Compared to????

 

As compared to a mid mount deck on a Kubota B7800

 

Looking at a ZD-28 with a 72" deck. Are zero turn mowers really as good as they say? Do they really speed things up that much?
Thanks
Scott

Yeah they are, Scott. Three very important factors speed them up compared to traditional mowers and tractors. A: Zero-turn ability B: Ground speed C: Blade speed. You can't go fast if the blades ain't cuttin'.

You're definitely looking at a big one there in that ZD-28. Size and price.

 

As compared to a mid mount deck on a Kubota B7800

Then yes, very much faster. Probably 30+% faster, depending on the operator and conditions.

 

Looking at a ZD-28 with a 72" deck. Are zero turn mowers really as good as they say? Do they really speed things up that much?
Thanks
Scott

Great motor, hydraulics sucks

 

GPS, that comment is a matter of YOUR opinion. The Kubota Corp. has been manufacturing hydraulic components for many of the "other" mower companies for many years. I suppose the hydraulics on YOUR machine are the best, right !!! :hammerhead: :usflag:

 

Great motor, hydraulics sucks

Why do you say that? I'm close to buying a ZD28/72. Is there something specific that you have had problems with that I would do well to know about in advance? Thanks

 

Lane, wait for his reply. I'm sure it will be a "liberal" one. :usflag:

 

There has been a history of hydrostatic problems with the Kubota ZTR's. I don't know all of the details, but it has been well reported here. Do a search on Kubota ZTR's, using the search feature, and all the info. should come up.

 

I checked out the ZD-21 before getting my Toro. Nice machine but: I know it's a little picky thing but I like having a foot pedal for lifting the deck. I can zoom over things (stumps and such) in the yards and not have to stop. With the Kubota, I couldn't do that since I needed a free hand for the hydraulics lever. Just my opinion. Still a nice machine.

 

Do a search on this forum about the zd and see what pops up been sereval poat about them I tried 2 of them and sold botyh of them and bought another Scag why for me the scag did a better cut the either of the Kubotas 1 was a ZD 18- 54 steel stamped deck the other one was a ZD 28 60" pro deck , WHAT EVER YOU DO BE SURE AND GET THE PRO DECK !!! Good luck, great machine but a PITA to grease grease fittings in places that you would never think of one being there

 

After a search, most of the comments were "Reliable, Smooth, Fuel Efficient" and on, and on, and on...........:usflag:

 

Lane, wait for his reply. I'm sure it will be a "liberal" one. :usflag:

First of all you don't know me so you might want to keep your dumba$$ comments to yourself...I've been in business over 10 years, 5 employees and over 200K in equipment with gross sales of 300K annually....so I feel I have alittle more experience that a 3 year rookie....with that out of the way, I've used or demoed almost every ZTR out there and own a ZD28-60 with pro deck, the hydralics work like my tractor L4310...if you have a problem with it....I will almost guarantee you won't want to try to fix it yourself...I switched back to turf tigers with pumps and wheel motors for this very reason, hopefully they have some of the problems worked out since I bought mine...plenty of power but has been in the shop several times for hydro problems.....a friend of mine bought 3 ZD28-72 when they first came out, they spent so much time in the shop that the kubota rep was called in and asked to buy them all back..(which they wouldn't) end of the season he traded them all in on Exmark's.....Like I said...maybe they have all the bugs worked out...I'll say it again...great motor...how's that for a liberal response????

 

After a search, most of the comments were "Reliable, Smooth, Fuel Efficient" and on, and on, and on...........:usflag:

There you go...I can't argue with someone who own's two blowers

 

I bought a ZD21-60 with the stamped deck 4 years ago. One of the first to come off the line. It did have a hyd problem, the early models used a bushing on the pump imput shaft and a small number of units developed an air leak. Mine was one of them. Factory sent a complete trans assy to replace mine, all machines since the first year now use a bearing which solved the problem. I now have over 1800 hrs on that machine and have had NO other troubles of any kind since .
I just bought a ZD28-60 this winter, so I guess im not too afraid of the Kubota quailty issue.
Kubota doesnt offer the stamped deck on the ZDs anymore. I never had any trouble with my deck.

 

I've run a ZD-28 / 60" deck for 2 years now.

I like the cut and power, but I don't care for my hydraulics.

I've been on a side hill, and had the hydraulics freeze to the point where the mower won't go up the hill.

Another thing I don't like, is that there's only one fuel tank. I like having fuel on both sides of the mower.

As far as my operation goes, I trade mowers every 2-3 years, and the extra cost for the diesel, it doesn't make much sense for myself, since by the time I trade with 1200-1500 hours on a mower, the engine is basically just getting broken in.

If I could get a GAS ZD / 60" deck, I'd most likely buy one again. IMO, Kubota's cut is second only to Exmarks.

I feel this is because they both have an extremely deep deck.

 

Have 2 ZD-28's and a ZD 25. All 3 had trans issues which Kubota took care of immediately. The engineers had found a flaw in a design change. Kubota replaced all the trans units and extended the warranties to 4 full years regardless of hours.
Buy Kubota.
I have since 1981

 

Do a search in this category on Kubota's.
I just purchased a ZD 28 myself but put a 60" deck on it.

 

I agee the hydraulics have problems. My zd-18 is a little over a year old 7
has problems. $400. The steering get harder after 30 min, no one can
tell me why.. The dealer always says"no problem found" I call "BS" on this, i run it and know what it does. But I have zd-21 no problems as yet.

 

I've run a ZD-28 / 60" deck for 2 years now.

I like the cut and power, but I don't care for my hydraulics.

I've been on a side hill, and had the hydraulics freeze to the point where the mower won't go up the hill.

Another thing I don't like, is that there's only one fuel tank. I like having fuel on both sides of the mower.

As far as my operation goes, I trade mowers every 2-3 years, and the extra cost for the diesel, it doesn't make much sense for myself, since by the time I trade with 1200-1500 hours on a mower, the engine is basically just getting broken in.

If I could get a GAS ZD / 60" deck, I'd most likely buy one again. IMO, Kubota's cut is second only to Exmarks.

I feel this is because they both have an extremely deep deck.

Exactly....my same issues....

 

Ya know , I steared away from this unit because I do not like the hydro over gear set up. That system has had many problens and failures in other machines as well. I had a scag ssz that had this, slow , slugish, and very winey, problems there. Also had one of the early cub 3660 ' s with this set up, and had problems. Now all you see that set up on is homeowner modlels. Look for the day when Kubota starts seperating this unit, say hydrogear & parker motors.

 

Ya know , I steared away from this unit because I do not like the hydro over gear set up. That system has had many problens and failures in other machines as well. I had a scag ssz that had this, slow , slugish, and very winey, problems there. Also had one of the early cub 3660 ' s with this set up, and had problems. Now all you see that set up on is homeowner modlels. Look for the day when Kubota starts seperating this unit, say hydrogear & parker motors.

It will never happen. Go to a Kubota tractor dealer and ask him how many tractors he has had back in his service shop in the last ten years with Hydro trans problems. I will bet you that its less than 1 in a thousand sold. The ZDs are based on the tractor design.

 

A friend of mine had 2 60" choppers that were starting to show their age. So they decided to buy another mower. They bought a Kubota ZD28 with a 60" deck. They like the mower overall but, they didn't like the cut as good as the choppers. I had witness this my self and the cut isn't comparable to the Choppers or my Toro. Hope this helps.

 

It will never happen. Go to a Kubota tractor dealer and ask him how many tractors he has had back in his service shop in the last ten years with Hydro trans problems. I will bet you that its less than 1 in a thousand sold. The ZDs are based on the tractor design.

Never happen...are you serious:hammerhead: I can't tell you the number of ZD's I've seen split open at my kubota dealer.....the tractor is totally different beast, my L4310 has been trouble free since the day I bought it...I love kubota products.....but the hydro setup on commercially used mowers has a lot to be desired, get me the pumps and wheeled motors anyday...you know what....if one fails...the average guy can replace it, no one in there right mind is going to crack open a ZD hydro unit....

 

From what I have heard, Kubota is VERY picky about their hydrolic servicing. They, the dealer has to perform it in order to maintain the warranty. Also, Kubota uses a wet clutch and constantly shavings are getting into the hydrolic fluid. Take that at what it's worth.