Looking at Kubota ZD 1211 Side Discharge - need opinions

pizzaguy · Nov 8, 2018

I am looking at new zero turns and to replace my 18 year old Grasshopper. We mow 5 acres, sometimes 2-3 times a week in weather like this last summer. I have a 18 year old Grasshopper 720K and a Gravely 252XZD. Dealer has a ZD1211 with a 60" deck for $13000. I like the Grasshopper flip up deck for easy cleaning, but Kubota dealer said that Kubota decks move so much grass you never need to clean them. Is this true? I like everything about this mower except you can't get under the pine trees like a front mount mower. Now I am also thinking about a new Grasshopper with the Kubota diesel engine. Looking for opinions from those of you that have a 1211. I have done a search and read many threads, but many of the threads are about a rear discharge 1211 or 72" deck. Grasshopper dealer will trade old one in, but Kubota dealer really doesn't want it and I understand that. I have a 60" broom for the Grasshopper that I use in the spring to remove rocks from the yard after snow removal so if I went with the Kubota I would probably keep my old Grasshopper just for that purpose. It is still a good mower but the old Grasshoppers are really slow on the drive speed. I am considering the diesel for longevity and am tired of buying $60 of gasoline every couple weeks just for mowing. Price between the two if I trade the old Grasshopper for the new one will be pretty close. Opinions??

RickB · Nov 8, 2018

I don稚 own one. But I do work at a Kubota dealer痴 service dept and the ZD1211 is the most well regarded of the many Kubota current offerings. The decks are exclusively side discharge on the units we have sold and are servicing. Unlike the ZD1511 the 1211 engine is below the 26 hp threshold for emissions compliance, hence no DPF, no regen issues.

RjCorazza · Nov 9, 2018

I have the previous model ZD326, and a 331, so no experience with the ZD1211. I have thought about trading the 326 in on a 1211 though.
The 326 has plenty of power with a 60” deck, and I suspect it would also drive a 72” deck under 99% of the conditions I mow. As far as the decks not needing to be cleaned... that may be a stretch. IF I only mow dry grass I don’t have to scrape the deck. One or two wet lawns and the deck begins to get clogged up. I think Kubota has made some changes in deck design since my 326 though.

The ZD mowers may not be quite as easy to service the deck as your Grasshopper, but the built in jack is a nice feature that I use frequently.
Anyway... were I to get a new mower it would be a 1211.

ZTMAN · Nov 9, 2018

Have the dealer bring a 1211 to your property for a demo. That way you can see if you like it.

Its one thing to drive a mower on the dealer's property, but there is nothing like a demo on your land to see if the mower suits you.

Never heard of a deck that doesn't need cleaned. My Scag is clean as a whistle when cutting dry grass, but every now and then you have to cut when the grass is wet. Grass does accumulate under the deck when it is wet, not much, but enough that I scrape off.

Pete6114 · Nov 9, 2018

Not a Zero turn, but have you considered a F Series? There decks flip up.

pizzaguy · Nov 9, 2018

I did consider the F series, but they were quite a bit more money. Now after taking to Grasshopper dealer again today, I threw a 27HP fuel injected gasser into the mix of choices. I still keep going back to the Kubota though as I think it is a heck of a good mower, but the fuel injected Grasshopper would still be 3 grand less with my trade. I would still be able to use my broom and not have 3 mowers to maintain.

Pete6114 · Nov 10, 2018

pizzaguy said:
It is still a good mower but the old Grasshoppers are really slow on the drive speed. I am considering the diesel for longevity and am tired of buying $60 of gasoline every couple weeks just for mowing. Price between the two if I trade the old Grasshopper for the new one will be pretty close. Opinions??

I believe you already answered couple of your own questions.

Bryangsu · Nov 12, 2018

I have a 2017 zd1211 60 inch side discharge, the mower is excellent in build quality and performance. As a point of reference, I also have a 2017 jd 950m too.... the zd1211 is in a totally different class, but costs a little more too.

You will have to scrap the deck on the zd1211.

pizzaguy · Nov 12, 2018

Thanks for the replies. I have made the decision to go with the Grasshopper as it fits my needs the best, and the trade in on the old one will help on the price. I already have a mid mount deck on the Gravely and need a front mount deck.