideways w/o obstacles the 1570 would result in the least amount of damage. Add obstacles and any of them will do some damage especially when making an uphill turn. The F911 and ZD326p could not maintain a line on slopes the Grasshopper and 1570 can.

The 1570 w/rear discharge can cut taller material than the others could. Different class machine but no comparison. No clogging but little mulching. Looks like you cut it with a haybine with the deflectors open. Subsequent mowing, if you keep up with it, leave a clean look.

dsb

 

[Hay Dude]

I had a JD F911 2wd with turfs followed by a ZD326p with turfs followed by a 725d Grasshopper with chevrons and currently a JD 1570 4wd with turfs. All were side discharge except the 1570. When mowing a slope sideways w/o obstacles the 1570 would result in the least amount of damage. Add obstacles and any of them will do some damage especially when making an uphill turn. The F911 and ZD326p could not maintain a line on slopes the Grasshopper and 1570 can.

The 1570 w/rear discharge can cut taller material than the others could. Different class machine but no comparison. No clogging but little mulching. Looks like you cut it with a haybine with the deflectors open. Subsequent mowing, if you keep up with it, leave a clean look.

dsb

I can relate to the haybine analogy.
I will always be cutting it on a schedule (like every Wednesday, for example) so no extremely tall grass will be cut. Itll be on a weekly schedule.
I am also looking at the flail mower attachment to open up another line of cutting options not available to the ZD331

 

[Xfaxman]

--------------------------------------------
I am also looking at the flail mower attachment to open up another line of cutting options not available to the ZD331

The out front flail I have works good. The disadvantage is you can't mow up close on the sides.

If you are hand trimming anyway it wouldn't matter, but out here in the country I don't even have a weed eater.

 

[Oathkeeper]

The 1570 w/rear discharge can cut taller material than the others could. Different class machine but no comparison.

dsb

Is not the JD 1570 the rough equivalent of the Kubota F3990?

On the 1570, what is the maximum slope you are able to mow sideways without it trying to slip downhill?

Do you think the 1600 WAM would have the same performance as the 1570 on hills?

 

[dsb5610]

Is not the JD 1570 the rough equivalent of the Kubota F3990?

On the 1570, what is the maximum slope you are able to mow sideways without it trying to slip downhill?

Do you think the 1600 WAM would have the same performance as the 1570 on hills?

1570 would be similar to an F3990. I only mow a couple areas along the right of way where I buckle up and hang on to the side. Not sure what the slope is.

I've looked at a 1600 WAM but never operated one. From what I recall, the center of gravity seemed higher. Definitely a bigger class machine.

dsb

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

1. The F is a taller unit, so it probably won’t cut as far under low branches as the Z will. This may be a little bit mitigated by the F deck sticking out a little further???This doesn't apply since the rider is setting how high one can drive under with rops down and with rops up it determines how high but I have a canopy over both so it stes it but under trees I go the same with both with lower limbs cut off and F deck goes under shrubs where Z can not go

2. Also, being taller, one would think more tippy on steep side slopes? Maybe this isn’t as bad since they have 4 tires?The engine weight and deck and wheels are all at about the same level, the F just has a hood setting up which makes it seem a lot taller. I drive them both on the same slope and they seem to do about the same except the Z may want to slide a bit more than the F which usually stays straight but both would slip on wet but the F would ghandle the wet better because the Z has a mind of its own with going down hill if the front slipped to far around.

3. I’m really used to twin handles for steering, the F has a steering wheel. How much difference in comfort or steer-ability?Me, Grandson and hired helper all agree the steering wheel and the F are far superior on steering with the steering of the F staying straight on at speed and open area where the Z is a constant control/correcting direction issue with unlevel yard.


4. The option of a rear discharge deck is something I cannot decide on. I think because of the need to direct clippings away from plant beds, sidewalks, etc is so important that I would stay with side discharge. I just can’t envision rear discharge.....would think it would leave a constant carpet of clippings laying behind deck?
A rear discharge deck cuts equally close on both side and there are no clippings being discharged to the side, clippings come out the back but mostly down on the ground. When I cut after grass gets over 8"s high there can be a spread out cut clippings trail for a couple days and then it's gone with mulching deck and rear discharge deck. A side discharge requires a pattern to keep moving discharged cut grass to keep from doubleing up where grass lands, not so with rear or mulching. One can mow circles or random pattern with no issues with rear or mulching. I personally hate side discharge after many years experience with them and I now prefer side with mulching kit and then rear. If one mows regularly there is no windrowing with rear or mulching decks.

 

[Hay Dude]

Thanks JOHNTHOMAS.
I will keep watch for an F over the summer, but my guess it is more likely to happen over the winter.

 

[cstamm81]

sorry to thread hijack, but as I was about to post I noticed this thread still going strong years later. I have a 4wd 2880, love the machine. I have a line on a used blower and sweeper, off of a 2wd 2880. It comes with the attachment plate, and everything looks complete and in very good shape. I'll have to figure out hydraulics, as my machine does not have aux outlets.

Here's my question, does anyone have experience with a snow blower or sweeper on these machines? I'd be using the blower only when plowing isn't ideal, and possibly on stoned in areas if it makes less of a mess than plowing. As for the sweeper, I'd use it to clear my paved driveway portions of light snow, leaves and debris. I'd also like to use it for lawn de-thatching, I've seen videos and it seems to work really well. The sweeper is an L2162 (62 inch), and the blower is an F5210B (52 inch).

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I would grab that snowblower for sure, it’ll hook right up to the front PTO, same as mower deck, you’d only need to hook into hydraulics if it had hydraulic chute control, I’d think it wouldn’t tho. It would really be a slick setup. What are they asking?

 

[cstamm81]

They want $2k for the snow blower, broom, and plate to attach them to the machine. My machine is wider than 52", being 4wd. I told the seller I wasn't interested, as I felt the 52" width was for a 2wd machine. Since then, I have seen pictures of wings add to the sides of the 52 incher, to cover the tracks on a 4wd machine.

 

[jcummins]

I'd get it if you are in a snow area.

 

[Sigarms]

sorry to thread hijack, but as I was about to post I noticed this thread still going strong years later.

I'll hijack the thread even further. Is the Dew Drop Inn still in Leesport?:laughing:

Last time I flew in Allentown I couldn't believe how much the highway has changed out on 78 (?). When I went to move my dad, had to drive through Leesport to visit an Uncle on 61, and I couldn't believe how much that area has changed, as I use to drive through Leesport on a daily basis in my youth for work.

Since the thread is 7 years old, being that your around Leesport and I was a little north of you, for snow, if you can make the attachment work for snow, it would be worth it. My dad had a 60's or 70's wheel horse mower with a plow attachment. That plow served him well with all the snow he got a little north of you.

 

[Hay Dude]

Are the new Fs available with AC in the cab? Could never understand Kubotas unwillingness to offer an AC cab...

 

[cstamm81]

Are the new Fs available with AC in the cab? Could never understand Kubotas unwillingness to offer an AC cab...

I saw one F3680 that claimed to have heat AND AC, it was used. Since then, I have not seen another one. I told myself if I found another one and could afford it, I would go for it. AC would be amazing for mowing in the heat!

 

[cstamm81]

I'll hijack the thread even further. Is the Dew Drop Inn still in Leesport?:laughing:

Last time I flew in Allentown I couldn't believe how much the highway has changed out on 78 (?). When I went to move my dad, had to drive through Leesport to visit an Uncle on 61, and I couldn't believe how much that area has changed, as I use to drive through Leesport on a daily basis in my youth for work.

Since the thread is 7 years old, being that your around Leesport and I was a little north of you, for snow, if you can make the attachment work for snow, it would be worth it. My dad had a 60's or 70's wheel horse mower with a plow attachment. That plow served him well with all the snow he got a little north of you.

Wow lol, someone that's been through Leesport. The Dew Drop Inn must pre-date me, but it might have changed names. Where was it exactly, right on 61 in the actual town of Leesport? I'm 39, but I lived right outside town the first half of my life, and now I'm about 15 minutes away.

Yes, the area has changed radically, and not for the better in my opinion. Tons of developments and crappy retail businesses. Cookie cutter mcmansions, nothing built to last. Property values have gone way up, it's essentially one big strip mall from Leesport to Philly now. I'm lucky enough to own 10 secluded acres and rarely travel 61. Still though, the whole area is over populated, and the infrastructure isn't built to handle the traffic. I sometimes wish I would have moved somewhere with waaaay less people!

I hear you on the Wheel Horse tractors, my Dad had one as well. It was the only thing he ever bought new, and it was used for everything. As long as you kept the snow to about 8" or less it would handle it. Nice, simple, robust machines that could actually do some measure of real work!

 

[Sigarms]

Wow lol, someone that's been through Leesport. The Dew Drop Inn must pre-date me, but it might have changed names. Where was it exactly, right on 61 in the actual town of Leesport? I'm 39, but I lived right outside town the first half of my life, and now I'm about 15 minutes away.

Yes, the area has changed radically, and not for the better in my opinion. Tons of developments and crappy retail businesses. Cookie cutter mcmansions, nothing built to last. Property values have gone way up, it's essentially one big strip mall from Leesport to Philly now. I'm lucky enough to own 10 secluded acres and rarely travel 61. Still though, the whole area is over populated, and the infrastructure isn't built to handle the traffic. I sometimes wish I would have moved somewhere with waaaay less people!

I hear you on the Wheel Horse tractors, my Dad had one as well. It was the only thing he ever bought new, and it was used for everything. As long as you kept the snow to about 8" or less it would handle it. Nice, simple, robust machines that could actually do some measure of real work!

Going south on 61, at the traffic light in town, just past the light on the left (litterally on 61 and "in town"). Parents are from Schuykill county, went to middle and high school there, then years later, worked in Reading while living back in Schuykill county (I hear Reading has become a cest pool now). I can rememeber when there wasn't a single traffic light by route 61 / I78, and after Cabelas moved in, I was kind of blown away with everything there.

Don't get back there much since my dad is now living with us and my mom passed in 2002, but when I went back, couldn't get over how many people bring their ATV's into the county to go riding in the area on the weekends (we could ride bikes all day in the coal hills and never see anothe rider, riding a couple hundred of miles). Seems the coal land is getting more regulated with more people, including my old shooting range on the burma road I used when I was a kid with my dad.

I completely agree with the development in the area. And yes, route 61 was never designed to handle that much traffic.

On a sidenote and BACK on topic, LOVE my F mower. Before and after pics. With the high grass, probably the first time I used it when I bought it off of JT from here.

 

[cstamm81]

Going south on 61, at the traffic light in town, just past the light on the left (litterally on 61 and "in town"). Parents are from Schuykill county, went to middle and high school there, then years later, worked in Reading while living back in Schuykill county (I hear Reading has become a cest pool now). I can rememeber when there wasn't a single traffic light by route 61 / I78, and after Cabelas moved in, I was kind of blown away with everything there.

Don't get back there much since my dad is now living with us and my mom passed in 2002, but when I went back, couldn't get over how many people bring their ATV's into the county to go riding in the area on the weekends (we could ride bikes all day in the coal hills and never see anothe rider, riding a couple hundred of miles). Seems the coal land is getting more regulated with more people, including my old shooting range on the burma road I used when I was a kid with my dad.

I completely agree with the development in the area. And yes, route 61 was never designed to handle that much traffic.

On a sidenote and BACK on topic, LOVE my F mower. Before and after pics. With the high grass, probably the first time I used it when I bought it off of JT from here.

View attachment 669129

Ok, got it. Yes, that place is now called the Village Tavern. It's a local watering hole, I used to hang there in my early 20's as the beer was cheap and the locals were interesting. Yeah, I remember when there was nothing but farmland on 61, and no red lights.

Yup, tons of guys take their quads up to the Skook, and further north. Seems a lot of people have gotten into quads and side by sides as of late. My brother sells new trailers, and he sold a ton of aluminum trailers this year made in Maine specifically for ATV's.

Agreed, the F mowers rock. I'll buy another 2880 or 3680 if I come across a good deal. I have 3000 hours on my 2880 and it shows no signs of stopping. Industrial machines in my opinion. It hasn't snowed much the last few years, making it hard to go for that blower.