JD 997 ZTR vs 2520

[ddivinia]

Finally got to test drive a 997 and a 2520. The votes are in and the 997 with the 72" mower wins. I really don't need a small tractor. My 4400 was used 95% of the time to mow with and it's size was really overkill for mowing. The 997 is a monster mowing machine. The Yanmar diesel is about the same size as the one in the 4400. It's going to take some getting used to the quick response of the 997 but it's going to cut my mowing time way down. If JD had offered a smaller diesel I'd probably have bought it. I'm not a big fan of the large gas engines.

Your killing me - I wanted a 997 also. I could not justify the bucks.

D.

 

[prosperity]

Glad to hear you settled on a 997 - it is a mowing monster!

After an hour or so of use, you will start to get the "feel" of the zero turn.

At first I was skeptical also, but once you get used to it, you will love it.

One little hint:
So you don't tear your turf, don't try to make a real "zero turn" by holding one wheel stopped while you spin around. The stopped wheel will tear the turf. Instead, try to make a three point turn - the result you want is to not have either wheel stop moving. This may sound counter-productive, but with a little practice you will make the three point turn just as fast as spinning around on one wheel.

I also wish Deere had a smaller diesel as everything else I have is diesel - but the 997 is just too big a machine for what I do.

Good luck with it - you will love it!