New to me Kubota ZD326 ZTR Mower: How did I do?

[FTG-05]

My old JD LT-133 finally crapped the bed after +17 years of mostly faithful service. Had no choice but to move to replace it on an accelerated timeline (I planned to do it this fall when a lot of mowers go on sale - oh well).

The local craigslist was pretty bad, the only decent Kubota I could find was +2 hours away, the heck with that. Looked up the used lawn and garden section of my local dealer - not too bad, one ZD326 (60") and a couple ZD133s (one each 60" and 72").

Called them up and went and looked at them. The two 133's were former commercial units, the hours and their appearance looked it too. The one ZD326 was a one non-commercial owner with only 448 hours on the clock. The salesman knew the previous owner, in fact, he sold this unit to him originally. Looked good and solid and I've dealt with this particular dealer before (it's where I got my Bushhog 286 years ago), so I bought it.

How did I do?

More important: How long does it take to learn how to use a ZTR before you don't look like your drunk when you trying to mow a simple straight line??? :laughing:

Yea yea, I know: pics or it didn't happen.

Here they be:

Thanks!

 

[arto98607]

With 448 hours on it should give you many years of service (My F3060 had 3580 hrs. when I bought it last summer).

It looks like it's in a very good condition - this is exactly the model I was looking for (with 72 inch deck) before buying the F3060, but was unable to find used one in our area!

Would you mind saying what they were asking for it?

Cheers :thumbsup:

 

[Rustyiron]

I've dealt with this particular dealer before (it's where I got my Bushhog 286 years ago),

Thanks!

Looks like a clean unit and you just nees a little "seat time". However I'm interested in your 286 year old Bush Hog!:laughing:

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

You'll get the hang of the ztr after two or three times mowing. The hardest part for me was learning how to zero turn and not damage the grass. I found that on my ztr I need to go straight back just enough to get the front casters to spin around. Then just push one handle forward and around you go. Congrats on the mower.

 

[Scooby074]

You did good. It is a lifetime mower!

As mentioned, you need to learn to do a K turn. The ZD is a HEAVY mower and you will destroy turf if you lock the inside wheel and try to do a pirouette . The term "Zero" turn is a bit of a misnomer.! Also be weary on hills in the rain. If you lose traction on the rear, you lose all steering.

You should set up your deck as well. Level it L-R and tilt the front down 1/8 to 1/4". Get the Deere deck level gauge for that. Instructions should be in the manual.

Also do a complete service unless there is documentation showing last one recently

This vid discusses proper turning

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Recently bought a ZD326 myself and it's pretty cool. Best way to learn is to drive it but just like any self powered vehicle/machine there is a speed regulator (those two handles) that will make it go back or forward slow or fast or faster. Learn to operate it slow first and then the more comfortable you get the further forward/backward you move those two levers. My brother tried one and he left spinning gravels, flew around Barlows lot dodging tractors and implements and came back sliding to a stop. I told him on his return he may want to try is going not quite so fast and he did a repeat of his first lap and did not buy a Zero turn.:laughing: He's 70 and the owners manual says not for people over 60 but I didn't show my ID so they sold me one.
If going down hill (usually on grass and wet grass will get you almost for sure) and it starts sliding on one side the farther/faster you pull back the lever on that side the faster it will slide. The solution if there are not trees, ponds, lakes and/or vehicles at the bottom is to power forward to straighten it up. You can power forward even if those things are at the bottom and they will probably stop you.:shocked:

 

[jcummins]

If going down hill (usually on grass and wet grass will get you almost for sure) and it starts sliding on one side the farther/faster you pull back the lever on that side the faster it will slide. The solution if there are not trees, ponds, lakes and/or vehicles at the bottom is to power forward to straighten it up. You can power forward even if those things are at the bottom and they will probably stop you.:shocked:

Yep, been there done that. Reason I sold mine, since I've got wet and more wet at the bottom of thar hills.

BUT...it is a great zero turn mower.

 

[FTG-05]

Looks like a clean unit and you just nees a little "seat time". However I'm interested in your 286 year old Bush Hog!:laughing:

Do you have a reading problem or what? I never said my bushhog was 286 years old. I said I got it 286 years ago - it's right there in plane engrish. Jeesh!!!!!

[Where's the embarrassed emoticon? I deserved that one!]

 

[FTG-05]

You did good. It is a lifetime mower!

As mentioned, you need to learn to do a K turn. The ZD is a HEAVY mower and you will destroy turf if you lock the inside wheel and try to do a pirouette . The term "Zero" turn is a bit of a misnomer.! Also be weary on hills in the rain. If you lose traction on the rear, you lose all steering.

You should set up your deck as well. Level it L-R and tilt the front down 1/8 to 1/4". Get the Deere deck level gauge for that. Instructions should be in the manual.

Also do a complete service unless there is documentation showing last one recently

This vid discusses proper turning

Good stuff!

- No manual yet. The salesman is going to ask the original owner next time he comes in, but we're not hopeful.
- They said they serviced it when it came in; one of the service guys remembers working on it.
- Already have the JD gauge level, haven't played with it yet; but it does cut very well from the little I've used it thus far.
- I live on a hill and my JD went TU after I had done the back yard, the only level yard I have. I had to learn to ZT on a hill. I don't get on my hill when it's wet, not even in my RTV.

Someone asked: How Much? They were asking $9650, I got it for $9175. Now, how did I do?

Thanks,

 

[jcummins]

Good stuff!

- No manual yet. The salesman is going to ask the original owner next time he comes in, but we're not hopeful.
- They said they serviced it when it came in; one of the service guys remembers working on it.
- Already have the JD gauge level, haven't played with it yet; but it does cut very well from the little I've used it thus far.
- I live on a hill and my JD went TU after I had done the back yard, the only level yard I have. I had to learn to ZT on a hill. I don't get on my hill when it's wet, not even in my RTV.

Someone asked: How Much? They were asking $9650, I got it for $9175. Now, how did I do?

Thanks,

When I moved from Texas to Illinois I misplaced my ZD326 manual...thought it was lost. It so happens the house I bought, that owner also had a ZD326. I asked to borrow his manual and I made copies of selected pages...the important ones to me....then, I found the manual.

It is not a complete manual, covers deck adjustment, maintenance, etc. but if you want, I can drop those into a dropbox on the net, then you can copy off.