Mowing ZD326 - pulling out of the mud

Stickperson · Apr 11, 2020

I have had to winch my ZD326 out of the mud a few times. Is there anything I can/should do to make it safer and/or easier? My old lawn tractors had a lever to release the hydrostatic transmission and allow free turning of the wheels. Is there anything like that on the ZDs?

Th-Advance-anks

stevewarner1957 · Apr 11, 2020

I've had to pull my ZD326 out a few times. I've had the same question as well. I only pull it enough to clear the mud, never had an issue

countrybumpkin · Apr 11, 2020

Get a wireless remote for the winch, that way you can be on the mower assisting when working the winch.

As for the free wheeling of the mower your owner’s manual should state if it has that ability.

Maxify55 · Apr 11, 2020

Yeah, I'll admit to getting too close a culveert or two in my time.
Once on a Scag Tiger Cub , then a Ferris. As both were commercials they both had ports atop their pimps that manually had to be opened for free flow to occur.
It'd be nice to have that kind of thing available on the bigger units but I'll take the durability over convenience everytime.
Mud Buggies they ain't!

Stickperson · Apr 11, 2020

Maxify55 said:
It'd be nice to have that kind of thing available on the bigger units but I'll take the durability over convenience everytime.
Mud Buggies they ain't!

Agreed. I have about 4 acres I have to knock down a few times a year. When the grass is 3+ ft. tall and the dock weed is 5, my only choices are this class of machine or a tractor with a tow-behind. The lawn and garden style tractor just dies under that load.

The boss won't let me get a Kubota B- or L-series sized tractor just yet no matter how much I pout or make moon eyes over the models at the Texas State Fair.

RjCorazza · Apr 11, 2020

There is no way to put a zd300 series in freewheel that I am aware of. When mine gets stuck I drag it the shortest distance possible if I am by myself. I have also had my daughter drag me out with the tractor while I assist on the mower.