Who Makes a Trouble-Free 60" Diesel Zero-Turn?

[Suburban Plowboy]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I have a John Deere 430 garden tractor with a 60" deck, and I am sick of it. It seems like I spend more time repairing it than using it, and John Deere is a real jerk about parts. My alternator is a great example. It looks like I need a new one, and they run about $500.

I don't need a garden tractor. I have a real tractor. I'm thinking I should dump the 430 on some sucker, I mean John Deere fan, and get a zero-turn.

So who makes a good diesel zero-turn that will last forever and give me 60" of width?

I can tell you some features I would like.

1. Not having to pay 5 times what parts are worth or dealing with a company that doesn't supply parts for older machines *cough cough John Deere*.

2. Oil changes that don't require removing an extremely stubborn 340-pound deck or dealing with a messy external oil-sucking machine.

3. Hydraulic cylinders, if any, that aren't welded shut like certain those made by *cough cough John Deere* certain companies.

4. Not needing 3 sizes of wrench to do simple things like adjusting a fan belt.

5. Not having to take the entire machine apart to change a fan belt.

6. A muffler that doesn't cost $250.

7. A total weight somewhere under 1500 pounds, unlike a certain garden tractor I have.

8. Blades that will cut bahia instead of just knocking it over so it can come back up after I pass.

9. Mulching that actually works. On live oak and water oak leaves. Not just on paper-thin leaves that blow away in a slight breeze.

10. Doesn't have the words "John" or "Deere" anywhere on it, nor any green paint.

If your blood runs green, don't bother telling me off. There is no point in making me suffer, because this tractor and the company that made it punish me more than you could every day.

 

[5030]

Personally, I think you are SOL. They all require regular maintenance. Keep the Deere and buy a couple goats.

 

[KennyG]

If you are expecting to buy anything and find cheap OEM parts, good luck. That's just not the world we live in today. I think any diesel ZT will be pretty reliable and efficient and will have some small potential to be a lemon. Sorry to hear you have trouble with your 430, but if the information I have is correct, the last 430 was built in 1992, so we are talking about an over 30 year old garden tractor.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

This thing supposedly has about 730 hours on it, so I don't think age is the whole problem. Age isn't the reason John Deere welded the cylinders shut. That's just sick.

The alternator has the voltage regulator INSIDE it. Who does that? Bad voltage regulator? No problem. Just fork out $500 for an alternator. Or you can go Chinese, which is what I'll do. Meanwhile, a voltage regulator for a Cadillac costs $14.

I got this tractor for nearly nothing, and I was all excited. The thrill has worn off. They must not have made zero-turns back when the first owner bought it. He must have had some reason for spending nearly 10K on a riding mower.

 

[WM75Guy]

I like my 60" ZD1211. Shaft drive to the deck. No regen as it is under 25 HP. During the winter I take it to the Kubota dealer and it gets serviced, including new blades, for $350. Other than that I keep it full of diesel, clean the radiator screens, and blow it off after I use it. Cutting Bahia is a pain. I cut often and at a 3 1/2 setting on the deck. Let it get too tall and you get to cut twice. I also mow a different pattern every time, so it doesn't grow laying over which what happens if you mow the same pattern every time.

 

[RjCorazza]

I prefer diesel zero turns, and currently have a Kubota ZD326 and ZD1211. 1800 hours on the ZD326 and 850 hours on the ZD1211. I also had 1600 hours on my previous ZD331.
I've had remarkably few problems with any of them.
They do weigh more than 1500lbs though... about 1800 lbs I believe.
OEM parts are never cheap, from any manufacturer.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I had no idea a mower weighed that much. Seems like buying a mower means buying a big trailer, too.

 

[WM75Guy]

Kubota specs say 1742# for the ZD1211. I use a Big Tex 14' 5000# 2 axle to haul my ZD1211 and the Mule in for service. Mine has a spare. The only time I had a blowout I was taking the ZD in for service. Blew out the right rear but was able to safely slow down and pull off to the shoulder to change the tire.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I, uh, I'll take that 430 off you... I've always had an affinity for that absurd beast, and I won't be depending on it.

 

[4570Man]

I have a Grasshopper 428D that’s been a good machine. What few parts I’ve needed were surprisingly affordable. But with that being said I like a Kubota ZT better.

 

[JJT]

I have a old Kubota ZD21, with a fabricated 60" deck. The 3 cylinder diesel is a fuel sipper. Absolutely no issues in 800+ hours, simply normal maintenance. It has a built in deck lift for ease of cleaning and blade changing. My only regret, not buying it sooner. It was pricey, $9,500, purchased new, 18 years ago.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Who Makes a Trouble-Free 60" Diesel Zero-Turn?​

No matter the brand, you won't know that "for sure", until AFTER you buy it!!

 

[4570Man]

I had no idea a mower weighed that much. Seems like buying a mower means buying a big trailer, too.

I have a 72”deck on my ZT with the outside width being close to 80”. That alone pretty much puts it on a car hauler trailer. Very few single axel so called lawnmower trailers are wide enough.

 

[Hay Dude]

Been runnings Kubota ZD331 for years. Very tough, simple & reliable.
Highly recommend.

 

[RancherGuy]

So who makes a good diesel zero-turn that will last forever and give me 60" of width?

It may be too big for your wish list, but 15 years ago the wife and I bought a barely used JD 997 ZT. Drove 400 miles to pick it up. It has a 72" deck, but I believe some came with smaller decks. 34hp (I believe) diesel. The wife, main driver, has put 1,400 hours on it. Absolutely NO complaints. Only fuel, regular maintenance, and replacement of a few generic bearings. It is a beast in terms of power and reliability and is often used by commercial operators. The thing we like the most is the clean and consistent deck flow and cutting quality. Deck is nearly indestructible, too. There may be gas versions still available, but the diesel version was discontinued years ago, I think it may have been EPA air regulations or the weight class (1800#) and changing safety regulations that killed the diesel.

On the contrary, just to confirm that all JD are not the same, we once owned a JD X749. Diesel 4x4 w/ all wheel steering and a 60" deck. The desire was something that had better traction that a ZT on soft ground and around the pond perimeter. What a huge disappointment - but only in the deck. The "tractor" portion was excellent, but the deck design was s**t. It was almost incapable of mowing anything more than 1" of grass per pass. The design flaws were bulges and obstacles under the deck that interrupted the air and material flow. Happy was the day the X749 was sold. Still have and use the 997 ZT, and appreciate it every time it is used.

 

[RancherGuy]

JD X749:

JD 997:

 

[88bradb]

SCAG has a '61' inch Turf Tiger with a Kubota diesel in it. I have a '48' Tiger Cub gas model that has treated me well for the last 19 years. Love my JD 3r tractor but my SCAG ztr has treated me well.

 

[FERLING]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I have a John Deere 430 garden tractor with a 60" deck, and I am sick of it. It seems like I spend more time repairing it than using it, and John Deere is a real jerk about parts. My alternator is a great example. It looks like I need a new one, and they run about $500.

I don't need a garden tractor. I have a real tractor. I'm thinking I should dump the 430 on some sucker, I mean John Deere fan, and get a zero-turn.

So who makes a good diesel zero-turn that will last forever and give me 60" of width?

I can tell you some features I would like.

1. Not having to pay 5 times what parts are worth or dealing with a company that doesn't supply parts for older machines *cough cough John Deere*.

2. Oil changes that don't require removing an extremely stubborn 340-pound deck or dealing with a messy external oil-sucking machine.

3. Hydraulic cylinders, if any, that aren't welded shut like certain those made by *cough cough John Deere* certain companies.

4. Not needing 3 sizes of wrench to do simple things like adjusting a fan belt.

5. Not having to take the entire machine apart to change a fan belt.

6. A muffler that doesn't cost $250.

7. A total weight somewhere under 1500 pounds, unlike a certain garden tractor I have.

8. Blades that will cut bahia instead of just knocking it over so it can come back up after I pass.

9. Mulching that actually works. On live oak and water oak leaves. Not just on paper-thin leaves that blow away in a slight breeze.

10. Doesn't have the words "John" or "Deere" anywhere on it, nor any green paint.

If your blood runs green, don't bother telling me off. There is no point in making me suffer, because this tractor and the company that made it punish me more than you could every day.

"So who makes a good diesel zero-turn that will last forever...." THEY DON't make a varmint like that. Second - why do you want the additional cost of a diesel? Most mowers the deck or drivetrain wears out before motor does. (Look at Cub Cadet with steering wheel rated better tan any zero turn on a hill.)

 

[coobie]

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Get your wallet out.

 

[4570Man]

"So who makes a good diesel zero-turn that will last forever...." THEY DON't make a varmint like that. Second - why do you want the additional cost of a diesel? Most mowers the deck or drivetrain wears out before motor does. (Look at Cub Cadet with steering wheel rated better tan any zero turn on a hill.)

A diesel probably doesn’t pencil out in the green for most homeowners but they can fuel them off their bulk diesel tank without the hassle of buying gas in 5 gallon cans, a diesel mower burns half the fuel of a gas burner and a commercial mower transmission and deck will outlast the gas engine. Diesel also last better. You can use it and forget about it without the problems ethanol gas causes. I’m not saying a the average homeowner should buy a diesel mower. They probably shouldn’t unless they just want to buy a quality product that last a lifetime because it would take a long time for a diesel mower to come out ahead.