Zero turn Decision

[Fastfoz]

Today the Local Kubota dealer brought out a ZG222 and a ZD221 for me to demo. Beautiful bits of machinery but I am a little undecided. I have pretty much scratched the ZG222 48", but like the ZD221 54" very much, the only dislike was the ride, he suggested bringing out the ZG327 60" for me to try, he thinks they ride better due to bigger tyres and a bit longer wheel base plus a suspension seat.

Im just a little worried the 327 will be too heavy and wreck my lawn? any user experience/suggestions between the 200 and the 300 series would be greatly appreciated.

I love the Diesel due to the fact it was quiet (although when mowing the ZG222 was only a fraction noisier) and i don't have to worry about stocking petrol/gas due to everything on our farm is diesel.

Decisions Decisions.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Cough up the money and get a F2680 if you have fairly level to rolling land. If you have mountain side, which a Zero won't do anyway, get a F3080 4wd. They are Kubotas Best mowing machine but cost a few pennies more than the Zs. They can do more than just mow but the attachments are not cheap.

 

[Fastfoz]

Cough up the money and get a F2680 if you have fairly level to rolling land. If you have mountain side, which a Zero won't do anyway, get a F3080 4wd. They are Kubotas Best mowing machine but cost a few pennies more than the Zs. They can do more than just mow but the attachments are not cheap.

No hills here, Flat as a board as far as you can see, and i have plenty of other tractors for tractor work. Plus a tractor has nothing on a ZT when mowing the lawn, around gardens, trees and the like, they are just so nimble. Each to his own i guess .

Ahh and now i see the error of my ways and the F2680 is no tractor , but it still will not fit in some places i have to go otherwise i would choose a front mount.

 

[Kubota 2007]

I purrchased a B3030 for mowing a few years back, it didn't mow good from day one, I always blamed the R-4 tires laying the grass down. This Spring I purchased a ZD326P, it has cut my mowing time in half, mow's great, the machine is a little hard on the grass until you learn how to turn, keeping rear wheels moving, at first I would drag one wheel and spin the other. Now I keep an eye on the tire that is on the inside of the turn to make sure it keeps moving in either direction, and lawn looks great. The ride is alittle hard, but slowing down and adjusting the seat supension will do away with it. I'm not a bit sorry I purchased it.

 

[Inspector507]

I'm looking at a ZD323 for myself right now. May not have considered a Kubota for a zero turn but my wife now works for a dealer. I got to know the mechanics quite well and they had a low opinion of ZG series. I know the diesel is a lot more money, but I'd prefer that anyway. The ZD323 will be a little lighter on the lawn than what I currently mow with, a TC18 New Holland.

edit to add...........they are going to be about the same weight. I was mistaken on the NH weight.

 

[Fastfoz]

I'm looking at a ZD323 for myself right now. May not have considered a Kubota for a zero turn but my wife now works for a dealer. I got to know the mechanics quite well and they had a low opinion of ZG series. I know the diesel is a lot more money, but I'd prefer that anyway. The ZD323 will be a little lighter on the lawn than what I currently mow with, a TC18 New Holland.

edit to add...........they are going to be about the same weight. I was mistaken on the NH weight.

What was their concern with the ZG seires??

The ZG222 that i drove was a beautiful little mower, just not big enough but it drove the same as the diesel. The other thing i have in my favour is I am not doing big hours every year, It will take me a life time to accumulate 1000 hours, so I will never wear it out.

 

[Inspector507]

A few engine failures was all they'd say.

 

[Fastfoz]

A few engine failures was all they'd say.

Hmmm, if i was a Contractor that would worry me, but for residential use I dont think it should be a problem. Usually if you have some sort of major failure in my experience with machinery it happens early on in the piece which warranty covers anyway.

Good to know all the same.

 

[lutt]

I own a zg 20, which has the kohler engine.I beleive its a 2005 model. 500 hrs of mowing cemetaries,6 acres at my house,which is on a hill. I have had zero problems. The only thing I wish I had was the welded deck, at the time, I dont remember them offering it on this mower. The deck is a 48" and weighs according to the book, about 500#'s. They are good mowers. Now that they have a in house Kubota engine on the gassers,there even better. The only problems our 2 local dealerships have had is people not keeping up maintence. On a gas commercial grade mower, it has to be done. They run really hot pulling the deck and the hydraulic drives. You shouldnt have any trouble with ether of your choices. They will serve you well. Just keep the oil changed at the recommended intravels and blow out the air filter after every mowing if its really dusty. They went to the canister style filter on the gassers with the new Kubota engine which imo was a step up from the automotive style on mine. LUTT

 

[art]

The only engine issues we have had with them is old ethanol gas!