Its crunch time... Zero or B series?

[PapaPerk]

Hello,

So Tuesday I go to pick up my ZD326P with 60" mower. I mow one yard for profit and then use on my farm as well. Total mowing per week around 8 acres.

My friend just got a B2620. He really likes it and says it mows great! So now I'm having second thoughts. I had considered getting same tractor with BH and front loader and 60" deck.

So what should I buy? The ZD or the B? I love the multifunctional use of the B. But I wanna be able to get the mowing done fast. He has a JD zero and really likes the B.

Where I mow there's a couple long hills. So being able to go up the hills at max mowing speed is really important.

Thanks for any advice! btw I have a Kubota L3830 with loader already. I do not want to put a hoe on it.

 

[vrmnthntr]

Just my opinion after having a commercial Z mower.

I'd go with a Zero turn. Grass will be cut quick.

I found with my BX if I went too fast the grass that was mashed down by the front tires did not get cut well.

With the zero turn, as long as the ground was fairly smooth I could go about top speed.

 

[PapaPerk]

Just my opinion after having a commercial Z mower.

I'd go with a Zero turn. Grass will be cut quick.

I found with my BX if I went too fast the grass that was mashed down by the front tires did not get cut well.

With the zero turn, as long as the ground was fairly smooth I could go about top speed.

Thanks for the feedback. That's what I'm thinking too.

 

[powerstroke444e]

With 8 acres I would go with a 72 deck, I have a zd331 72" and no way would I go back using a finish mower on a tractor. If price was not a problem a f series but step up to a 72" deck and save your self some time.

 

[94BULLITT]

Are the place you are mowing smooth enough were you can take advantage of the higher mowing speed of the ZTR? You could also step up to a B3200 and get a 72" MMM which would be faster. I have a few places smooth enough in my yard that I can mow flat out high with the BX and it still cuts good.

 

[kcender]

Go with the ZD,much better for mowing.The B2620 will tear up the turf when making turns unless you are extremely careful and make three point turns,which slows down the mowing time.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

You already have a tractor. If you mow frequently while grass is short the Z is OK and as long as you don't have steep areas. If you wait to mow when the grass has some length and/or you have steep areas just go for the best, get a Kubota F. Kubota rates the F as capable of faster speeds which is just advertising since no one can drive either the Z or F at full speed except on a paved area.

 

[robertm]

...The B2620 will tear up the turf when making turns unless you are extremely careful and make three point turns,which slows down the mowing time...

Which tires do you have that tear up the turf? I test drove a B2620 Friday, and it did cut on turns with turfs. I was wondering if R4s would've better as their edge tread is intermittent. The test ride had a loader installed, and the turf was damp.

 

[PapaPerk]

I mowed on the friends B2620. Works great! But I think I'll still get the zero. Its so much more comfortable and easier to steer. I get tired of spinning the steering wheel!

Going to pick it up now. I'll post a pic per the rules! Lol

 

[kcender]

Which tires do you have that tear up the turf? I test drove a B2620 Friday, and it did cut on turns with turfs. I was wondering if R4s would've better as their edge tread is intermittent. The test ride had a loader installed, and the turf was damp.

I have the turf tires and mow in 2WD without the loader attached.I don't use the B2620 for mowing any more because of this and bought a GR2120 for mowing.

 

[robertm]

I have the turf tires and mow in 2WD without the loader attached.I don't use the B2620 for mowing any more because of this and bought a GR2120 for mowing.

Really? I just was about to pull the pin on a B2620. Have a woman coming to buy the BX tomorrow morning. Now I don't know. I agree from what I saw, but I can't afford two units... One dedicated to mowing.

 

[kcender]

Really? I just was about to pull the pin on a B2620. Have a woman coming to buy the BX tomorrow morning. Now I don't know. I agree from what I saw, but I can't afford two units... One dedicated to mowing.

I am not trying to confuse the issue but just saying what my experience was.Before the B2620 I had a BX2360 with a 54 inch fine cut deck that I used exclusively for mowing.In my opinion the BX is a better mower,more maneuverable with less turf damage.It would be better than the B2620 for mowing but not as good as the GR2120.This is just my opinion,many people mow with the B series tractors and seem to be happy with them.I have a yard,not a lawn,but I just didn't like the big circles in my yard from mowing around obstacles.I do have a slightly used mower deck for sale that will fit a Bxx20 series tractor,if anybody is interested .

 

[PapaPerk]

Really? I just was about to pull the pin on a B2620. Have a woman coming to buy the BX tomorrow morning. Now I don't know. I agree from what I saw, but I can't afford two units... One dedicated to mowing.

My friends B didn't seem to tear the grass up much. And it has R4 tires on it! Maybe it depends on your soil conditions.

 

[chim]

Lawn damage depends on different things. The soil type, whether you mow with the FEL on, tire type, moisture level, etc.

I remove the FEL for mowing and don't use 4WD. This and the last tractor have had R4's and RFM's. To trim around a tree, post, etc. I cut close to the object and swerve a bit to swing the deck. Most times there's no need for anything further. The solar lights have a small pipe that does require one slalom pass to trim close enough.

Since building here in '89 I've had one 60" belly mower, two 60' RFM's and now a 72" RFM. With the 72" deck I can comfortably mow at 23 minutes per acre. That's 15 minutes less per acre than with the previous 60" RFM on a B7500. I doubt I could reduce the time very much using anything else, and I like the "Swiss Army Knife" capability of the tractor. The same machine can use the FEL, box blade, landscape rake, scraper blade or whatnot.

 

[robertm]

R4's may be the secret without a continuous slicing edge like turfs. I may opt for the R4's after seeing how the new Kenda 500's cut circles.

 

[628pm]

I have both the zd326 and b2620, I personally don't like how the b2620 mows, the zd mows much better in my opinion. When and if I replace my zd326 I will probably go with the F series mower, it seems they have better traction than the ZD.