Kubota ZTR

JonSpinosa · Dec 2, 2000

I am about ready to place a deposit on a new Kubota ZD21 ZTR and was wondering if anyone else has any price information? I have a price of $9500 for the ZD21. What do you guys think?

Scaper · Jan 15, 2001

Hi John, lets try this again I couldn't post an answer the first time I tried. I have been waiting as you have to see this new unit. I was dissapointed when I heard the price. I have tried the other units on the market and have found them to be very good at cutting at speed. What I don't know is if the price is worth the unit in the case of the Kubota. I have a Lawncare and Landscape business and I keep my equipment for three to five years with high service practice. I'm on top of my equipment to the extent that my friends say I'm **** as hell. I found the ExMark Lazer Z to be one heck of a unit, bullet proof. The Grasshopper unit is also very nice. There is John Deere and MTD Pro also and I have friends in the business that use these units and report great service with nothing but normal filter and oil changes. I have one friend that has switched from Scagg to all ExMark Lazer Z units and he and his men love them. They say it's the best cut they have ever had. So is the Kubota engine worth an extra $2.500 I don't think so but if you are gouing to keep it for fifteen years maybe you and others will see it diff. Just My 2-cents. I love the Kubota equipment I have owned in the past and really wanted to buy this unit for my business use. But not for such a high price. I think they might have priced themselves out of the ballpark. Scaper

JonSpinosa · Jan 15, 2001

Scaper, You are right about price of this machine, it does seem alittle too much!! However, I have 4 pieces of Kubota equipment and love the stuff. You always know when you buy Kubota you will be paying top dollar.

I have several prices at this point in time and my local dealer is giving me the best price, however, not by much, only $150.00. I also have priced several Laser Z machines and my local dealer is also giving me a great price of $6900.00 for a 60" 23HP liquid cooled Kawasaki. I have been told by several people that this is a great price for the Laser. However, I am waiting for the Kubota ZD21 to arrive at my local dealer to take a closer look at the Kubota before I buy.

I have been told by several dealers and the technical support people at Exmark that the new Kubota ZD21 will never match the cut of the Exmark. Their reason is that the Exmark blades are being driven by a belt and the Kubota blades are shaft driven which they claim can never match the blade speed of the Exmark using a shaft drive.

I quess I will wait and see the results for myself. I am willing to pay more for the ZD21, however, I have not decided how much more it is worth too me. I am so glad that my local dealer finally gave me a good price without a big hassle. I prefer too always buy at my local dealer if price is close (even slightly more), however, I can not fund his early retirement or his winter cruise to the Bahamas. The last price my dealer gave me for the ZD21 was $8850.00. Have you gotten any prices?

Scaper · Jan 15, 2001

Hello again John. I spent the day looking at machines. Martin brought the rain today and I was off so the children and I went digging. I was given the following from two local dealers that I don't buy from as a rule. One stated that the unit listed above $10.500 and the price he quoted was $9.595 out the door. And thats right where I went out the door. The second dealer whom I have tried to purchase many times told me this. Lists for over $10.800 I can give you my best price because I want to get one out the door to be seen on the job A.S.A.P. . The price was $9.850 delivered to my house. I didn't give him the address. I also called the Grasshopper dealer who has a demo diesel Z rider with the same engine as Kubota, 44 hrs. on the clock excellent condition , full warenty as new, Price with 61" deck $8.300. The John Deere dealer told me this, His new M665 25 hp. 60"-7 Iron deck (Their new HD deck) Power unit made by you guessed it ExMark with a JD deck,HMMMMMMMMMM I'm thinking something here, would be $8.200 delivered. Well to tell you I'm confused would be a lie. Seems ExMark is making the power unit for themselves as well as John Deere and Toro. That tells me that Exmark must have it going on in the mid mount Z type mower!!!!! Wonder why I don't just buy the ExMark,and as of March 8 at a local dealers commercial outting $6.300 delivered. Makes ya think doesn't it. Do the math somewhere around $3.000 less then the orange one and we don't know a thing about the new unit except that it's a Kubota. I know I know Kubota is great equipment but are they doing a number on us again like they did with the 2710 late entry and High ( sometimes higher then list) price. I had a bad experience with the LA R&D developement center for Kubota they told me and about 230 other people that we were wrong about problem we were seeing with a new tractor. Blew us off. I was disapointed with their customer service. Well I want to see this New Unit but I may not be able to justify $3.000 more for the name. It's only my 2-cents but money is money and I for one can't throw away 3 grand see thats why I'm using a TC 33D in my business a total of $1.800 less then the 3010 and better ergonomics by far. Haven't had a problem one with the unit and I love it. So ya see being color blind isn't all it's cracked up to be.

MReeter · Jan 15, 2001

Jon,Just a couple of things to look at;the deck on the Kubota will be a "floating" deck,which should follow the ground contour a little better than some.The drive will be all hydraulic,no chains or belts,and the blade tip speed is determined by the ratio of the drive pulley set-up on the deck,not by what powers the deck;belt or drive shaft.I think Kubota has done there homework on this mower,one reason it's been so long in coming.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 16, 2001

Scaper, What model Kubota ZTR were you being quoted and did those prices include tax? My price of $8850.00 was for the ZD21 w/ 60" deck and before tax. I am trying to compare my prices to your prices! Also, what Laser model and with what options were being quoted for $6300.00 and was tax included?

The Laser Z for $6900 I was quoted was for the 60" deck, 23 HP liquid cooled Kawasaki and not including tax.

Also, I see you like New Holland equipment! Have you ever used a New Holland front mount mower such as the CM224 or CM274? I was looking to buy a used CM224 72" deck, diesel, 4WD.

As we all know, you need to do our homework before we spend our money.

MReeter · Jan 17, 2001

Wow Jon,Sorry,I'll keep my opinions to myself.I'm just a firm believer in that you get exactly what you pay for,thats all.I'm not trying to tell you how to spend your money.

Scaper · Jan 18, 2001

Hi JoHn, The unit I was quoted on was infact the ZD21 with the 60 inch deck. And the price was out the door. I'm going to say that the Lazer was an air cooled unit. I didn't ask Tony but I am trying to get back in touch with him to verify. As soon as I hear back from him ( he has the flu) I'll let you know. I will say one thing for the Ford front mount unit you asked about I do have a gentleman down the street from me that uses one . I was on it for just a short time one day when I had gone by to say hello. It was the same as the John Deere 1135 as far as I could tell. I seem to remember when looking at the site for Sabboro (spelling may be wrong) that it showed a picture of the 1135 and the Ford unit on the same factory line. May be that they are made in the same plant!!! I'll check into that also and get back to ya. Scaper

Scaper · Jan 18, 2001

Hello John ok here's the skinny on the site for Shibaura. Look at the front mounts you will see the JD and NH but in red. Go to http://www.shibaura.com/index.html Scaper

JonSpinosa · Jan 18, 2001

Hi Scaper, Did that guy like his Ford front mount? They appear to be built very well. Also, I think they use the same engines as the New Holland tractors use.

JonSpinosa · Jan 18, 2001

Hi MReeter, Actually I appreciate all your opinions and comments. My statement about doing our homework was in regards to shopping several dealers to get the best price, because it does seem to me that some dealers want to clean your pockets. I could never understand after all my experiences buying 6 pieces of Kubota equipment how dealers can be several thousand dollars apart on the same piece of equipment. Keep your opinions coming!!!

Anonymous Poster · Jan 19, 2001

I think that is a good price on the unit yes you do get what you pay for but it does pay to shop around in 1998 i bought a new JD 425 and i got prices from 7600 to 8600 with in about a 35 mile radus from my house.the kubota deisel will last 3 times as long as a gas engine maybe more

Anonymous Poster · Mar 28, 2001

Go to www.commercialturf.com
and use their Request For Bid system to get the best price from multiple dealers. Not only can you get pricing on Kubota equipment but any other brand as well, straight from the dealers.

JATO_RaT · Mar 28, 2001

Jon, sounds like a bunch of baloney. Although the hub is shaft driven (best way to do it), the blades are all belt driven. Changing gear ratios is a simple mattrer and the claims that a belt drive can only develop maximum tip speed is nonsense. Rat...

Anonymous Poster · May 8, 2001

i did some REAL SERIOUS, 3 WEEK SHOPPING on zero turns.
i bought the zd21, $8800. i got prices of $10,263, $9850, $9105,and $8800. now thats a spread of money!! there is no comparison in cold hard facts to the kubota zd21. exmark-has stationery front axles, no service type spindles, and definitely can not cut like the kubota
for the money, kubota gives ya pivoting front axle, hydraulic deck, shaft drive, 2 year warranty, and the front axle jacks up (in about 1 minute) for servicing the deck, etc. ever try lifting a grasshopper, exmark, toro, woods, bush hog mid-mount deck? kubota ,turn scalp wheels sideways and roll!
not a better value than the zd 21. i looked at skag,grasshopper,bush hog,snapper,john deere, bob-cat, bunton, gravely,dixon,ferris, yazoo/keys,woods,derby,simplicity,exmark,toro and a commercial cub cadet.---------no comparison even close !!

JonSpinosa · May 8, 2001

Madhouse,
Good analysis. I love my Kubota ZD21. I also saw the same price spread you saw and purchased the machine for $8850.
How about the speed you can cut lawn with this machine? I am amazed at the speed!!

Jon

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2001

jon- speed and cut is unbelievable!! i mow 3 acres, with 60 to 70 trees, in exactly hour and half. and that's not flying around at top speed, cause i could'nt even stay in the seat if i tried that!! did find that on a real 'quick' or 'sharp' zero turn, it has tendency to tear up grass, but what zero turn doesn't, especially with torque and power the zd21 has. i just make gradual turns, and i have absolutely no complaints at all!! it was hard to choke down that much money for a mower, but i don't see why i'll ever need another one. and what about that fuel economy?? isn't that great!! my wife says she don't see what the big deal was, me wanting to cut my mowing time in half, cause i just keep mowing and mowing and mowing!! hah

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2001

I just purchased a ZD21 mower and i am very happy with the fuel consumption 10 hrs of mowing per tank(8) gal.The speed is very good to i cut my mowing time in half about three acres an hour and i just got it 3 weeks ago!!!!!!!!!!!!