Looking for a reliable Z121 starter motor

JRT750

New member

Equipment
BX23s and Zero turn Z121 48"
Oct 17, 2025
1
0
1
Belleville Ontario Canada
I have KUBOTA Z121 WITH KHOLER 7000 SERIES ENGINE its 5 YEARS OLD .

Last year the starter gear jumped up like it should to start the engine . As the engine stated the gear didn't drop back down . I didn't notice it right away but it was running like that for a while as a result the motor must have be spinning pretty darn fast . It wore the top bushing out but it still worked, but not very good. I replaced it with an amazon special. Now about 30 hours later of use, its junk . I machined a new bushing for the Kubota starter however in my opinion it is still junk as it didn't last long at all, I mean how many times do you start a motor in one season if you are just cutting grass. So the big question is I want to buy a reputable motor that going to last , is there a company out there that makes a good quality stater motor or is quality a thing of the past.


This zero turn has been great other than the numerus problems I've had with the engine. I will never again buy anything that has a Kohler in it .
I also have 5 year old 400 hour BX23s, awesome machine other than a worn hyd line scrubbing and leaking at the bottom of the backhoe.
 

Jim L.

Active member
Jun 18, 2014
870
171
43
Texas
Two starters would give me pause. The question would be is there an electrical signal or power to the starter after the start key is released. Or, did the starter gear fail to drop down because of something mechanical or grimey. I would run some tests both at the machine and on a bench to really find the cause.