Kubota Z400 series, or eXmark Radius series ZTR?

[Bullwinkle123]

Got about 2 acres, lots of contoured mowing (flower beds, ornamental trees, stone walls, buildings) as well as open yard.
Based on dealer availability I'm probably going for either eXMark or Kubota, so looking or factors to consider in choosing. No prior ZTR experience except paying through the nose for services to use them the past 11 years.

Any pros/cons on these (or other) topics you would like to point out?

1. Maintainability, especially for a rookie. Kubota apparently has these all-in-one hydraulic drive units that minimize hoses and things, that seemed cool.
2. I'm 6'3" and weigh 260 pounds, any considerations there? I certainly prefer above-average leg room in my car and tractor.
3. Ground is uneven in places, I have had scalping problems with past services, are either of these better in that regard?
4. If I could, I'd like to leave open the option of towing a leaf vac (Trac Vac or similar), but based on feedback on another topic that sounds like a bad idea, still, if one mower might be better at it than another it would be good to know. (I'm mostly resigned to aggressive mulching).
5. Which model in a given series should I really be looking at? I suspect I'd like the better seat options, on the other hand one dealer said they don't even usually carry the eXmark S series because it rides "like a canoe". Some model upgrades offer superior seat/ride options.

I have a Kubota tractor, which I suppose could play to dealer servicing cost-sharing opportunity, or lawn cleanup assistance, but my tractor is too large to use for routine yard stuff and generally doesn't play a role there.

Thanks for any tips.

 

[riptides]

Got about 2 acres, lots of contoured mowing (flower beds, ornamental trees, stone walls, buildings) as well as open yard.
Based on dealer availability I'm probably going for either eXMark or Kubota, so looking or factors to consider in choosing. No prior ZTR experience except paying through the nose for services to use them the past 11 years.

Any pros/cons on these (or other) topics you would like to point out?

1. Maintainability, especially for a rookie. Kubota apparently has these all-in-one hydraulic drive units that minimize hoses and things, that seemed cool.
2. I'm 6'3" and weigh 260 pounds, any considerations there? I certainly prefer above-average leg room in my car and tractor.
3. Ground is uneven in places, I have had scalping problems with past services, are either of these better in that regard?
4. If I could, I'd like to leave open the option of towing a leaf vac (Trac Vac or similar), but based on feedback on another topic that sounds like a bad idea, still, if one mower might be better at it than another it would be good to know. (I'm mostly resigned to aggressive mulching).
5. Which model in a given series should I really be looking at? I suspect I'd like the better seat options, on the other hand one dealer said they don't even usually carry the eXmark S series because it rides "like a canoe". Some model upgrades offer superior seat/ride options.

I have a Kubota tractor, which I suppose could play to dealer servicing cost-sharing opportunity, or lawn cleanup assistance, but my tractor is too large to use for routine yard stuff and generally doesn't play a role there.

Thanks for any tips.

Go sit on them.

I was looking at the 400 series when they came out, I upgraded to the 700 series. More yard, but for me it was operating station that was one of a key differentiation point.

 

[metalbender]

Rides like a canoe. That statement sounds like it's directed at the suspended seat platform model. I'm biased in that I just purchased a Toro Titan with the My Ride system. Xmark looks identical. Best ride ever. I look forward to cutting the grass now. A bold statement from an old guy at 69. Worth a test drive while you search. Good luck.

 

[Maxify55]

I'm 6'4" & 300# with 4 lower vertebrae fused & 5 upper neck, as well.
If you want a comfortable ride, nothing but nothing rides like an "Ind. Suspension" Ferris.
Your dealer can install counter weights on the front along with a grass/leaf catcher off the rear.
There's even a hitch for any cart you'd like pulled around.
Toro even has a unit, now, with a suspension system.
Like MetalBender pointed out.

 

[metalbender]

I also thought about the suspension system as on the Ferris. The thing that turned me away was the deck would be going up and down with the suspension, possibly giving a wavy cut in rough conditions. Plus, lots more $ to purchase.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I just tested an eXmark Lazer X, I think, because that was all they had to try. I'm not sure how different it would be, from a use perspective with respect to seating and cutting experience, from a Radius X. Any knowledge there? I hate to buy a Radius unseen, but none of the local dealers seem to have any in stock. Ironically, the covid stuff has been an excellent sales year for ZTR and tractor sales folks.

Also, on the Radius, the 52" E is $5999, with a 500 rebate, but 400 for the seat upgrade, so $5899 with decent seat. The Radius X is $7999. Unclear to me on what the compelling factor might be in upgrading from the E to the X. ZT3400 hydro vs ZT2800, kawasaki engine vs. exmark engine. Means nothing to me since I'm ignorant. No deck steel gauge differences within the Radius models that I can tell, not sure about the Radius vs. the Lazer that I test drove.

Will hopefully try the Kubota Z4xx later this week.

 

[Aquabird]

Are you looking at getting a Chinese made Ex Mark engine on that one or one of the other options?

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Are you looking at getting a Chinese made Ex Mark engine on that one or one of the other options?

The Radius E and S are exmark engines, the Radius X is Kawasaki.

 

[coobie]

I'm 6'4" & 300# with 4 lower vertebrae fused & 5 upper neck, as well.
If you want a comfortable ride, nothing but nothing rides like an "Ind. Suspension" Ferris.
Your dealer can install counter weights on the front along with a grass/leaf catcher off the rear.
There's even a hitch for any cart you'd like pulled around.
Toro even has a unit, now, with a suspension system.
Like MetalBender pointed out.

THIS..FERRIS

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I also thought about the suspension system as on the Ferris. The thing that turned me away was the deck would be going up and down with the suspension, possibly giving a wavy cut in rough conditions. Plus, lots more $ to purchase.

I wasn't quite sure after reading this if you were saying the Ferris might give a wavy cut, or one of the other mowers being discussed.