[Brucey]

If you are changing the oil before 100 hours, I would suggest using the JD 10W30 break in oil. Article below is for the big tractors but would seem prudent to follow for the smaller engines as well. I replaced the factory fill and filter at 25 hours, using JD plus 50 II, before doing my research. I bought two gallons of the break in oil from greenpartsstore, apparently you need to do several changes to get rid of the antiwear additives in the higher end oils and recommence the break in process. My dealer didn't know the JD break in oil even existed...

https://www.greenpartstore.com/John...re.com/John-Deere-Break-In-Plus-Special-Purpose-Engine-Oil-TY26661-TY26663.html

"Important: DO NOT use John Deere Plus-50 oil or engine oils meeting API CG4, API CF4, ACEA E3, ACEA E2, or CCMC D5 performance levels during the first 100 hours of operation ( or additional periods of break-in that may be required) of a new or rebuilt engine. These oils will not allow the engine to break-in properly."

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/servicesupport/tips/tractors/common_stories/engine_break-in_oil.html#

 

[CGros31]

Just bought a 994 and dealer said to change oil at ten hours? And said he would use jd oil because of warranty issues?

Run it for 100 hours then change it with the recommended Plus 50. After that it's recommended in the manual to change every 250 hours. I did my first oil change at 100 hours today. I plan to change every 200 hours. My brother is one of the best diesel techs for farm equipment in the South. That's his recommendation so I've followed his advice for years and have had zero issues or breakdowns with any of my diesels.

 

[Crabgrassh8ter]

Run it for 100 hours then change it with the recommended Plus 50. After that it's recommended in the manual to change every 250 hours. I did my first oil change at 100 hours today. I plan to change every 200 hours. My brother is one of the best diesel techs for farm equipment in the South. That's his recommendation so I've followed his advice for years and have had zero issues or breakdowns with any of my diesels.

is the warranty still good if i wait untill 100 hours?i didnt see when to change it the first time in the manual, thanks!

 

[CGros31]

is the warranty still good if i wait untill 100 hours?i didnt see when to change it the first time in the manual, thanks!

The warranty will be fine, but I would definitely keep Break-in oil in it for the first 100 hours. You should be fine to go 100 hours before the first oil change. The manual doesn't recommend the first change until 250 hours. That's a long time on break-in oil in my opinion.

 

[Brucey]

The crazy thing is if you use the JD 50 plus II (after break in) they say you can extend your future intervals out to 500 hours (double standard) while remaining within warranty requirements. I'll prob go with 200 hours myself.

 

[40acres76]

I just wanted to make a post about this machine. I went through a lot of different decisions on which mower to get to add to my business . I just want to state that I am not affiliated with John deere. I have run every zero turn except grasshopper and ferris. I realize at this point in the game they are all good. This post isn't to say which is better, I just wanted to shine some light to the new diesel mower that John deere came out with. I decided to buy it 2 weeks ago with .5 hours on it. I now have 30 hours on the machine and I feel I can give a decent review of it. Going in I had 2 major concerns about the risk of buying a very expensive machine. The power, (24.7 hp diesel) and the weight. People told me the torque is what makes the difference and while I believed them I still was worried. I did not want to invest in a machine that would not be able to handle anything I could put it through.
Power: boy was I dead wrong. This mower will cut through anything. Cutting yards really short, cutting them tall, cutting in wet grass. It handles anything I have put it through with ease!! I have a 960m 31 hp kawasaki and I know this diesel will out perform it, and my kawasaki 31 is strong so that says a lot. The weight is also not an issue. I have found that the rear end sits higher than the other z tracks. The new seat is all I need. Extremely comfortable. I'm sure it's not "the best" but unless your going to start getting into cab and air tractors the new seat John deere has made is comfortable to mow all day long. I watch carefully how I turn and the mower jumps curbs and cuts in tight places flawlessly. This little big engine is so strong, the torque is so much and the engine is quiet. These yanmar engines have proven to run 4k hours many times. It's the same engine that is on all the small 25 hp tractors (24.7) same engine!
Honestly that was one of my selling points to buy this mower. I know there are a lot more elements that could go out, but if I am paying on a machine, I want one that is proven to last. I am thanking God a lot about this mower. It is great guys. If you can afford it and are considering it I would DEFINITELY get it. Work with your dealer. I got mine for 14,400
60 inch 7 iron pro with the regular tires

Congratulations on what I think is a great mower. Mine has 104 hours on it now. Bought it new after a lot of looking and reading (including this site) and reviewing and test driving. One of the big selling points to me was the Yanmar Diesel engine. I've run one for 15+ years in a JD compact tractor. I also like the R model configuration on the 994, gives me foot pedals for both the parking brake and the deck lift. The Suspension seat just seals the deal on what was already the perfect mower for me. It has been impressive in every way and a genuine pleasure to operate.

 

[Crabgrassh8ter]

I just wanted to make a post about this machine. I went through a lot of different decisions on which mower to get to add to my business . I just want to state that I am not affiliated with John deere. I have run every zero turn except grasshopper and ferris. I realize at this point in the game they are all good. This post isn't to say which is better, I just wanted to shine some light to the new diesel mower that John deere came out with. I decided to buy it 2 weeks ago with .5 hours on it. I now have 30 hours on the machine and I feel I can give a decent review of it. Going in I had 2 major concerns about the risk of buying a very expensive machine. The power, (24.7 hp diesel) and the weight. People told me the torque is what makes the difference and while I believed them I still was worried. I did not want to invest in a machine that would not be able to handle anything I could put it through.
Power: boy was I dead wrong. This mower will cut through anything. Cutting yards really short, cutting them tall, cutting in wet grass. It handles anything I have put it through with ease!! I have a 960m 31 hp kawasaki and I know this diesel will out perform it, and my kawasaki 31 is strong so that says a lot. The weight is also not an issue. I have found that the rear end sits higher than the other z tracks. The new seat is all I need. Extremely comfortable. I'm sure it's not "the best" but unless your going to start getting into cab and air tractors the new seat John deere has made is comfortable to mow all day long. I watch carefully how I turn and the mower jumps curbs and cuts in tight places flawlessly. This little big engine is so strong, the torque is so much and the engine is quiet. These yanmar engines have proven to run 4k hours many times. It's the same engine that is on all the small 25 hp tractors (24.7) same engine!
Honestly that was one of my selling points to buy this mower. I know there are a lot more elements that could go out, but if I am paying on a machine, I want one that is proven to last. I am thanking God a lot about this mower. It is great guys. If you can afford it and are considering it I would DEFINITELY get it. Work with your dealer. I got mine for 14,400
60 inch 7 iron pro with the regular tires

i got a 60 inch deck last sept and it was so dry i only used it once but it seemed like it was just pushing the grass over a lot. i dont know if it was just so dry and short or i need to get the deck adjusted.the mower ran beautiful and i really like it. mine came with tweels on rear. i havent got it in a thick lawn but i cut some of my pasture to check it out and it is a hoss

 

[Willjohnfrank]

I've got 525 hrs on it and it runs just like it did when I bought it. Honestly. This is the only problems I had was In the winter it was hard to start when it was below 40 degrees. It ended up being a glow plug. I love how it sits up higher and early on I put some field trax tires and never get stuck. It's doing what I hoped it would do. I picked up some new accounts that had been neglected all winter. The clover was 2 foot tall in places. Keep your blades sharp and it will handle anything a lawn maintenance company would come against. It's not a bush hog so don't compare it as such but I am satisfied to have it in my businuess and expect a long life out of it

 

[Crabgrassh8ter]

I've got 525 hrs on it and it runs just like it did when I bought it. Honestly. This is the only problems I had was In the winter it was hard to start when it was below 40 degrees. It ended up being a glow plug. I love how it sits up higher and early on I put some field trax tires and never get stuck. It's doing what I hoped it would do. I picked up some new accounts that had been neglected all winter. The clover was 2 foot tall in places. Keep your blades sharp and it will handle anything a lawn maintenance company would come against. It's not a bush hog so don't compare it as such but I am satisfied to have it in my businuess and expect a long life out of it

I WENT OUT IN 2

I've got 525 hrs on it and it runs just like it did when I bought it. Honestly. This is the only problems I had was In the winter it was hard to start when it was below 40 degrees. It ended up being a glow plug. I love how it sits up higher and early on I put some field trax tires and never get stuck. It's doing what I hoped it would do. I picked up some new accounts that had been neglected all winter. The clover was 2 foot tall in places. Keep your blades sharp and it will handle anything a lawn maintenance company would come against. It's not a bush hog so don't compare it as such but I am satisfied to have it in my businuess and expect a long life out of it

i started mine in 25 degrees and it started as good or better than my hustler with a kawi gas, i was surprised lol

 

[Chad Lehner]

I just wanted to make a post about this machine. I went through a lot of different decisions on which mower to get to add to my business . ]

I am new here, but was considering a 994r. After reading this thread, I ordered mine in March with the 72" deck and Tweels. I just got a call yesterday saying the mower is here and they are waiting on the Tweels to show up. Anyway, can't wait to use it to tackle my 13 acre yard. Up until now I had been using a 48" Scag (which was awesome) but I got tired of spending my spare time cutting grass. Hoping for a big improvement!!

I will post a review of the 72" deck vs. my thick grass as soon as I get it.

Chad

 

[CGros31]

I am new here, but was considering a 994r. After reading this thread, I ordered mine in March with the 72" deck and Tweels. I just got a call yesterday saying the mower is here and they are waiting on the Tweels to show up. Anyway, can't wait to use it to tackle my 13 acre yard. Up until now I had been using a 48" Scag (which was awesome) but I got tired of spending my spare time cutting grass. Hoping for a big improvement!!

I will post a review of the 72" deck vs. my thick grass as soon as I get it.

Chad

Yes I'd like to know how that engine handles the 72 inch deck.

 

[Green Industry Pro]

I just wanted to make a post about this machine. I went through a lot of different decisions on which mower to get to add to my business . I just want to state that I am not affiliated with John deere. I have run every zero turn except grasshopper and ferris. I realize at this point in the game they are all good. This post isn't to say which is better, I just wanted to shine some light to the new diesel mower that John deere came out with. I decided to buy it 2 weeks ago with .5 hours on it. I now have 30 hours on the machine and I feel I can give a decent review of it. Going in I had 2 major concerns about the risk of buying a very expensive machine. The power, (24.7 hp diesel) and the weight. People told me the torque is what makes the difference and while I believed them I still was worried. I did not want to invest in a machine that would not be able to handle anything I could put it through.
Power: boy was I dead wrong. This mower will cut through anything. Cutting yards really short, cutting them tall, cutting in wet grass. It handles anything I have put it through with ease!! I have a 960m 31 hp kawasaki and I know this diesel will out perform it, and my kawasaki 31 is strong so that says a lot. The weight is also not an issue. I have found that the rear end sits higher than the other z tracks. The new seat is all I need. Extremely comfortable. I'm sure it's not "the best" but unless your going to start getting into cab and air tractors the new seat John deere has made is comfortable to mow all day long. I watch carefully how I turn and the mower jumps curbs and cuts in tight places flawlessly. This little big engine is so strong, the torque is so much and the engine is quiet. These yanmar engines have proven to run 4k hours many times. It's the same engine that is on all the small 25 hp tractors (24.7) same engine!
Honestly that was one of my selling points to buy this mower. I know there are a lot more elements that could go out, but if I am paying on a machine, I want one that is proven to last. I am thanking God a lot about this mower. It is great guys. If you can afford it and are considering it I would DEFINITELY get it. Work with your dealer. I got mine for 14,400
60 inch 7 iron pro with the regular tires

Ive been running Deere stand ons (made by Wright) and exmark walk behinds. Absolutely love them all and will continue to buy more in the future. I had a need for a larger mower. I'm mowing more country homes with acreage lots and large commercial properties. Narrowed it to a ZTrak and a Wright ZK. Love the machines and dealer support for those brands. I've been keeping my eyes open, not trying to buy right away, but just see what's out there. I went to my dealer to demo a ZTrak and was talking to them. Apparently a homeowner with acreage had dropped off a 997R and traded it in for a tractor with implements. It only had 82hr. Upwards of $22,000 new and the dealer had it listed at $19,900. I got it for $13,400 out the door. 72in deck, 37.4hp Yanmar diesel. I wasn't planning to buy but I had to jump. Dealer only had it three days before I bought it. I have a thread going in the equipment repair section with updates on it. Currently going over the machine top to bottom to get it ready for the field. I've put 4hr on it since I bought it and I can say so far it's incredible how much power it has. I'll post a review after we put some hours on it. I was skeptical just as you were but I think in 4hr I became a believer. That's pretty quick.

 

[Brucey]

Amazing price on such a low hour 997r, I'd have bought that in a heartbeat.

 

[greenleafgreenscapes]

Just picked up my new 994r with 72" deck yesterday. Cut about 2 hrs with it on some very steep hills with long grass and then went out in an uncut field that hasn't been touched since late last summer.
There wasn't a terrible amount of new growth, maybe 5-6 inches but was all the dead stuff from last year in it as well and the 994r rolled thru it as fast I wanted to go cutting at 2.5 inches and never lost power and had a great cut yet. I know it's not the same as thick lush lawn, but was impressed with it just the same.
Just have to get the zglides on it and a new powerchute and garbage pail holder yet.

 

[greenleafgreenscapes]

Ran the 994 across the scale full of fuel and was 1780 lbs

 

[Green Industry Pro]

Amazing price on such a low hour 997r, I'd have bought that in a heartbeat.

Yeah $12,500 plus fees isn't bad. I felt I had to jump. I wasn't wanting to add another debt at the moment, or even a 997R in particular, but I believe God is blessing my business with large accounts and I was provided an aid to cut down on man hours. Sometimes you have to take that step of faith and jump. I did that with my first QuikTrak and my phone exploded after that.

 

[Green Industry Pro]

Just picked up my new 994r with 72" deck yesterday. Cut about 2 hrs with it on some very steep hills with long grass and then went out in an uncut field that hasn't been touched since late last summer.
There wasn't a terrible amount of new growth, maybe 5-6 inches but was all the dead stuff from last year in it as well and the 994r rolled thru it as fast I wanted to go cutting at 2.5 inches and never lost power and had a great cut yet. I know it's not the same as thick lush lawn, but was impressed with it just the same.
Just have to get the zglides on it and a new powerchute and garbage pail holder yet.

View attachment 401035

Sick tractor and 994!!

 

[Wye Oak Tree]

Yeah $12,500 plus fees isn't bad. I felt I had to jump. I wasn't wanting to add another debt at the moment, or even a 997R in particular, but I believe God is blessing my business with large accounts and I was provided an aid to cut down on man hours. Sometimes you have to take that step of faith and jump. I did that with my first QuikTrak and my phone exploded after that.

That's a steal bro! Local JD dealer has new 997s listed at over $25,000

 

[Chad Lehner]

Yeah $12,500 plus fees isn't bad. I felt I had to jump. I wasn't wanting to add another debt at the moment, or even a 997R in particular, but I believe God is blessing my business with large accounts and I was provided an aid to cut down on man hours. Sometimes you have to take that step of faith and jump. I did that with my first QuikTrak and my phone exploded after that.

That does sound like a blessing! What an amazing deal!!

 

[Chad Lehner]

First Impressions -

My Z994R with the 72" deck and tweels came yesterday. I've only been able to cut with it about an hour, but my initial impressions are very positive. The engine seems to have plenty of power, I went full sticks through the thickest part of my lawn and observed the slightest drop in RPM. It is quiet but that Diesel spooled up to 3000RPM sounds awesome. I cut a section of grass that was over a foot tall and it handled it with ease. The ride is a life saver since my lawn is super bumpy. I still get tossed around, but it doesn't jar me like my Scag did and I can cut at 2X the speed with 50% larger cutting width (the Scag was a fantastic machine BTW). Its a big machine, but is agile and I am able to trim around bushes and trees just like my old 48" Scag . The quality of cut is also fantastic and in this department it really blows away the Scag.

Overall, I am happy with the purchase. When I get the chance, I plan on putting out a few videos to help anyone else that is on the fence.

Chad