John Deere VS. Exmark

[toddman35]

I am wondering which is better for quality of cut for the money. A John Deere 455 Diesel w/ 60&quot; deck, or an Exmark LZ60?<p>----------<br>Todd Maurer<br>

[gorrell]

I've only been in this business for 15 years, but I didn't know that John Deere made a commercial mower LOL, Lynn

[Runner]

JD makes several types of commercial mowers, however the 455 diesel isn't one of them. The 9 series for instance (911, 930, 932, 935, etc. are larger mowers that are commercial. These are impressive machines but they don't leave a very nice cut. Shabby in fact. JD also has a mid mount Z mower out this year but like much of their other equipment, it's not made by JD. This happens to be MTD in fact. Good luck with your shopping! Also, Andrew, Why not a Kohler motor? Are you one of those that had valve or lifter trouble too? ( I know there was alot of that between the time they switched to the Command motors and '99). <br><p><font size="1">Edited by: Runner

[toddman35]

i am going insane or do exmark mowers look the same as toro??? they have the same engines and frames? i now have a toro Z153 with a KOH. is that bad too? thanks for your help<p>----------<br>Todd Maurer<br>

[Sammy]

Runner,I have been told that Yazoo/Kees makes the Deere mid mount, not MTD. Or does MTD own them also.

[Grasscape Inc]

We a have some of the new Ztrack JD commercial mowers with the 7 iron decks. Great cut. Solid build.<p>Toro owns exmark, hence the simularity.<p>We have more problems with Kawasaki, and Onan, than with Kohler <p>----------<br>-Grasscape Mgmt.<br>Http://sites.netscape.net/grasscapeinc/homepage

[Lawnworks]

Does anyone know who really makes the John deere midmount? Are the decks strong enough? I had the impressions they weren't very thick. Also aren't they supposed to have a deck that stands the grass up so you don't have to double cut?<p>Rick Wallace<br>LawnWorks

[Grasscape Inc]

Yes, the NEW JD decks are extrmely strong. Not the yellow ones . The Green 7IRON 2000 models. 1 piece 7 guage steel. almost 6 inches deep, and full lenth baffles to stand up grass. We like them alot.<p>----------<br>-Grasscape<br>Http://sites.netscape.net/grasscapeinc/homepage

[weve]

While talking to someone working at the Husqvarna outdoor display at Expo 2000, he said that John Deere sends them the deck for the Deere midmount and Husky makes the mower.<p>----------<br>Larry<br>

[toddman35]

thanks, but i dont know were u guys got that i thought a 455 was commercial? i know its not. but it is a heavy duty. oh well so most of u think exmark would be the way to go?<p>----------<br>Todd Maurer<br>

[Eric ELM]

Todd: The 455 is a tractor type JD that replaced the 430 JD. I have a 430 and my 60&quot; Dixie Choppers will mow twice as much as the JD 430. Anything with a steering wheel is obsolete. If you want a Yanmar diesel on a ZTR, Dixie Chopper makes them. I have the 60&quot; deck, 26 HP Yanmar diesel and it is a great machine. I also have a 22 HP Kohler on a 60&quot; Chopper and it's about to hit 3,000 hours with next to zero problems. The diesel uses about 1/2 the fuel, about 3 quarts of fuel an hour. Get a demo on them too. Some guys think they are ugly, but who is having a pretty mower contest. I would rather the lawns look nice. If you want to see the results, look at my website by clicking on my signiture.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://elmlawnsite.com/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[Grasscape Inc]

They are the SAME! We have both<br>Same wheel motors, same engines, same hydraulic pumps. The JD 7Iron deck is thicker and deeper, but the exmark cuts just as well on dry grass. THe JD is a little better on taller, or wet grass.<br>THe Kohler on the JD is tweaked alittle, as are the hydraulic, which seems to make them a little smoother. THe JD has aluminum 8 INCH spindles HUGE. The exmark has iron.<p>They both MOW at 9 mph. Get whichever one you like more, and feels more comnfotable to sit on. They are both great machines. WE personally buy more of the JD's because we don't like the exmark dealer here in town.<br>Have any questions about either one, email me and I'll answer them to my best ability. <p>-todd<br>Grasscape@yahoo.com <p>----------<br>-Grasscape<br>Http://sites.netscape.net/grasscapeinc/homepage

[Grasscape Inc]

To answer your original question, the Lazer will outcut THAT PARTICULAR JD MOWER YOU MENTIONED by far, but not the 7Iron deck mowers.<p>----------<br>-Grasscape<br>Http://sites.netscape.net/grasscapeinc/homepage<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: Grasscape Inc

[WALKERMOW]

i also think exmark is a better machinr than jd i have an exmark turf tracer and love it i also bought a grasshopper last spring it will cut 6' at 10 mph and cleans up high grass excellent, discharges 2 cut widths it runs a 28 hp kubota diesel have had no problems with this machine it kept me from having to hire another man (payrol taxes)are a killer if you know what i mean..

[farmall]

To straighten things out, JD mid mounts are actually Kees mowers painted green with the JD 7iron deck. Husqvarna bought out yazoo/kees in spring of 2000. The Yazoo/Kees and exmark are very similar, infact they came from the same design. However, Exmark does not run an oil cooler like the kees units do. Exmark does not need them since they use Mobil 1 which will withstand high temperatures. In side by side comparison, the exmark 60&quot; and the JD 60&quot; are very comaprable as far as quality of cut. However, the blades turn slower on the JD which will give it less momentum in thick patches.