Kubota ZTR

[Cutter1]

I went up to the Kubota dealer and tried the new ZTR. Over all I was very impressed with it. It runs very smooth. THe engine as we all know will run forever like all the other Kubota's. The sticks were smooth and this one had no hours on it, usually kind of jumpy at first. I like the lift on the deck. Hydraulic lift!! The only thing I worry about is the cut. Not sure with that Kubota deck on it. THe price is good at $9900. FOr a diesel and a 60 deck.

THe transmission is hydrostatic with one pump. It makes for very smooth controls. The deck is driven by a shaft straight out of the transmission and engaged with a wet clutch.

[Edited by Cutter1 on 03-12-2001 at 11:09 PM]

[DMC300]

I saw one of those at our county fair last week,didn't take time to demo it.I didn't like the deck on it.

[mdb landscaping]

i saw one at an equipment show in hartford CT and in providence RI at the new england grows show. looks like a well rounded machine. have to see if anybody uses one this spring.

[TLS]

They look well built, and Kubota's usually are. However, I am a little leary of the low Horsepower ratings. I dont remember the specs, but the 60 incher was using a 20hp or something?

[awm]

ARE THEY BELT OR DIRECT DRIVE

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by Cutter1
The deck is driven by a shaft straight out of the transmission and engaged with a wet clutch.

This is what he said about it.

[Cutter1]

Thomas.....With the diesel engine they have in them, it will be more than enough power to spin a 60 inch deck.

[Runner]

Especially at the low speeds that a driveshaft would turn the deck. What is the blade tip speed for this machine?

[jasonp]

I was wondering about the deck also like will it have mulching and bagging on it. Overall it looks like a winner with the hydro deck lift and kubota reputation.

[Cutter1]

They can install a mulching kit on it if you want. I also think they are going to put a bagging unit on them later.

[Edited by Cutter1 on 03-13-2001 at 05:46 AM]

[Cutter1]

Not sure about the blade tip speed, but using the Kubota's in the past that was never an issue, the engine's never sloweded down.

[mowingmachine]

I am kinda curious about whether the deck is shaft driven or belt. He said the deck is driven by a shaft staight out of the transmission. So is it belt from there or shafts and gear boxes. Could be either way. Don't really care for the shaft and gear box design. To easy to tear something up if you hit a solid object. I've heard far to many horror stories about that. A belt will absorb the energy and withstand the impact load much better in this situation.
Also Runner I would imagine the blade tip speed to be around 19000 feet per minute. That is the basic industry standard and is generally followed on all commercial equipment.

[awm]

Got it Erick.Some day Id like to know how in the
world you run a fullblooded lawn service and this
forum at the same time.Not gettin in ye buisiness
bud .I come in wore out and try to stay alert enough to learn a little something from the forum before I get too
sleepy.I know! the difference is in DIXIE right.:)
Keepup the good work.

[Cutter1]

It is a shaft dtraight into a gear box. That was never a problem with the Kubota's we use to run and we hit plenty of stuff :)

[TLS]

Anybody know the exact ratings on the engine that they use for this ZTR? I had several magazines with this new ZTR on it, but cant find any now! The 26hp Diesel Dixies are about right for a 60" deck, I have listened to one bog a little bit in REAL thick/high grass. So, if Dixie determines that they need 26 diesel hp for their 60" ZTR, and Exmark needs 27hp, how can Kubota, who makes their own engines, spec a much lower hp engine and get away with it?

Also, back in the early 80s way before ZTRs and Front mounts, Kubota lawn tractors had the highest blade tip speed and best cut around!

[Cutter1]

We use to run the G series Kubota's. They had 54 inch decks with 17hp diesel's. That was plenty of power. The new ones are 21 Hp, I think. I ran it, it ran strong, but I'll have to field test it too really see.

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by awm
Got it Erick.Some day Id like to know how in the
world you run a fullblooded lawn service and this
forum at the same time.Not gettin in ye buisiness
bud .I come in wore out and try to stay alert enough to learn a little something from the forum before I get too
sleepy.I know! the difference is in DIXIE right.:)
Keepup the good work.


Last summer was a lot easier than this summer will be, but now we have several moderators to help out, so it might be even easier. ;)

I start my day at 6 AM in the summer and grab a cup of coffee and get caught up on the posts that come in after midnight when I go to bed. Chuck is a night owl so he checks things after midnight and during the day during the summer. After work, I'm back at it here and usually pull the plug around 11:30 and off to bed.

Sitting on that new Chopper with a seat that is more comfy than my leather Lazy Boys and pushing those simple to push levers on the Chopper with VTC, I have all sorts of energy left to do this. :D

Maybe when you get to be my age, you will have more energy too. ;)

[Grassman]

Dixie1, the Kubotas are 18 and 21hp. Seems a bit whimpy to me too. Russ

[awm]

Some day I may get enough info on that velvet
oil to try it .

[jasonp]

I went and tried it out today and I tell you I think Kubota
is going to be at the top of the line of ztr's. They put alot of time in making the all around mower. My favorite part was the way the front axle breaks free and raises the mower, also the hydro deck lift and the deck engauge is hydro also and for the price you cant beat it. The lowest I found was 8700.00 but the dealer hadnt checked in to in real good but he told me that was a solid price, I hope he kepts his word.