Upgrade from ZD to F Series Mower?

[Czabe]

As a grass loving homeowner on 10 (semi-hilly) acres, I am taking a hard look at bumping up to the F-Series and would love some feedback.

My current ZD326s is a 60" deck.

My complaints...

1. I would love to have the REAR discharge so the clippings don't clump to one side, and also so I can avoid shooting clippings into mulch beds near the house.

2. The terrain on my 10 acres is somewhat bumpy, and the ZD will bounce around pretty good when moving at speed. The more bumpy the terrain, the more the ZD seems to "lurch" and stutter, providing a very rough ride. It seems like the F series with the very large wheels up front, would help smooth out these bumps considerably. I also think the steering wheel would be easier over 10 acres than the ZD handles.

My two main questions are..

1. Can this mower handle hillsides that my current ZD handles?
2. Is it considerably slower than the ZD?

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Oh yeah, one more thing: How do I lie to my wife about what I'm going to pay for this beast?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

As a grass loving homeowner on 10 (semi-hilly) acres, I am taking a hard look at bumping up to the F-Series and would love some feedback.

My current ZD326s is a 60" deck.

My complaints...

1. I would love to have the REAR discharge so the clippings don't clump to one side, and also so I can avoid shooting clippings into mulch beds near the house.

2. The terrain on my 10 acres is somewhat bumpy, and the ZD will bounce around pretty good when moving at speed. The more bumpy the terrain, the more the ZD seems to "lurch" and stutter, providing a very rough ride. It seems like the F series with the very large wheels up front, would help smooth out these bumps considerably. I also think the steering wheel would be easier over 10 acres than the ZD handles.

My two main questions are..

1. Can this mower handle hillsides that my current ZD handles?
2. Is it considerably slower than the ZD?

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Oh yeah, one more thing: How do I lie to my wife about what I'm going to pay for this beast?

First, The F is faster than the ZD at top speed. The F will mower hillier and steeper terrain than a ZD.
Read the attached thread for more info and it's still for sell. I have two Fs and will be glad to provide any additional answers if you've got questions.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/240119-john-thomas-selling-his-f2680e.html

 

[kuboman]

I have 2 front mounts now and had 2 JD fronts before these and I would not get anything else. As for hillsides they will handle them far better than a ZF especially if you get 4x4. JT can answer the hiiside questions better than me though. Anyway you will love them, a real cutting machine and worth every extra penny they might cost.:thumbsup:

 

[TailDragon]

Go F series, I have over 825 hours on a F 3680 72 inch rear discharge, like it much better than my ZD 331 60 inch side discharge. As J.T. stated you can put the F into high range if your ground is smooth enough. The F will climb/side hill slopes I will not try on the ZD.
Rear discharge is great if you do not let the grass grow too tall. It will cut tall grass but leave windrows behind. The ZD throws the grass to the side leaving clippings covering everything.
Rear discharge allows trimming on both sides of the deck.

Disclaimer- I own property in Pulaski County, do not think I have encountered J.T. or am related to him.

 

[gordyy]

I mow for a water utility that has resivours buried partially in the ground and then the ground hills up steaply around the tanks witha pump house on the side of the hill very tall ditches etc. I use both a sub compact 4 wd and an F 2560 4wd. I tried a ZT out and I could not go up the hills or hang on the sided of them with anything I tried and I tried out all I could, all the salesman said no problem till they brought out their machines and used them some of the areas I mow have serious pucker facktor on them even on the sc2400 which is more stable going up and down the steepest parts.
The F is more money and if you mow it really regularly the rear discharge is ok, but if its high when you mow the side discharge handles the cut much better and I dont think the windrow of grass is any uglier than the clumps coming out the rear discharge. besides a spring keeps the deflector up when your far enough from the buildings kids and critters that eliminates almost all the windrow.
The F is the best cutter I have used to date and have tried out or used 7 models of tractors and mowers both

 

[TailDragon]

I should mention I changed the drive tires on the F3680 to the bar turfs used on the BX1860 (24x12-12). Has much greater traction, tires do not loadup in soft spots. Rougher ride on packed ground but worth the trade-off. Have not had to use the diff lock near as much. This is mowing low lying drainage areas that stay soggy long after the rain. Am looking for traction tires for the steering axle but they are a different size than anything used on the BX series.
Also changed the deck caster tires to no-flats after deflating the originals too often. For being the same size marking they are taller and skinnier, Should have tried foam filling the originals.
Did I mention I mow anything the deck will push over. (grass, hedge bushes,wild roses, etc)
I think I payed 18K (mower & deck) in 2006 when I retired.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't have any wet areas at home, just steep, really steep in a few places. I never have any traction issues with the turfs on my F3080 and the only time I push the diff lock is when I get one tire off the ground.
I do have a wet area at the rental property and if I stop I sometimes push the diff lock on the F2680E with turfs to get it rolling. I took the F2680E home one time and it would go and mow everywhere but on some of the steepest areas I had to raise the mowing deck a hair to get it on up the hill or turn around and back up the hill. I believe it to would pull all my hills and mow if I loaded the tires or put weights on them.

 

[TailDragon]

The (one) problem with getting old is you will remember things too late.
Did reference high range without mentioning there is a neutral, in case you need to tow it out of trouble. I have gone from dry ground to instant mud pit midway on a slope. All four tires were slicks (turf) after loading up.
Second item is the control going down hill. Unlike a ZD you do not need a runaway area at the bottom. I had read enough about ZD operations to test this in a good area, easing down until the drive tires lost traction. Quick ride the rest of the way down. In contrast the F3680 will stop pointing down hill and back up from that point.
Third is the ability to mow under overhanging branches I can not get close to with my ZD.
Not to bore people with this but after reading the forums for quite a while before joining and gaining knowledge from others this is a subject I can contribute to with first hand experience.

 

[sixdogs]

I have been thinking of the F series for a while and wonder to what degree the 4WD is necessary? I use an old JD F510 right now to mow around obstacles and such and use a B7800 with a 60" belly mower for open areas. I live on flat ground and like the F510 a lot because I can sneak in under trees and bushes that the B7800 cannot. So I figure I could get an F series for all things and ditch the B7800 mower?
Is 4WD just something I should buy and not worry about it?

 

[kuboman]

I have been thinking of the F series for a while and wonder to what degree the 4WD is necessary? I use an old JD F510 right now to mow around obstacles and such and use a B7800 with a 60" belly mower for open areas. I live on flat ground and like the F510 a lot because I can sneak in under trees and bushes that the B7800 cannot. So I figure I could get an F series for all things and ditch the B7800 mower?
Is 4WD just something I should buy and not worry about it?

Yes the F will do everything that your others do. Just keep in mind that it will not turn as sharp as your 510 but it will be light years ahead of any belly mower. If you are on flat ground then 4wd is not necessary. They are a cutting machine and a pleasure to operate.:thumbsup: