New Zero turn

[P8riot]

Hey guys,

New guy here! I went to my local dealer for a Stihl blower and I was eye balling the zero turns. I have a Husqvarna Z254F and it's just not enough for my 2-3 acres I'm cutting. The local dealer has Dixie Choppers and Kubotas. I honestly had not given Kubota a thought for zero turns. I was hoping to get a tractor, but couldn't cough up the $ for what I would want. For now the ATV and tow behind stuff will have to work...sigh. I immediately was drawn to the Dixie Choppers because well, their reputation! But then when I dug deeper, it seems they had some issues but may have gotten past that. But items listed on the spec sheet aren't on their mowers and they change parts from year to year it seems, IE one year they use Hydo and the next year the same model gets Parker. It is freaking me out that they are not consistent from year to year and what is listed on the spec sheet isn't there! The foot operated chute blocker is listed as standard, but it's not on the mower. Are they just throwing whatever they have on hand at the Blackhawk model?! It is a shame because I live 20 miles from their facility. I wanted to support local and figured replacement parts would be available. But if they change from year to year that may not be the case.

The salesman recommended the Kubota Z422-60 with the Kawasaki from the get go. After doing research, I have to say I'm leaning that way now too! They are consistent from year to year, have a huge backing with tractor sales unlike Dixie Chopper.

Long story short, anyone out there have the Z422 or the 421 and could give any real world experience?

 

[mikester]

My experience is to avoid lightweight stamped decks, plastic wheels, or anything homeowner class sold at big box stores.

I'm not a fan of gas motors and prefer diesel for longevity and fuel efficiency.

In general you get what you pay for, buy once, cry once.

 

[ChiefWebb]

I have a Z2432KW-48, purchased earlier this year and I like it very much. It has a 21.5 HP Kawasaki on it.

 

[RMS]

I recently bought a Z421 with the 60" deck. I really like the way it cuts and it has tons of power. I did buy a track seat for it for $188 on Amazon which made a big difference in the ride. What used to take 3 hours ot cut now takes me just shy of 2 hours and the fuel economy is much better. So far the only maintenance I've done is the initial oil change at 8 hours and it was easy to do.

 

[ChiefWebb]

Besides the Z242KW-48 gas mower I recently bought for my wife, I still have my ZD331 with a 60" deck. The diesel engine on the ZD331 has been issues free. I've had it about 10 years.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Dixie Chopper was founded by Art Evans in Fillmore, Indiana, purchased by Jacobsen/Textron in 2014, and went out of business in 2018. The Alamo Group (an "investment company") bought the assets and under the Dixie Chopper name started assembling generic Chinese kits in their Gibson City, Illinois location.

Many Chinese products use whatever is cheapest and available at the time and shove it out the door, so what is in/on a product varies, sometimes month-to-month. Customers get a working (usually) product at low[er] initial price (usually) than name-brand products. Stacking Error results in hit-or-miss quality, some units will be exceptionally good, most will be "okay," some will have chronic problems from day one.

The long-term concern on a high-dollar investment may be finding parts in ten years--commercial use may expect a product to last two to five years, homeowners may expect to keep a unit 20+ years. High-volume brands (Holzforma) will likely have an ongoing supply of parts, others...maybe not so much. Buy wisely for your needs.

 

[Jim Stinson]

Glad to know that about the Dixie Chopper issue! Almost bought one the other day!

 

[Jim Stinson]

 

[NoJacketRequired]

OK, in this same vein, what about Country Clipper? I believe they are still family-owned, but then again...

(I like their single joystick design that allows one arm free to defend from branches and biting insects, oh, and holding that adult beverage!)

 

[mikester]

OK, in this same vein, what about Country Clipper? I believe they are still family-owned, but then again...

(I like their single joystick design that allows one arm free to defend from branches and biting insects, oh, and holding that adult beverage!)

No bugs when you are cutting with a ZD326 at 15kph or 9mph.

The cup holder is designed to automatically eject objects contained in it. Good luck operating without a seat belt or while trying to hold a beverage.

 

[lynnmor]

OK, in this same vein, what about Country Clipper? I believe they are still family-owned, but then again...

(I like their single joystick design that allows one arm free to defend from branches and biting insects, oh, and holding that adult beverage!)

I have the Country Clipper and it works well for me. 9 MPH top speed, joystick, flip up deck and a front axle that follows the contour. I hope to never have a mower that doesn't allow easy deck cleaning and blade sharpening.

 

[jyoutz]

I’m going to make a different suggestion. If you are mowing anything other than a very smooth lawn, go take a look at the Stihl zero turns. They have 4 wheel suspension and your body will definitely appreciate this. Also even their homeowners models are well built. Parts are supported by any Stihl dealer. But they are only sold at dealer shops, not box stores.

 

[CGMKCM]

I’m going to make a different suggestion. If you are mowing anything other than a very smooth lawn, go take a look at the Stihl zero turns. They have 4 wheel suspension and your body will definitely appreciate this. Also even their homeowners models are well built. Parts are supported by any Stihl dealer. But they are only sold at dealer shops, not box stores.

FWIW, I believe Ferris makes the Stihl brand mowers. Briggs & Stratton owns Ferris.

 

[jyoutz]

FWIW, I believe Ferris makes the Stihl brand mowers. Briggs & Stratton owns Ferris.

That is correct. They are just painted a different color and rebadged. But there are more Stihl dealers than Ferris, so parts and service is widely available. I’ve been using mine all week on native grass on rough ground and my body really appreciates the suspension. So far I have zero complaints about the unit. This is my second season of ownership.

 

[Sidekick]

No bugs when you are cutting with a ZD326 at 15kph or 9mph.

The cup holder is designed to automatically eject objects contained in it. Good luck operating without a seat belt or while trying to hold a beverage.

My Z726 cuts at 12mph and those darn deer flies can keep up . The cup holder keeps my drinks shaken, not stirred . Seatbelt is a must to live to cut again.

 

[mikester]

My Z726 cuts at 12mph and those darn deer flies can keep up . The cup holder keeps my drinks shaken, not stirred . Seatbelt is a must to live to cut again.

I'm glad I don't have fast deer flies!

 

[John D 2]

I used a 915B JD zero turn for 6 years. It was fast, very reliable, and bone jarring on anything not smooth. After a couple of hours using it, I was having lower back pains. And that's with their premium seat.
I ended up having to slow way down to use the zero turn mowing my property.

By comparison my B2601 is Cadillac smooth. If I was buying another zero turn it would have to have suspension.

 

[jyoutz]

I used a 915B JD zero turn for 6 years. It was fast, very reliable, and bone jarring on anything not smooth. After a couple of hours using it, I was having lower back pains. And that's with their premium seat.
I ended up having to slow way down to use the zero turn mowing my property.

By comparison my B2601 is Cadillac smooth. If I was buying another zero turn it would have to have suspension.

Here’s a photo of my zero turn with 4 wheels suspension.

 

[John D 2]

Here’s a photo of my zero turn with 4 wheels suspension.

View attachment 135933

Nice! My neighbor has a Ferris that has about 275 hrs on it. It has been trouble free since he bought it.

 

[Little Timmy]

I recently bought a new Wright LG Stander 54” with the 27 hp Kawasaki . Was going to buy another sit down zero turn after selling my JD Z425. Then got to researching and heard so many good things about a stand on. I never even tested one before committing to my purchase. It took some getting used to but I really like it. It’s a brute, that big Kawasaki 850 is pretty “torquey”.