Kubota Zero turn 60in or 72in deck?

[jlbota]

I am in the market for a new Kubota Zero turn mower. I am trying to decide between the ZD326P with the 60 inch deck or the ZD331 with the 72 inch deck. I drove the ZD326 today and it really is a nice unit compared to the underpowered ZD21 I used to own. The ZD21 I had used a 60 inch deck and literally cut my mowing time in half so I am thinking the big 72 inch deck and 31hp might be even faster. But will it cut as well as the 60? Anyone here have one of ZD331 units with the 72 inch deck on it? Any info and experiences with either one would be great. I am wanting to pull the trigger this week but would like some real world info.

For reference I mow with a B3030 now and it has a 60 inch deck on it and it takes me almost 3-1/2 to 4 hours to mow. I am hoping to cut my time and fuel savings (mainly time) by using a dedicated zero turn mower. I am planning to sell the 60 inch deck from the B3030 after I get another mower to offset the cost of the new machine.

 

[crbr]

I too am fixing to do the same thing. I have a 7800 with a 60" and like it. I am going with the ZD for mowing only and I'll go the 60" again. A 72" just floats a little too much (on the outer cutting edges) for me.

I am going to keep my mid-mount in the case that I ever want to sell the tractor and get another.

 

[jlbota]

I am leaning towards the ZD326P due to size and quality of cut. My dealer quoted me $10495.00 and will throw in extra blades on the deal. I can get 0% for 24,36 months or with 15% down 0% for 42 months.
Do you guys like your ZD326's? How do they do on hills for power?

 

[art]

The 326's have been doing fine. The 331 with the 72" decks have also been good and both have about the nicest cuts I've ever seen with both sticks full ahead. I normally recommend the largest deck and the smallest power unit for ease of trimming!

 

[jlbota]

I normally recommend the largest deck and the smallest power unit for ease of trimming!

I don't think i fully understand what you mean here. You recommend the 72 inch deck? I have been going back and forth about it for a few weeks. I would love to have the 72 just for trimming reasons and to get the bulk of my mowing done quickly but I did not want to sacrafice quality. I have a few hills and few tight spots and was afraid the 72 might scalp due to the sheer width and weight of the deck. I had a 60 before and it did a great job and I am going with what i know but if someone knows better please chime in.

 

[om21braz]

I have a friend who bought the ZD28 w/ the 72" deck, but traded the 72" back for a 60" because of the scalping & anti-scalp wheel issues in a few places that he has uneven ground to cover. I've got the 60" on a ZD21 and would not want any larger considering the yards mowed with it. If cut quality is a big issue, I believe the 60" is about max. IMHO. Best possible scenario for you would be a demo of a 72" if possible - removes all doubt and guesswork. Good Luck with your decision !

 

[Slade]

I'd go with the 60" over the 72" for my property -- 5 acres of grass but lots of trees and planters. I have a 60" and that seems plenty big considering how much turning I have to do around obstacles. If it was all open grass I would go with the 72" or just buy a big finish mower from my tractor.

 

[WH401]

I'd go with the 60. If the property has hills and tight spots as you say then the 60 is going to be more manuverable as well as give a nicer cut because it will follow the terrain better. 72's are ideal for long, full flat stretchs or if you don't mind giving up a slight bit on cut quality with hills, dips, or bumps. I was originally going to go with one of the 331's with a 72 to replace my mowing machine as I have mostly open field and one large hill. I decided though that I could only mow with it and nothing else so I'm just going to get a new tractor w/ a finish mower instead. Here's a good thread over at Lawnsite.com about owners opinions of the 331:
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=230110&highlight=kubota+zd331

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

a buddy of mine and his dad just went through this debate.....my buddy wanted the biggest he could get (to save time), his dad just thought it was too much to go with a 72

they went halves on it and the dad won out with the 60 and i asked my buddy about it and he said he was glad he didn't get the 72 because the smaller one barely fit between some trees, etc. on their property........they bought the kubota you are looking at....

they keep about 15 acres cut with it and they were using about a 21-24hp kubota with a MMM and a large cub rider........he told me the time difference but i can't remember what it was but it was a LOT.......

when i used to work for a troy bilt/bolens dealership, we pretty much never suggested the 72 deck for the 20hp rider.....several people brought them back and traded them back in......they scalped and the weight difference was HUGE...so, some claimed they actually had to go slower to compensate.....

EVEN with all this info., for some strange reason, i always look for 72's when i'm watching the used market....

i think the most important factor is how flat is your land and how many things you really cut around......they ONLY thing i have against the kubotas is the suspension......the buddy i keep talking about, he and his dad, are both diehard bota fans......before they bought, i told them to consider something with a suspension......he dismissed it- mainly because his dad was set on bota- and the other day the son admitted to me that it can get a little rough sometimes and he has wondered how the suspensions would work.....

i never got to use one in the field but i worked a short stint this summer at a stihl and ferris dealer....i can tell you the Cat powered ferris is unreal......i'm assuming the suspension would make it even better........just my opinion

 

[Dargo]

Although I used Grasshopper mowers mostly when I had a mowing business, I learned that the 61" (may as well be a 60" as far as I'm concerned) was far more productive. The only place the 72" would have an advantage is on a large, smooth and rather flat area. However, in that instance, it was much faster to use a far larger finish mower behind the tractor.

After I sold my mowing business I ended up selling the 928D Grasshopper with the 72" deck and buying me another 722D Grasshopper with a 61" deck to use around our home. My wife and I now each have our own 722D Grasshoppers, which are powered by Kubota diesels. I also owned Scag mowers, a Dixie Chopper, JD mowers and Ferris mowers; all zero turn. I personally have a lot of obstacles, a lake to mow around and lots of different hills. None of the other zero turn mowers I owned when I was in the business performed like the front mount Grasshoppers; especially on hills. The worst mistake I made was when I bought a gas powered mower. It was a Kubota 3 cyl. gas engine that was extremely smooth, but it burned more than twice the amount of fuel than the exact same diesel version of that mower.

I've never had a Kubota zero turn mower though. I'm sure they ought to be tough. If you get one, I'd definitely go with the 60" deck and go diesel. There again, I am sort of partial to the Kubota diesels. I still own 5 things that have small Kubota diesel engines powering them.