Talk me in/out of a Kubota ZD-1211 w/ 72” deck

[Hay Dude]

Have a deal on selling the ZD-331 72” deck.
ZD-1211-72” deck is going to be the replacement.

Seems like the right price, 0% for 60 months no brainer, and the Kubota quality is still there.
Dealers everywhere. I have an excellent Kubota selling/servicing dealer.

Just still a bit skidderish on the drop off in power (31 to 25).

Any thoughts before I sign the order and the faux 0% financing?

 

[walker450]

From what I read, as long as you aren't cutting overly tall and thick grass, the 1211 will move along fine with the 72" deck. I imagine if you then throw hills on top of all that, you'd probably wish you had the 331.

I like shiny new equipment, so hard for me to say keep the old one lol

 

[Hay Dude]

From what I read, as long as you aren't cutting overly tall and thick grass, the 1211 will move along fine with the 72" deck. I imagine if you then throw hills on top of all that, you'd probably wish you had the 331.

That may happen and it has me concerned. The bigger 1600 would be better, but now we‘re in a DPF and $5,000 more dollars….

I like shiny new equipment, so hard for me to say keep the old one lol

I like used equipment, but the 331 is really showing its age.

 

[walker450]

It's a shame that the tier 4 regs screwed this segment up so bad. That 30ish HP point was such a sweet spot for diesel mowers like the ZD and F series... not too mention small L size tractors.

However, I take comfort knowing our government overlords have made the right decision for humanity as a whole. If I was polluting more with a 30hp mower vs a 25HP mower then it would certainly spell doom for our environment. I sleep easy at night knowing that the diesel particulate filters are doing thier jobs. Go ahead, buy a ZD1611 so you sleep better at night too LOL

 

[Hay Dude]

It's a shame that the tier 4 regs screwed this segment up so bad. That 30ish HP point was such a sweet spot for diesel mowers like the ZD and F series... not too mention small L size tractors.

However, I take comfort knowing our government overlords have made the right decision for humanity as a whole. If I was polluting more with a 30hp mower vs a 25HP mower then it would certainly spell doom for our environment. I sleep easy at night knowing that the diesel particulate filters are doing thier jobs. Go ahead, buy a ZD1611 so you sleep better at night too LOL

No thanks! I was thinking I needed a swift kick in the parts for a new 1211. A new 1600 would require 10 swift kicks in the pants.

Even after raising prices, I can’t keep up with the “transitory inflation”.

I will have to stay on top of the 1211 blades. Sharpness = HP in tall grass.

 

[walker450]

There is a ZD331 60" with 1500hrs and 2 year old rear Tweels for $6,800... I'm tempted to add it to my collection and see if I like it better than the 1211 or maybe just swap tires, clean it up a little more, and resell it. I think I could get my money back relatively easy.

One big reason I went woth a 1211 is the better seat, it is very nice.

 

[Hay Dude]

There is a ZD331 60" with 1500hrs and 2 year old rear Tweels for $6,800... I'm tempted to add it to my collection and see if I like it better than the 1211 or maybe just swap tires, clean it up a little more, and resell it. I think I could get my money back relatively easy.

One big reason I went woth a 1211 is the better seat, it is very nice.

I don’t see ZD331’s bringing the money I thought they would.
Did “ok” selling mine, but not what I thought I‘d get, especially with lawn cutting on the doorstep of exploding in MY area

 

[Rustyiron]

How many hours on the clock of your old Z?
When do you start worrying about the hydros?
You know better than coming here to get talked out of shiney!

 

[Hay Dude]

2750 hours.
I’m looking at it this way: We mow $45,000/year in grass. New mower is going to cost me about $3500/year.
The old Z is paid off of course, but parts & labor is getting to be an issue.
I paid $5,000 for it 6 years ago. I’m probably selling it for $4,500.
I mowed $250,000 worth of grass with it, so maybe it’s time to let my “$500” investment go and start over while she’s still got value?

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm sure most here on TBN know my opinion of the ZD1211 72" mower, so I'll spare y'all.
I will mention that the 72" side discharge ACS decks use a larger blade mounting hole, and at least 2 years ago there were no aftermarket blades available. A TBN user posted an engineer drawing of how to mill the mounting bushing to accommodate the older blades. I wish I could remember who posted the mod to give them credit. I wanted to stay with Gator mulching blades, and the milled bushings worked out great.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm sure most here on TBN know my opinion of the ZD1211 72" mower, so I'll spare y'all.
I will mention that the 72" side discharge ACS decks use a larger blade mounting hole, and at least 2 years ago there were no aftermarket blades available. A TBN user posted an engineer drawing of how to mill the mounting bushing to accommodate the older blades. I wish I could remember who posted the mod to give them credit. I wanted to stay with Gator mulching blades, and the milled bushings worked out great.

Please give your opinion. I think you liked it? We both do some mowing, so I’d like to know. Worried about lack of power. We are forced to mow some places on a 10-day schedule, so it can get nasty.
I still have the F-3680.

 

[RjCorazza]

The only time I notice a reduction in power is the combination of a slope and high or thick grass. Good grass dispersion is important to me, so in thick stuff I'm usually slowing down anyway.
The zd1211 is my primary mower with around 1500 hours on it, and I love it. I did notice the HP change from my previous zd331 though.

 

[Hay Dude]

Just the whole concept of bogging down, while going uphill in tall grass seems like I’m taking a step backwards???
Maybe I’m over thinking this and it won’t be as bad as I think…..

 

[shooterdon]

You know the answer better than anyone. You know your conditions and customer needs.

But….how many times will you miss the HP? Can you take a partial cut?

 

[RjCorazza]

Just the whole concept of bogging down, while going uphill in tall grass seems like I’m taking a step backwards???
Maybe I’m over thinking this and it won’t be as bad as I think…..

You ARE taking a step backwards. The 1211 will not compare to the 331 in raw power. I still don't regret going from a 331 to the 1211 though.
I cut 30 acres per week, and didn't notice any overall time loss with the reduced hp.

 

[Hay Dude]

You know the answer better than anyone. You know your conditions and customer needs.

But….how many times will you miss the HP? Can you take a partial cut?

That is true, but RJ came off a ZD-331, which is exactly what I’m doing.

Most of my conditions are flat, which is encouraging. The place I have to mow every 10 days can be 18” tall in heavy growth times, but it’s also flat.
Hilly stuff is mostly done with the F3680.
What I tried to do is search for owners that got rid of ZD-1211 because it didn’t have enougha power and only have heard of one so far.

 

[Hay Dude]

The jump to the next power level is just too much to take
And you end up with a DPF

 

[walker450]

The jump to the next power level is just too much to take
And you end up with a DPF

DPF, turbo, 330 extra lbs, and 10" longer, bigger hood to hit stuff with.

One plus is it has an air ride seat!!

 

[RjCorazza]

If the zd1611 came with an 84" deck I would consider it, otherwise it's barely more capable (6 HP) than the zd1211. I don't see the market for the same cutting width + $5k.

 

[Rustyiron]

You ARE taking a step backwards. The 1211 will not compare to the 331 in raw power. I still don't regret going from a 331 to the 1211 though.
I cut 30 acres per week, and didn't notice any overall time loss with the reduced hp.

That's a pretty good testimonial. 30ac/week definitely gives RjC's opinion a lot of merit in my book.