Diesel vs. Gas engines on ZTRs

[geminibuddy]

If looking- remember there is a weight difference- my Kubota ZD60 cuts like crazeee and it does have more torque and sips fuel. The only downside is that if I were mowing small yards I would have trouble with the size/weight of it (#1300lb machine only)- But as for "knocking it down" I mow 3 acre lot of bermuda in 1.5 hours including edging/trimming/blowing that I have seen other mower take 2-3 hours and bogging. Mine is a great piece of equipment. One decision for me is the dealer/service is less than 2 miles away and I have access to diesel also.

[heather lawn sp]

Originally Posted by geminibuddy

If looking- remember there is a weight difference- my Kubota ZD60 cuts like crazeee and it does have more torque and sips fuel. The only downside is that if I were mowing small yards I would have trouble with the size/weight of it (#1300lb machine only)- But as for "knocking it down" I mow 3 acre lot of bermuda in 1.5 hours including edging/trimming/blowing that I have seen other mower take 2-3 hours and bogging. Mine is a great piece of equipment. One decision for me is the dealer/service is less than 2 miles away and I have access to diesel also.

Exactly

We cut 50 schools a week with Z Turns. It's not a 'small time' machine. You have to pile on the hours to make it pay for the extra cost of the diesel engine over the gas engine.

[TLS]

Originally Posted by geminibuddy

The only downside is that if I were mowing small yards I would have trouble with the size/weight of it (#1300lb machine only)

The ZD326 is a 1700lb machine!

Considering most gas 60" class ZTR's are 12xxlb machines, that is a LOT of extra weight. Not something you really want to be using on residential lots.

[heather lawn sp]

Originally Posted by TLS

The ZD326 is a 1700lb machine!

Considering most gas 60" class ZTR's are 12xxlb machines, that is a LOT of extra weight. Not something you really want to be using on residential lots.

. . . and the JD 997 is 1900 lbs

[TLS]

The 60" 997 is 1774lbs

[hackitdown]

Originally Posted by TLS

The ZD326 is a 1700lb machine!

Considering most gas 60" class ZTR's are 12xxlb machines, that is a LOT of extra weight. Not something you really want to be using on residential lots.

We mostly cut residential...but the lots are large. 30K sq/ft lawns are not unusual. A small lawn around here is still over 10K sq ft (actual lawn area). The minimum lot size in my town is 2 acres.

The weight issue would concern me in the spring, when the ground is soft after the thaw and spring rain.

[heather lawn sp]

Originally Posted by heather lawn sp

. . . and the JD 997 is 1900 lbs

well . . . fuelled and 72"