kubota or scag

[luey]

i'm looking to trade in my kubota zd28 to either the new zd331 or to the scag turf tiger with the cat engine. some of my jobs are on slopes and the kubota is pretty good with atv tyres. anyone used both these ztr's or even one of them. what are your thoughts on which way i should go. cheers.

[grassman177]

we have owned all the 3 diff series of kubota ztrs, and while the new ones are by far the best(have 3), they are the worst of the series on hills. dif center of gravity that is much higher. they have a way stronger transmission though.

the scag , well i have run quite a few and they are better on hills, but i have never run a diesel model which would of course make difference due to weight.

[luey]

thanks grassman. how do the two brands compare in long grass. i have had overheating issues with my kubota in long grass. i had a new head gasket and the injectors serviced at about 600hrs and cost $2000. it still runs hot but not as bad. it has done 1000hrs now.

[JShe8918]

SCAG! i have ran the scag with the cat 28 on a demo. It is HEAVY but an awesome machine. It will mow anything with a 60" deck. I couldn't bog it down and i was trying! Fuel consumption was pretty good, cut quality was excellent, it had some vibration but that is to be expected with a diesel. I didn't get to try it on any slopes though.

[grassman177]

no vibration on the kubota engines, the cat is known for that.

never once and any overheating issues, we have had a buzzing noise horn sensor go out and malfuntion once, but it was not actually overheating. there is an issue with the thermostat sounds like to me, but not sure.

they plow thru tall grass like a boat on water. but both will, and i think the scag will handle the grass better if you are mowing some pretty tall stuff. it has the best discharge in the industry i think. i just hate how very long that machine is though due to the deck.

[kabota]

Originally Posted by luey

i'm looking to trade in my kubota zd28 to either the new zd331 or to the scag turf tiger with the cat engine. some of my jobs are on slopes and the kubota is pretty good with atv tyres. anyone used both these ztr's or even one of them. what are your thoughts on which way i should go. cheers.

Hello there . I just finished my 3 rd. yr. with a Kabota ZD 331 Diesel and I Love it.
Its quite Large and Heavy with the 72" in. Deck. But that becomes a Plus
whenever I hook my Cyclone Rake to the back. It has tremendous traction
on steep hills. And the best part its Indestuctable and Quality built with no
major problems, and very comfortable with the super adjustable seat.

Last year I bought the GR-2110 Kabota Diesel with a 54" in. deck and Bagging
System. This new Glide Steering System is awsome and the Mower gives a super cut. I needed a smaller rider with a bagging system for special places
where I had to p/u clippings. But it comes with a heavy price tag
around $ 9,000.00 with the Bagging System. But I would venture to say
that like the ZD331 This GR-2110 would never have to be replaced if used
only for personal home use. I have a small lawncare business and I plan
on 5 yrs. before I replaced either units. If you can use a 54"in. Mower
I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THE KABOTA GR-2110 with the bagging system.
Good Luck and Happy New Year ( Grandpas Lawncare )
kabota

[grassman177]

the wider mower being a 72 will surely be better on hills. my comparison for the OP is of the 60 models as i have experience and 1000s of hours on both units. the zd28 was absolutely a beast on hills, but the ultimate downfall of its hydro trans issues were to hillside mowing and uphill"dry" drive hydros failed due to this. new trans have baffles in them to avoid this. other than that, it was fantastic.

the new 300 series are better in every way BUT the hillside stability. i could do it pretty well, but most could not. the center of gravity is too high. but, compared the the zd28, the 300 series has a way better cut, better ride/seat/operator platform, better deck hieght adjustments, more fuel cap, stronger transmission,

great improvements, but hillsides is def NOT an attribute of the kubota

[JShe8918]

How is the cut from the kubota? I have never personally seen a yard that has been cut by a newer styled kubota. The older kubota's cut like crap and were a POS. I have heard that the newer machines were far better in both aspects. I can say all the scags i have used have produced a WONDERFUL quality of cut.

[JShe8918]

Well darn you answered my question before i ever hit post. LoL...

[grassman177]

very nice cut. not toro clean, but very nice. very capable of handling large volume of grass.

in wet conditions and spring we always run low lift blades though to get a better discharge with so much volume. high lifts in this condition makes the deck pack up more. running the factory high lifts in the dry and summer time is better. depends on how much you are having to cut, we have to cut some very dense and tall and sappy grass. very sappy. this deck allows to plow through that quickly, with the right blades for the job.

most manufacturers have different blades recommended for different situations. i know toro and scag do for sure, although kubota will not show these blades for this mower usually. they actually the low lift blades that fit the older decks pre pro decks. really the same blade, just different fins. i also recommend gator blades for late fall cutting needs