Kubota Zd riders ?

[Bunton Guy]

Anyone own a Kubota ZD21 with that 21hp 3 cylinder diesel ? how much did you pay for it and do you like it ? any dislikes.

[Shumdit]

I have a ZD 21-60 which I really like, except for the fact that I need Kubota to offer a better collection system, or for Peco to come out with one. The mower itself has been great, and I have even helped Kubota make a few sales with it. I paid $9000 for mine, plus taxes, etc.

[Bunton Guy]

How powerfull is the motor ? How low maintenance is that diesel engine ? Is it really as quiet as the advertisment says ?

[Shumdit]

It is powerful enough for my use, which is mostly tall fescue and bermuda. I can cut a full speed (about 9.5 mph) on normal lawns, as the front axle pivots and the suspension seat is excellent). The engine is quieter than my Kohler 25, and service parts are not expensive (Air filter, oil filter, blades, etc. ) are about the same or even slightly less than I pay for my gas engine parts. It is likely thay Hard parts (repair items, like valves, etc.) would be more expensive, but most here will agree the engine will probably outlast the rest of the mower, so that is not really a serious consideration for me. Overall I am very happy with the product so far, and heartily endorse it.

[sprucehavenfarm]

I would agree with the above. I have a ZD28 and love it. I've had three Kubota tractors and they have all given good service. They are solid QUALITY machines.

I like the pivoting axle and standard suspension seat w/ armrests. Very comfortable ride. All controls and gauges in one spot. The hydraulic deck lift is a godsend. Crank up front makes for quick cleanings or blade changes/sharpening. I even like the way the engine is covered. Very clean and quality design and the engine is not out in the elements.

[Bunton Guy]

Any you guys only paid 9K+ tax not bad. I think I will make one of these my first Z.......all the other Diesel Z's are 12K+ and the Ferris diesel is 16K+ I trust Kubota for there quality I was just worried that the 21hp wasent enough for a 60"

[Mow&Snow]

Whose signature line is it that reads "Too much power is just about right?"

Well anyway, I think that that philosophy fits pretty well here....

[hagen]

I would get the zd28 with the 60 inch deck that way you have plenty of power i think the 21 horse is two small for the 60 inch deck but alot of times i am mowing really tall grass on a yard, if it was short it would be alright but when the grass gets tall it is going to be underpowered

[joeypotts]

I have a ZD2160 and the 21 has plenty of power for the 60" deck. I have a full season on the machine now and no problems. Just keep the blades sharp and the filters clean and you will have a zero turn that will last for many seasons. I am still looking for the filters to cross refernce with the Kubota filters to save some money, but I guess they are not too high since the mower was $8900. The diesel engine was the main reason for my purchase. I have heard only good things about them. They are supposed to far outlast the gas engines. And they are great on fuel. I cut $190 worth of grass the other day on just $3 worth of fuel. Not bad.

[Scag48]

Mow&Snow-That would be Brickman. That new Ferris looks pretty trick with that Cat diesel on it, but I don't know how well it cuts. Good luck.

[Cutter1]

My buddy is selling his Kubota, he is a good freind and I trust him.....He doesn't think its fast enough, plus he has three other lasers. He wants $3500 for it and is less than a year old and has 300 hours on it,. What do you think?? I think its a good deal. He has more money than he knows what to do with and just wants to get rid of it!! its a 21hp 60 deck

[Shumdit]

Cutter, Please email me the guys info at atvoutfitters@charter.net or call me collect at 864-329-9279! I want to buy this mower at that price!!!!!! Please call me!

[Saxman]

HI, I have a ZD21 Pro 60 and love it. The pro deck is GREAT

[specialtylc]

I have had my ZD 21 for two full seasons.Been an excellent machine.They are probaballyover $10 k at most dealers.I bought mine for $9k. The 21hp has much more power than a 25hp gas of any make. ZD21 only comes with a 60in deck. I tested a Grasshopper Z61 with kubota engine and it was not as good. Most other makes are still using are very complex belt system to run everything. There are a lot of nice features on the kubota that most others dont have as mentioned above. If you want a machine for bagging theirs is not the best setup. But it will cut most lawns at flat out full speed. Best machine I have used in wet conditions. If u can by a used one for $3500 .DO IT

[Shumdit]

That guy was a troll about the $3500.00 kubota mower.

[Sam-Ohio]

My experience with the 21 hp Kubota is that it lacks power. The 28 hp Kubota has soooo much more torque and power, their really is no comparison here.

My advice to you is to get a demo of both of these machines -

The ZD 21 is not a light weight machine, and you will really find out how underpowered it is when you try to mow grass and climb a grade.

[specialtylc]

Thats just plain Bull.

[specialtylc]

[ My experience with the 21 hp Kubota is that it lacks power. The 28 hp Kubota has soooo much more torque and power, their really is no comparison here.

My advice to you is to get a demo of both of these machines -

The ZD 21 is not a light weight machine, and you will really find out how underpowered it is when you try to mow grass and climb a grade.B]Thats just plain Bull. [/B][/QUOTE]

THATS JUST PLAIN BULL.My OP.

[Sam-Ohio]

Well that is why I said he should really get a demo of each of these machines.

Opinions and experiences vary so much , that in the end personal experience is the best way to go.

But I still maintain that the 28 hp Kubota is a far better machine , with enough power to really mow some grass.

The 21 hp unit would probably be OK for a suburban homeowner with a few acres of turf, but I personally don't care for it, and don't think it is enough power for a commercial machine.

[specialtylc]

Originally posted by Sam-Ohio
Well that is why I said he should really get a demo of each of these machines.

Opinions and experiences vary so much , that in the end personal experience is the best way to go.

But I still maintain that the 28 hp Kubota is a far better machine , with enough power to really mow some grass.

The 21 hp unit would probably be OK for a suburban homeowner with a few acres of turf, but I personally don't care for it, and don't think it is enough power for a commercial machine.

Well you would have a minority opionon from looking at the replies in this thread and the other one talking about the ZD21.

[Shumdit]

I have tried both, and although I agree the 28 is more mower, it is really overkill for the type of grass I deal with. I guess you should consider it though if you have "size issues". LOL

[Sam-Ohio]

Specialtylcs:


Did you ever run a 28 hp ?



Look ! you stated your opinion about the 21 hp , I stated my opinion about the 28 hp, and I keep saying that he simply should demo both before he buys. What is right for you or I isn't important to him. He needs to personally try both out, and decide what's right for him. Maybe the price of the ZD 28 will make it not worthwhile to him. Maybe , like you he will find the 21 hp perfectly OK.

There is no reason for you to be upset - nobody is attacking you. My opinion of the machine is simply different than your opinion. In the end, Bunton Guy will make up his own mind about it.

[Mow&Snow]

I bought a ZD28 last year. I should begin by saying that this machine has so much power, that it is unbelievable. I was cutting a field with 2 foot high grass one day last summer, and while it certainly did not cut it all clean as u might expect, the engine never lost a single rev.

Over all I really like this machine. I like the way it cuts, how it feels operating it, and its overall solidness. However, my experience has not been all roses.

When i bought this machine in April of last year I didn't have enough cash to attach a collection system. Collection was very important to me though and I informed my dealer in no uncertain terms that I needed a machine I could collect with. We, the dealer and I, looked over the options and found that Kubota had 2 types of collection, a 3 bag system and a hopper style that will dump from the operators seat.

All my previous machines had the bag/barrel type collection systems that I was frankly all done with. The time it takes to dump those things is just too long and too big a pain. I was all for a hopper i could dump without getting off the machine. We decided to buy the machine with intentions of adding the bagger in October when i had more money, just in time for leaves. The dealer informed me that there would be no worries in this plan.

In October, however, there were in fact worries. Turns out Kuboda never engineered a bagger to fit the ZD28. After much discussion and research by myself and the dealer, it was determined that since the 21 and 28 machines shared common frame, there shouldn't be any reason we couldn't retrofit a 21 bagger onto my 28 machine.

Turns out that there are in fact a lot of reasons that this is a bad idea. The list of things different on the 2 machines is long and complicated; engine sticks out farther, flywheel is larger, motor mounts differently, Frame has many additional supports that are in the way, etc etc the list goes on and on.

Bottom line here is that we did get the collection system mounted and working very well. We spent 20 hours on it, 6 hours in the machine shop machining things like the flywheel mounting plate, and new drive shaft for the electric clutch, and many new supports.

I ran the system for 30 hours or so before the engine completely blew up. Turns out that the 28 hp diesel engine needs to be able to move and flex alittle independently from the machine frame; hence all the rubber bushings on all the engine mounts. Well whene welded the collection system on, we added a support in such a way as to prevent this necessary flexibility causing all the lower bearings to self destruct.
This was bad news.

It took the dealer 4 days, including the time to order parts to repair this mess. 3800 dollars later though, they had all fixed up. Yes, they fixed under warranty. That was good news. I was impressed they they had it fixed to fast. it was a major job, they dropped everything to work on it the minute I came in with it.

The moral of this way too long story is this.....If Kubota says it wont work, there must be a reason.


Despite this horrific trouble with collection, I am still happy with my machine. Once set up correctly, this machine will pull the green out of a lawn. Once full it is a matter of seconds to run over to a dump site, or back onto the trailer, and pull a lever which empties everything in one motion then its back to the lawn.


Well thats my story.....

Tom

[upsondown]

I demo'd both the 21 & 28 and found that the 21 was more than sufficient for the kind of accounts we have. Much is said about the lack of power on hills - but we simply have not found that to be true at all. With diesel it's all about power - not to mention fuel economy as well...... The deck is totally awesome - love being able to raise the deck and work on blades with no trouble at all. There were two types of decks - the pro is the only way to go in my opinion - built like a tank. We don't mow fields of hay with our mowers - if we get called for a job like that - we'll use our Kubota tractor with or finish mower - or a bush hog and charge accordingly. I never have been able to understand why people will use a ztr on super high grass - but we each have our own philosopy i guess. One thing that sets Kubota apart from others is they know diesels and know how to build them to last.
Dave

[firedude26]

Hi all, I have a local dealer that just got a kubota 21 in on trade, the salesmen wasnt there sat when i was there but i am going to see him on mon. Can any of you give me a idea on how much this would be worth? It is a 02 with 376 hours, very clean and no visual defects or running defecs?

[Shumdit]

Well, 376 hours isn't much on a Kubota diesel. Check the deck for signs of abuse, and see if the unit was serviced regularly (esp. the transmissions, as I am certain they are expensive to repair). I would guess you should be able to get it for $6500-$8000, but that is just guess, and condition of the machine will play a big role in value. I have seen units with 50 hours that looked like they were ready for the heap, and units with 2000+ hours in very good condition.

[firedude26]

mower is in really good shape and has been serviced by dealer.

[upsondown]

I'd offer $5500 and see what happens - and have cash in hand.
Dave

[specialtylc]

I would guess he will be asking at least $7500. If you can get it for $6500 that would be helluva deal. Remember New one is $10500.

[firedude26]

Thanks guys i will let ya know , i will talk to him in morning

[Lowes_Landscaping]

I'd say he'd be selling it for more than that. If your lucky he may want less, but he'd be stupid to do so because plenty of people would pay a thousand more. I'd know, i'm a salesman for these machines! LOL

[robertyb]

I was offered my choice of two 2002 ZD21 trade-ins last week for $7,500.00 each. Both had under 550 hrs. on them and both looked good. Still thinking about it. but leaning towards a new Grasshopper or Hustler.

[upsondown]

The only reason I suggested offering $5500 was to establish a starting point - and negotiate from there. Why would anyone want to offer full price - only to find out months down the road that he would have taken hundreds less - but you were an ez mark. Negotiate the best price - and good luck !
Dave

[firedude26]

Well just left and he has someone kinda wanting it for 7900, i told him to forget that guy i would take it, he is gonna give me 4500 for my viper on trade, only if this other guy jumps out.

[Saxman]

Hi All. I am new to this forum, been looking at lots of posts about the Kubota ZD21 Pro 60's on here. Some seem to think it doesn't have enough power, well I purchased a new ZD21 Pro 60 last year after long and careful research on many competetive mowers. I like the Kubota for the following reasons; 1. long lasting, economical diesel engine. 2. very heavy duty 7 gauge deck with monster spindles, 3. hydraulic lift. 4. suspension seat. 5. sheet metal fenders and hood, doesn't look like a homemade mower, protects engine/electrical components from the elements. 6. Pivoting front axle with built in jack capablity. 7. overall reputation of Kubota for making well engineered and durable products that retain their value. Now as for power, even though my machine has about 30 hours, I really put it to the test in a pasture to make the engine really work hard to help facilitate seating the rings, it performed beautifully. the engine seems to have a massive amount of torque. I really don't know what some on here want for power, I admit I did not mow the pasture at 10 MPH, but a prudent person would not do that anyway. I will wait to hear from the Kubota haters, thanks all

[firedude26]

Well i just got back from dealer, the guy backed out, so i did a big trade, i traded my viper, and my 6x4 big country for the zd mower and a new kubota rtv900 worksite model. now i am all kubota,lol.

[Shumdit]

Nice! The RTV900 is a great machine also. Lot's of options available, but of course you can double the price you paid for the machine if you put too many on!

[Craftybigdog]

So this is good my local dealer quoted me for a ZD-28 brand new with a 60in prodeck for 10500.00, what do you think?

[specialtylc]

I would think it is.

[Mow&Snow]

sounds good to me....