Used Kubota ZD28 or ZD21

[tractor419]

I'm looking at help figuring out the value of a used Kubota. Used prices seem to be all over the map and I don't want to outrageously overpay for a zero-turn.

Anyways, whats a fair price for one of these diesel zero turns mowers? I've seen units with a couple hundred hours to about 2000 hours all right around the same price ($6-7k).

Any help is appreciated. Any gotchas to look for are appreciated as well.

 

[Carl_NH]

Welcome to TBN!

Second - explain your situation - what do you want to accomplish?

Kubota ZTR are all over the map for a number of reasons, 1) they are great ZTR machines 2) condition and hours determine value, 3) regional values will vary.

The Kobota ZTR ZG- (gas) 52-54 new are $6-8K, and diesel ZD(diesel) series are $9-15K new. The used deisels are expensive - probably $4-10K depending on condition.

So do your homework - find a few machines, then post your actual considerations for a decision - since you are too vague at the monent to provide a cogent reply.

What do you plan to mow - hrs per week, acreage, and do on..good luck

 

[tractor419]

I'm planning on mowing 5 acres. Looking for a 60" deck. Prefer diesel for what appears to be all the common reasons.

Here's one of the machines I was considering

KUBOTA DIESEL ZERO TURN

There were also several ZD21 ads that I've seen pop up but I can't find them at the moment

 

[jcdogfish]

I just traded in ZD 326p with 250 hrs. Got 8k for it off of a well discounted price. They are great machines.

 

[Carl_NH]

419,

When I was looking I narrowed to a Ferris IS2000 52" 25HP Kawasaki and Kubota ZD21 60" - The kubota for rugged build, quality materials, and pretty much single source for entire machine.

New Kubota were $11K+, and couldnt really find a used one under 800-1000 hrs and even then they were $6-7K.

So I weighed the annual usage hours for me 60 hrs a year (10 hrs a month) x 20 yrs = 1200 hours and compared the cost of gas vs efficiency and cost of diesel. I dont recall the exact #s, but diesel consumption was 30-40% less but also slightly more expensive. The ROI for fuel alone was not that great unless you put a lot of hours annualy on a machine.

At the end of the day, it was get a fairly used 800+ hour Kubota or a new Ferris for nearly the same $ and I voted to go new route.

For your 5 acres, I would suspect 4 hours mowing a week maybe less if not to many obstacles so with a 20 week season 80 hours annually?

 

[tractor419]

Yeah its likely 2-3 hours per mow as I don't have a ton of obstacles at the moment.

Are high hour machines asking for trouble (2000)? I know the motors should last a long time

The obvious debate is I can get a new machine (gravely or similar) for just a touch more money. Won't be as efficient or quiet but would give me a warranty. (I don't mind wrenching on something though)

 

[Carl_NH]

You are correct - engines will go for a long time - 4000+ hrs vs 2000 typical for a gas.

Its the other stuff, the hydro units are very spendy on the Kubota and while I can fix this stuff the I weighed all the options and decided to go new.

The logic here was 1) why get a used machine with more hrs on it than I will put on it in 15 years, and 2) if something does go wrong - wheel motor, hydro unit I didnt want to have more invested in a used (Kubota) unit than a new (Alternate) one.

If the used Kubota ZD were say $3-4K for a 600-900 hr unit then you can absorb a major repair but at the $6-7K range there is little room for error.

 

[art]

The ZD-21-28's we have had out we have seen them at 3,000 plus hours without hydro work. Kubotas are unique in their drive systems and are well built. We also sell Ferris and have been with scags in the past. I have seen more work at lower hours actually in the two thousand hour range.

Most important, it is your choice.