Scag Tiger Cat II or Kubota Z781?

[Suburban Plowboy]

I wonder why the Kubota is higher here.

I would love to have a diesel. Gas is inferior in every way imaginable. They only cost about 1.9 times as much as gas. The diesel engine is the only thing about the JD I will miss.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Man, I wish no one had brought up diesel. Now I'm looking at used Kubota ZD1211 mowers on the web.

I was hoping to avoid buying someone else's problems, but it would be great to have diesel and save some money. I see a mower with 571 hours for $9500.

Does anyone know if this mower is a horror to work on, like a JD 430? If I could get one for this price, I would be willing to fix any issues or even dump a couple grand into it if needed.

 

[Ricn]

Gas is a big deal when paying $5.00 per gal. Still mowing my 2 acres with the old JD280 that sips gas and being very,very reliable all these years. My tractor flail mower does the job job but not as nice looking; If only it cut lower.

 

[jyoutz]

Take a look at Ferris mowers for the most proven popular full suspension ztr’s around. I love my Gravely, but if I were getting a new ztr, it would most likely be a Ferris.

And the new Stihl ZT mowers are just repainted/rebadged Ferris mowers. The good thing about them is Stihl has a larger dealer network than Ferris, but they are identical machines. Since the areas I mow aren’t perfectly flat, my back really appreciates the full suspension.

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks for the tip, but I already feel like I'm a spendthrift for spending over $12K. I can't see going up another $2500.

The full suspension Stihl ZT mowers start at $6k. That’s the model I have and I don’t see why I would need the upgraded models for home use. I love mowing with it. Such a smooth ride, even over rough ground.

 

[Yander]

Kubota. Kawasaki engine generally has better torque for mowing and just last. Gravely ZT HD 60 is about $5,500 (light commercial). But they have true commercial for the price range you mentioned.

I've always thought Scag was overated.

I would buy a gravely or a Hustler over either though.

 

[aesanders]

Man, I wish no one had brought up diesel. Now I'm looking at used Kubota ZD1211 mowers on the web.

I was hoping to avoid buying someone else's problems, but it would be great to have diesel and save some money. I see a mower with 571 hours for $9500.

Does anyone know if this mower is a horror to work on, like a JD 430? If I could get one for this price, I would be willing to fix any issues or even dump a couple grand into it if needed.

I love my diesel tractors, but for a mower, I really like a gas efi engine. Like you said, half the price. I see know reason why you would benefit from a diesel. 80 hours per year is what you said its use will be. And where we live, you don’t park the thing for 6 months out of the year. I run my mower about one a month in the winter. Maybe a little more if I spread some rye grass seed.

 

[RjCorazza]

Man, I wish no one had brought up diesel. Now I'm looking at used Kubota ZD1211 mowers on the web.

I was hoping to avoid buying someone else's problems, but it would be great to have diesel and save some money. I see a mower with 571 hours for $9500.

Does anyone know if this mower is a horror to work on, like a JD 430? If I could get one for this price, I would be willing to fix any issues or even dump a couple grand into it if needed.

I mow 30+ acres with a Kubota ZD1211 and it's a great machine. The diesel is a no brainer for my use, but I would have no idea where the line is in cost of gas vs diesel purchase / operating.
I burn on average, 0.84 gallons per hour or 0.41 gallons per acre. Diesel fuel handling and storing is also way more convenient than gasoline.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

The person selling the Kubota ZD1211 seems nuts to me, so I am now looking at a ZD326. I have read about mulching problems with these things. I have to have good mulching because of my hard oak leaves, which come down in tons.

 

[aesanders]

The person selling the Kubota ZD1211 seems nuts to me, so I am now looking at a ZD326. I have read about mulching problems with these things. I have to have good mulching because of my hard oak leaves, which come down in tons.

Any thought on getting a nice flail mower for your tractor? Then you would have an excellent mulcher that is diesel powered.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I thought of getting one for brush, but a mower has to be maneuverable.

I don't think a 37-HP tractor would be very impressive with a flail mower.

 

[aesanders]

I thought of getting one for brush, but a mower has to be maneuverable.

I don't think a 37-HP tractor would be very impressive with a flail mower.

37 hp tractor is fine for a flail. Just have to get the correct one.

How much grass/brush are you mowing anyway?

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I don't think a flail mower will suck leaves off the ground. Others have tried.