ZTR: Kubota ZD 21-60 vs. Exmark 25/60

[Shumdit]

I think I may have narrowed my choices down to these two machines. Both are sold by the same dealer, so that is not a consideration. The Kubota is more $$, but by the time I add the suspension seat to the Exmark and given the difference in finance rates (Kubota has great financing) the payments will be about the same. So give me your opinions on why is better than the other. I am looking for a FAST cut, with good ride quality (so I can actually use the speed the mowers can generate). I like the Diesel on the Kubota, but for the light duty I will put a mower through, I don't see fuel economy or engine life being a huge factor for me. I am leaning towards the Kubota, but maybe that's because I like orange (big Clemson fan:D ), and not really because it is the better mower. So please give me your opinions!

[johnhenry]

I dont know much about the kubota but exmark is top of the line.Plus exmark really stands behinds there products

[Mark]

If they are the same price id get the Kubota that 21 diesel will put out good power and outlast any gas=engine made. Check out the prices on the exmark diesel...very pricey and the Kubotas ive seen have a nice cut, wouldn't take me long to choose.... Marks Mowing Service

[Bladewielder]

I can't speak for Exmarks but I have looked the Kubotas over pretty thoroughly. They seem to be very well built machines. It looked as though they share in the excellent engineering of their big brothers (tractors). I expecially liked the suspension seat and the use of a power take off in place of an electric clutch. The front axle tilt-up feature is also extremely cool. And of course they make one of the most reliable and long lasting engines out there. I don't think you could go too wrong by trying one out.

[longviewlawncare]

Kubota makes about the best engine made. If you can get one at a good price I would go for it. I think it will cut good also.

[TLS]

Its only a 21 hp engine. Diesel or not, 21 isn't enough for a 60" deck! I had a 22hp Yanmar on a 60" and it was barely adequate. The other thing that kinda worries me is the use of integrated transaxle/pump/motor. Not that this is a problem, but it shares some similarity to Grasshoppers and Walkers' transmissions, only its a Kubota only item, which scares me. Also, look in a J. Thomas, or Greenline catalog......There are VERY few aftermarket parts available.

Just some opinions...

[WREBELMACHINE]

I have owned exmarks and looked at the kubota real hard. I would stick with the exmark between those two mowers. The kubota sounds good and looks good but it has way to many gadgets on it, and it has a stamped mower deck. This deck clumps real bad in wet grass. In dry grass it does pretty good, but with my employees I could just see replacing that deck often. And kubota parts are high!

[longviewlawncare]

A 21hp diesel is plenty iof power for a 60" deck. We have a Jacobson T422d Outfront at the golf course. It has a 23hp kubato diesel engine and is a 72" deck. Also everything is run off the Hydrualics including the deck drive. 21 is plenty of power.

[TLS]

Longview,

Two key words that you said......GOLF COURSE . If all I mowed was golf courses, I could deal with half the hp that I have now!

[AltaLawnCare]

I looked at it, but what I noticed was slow blade tip speed, and its very heavy.
With the EFIs out now, there may not be any need to drag another can of fuel along for the ride. :p

[Cutter1]

I have cut with both machines.....I love the kubota, I am leaning on getting one this year or next and I have two lasers. They have plenty of power, the was one of my concerns originally, and it cuts very nice also. "Gas Mileage" is awesome on it. THe hydraulic lift is nice to use also. Overall it is a great machine and worth the extra money. The only thing I don't like is 1/2 heighth adjustments.

[longviewlawncare]

TLS, I guess you don't know anything about golf course grasses cause it cuts 5 to 7 inche grass all day long with no problem. This includes bermuda which is hard on a rotery, fescue, and fields that are so high we have to change the height 3 times. So you tell me that you don't need horsepower for that.

[mickman]

As I was buying lazer lc, I asked about the Kubotas, then he showed me 2 kubotas that people had returned [traded in] for lazer's. That answered my question.

[joeypotts]

If your payments will be close to the same, buy the Kubota ZD2160. The diesel uses less fuel, is quieter, will outlast any gas engine and will retain a higher resale value. Don't worry about the 21hp, I have been thruogh knee high stuff with mine and it has power to spare! I would compare it to a 30hp gas. Both machines are great, but for me, I'll take Kubota. Just my opinion.

[Mowingman]

I used to believe that the 21hp Kubota was not enough engine for a 60" deck. I WAS WRONG. I just bought a Grasshopper midmount with the 21hp Kubota/60" deck and have had it in some very tough mowing conditions. It has plenty of power to handle anything you can knock down and run over. I am using it in stead of a brushog type mower on some rough properties and that 21hp Kubota engine has some guts. Plus, it only uses about 1/2 gal. of diesel/hr.:D