Bought a new JD Z355E Z-Turn

[Wagtail]

(I needed a new ball-cap )

There was nothing wrong with my JD D110. It did everything I needed it to do and I'd put 240hrs. on it, but those z-turns I was seeing looked like a lot of fun. So I 'dropped by' my JD Dealership to see & price what they had on offer.

Settled on the Z355E with a 48" deck and added the rear-bumper/towing attachment... especially since I received a generous trade-in on the D110.

It was delivered on the 4th of Jan and I've first practiced a couple of times, without mowing and in a wide-open paddock, to get used to driving it ("Don't get COCKY!") and to make sure that I'd adjusted the seat & lever position to match my 'short-arse' stature. I did mow with it yesterday and, even at a relatively low speed ("Don't get COCKY!") I finished my 'front paddock' faster than the D110 could do it flat-out.

FUN!!!

 

[Wagtail]

As a note: in Australia, the Z355E comes in either the 42" deck version (tractordata.com Z355E) or the 48" deck version (tractordata.com Z355R). We don't bother changing the decal.

 

[beenthere]

Good lookin outfit..

 

[Wagtail]

Good lookin outfit..

Ta Mate.

 

[Spanner]

Rear bumper guard is a good investment.
I look after one of the model earlier Z225.
Easy to maintain the blades by lifting the front and holding with a secure prop.
Take-off that American hose fitting so you can use your standard Hozelok hose fitting.

The draft arm that links the front of the mower deck to the chassis under the footplate has a tendancy to work itself sideways.
I drilled and fitted a split-pin and washer.
Check yours.

Ps. Not a lot of green grass over there, mate.

 

[Wagtail]

Rear bumper guard is a good investment.
I look after one of the model earlier Z225.
Easy to maintain the blades by lifting the front and holding with a secure prop.
Take-off that American hose fitting so you can use your standard Hozelok hose fitting.

The draft arm that links the front of the mower deck to the chassis under the footplate has a tendancy to work itself sideways.
I drilled and fitted a split-pin and washer.
Check yours.

Ps. Not a lot of green grass over there, mate.

Ta Mate! I'll check that draft arm... one of the things that isn't noted, maintenance-wise, is to check the 'tightness' of the spindle nuts/bolts (4 per spindle) holding the spindles to the deck. Vibration can loosen them (experience from the D110). I can't find what the torque would be for those so I'll ask at the Dealership to research that for me. I've been around the unit checking the lube/torque on everything that I can (trust but verify) and the 'wet-up' was perfect.

The hose fitting is one of "ours" and takes a regular quick-click fitting.

The bumper/tow was a "rather have it and not need it" addition.

As to the grass; November was wet but December was dry as all get out and really sucked the moisture. A couple of days before Christmas at 35-39C didn't help. Fortunately, last Thus-Fri, I got 106mm, which helped and filled my water tanks.

Ta for your advice!

 

[Wagtail]

Bit of an update: I called my Dealership Service Department to ask about the spindle nut/bolts torque...

After a wee bit of discussion, as the question hadn't been asked before, it turns out that they're 'self tapping' and that I only need to check them if I've really "WANGED" something or, if I've removed the deck to change the blades... if you remember to do it.

Oh, and I figured out how to basically steer straight; I hold the left lever at a steady speed and adjust/steer with the right lever's speed. (if that makes sense)

 

[RoyJackson]

Oh, and I figured out how to basically steer straight; I hold the left lever at a steady speed and adjust/steer with the right lever's speed. (if that makes sense)

It does make sense...I do pretty much the same...