Zero turn differences

[eipo]

Does anyone know if the z700 series commands the price increase over the z400 series?

Looks like a heavier deck and parker transaxles are the major difference.

Anything else? Looks like the 700 series is on a promo right now of $8990. But that's on the website.

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[sdk1968]

unless you have a small flat golf course style yard?

go with the heavier Zero! always get the bigger pumps/wheel motors if you are a serious grass chopper.

its pretty rare when someone regrets having more power.

 

[eipo]

Thanks.

Just curious if there are differences other than the deck construction and drives. Aside from the obvious.

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[eipo]

Swung by the local deal to take a look. They had both mowers.

At first glance its hard to discern the value on the price difference. But crawl around the underside of both machines and its clear the differences warrant increased price.

I was quoted $9700 OTD for a Z726 with Kawasaki engine and suspension seat.

 

[sdk1968]

sorry didnt give you a better answer... was on the cell.


in Zero's: transaxles/wheel motor/pumps/decks are the only things that matter.

after that ? suspension seat!!

then you get into the engine debate... everybody has a favorite.

there are tons of kawi motors on kubo's, JD's, badboys & hustlers....

same advice here: get the biggest engine you can if you are a serious grass chopper.

bigger engine uses more fuel... but its well worth it to never bog down or slow down. saving time, saves me money: my time is more valuable than a gallon of fuel.



PS: if you have more than enough mower/power/comfort? grass cutting becomes less of a "job" & more of an escape with our thoughts as you zip around.

 

[eipo]

I spent a fair number of years running lawn crews, so I'm no stranger to cutting grass. Had one customer back east that didn't want grass on their employees cars, so we started cutting at 12am and finished right around 630.

But that's been 20 years or better, so Ive not had a look at one or been on one in a very long time. Ive never run a Kubota ZT.

I think the 726 is going to fit the bill, even though is major overkill for my 2.5 +/- acres. But Ill likely never have to buy another mower, ever.

And the 700 series are being phased out for the 700-2 series which I was told is just the addition of the suspension seat as standard.

 

[eipo]

This thing is a beast.

I just cut a little over 2 acres in just over an hour. And that wasn't even running full speed.

Top speed is insane. And the parker transmissions have some serious torque. VERY easy to spin the rear tires in turns. I bet I could pull wheelies with it as well. It just wants to go.

I would likely have been satisfied with the 421 based on the performance of this 726, but I'll never have to buy another mower. And I shaved better than an hour off my mowing time using a scag 52" walk behind with a velke.

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[rkidd]

Looks like a really nice mower, and nice cut.

 

[sdk1968]

oh you do have a flat yard!

YES that will be a yard eating machine on that yard.

good choice!

im a real fan of the Parkers ... they are a huge improvement from the old whites that everybody used to use.

they might be made in the same factory, on the same line.. but they have way better reliability in the Zero's.

PS: not sure which Kawi motor you got, but if its the 37/38hp version? be sure to get those valves adjusted at the designated HR mark!

even 1500hrs later on mine... they still get done every 250hrs.

 

[eipo]

Thanks.

kidd, it used to take me about 3 hours to mow with the 2650. It bothered me putting those hours on the tractor given the obstacles we have. Grabbed an unused walk behind from work and Ive been using that for a couple seasons. That cut the time down to just over 2 hours, but I didn't trust anyone else here to use it so the mowing was always mine. Now the kids and wife can mow... Problem is at only about an hours worth of mowing time, I wont get to use it that much. That makes me sad.

sdk, the 700 series tops out with a 25.5 hp Kawi FX801. Thats what is on mine. Its at 1.6 hours right now, Ill likely change the oil and filter after the next mow, then again at the 8 hour mark and then follow the schedule. That will likely land me at once a year rather than by hours. Itll take me a few (4 or 5) years to hit 250 hours. In contrast, Ive put 327 hours on the 2650 in 2 years.

I was surprised at the responsiveness of the drive system. Last time I ran a zero turn it was a Lazer Z 18 years ago. I remember them being a bit "slushy" or slower to respond. I found myself having to temper the drive input on this Kubota to keep from spinning the tires. It could have used an even wider tire.

Shes a keeper.... It was between this and a Scag Tiger Cat II. Been friends with the scag dealer for over 20 years. But the Kubota just had more value in it for me.