Any one using a kubota zeroturn?

[orangecrush]

I'm strongly thinking of buying one. what's your opinion?

[MMJLawns]

I have one

I bought a used 18hp kubota zt diesal 54". I bought it used with 200 hours on it for 4800.00 (new condition). New cost is 11K, I think I got a good deal. I got it late last season but it runs and cuts awesome. fuel economy is excellent. To be honest with you I love it but I'm not sure I would spend 10-11K for it. I kinda fell into this deal and it worked out. Mark

[allyardcare]

Hey MMJ

Last year I did a few large accounts with another lco that used a Kubota. How is your blade tip speed? His didn't seem to be as fast as I thought it should. Not trying to knock yours, his coulda been a dud. Mowing the same area in the same yard his Kubota would leave clumps. Just wondering, thinking bout getting my second mower and I love the engines and drivetrains of Kubota's but not seen another ztr in action except his.

[texas_aggie_98]

allyardcare, you bring up an interesting point about the kubota, at least the 18hp 54". I researched these things a ton last summer before I went with an Exmark. The Kubota 54" just lacked in some areas compared to other makers. One, the deck is made out of 10 guage where as most other manufacturers have 7 gauge. Kubota's new prodeck is made of 7 guage but only comes in 60" and 72". The big thing that stuck out to me about the 54" is the blade tip speed. If I remember correctly, it is at 15,500 rpm, most others are at 17,000+ rpm. I even emailed I guy at Kubota who said the deck design more than makes up for the lack of blade tip speed. I say if you are looking to buy a 60"+ deck then give the Kubota a shot but anything smaller I'm not sure about.

[Woody]

[QUOTE If I remember correctly, it is at 15,500 rpm, most others are at 17,000+ rpm. [/QUOTE]

I think he means FPM, Feet Per Minute. Man, even 10,000 RPM would be insane.

Woody

[texas_aggie_98]

Yes, it is feet per minute. I missed typed.

[MMJLawns]

blade speed

I believe you are right about the 15500 fpm blade speed. I have no problems with clumping but haven't been through a spring with it yet. Still it's hard for me to believe I will have a problem based on what I see so far. The other thing I didn'r mention was that Kubota now has a gas model for about 5-6K but I don't know much about it. The diesal is a big part of the reason I bought Kubota but again I got a great deal.

[Greenscapes]

One member told me that they saw a Kubota z and an Exmark in action together. While the Kubota runs smoother (it really has many motor advantages), he said the cut quality wasn't there. The Kubota does cost more though. Maybe they have changed there mowers this year

[texas_aggie_98]

I'm definitely not knocking the Kubota. Engine wise you can't go wrong.

[allyardcare]

If I'm on the right track the new kubota's have a faster tip speed. Last year when we had the ZD and the Lazer on the same yards, especially in thick grass, it lumped. My dealer said kubota is working on that. If that's straightened up now the Kubota would be near perfect.

[orangecrush]

I was more than impressed with the demo at the dealer. I put a ZD21 diesel with ZD pro 60" deck through the course. The features alone made the exmark seem outdated as follows

1. Hydraulic deck lift and cutting adjustment dial (just gave it a twist)

2. Swivel anti-scalp rollers

3. 5.5" deep deck (deepest of any mower deck)

4. Easy change of blades with its pivoting front axle (you got to see it)