zero turn mowers
- Thread starter gibsons
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DaveB
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https://www.kijiji.ca/v-lawnmower-l...deere-f725-lawnmower-bagger-system/1673939915
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-farming-equipment/lethbridge/2006-john-deere-f725/m7804347
I love my old F725 so much I bought a second one a year ago. My original had the hour meter quit at over 2000 hrs. Motor was rebuilt and she's still ticking...but getting pretty long in the tooth. I found a newer one with only 200 hrs on it. I keep waiting for the old one to go ker-boom, but it keeps going.
I like the front deck, rear steer deal as my place is on a hill. My neighbors all have zero turns of one type or another...they seem OK but I've read they are difficult to hold a side cut (sidehill? lol) and can wheelie going uphill. Kubota makes a cool front deck 4wd unit, but they are pricey even used.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-farming-equipment/lethbridge/2006-john-deere-f725/m7804347
I love my old F725 so much I bought a second one a year ago. My original had the hour meter quit at over 2000 hrs. Motor was rebuilt and she's still ticking...but getting pretty long in the tooth. I found a newer one with only 200 hrs on it. I keep waiting for the old one to go ker-boom, but it keeps going.
I like the front deck, rear steer deal as my place is on a hill. My neighbors all have zero turns of one type or another...they seem OK but I've read they are difficult to hold a side cut (sidehill? lol) and can wheelie going uphill. Kubota makes a cool front deck 4wd unit, but they are pricey even used.
Got Juice?
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I bought a Kubota Z411 in 2013. I mow 2 acres of grass and sort of maintain 2 acres of field mix as well. Kawasaki engine. Great cut. Durable. Problem free. Love it.
Bought a John Deere 500 series 54" 24hp, mulching deck because of it being local. Must have been a lemon, caught fire twice in the first summer of use and at that point should of let it burn. Both times the carb had developed fuel leaks while cutting grass, at least warranty covered the repairs. Two summers later a drive motor crapped out just off warranty at my cost. had to constantly adjust the turning arms to be even probably due to the bad drive motor. My neighbour had the exact same mower and never had a single problem. It did cut really good though. Have a Country Clipper now, 60",24hp. 200 hrs now and not a single problem. 4 acres of grass in under 2 hours, but i cut probably more often than i need to, i dont like to see windrows of grass on the lawn. The clipper is a lot heavier built unit than the John Deere.
Dragonalain
Active VIP Member
Get a mulching kit for the deck. You will never have windrows then. I’ve had a few deers run through the shop aswell personally would not buy one. They seem kinda junky.
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- #86
I think there are different "levels" of the Deere product..... the "cheap ones" sold by the Big Box Stores, and then the other grades sold by JD Dealerships.
hahaha they're so much fun !
@Luke The Drifter I got the same Husq if you want to try it out, by RR13
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Cat401
Active VIP Member
you are 100% correct with yout thinking!!
sirkdev
Active VIP Member
yes.. but a model # is a model # whether is Home Depot or Martins, shop wisely...
The ones that you see at Lowes and Home depot are not even carried by the Deere dealers. They will gladly service or repair them but they don't even bother to carry the entry line models.
That entry level stuff is built to compete with the other hardware store brands (MTD, Poulan, Canadian Tire, etc). Built for price not for longevity. They are basically compared to Bic lighters...use it till it expires, then dispose it.
If you want a quality mower, then go to the dealer. Even then there are a numerous different levels of build quality.
I am sure this different levels of quality applies to other makes like NH and Kubota, etc also.
Luke The Drifter
Active VIP Member
I might come check it out, I'm just a few range roads west of you...
Got Juice?
Active member
A lot of the expense of a ZTM boils down to the drive motors. 3100’s and above are commercial duty. 2000 series is for the home jobbers. They are not serviceable.
If you want a durable Zero Turn look at the wheel motors. It tells you all you need to know.
The bulk of the cost on zero turns is the engine and the wheel motors and the deck. All else is just fluff.
Kawasaki engines are among the best if not the best.
ZT3100 drive motors are a good start.
Fabricated deck.
Those 3 items with regular maintenance will get you a mower that will run reliably for 3-4000 hours.
My Kubota Z411-48 checks all those boxes. Also runs commercial C Series V belts. ZT3150 drive motors and a Kawasaki engine. 7 years ago it cost me 7700.00. I change engine oil every 75 hours, drive motor oils at 150, and carry spare belts
No failures to date.
If you want a durable Zero Turn look at the wheel motors. It tells you all you need to know.
The bulk of the cost on zero turns is the engine and the wheel motors and the deck. All else is just fluff.
Kawasaki engines are among the best if not the best.
ZT3100 drive motors are a good start.
Fabricated deck.
Those 3 items with regular maintenance will get you a mower that will run reliably for 3-4000 hours.
My Kubota Z411-48 checks all those boxes. Also runs commercial C Series V belts. ZT3150 drive motors and a Kawasaki engine. 7 years ago it cost me 7700.00. I change engine oil every 75 hours, drive motor oils at 150, and carry spare belts
No failures to date.
Sure, as soon as the snow melts haha
