[LaLawnGuy]

I have a 220(20 HP kohler w\48 deck), I cut all sorts of properties and wish it had a little more power. A 23 horse on 52 is great(brother-in-law has 1), if its bogging, something isn't right or your trying to go where only a tractor should, IMHO. I've also got a 25\52 Ferris and vastly prefer the grasshopper. I looked @ diesel, but decided it wasn't worth the added up front costs. I also run synthetic oil, so we'll see how long my engines last. I change @ 100 hrs. I have 3 vehicles with 250k + on them, so we'll see what it does on a small engine.
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[mantrep]

i get the engine life and fuel saving aspect of the diesel and that makes me lean toward it from a financial aspect. However, i dont know squat about diesels. When my gas engine acts strange or theres a problem, i can usually fix it myself. Diesel will make me slave to the dealer (i think).

Also, my maintentance on my 223 has been basically oil, air and fuel filters. The less maintenance part of the diesel doesnt seem like a plus. or is it?

 

[JCLawn and more]

there is not that much to go wrong on a diesel. If something does, its major. The only things to go is the injectors, glow plugs, fuel filters and fuel pump. With Kubota I have never heard of a injector, diesel fuel pump (know the kubota gas has had problems with there pumps), or glow plug problem. Fuel filters are normal for anything.

 

[Lehighlawnpros]

Also, my maintentance on my 223 has been basically oil, air and fuel filters. The less maintenance part of the diesel doesnt seem like a plus. or is it?

I installed an Amsoil bypass oil filter and full-flow oil filter on my 722D and I can easily go 500+ hours between oil/filter changes, which is nice.

Also, one thing that was sometimes problematic on my Kubota gas engines was the ignition system, heavy rain or condensation could cause the machine not to start.
Plus, I've had several of the igniter modules fail and the cost of replacement is several hundred dollars. The diesel avoids all of that, it just starts, every time.

My maintenance for the diesel engine is as follows:

100 hours---> clean the outer air filter with a blower (carefully)

500 hours---> change oil and full-flow oil filter

1,000 hours---> fuel filters(both), air filters(both), drain and refill the coolant, change bypass filter

Changing the secondary fuel filter is a little time consuming since it's a little hard to get at, and you need to bleed the air out afterward (pretty simple though).
Be sure to change the in-line fuel filter first, then run the engine for a while before changing the one in the bowl.

No spark plugs required

 

[JCLawn and more]

I installed an Amsoil bypass oil filter and full-flow oil filter on my 722D and I can easily go 500+ hours between oil/filter changes, which is nice.

Also, one thing that was sometimes problematic on my Kubota gas engines was the ignition system, heavy rain or condensation could cause the machine not to start.
Plus, I've had several of the igniter modules fail and the cost of replacement is several hundred dollars. The diesel avoids all of that, it just starts, every time.

My maintenance for the diesel engine is as follows:

100 hours---> clean the outer air filter with a blower (carefully)

500 hours---> change oil and full-flow oil filter

1,000 hours---> fuel filters(both), air filters(both), drain and refill the coolant, change bypass filter

Changing the secondary fuel filter is a little time consuming since it's a little hard to get at, and you need to bleed the air out afterward (pretty simple though).
Be sure to change the in-line fuel filter first, then run the engine for a while before changing the one in the bowl.

No spark plugs required

I have had some ignition problems. I had a $150 box go out that controlled the fuel shut off. My PTO wiring died somewhere (I simplified that). Most things you can re wire a different way on the diesel. All out have to do is make the fuel shut off turn on, wire the starter, and get the battery to charge and you got a running diesel. I don't have to bleed mine. In about 20 cranks it pulls enough fuel to start.

 

[mantrep]

Friday is the day. You all have been a HUGE help! I finally got to do a side by side comparison today and was really impressed by the 321D. NICE machine. Probably going to bite the bullet and go with it and a powervac system so i should be set up nice for a while.

Is there any way to find out what a 321D is worth when its got a few thousand hours on it? Is there a "blue book" type thing that dealers use to figure what a used mower is worth?

 

[JCLawn and more]

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5929869 They don't go below $4,000 very much unless they are in bad shape. With the bagger than add another $1,500 on to price.

 

[mantrep]

that looks like what im finding as well. Im just trying to do a 5 yr comparison on the gas vs diesel. the cost looks about the same per year (gas + payment) the kicker is the resale and the longevity. resale after 5 yrs is double on diesel if you decide to sell one. If you keep it, it blows away the gas.

 

[JCLawn and more]

that looks like what im finding as well. Im just trying to do a 5 yr comparison on the gas vs diesel. the cost looks about the same per year (gas + payment) the kicker is the resale and the longevity. resale after 5 yrs is double on diesel if you decide to sell one. If you keep it, it blows away the gas.

what is the warranty on them?

 

[mantrep]

its 2yrs on engine and machine. applies to gas or diesel

 

[JCLawn and more]

its 2yrs on engine and machine. applies to gas or diesel

mine is going on 16 years :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[JCLawn and more]

and after 16 years it is finally to the point of replacing all the wearable parts. I put 1,300 into it this year and that included labor. Thats everything I have spent on it parts wise, including blades.

 

[Lehighlawnpros]

I have had some ignition problems. I had a $150 box go out that controlled the fuel shut off. My PTO wiring died somewhere (I simplified that). Most things you can re wire a different way on the diesel. All out have to do is make the fuel shut off turn on, wire the starter, and get the battery to charge and you got a running diesel. I don't have to bleed mine. In about 20 cranks it pulls enough fuel to start.

Good point JC,

I had one of those fuel shutoff solenoids stop working also, I replaced it with what appeared to be a revised part and it's been fine since then (for about 2,000 hours).
I expect that a new machine would have the revised part already, my 722D is a 2004.

Also good to know that it will re-start without air bleeding.

I didn't realize that your Woods is 16 years young, that's awesome!

My first real Grasshopper (I had a 616 which doesn't count
is a 721 with Kubota liquid-cooled gas engine and is now over 17 years young.
We've been using it every week to mow at home and it's running great on the
5,000+ hour all-original engine.

 

[JCLawn and more]

Good point JC,

I had one of those fuel shutoff solenoids stop working also, I replaced it with what appeared to be a revised part and it's been fine since then (for about 2,000 hours).
I expect that a new machine would have the revised part already, my 722D is a 2004.

Also good to know that it will re-start without air bleeding.

I didn't realize that your Woods is 16 years young, that's awesome!

My first real Grasshopper (I had a 616 which doesn't count
is a 721 with Kubota liquid-cooled gas engine and is now over 17 years young.
We've been using it every week to mow at home and it's running great on the
5,000+ hour all-original engine.

Mine only as 1500 hours on it. I put 400 on it this year.

bring it foo lol

 

[Lehighlawnpros]

Friday is the day. You all have been a HUGE help! I finally got to do a side by side comparison today and was really impressed by the 321D. NICE machine. Probably going to bite the bullet and go with it and a powervac system so i should be set up nice for a while.

Is there any way to find out what a 321D is worth when its got a few thousand hours on it? Is there a "blue book" type thing that dealers use to figure what a used mower is worth?

mantrep,

That's great news, if you do get the 321D let us know how it works out for you,
and the POWERVAC too. Now that should be a sweet machine, one pass and haul ***

Just for a reference on resale value, I purchased my 2004 (placed in service in 2005) 722D G2 52" with powerfold from a private owner, in April 2008 with 786 hours for $5,500.
I think that was well below "blue book" value though.

I've recovered about half of the purchase price already in fuel savings, so this machine will easily pay for itself in fuel savings in a few more years time.

 

[Lehighlawnpros]

Mine only has 1500 hours on it. I put 400 on it this year.

It's just now broken-in then, and should serve you well for a long time.

Nice picture! We don't get to mow much in open areas like that around here, I'm always ducking under fruit trees and going around palm trees, LOL.

 

[JCLawn and more]

now this is a big open lawn. The other was only like 1/8 acre

 

[Lehighlawnpros]

now this is a big open lawn. The other was only like 1/8 acre

Yeah, that's huge! Nice work JC!

 

[JCLawn and more]

good luck on the diesel mower though! you will love it. The battery in mine is the same as my v8 1500 dodge truck, 600cca lol It feels like real mower

 

[greenpoint]

Just left Cal's and saw your mower.. considering replacing my Exmark's with GH's. Seems like a comparable or better machine for less $. Dealer support is 10x better as well. Let me know how you like it!