Thinking about buy a diesel ZTR.

[Geneha]

I am thinking about upgrading my 60" 26hp gas mower to a diesel one. Now that I have a diesel tractor I want to have similar fuel to buy. This would also the last mower I would have to buy. This should last me 20+ years or so. Another advantage to the diesel engines is that they are water cooled..

I am looking a 2 diesel ZTRs.

1) Kubota ZD326 60". A feature I like is that the cutter deck is driven by a drive shaft and the only belt is the one that drives each cutter blade. Another option is rear discharge. 13 gallon fuel tank(s). CON: $13,200 and some change

2) Bad Boy Compact Diesel 61". Being from Arkansas the BB are made here. The Kubota has a 26hp 1.0L engine. The BB has a CAT 28hp 1.1L engine. (No biggie). 18 gallon fuel tank(s). CON. it has more belts and no drive shaft to run the cutter deck. BB has rubber isolation on each wheel so a better ride and some of our land is kinda ruff. . PRO: Price $11.500

Both are colored orange so no color conflicts.

My other mower is about 600 lbs and both if the above are about 1500 lbs each. I have mowed over the leach line with the tractor so the ZTR weight should be a issue mowing over the leach line ( I hope)

Any comments on either brand would be welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rrrkkk]

I have a eXmark 60" with a 31HP 3 cyl dihatsu in it, you won't regret the diesel.

 

[art]

I'd check the noise level!!!! look at the seats and compare! The drive system on the Kubota goes a bit further, look at the outer pulleys on the Kubota deck as well as the drive belt! We normally see 4,000 plus hours on the Kubota with no major problems from our commercial users.

 

[jvgillow]

One of the "pros" for the Kubota is the built-in jack and oscillating front axle. I have a ZD221 and have used the built-in jack to clean under the deck and sharpen blades. The ZD326 has an even better jack mechanism.

 

[Geneha]

I have looked and drive the Kubota and the noise level is lower then my current gas model. Can't be any noisier then my B7500 tractor. Now that I found out about the jack that might help the pendulum swing direction. I have a MoJack but really like the built in jack.

 

[Geneha]

I have a eXmark 60" with a 31HP 3 cyl dihatsu in it, you won't regret the diesel.

Just checked the website and they now come with Kubota diesel engines.

 

[Inspector507]

I have a ZD323-60 and it is fantastic. The jack on the front makes life wonderful. The noise level is pretty high but
i wear ear protection all the time. The only thing I wish was the seat height was a lower.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Go to the Kubota Corp site Kubota Tractor Corporation and see what the F Commercial mowers are and prices. I'm trading in my F2680e 60" rear discharge deck with 115 hours to Barlows. I believe you'll be able to buy it for near the money your saying you can get a Zero turn mower and they are not in the same league. The F is an $18000 to $20000 machine and this one will last a couple of lifetimes. The one I'm trading in has been used to mow flat rental property and never left outside, I keep it in one of the storage units on the property. The oil and filters have been changed at 50 and 100 hours and the antifreeze has been changed at 100 hours.
Do your research and I believe you'll see that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I trade often and the reason I'm trading this one is it's for my business and has been written off and need new one for more write off for business expense plus I just like trading. This itrade will be my 14th Kubota in 10 years. Love new Kubotas.
.http://barlowequipment.com/used.htm

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have an old JD 332 diesel tractor style mower and a couple years old ZTR. The JD is a 54" and the ZTR gasser is 52". It takes about 6 gallons of gas but only about 3 for the diesel when I mow my yard. It is handy to have only one fuel for tractor and mower not to mention the gas going stale pretty fast even with Stabil, but the price tags for the diesels are out of sight. I would like to have one with a good automotive type suspension or at least something besides straight axles and little springs under the seat which dont do much on rough ground which I have a lot off.
My next door neighbor runs a professional mowing service and uses Exmark mowers. I havent heard him complain about anything on them.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Go to the Kubota Corp site Kubota Tractor Corporation and see what the F Commercial mowers are and prices. I'm trading in my F2680e 60" rear discharge deck with 115 hours to Barlows. I believe you'll be able to buy it for near the money your saying you can get a Zero turn mower and they are not in the same league. The F is an $18000 to $20000 machine and this one will last a couple of lifetimes. The one I'm trading in has been used to mow flat rental property and never left outside, I keep it in one of the storage units on the property. The oil and filters have been changed at 50 and 100 hours and the antifreeze has been changed at 100 hours.
Do your research and I believe you'll see that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I trade often and the reason I'm trading this one is it's for my business and has been written off and need new one for more write off for business expense plus I just like trading. This itrade will be my 14th Kubota in 10 years. Love new Kubotas.
.http://barlowequipment.com/used.htm

Now that is a mower to be proud of. I think maybe if I was in the market for a new diesel mower I would try to find one of those in good used condition. One like that even with several thousand hours should still last me for a lifetime

 

[EddieWalker]

Not knowing anything about Bad Boy other then they sell them at Tractor Supply, I shied away from them becasue there wasn't the type of support available locally that I wanted. For that kind of money, I want to buy something that I can walk into the dealer and get what I want for it, or take it to them and have them fix it. If you have that with Bad Boy where you live, then it becomes more of quality of build, ride and price.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[Geneha]

The local tractor dealer carry a very large selection of the them and would go there first as opposed to TSC

 

[hawkeye08]

I just saw a Kubota ZD221 on CL this week... 2011 model with 20 hrs, small business bought it for estate mowing and changed directions so are selling it.. they claim to have paid $12,500 and are selling for $8500. It sure looks like a nice unit but the price paid seems high (found some at ~$10,000) so perhaps the $8500 is also high..

We only have a couple acres of lawn so not sure I need that much mower, but really like the idea of the diesel zero turn that would last the rest of my life..

 

[jvgillow]

I agree $12,500 paid is high unless it has a bagger included.

That said, $8500 for only 20 hours on the unit is not bad if it still has a good chunk of warranty time left. That's almost $2000 less than I paid for a brand new one.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'd grab the one for $8500.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'd buy the $11000 F2680e 60" rear discharge deck from John Thomas or Barlows who is going to get it when we trade with only 115 hours and is twice the machine.

 

[stihlman]

I bought a ZD21 in 2003 and traded it this spring for a new ZD326P. I never had any issues ar all with the 21 in 9 years of non commercial use. The 326 has a much more responsive transmission due to the addition of a boost pump but it is a heavier machine. I think the 326 would meet your criteria of lasting a lifetime.

Steve

 

[Agent Blue]

I'd buy the $11000 F2680e 60" rear discharge deck from John Thomas or Barlows who is going to get it when we trade with only 115 hours and is twice the machine.

Barlows sales man of the year... Take a bow John Thomas. Consignments take a while.

 

[Dan W]

I'd buy the $11000 F2680e 60" rear discharge deck from John Thomas or Barlows who is going to get it when we trade with only 115 hours and is twice the machine.

Mr. Thomas, I read what you had to say about the f series and I thought I'd take a moment to thank you, your comments were spot-on. So I bought an F3680 4 weeks ago from my local dealer here in ottawa, had them install a F5720 blower and had a chance to use it several times now, what a machine. The power is great and is much better than the 60" rear mount blower I have been used to on my B7800. I can't wait to try the mower.
They say the F series machines are best in class mowers, and if mowing is anything like snow blowing, this will be a pleasure indeed.
Dan

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Mr. Thomas, I read what you had to say about the f series and I thought I'd take a moment to thank you, your comments were spot-on. So I bought an F3680 4 weeks ago from my local dealer here in ottawa, had them install a F5720 blower and had a chance to use it several times now, what a machine. The power is great and is much better than the 60" rear mount blower I have been used to on my B7800. I can't wait to try the mower.
They say the F series machines are best in class mowers, and if mowing is anything like snow blowing, this will be a pleasure indeed.
Dan

Guess you can see I believe in them enough to own two, one at rental property location and one at home hillside property.
I don't think you'll ever be disappointed with your purchase while mowing. I still enjoy mine mostly and I don't care much for mowing. Figured if I had to do something I didn't like, I wanted to do it as fast, reliable, low maintenance and comfortable as possible and maybe a little bit enjoyable. That's what the F does.:thumbsup: