Kubota F series

[m7040]

Pic of the weights

 

[Brown Dog]

I wished kubota made weights for the front of the ZD1511

 

[Brown Dog]

Since I have both a ZD331 and a F3680, I actually think the ZD331 rides a little better. Both are rough on the posterior, but neither of mine have what I would call a really comfortable seat. The little rear tires on the F really magnify the bumps in lawns.
It’s the price you pay for traction.
The front mowing deck tires on the F don’t really transfer much “shock” to the operator since the front deck rolls in front of the machine more independently than the hanging mower deck on the ZD331 zero turn.

Thanks HD

THIS is kindly what I was also thinking.

I’m mowing 12+ acres I’d guess all around my farm.
It’s not a smooth yard or lawn but just looks like it

I wouldn’t want tires any smaller than the front tires on my ZD1511 for this reason mentioned.

 

[sixdogs]

View attachment 758556Pic of the Grammer seat

I have a Grammar seat on a different brand mower and it is wonderful. My back hurt awful with the old seat but with the Grammar it's zero pain. If you buy a new mower and the seat is an option, get it.

 

[arto98607]

As far as I know Kubota F3680's have no suspension at all in their seat base, but the seat itself may have springs etc.

Perhaps F3680 owners can clarify?


Here is an example of one F3680 seat base:




Here is a complete seat of another F3680 year:




Here is a seat of F3060:



The F3060 rides perfectly OK in our yard rough areas, but certainly there are better suspension seats for those willing to spend the money.



So different Kubota F models may have totally different seats.
I.E. buyer be aware and pay attention to this detail if mowing a rough yard.

 

[m7040]

With fabrication skill an air suspension seat can be mounted to most mowers. The seat base for the Grammer seat was as I recall about 600 dollars and it mounted on the ZD331 with minor fabrication of brackets

 

[Doug Vee]

Doug,
Glad to see another "local" F3060 owner and I hope my suggestions below will be helpful.


Your question 1.

• I got three SS spacers, in order to be able to use blades with 1-1/8" mounting holes. Been running Gator G6 Mulcher Blades 396-814 for one year with those. You will have many more choices with these spacers in place. I may go back to the OEM 70050-94622 blades next time just for comparison.

Question 2.

• Our property is leveled enough that 4x4 is not really needed so I removed the rear drive shaft and have not noticed any grass stressing due to mower turning around, however it's obviously best to avoid "full lock turns" as much as you can and drive in big circles. Bigger the better. (I think F3060 has something similar to AWD when the shaft is in place) Our Grasshopper mower has bar tires and it's obvious to see the wear those cause when the ground is wet.

Question3.

• Have you checked the 90 degree gearbox oil level? I switched to synthetic gear oil.

Question 4.

• Check the steering for any slack, including the "king pin" plastic bushings 070 seen below. Once all good, double check the rear wheel toe-in.

Question 5.

• In my mower the belt had to be flipped on it's back in order to slide out in-between the gearbox lower pulley & mower deck metal. IE the belt was or is wider than "taller" as far as I recall. In any case, it came out after flipping it 90 degrees. The pulley can be moved slightly up on the shaft, but in order to do so you need to un-mount the 90 degree gearbox.

Here is a thread I started little over year ago regarding the 90 degree gearbox in my 1997 F3060 mower.

90 Degree Bevel Gearbox on Kubota F3060 - 72" Rear Discharge Deck

I am still running the aftermarket 90 degree gearbox and it's working good, but eventually I will reisntall the OEM one and keep this for spare.



Plastic Bushings 070 & 030:
View attachment 758391

SS Washer:
View attachment 758389

arto,

I checked the gearbox lube level. I has plenty of gear lube. It smelled like dino gear lube. I’ll plan on changing to synthetic during this winter’s service downtime.

 

[Hay Dude]

View attachment 758557Pic of the weights

I inquired at my dealer for weight bracket & weights and they said nothing available for ZD331

 

[Hay Dude]

View attachment 758556Pic of the Grammer seat

Nice job
Do you sit higher and does it affect leg reach to pedals?
I am fairly tall & large (6’ 230), so my factory seat bottoms out despite being cranked all the way to highest weight

 

[m7040]

Nice job
Do you sit higher and does it affect leg reach to pedals?
I am fairly tall & large (6’ 230), so my factory seat bottoms out despite being cranked all the way to highest weight

It adjusts hight with a valve for air on the side of the seat. I set it to not bottom out and that Is likely somewhat higher than the original seat. It can also pump up fairly high to the point legs will touch handles

 

[m7040]

Hay Dude, for the weights you may have to fabricate some brackets to fit weights that you may be able to find. If you want more detail pictures let me know

 

[Brown Dog]

I inquired at my dealer for weight bracket & weights and they said nothing available for ZD331

I fluid filled both my 12inch wide tires slam full of antifreeze mix.
Works great on my hills.
I just need more weight on ZD front axle climbing my banks

 

[m7040]

The ZD331 is heavy in the front with the 72 inch pro deck and benefit with adding weight behind the rear axel which serves to lighten the front and put more weight on the rear wheels. I have good traction on banks and it has to be very steep before the front wheels lift up.

 

[Hay Dude]

I would like some more stability on hills.

 

[Brown Dog]

The ZD331 is heavy in the front with the 72 inch pro deck and benefit with adding weight behind the rear axel which serves to lighten the front and put more weight on the rear wheels. I have good traction on banks and it has to be very steep before the front wheels lift up.

The 4cyl Turbo hangs well out behind rear wheels on the ZD1511 making it extremely light on front axle up hills even with my 72 deck also.

I’m thinking the ZD1511 is 200lbs heavier than a ZD331 / ZD1211.

My fluid filled rear tires probably amplifies the front end lightness climbing the very steep banks I’m mowing.

It’s Very Scary.

I’ve learned sliding seat all the way forward with my 190lbs hanging my boots out over the front axle helps a lot on the steepest section of bank where it rares up so bad.

 

[Hay Dude]

The 4cyl Turbo hangs well out behind rear wheels on the ZD1511 making it extremely light on front axle up hills even with my 72 deck also.

I’m thinking the ZD1511 is 200lbs heavier than a ZD331 / ZD1211.

My fluid filled rear tires probably amplifies the front end lightness climbing the very steep banks I’m mowing.

It’s Very Scary.

I’ve learned sliding seat all the way forward with my 190lbs hanging my boots out over the front axle helps a lot on the steepest section of bank where it rares up so bad.

Yeah I have noticed the newer ZD’s are much longer. I avoided them for this reason.
Mine is very good on hills, but I want to make it even better.
Dealer does not recommend weight kit and says it will affect the balance of the machine and make it worse. I didn’t agree.

 

[arto98607]

I would like some more stability on hills.

Ventrac, Power Trac etc. offer models with pretty serious stability

 

[Hay Dude]

They sure do, but I’m not changing equipment now.

 

[m7040]

Here is the original sticker from Kubota for the counter weights for the ZD 331

 

[Hay Dude]

LP model?
Dealer told me they might come with bagging system?