JD Zero Turn Mowers

[d9gdon]

Does anybody have any experience with the JD Zero Turn mowers? I don't want to get the cheapest one, I want one that will last for a long time. I looked at them on Deere's website, but I can't get pricing on the Estate models which look like they're heavier built with more options like I want like beverage holder, key start, armrests, comfortable seat, park brake, and did I say beverage holder?

I've paid my dues with this Murray 42" hand me down that I've had for 9 years and two boys who've used it as personal transportation, go cart, four wheeler, tractor, swamp buggy, and demolition derby racer.

My yard is about 2 1/2 acres now, but I see the writing on the wall after we fenced off about 5 acres and pushed some brush behind the house last year.

 

[Old Bob]

I have a JD 757 zero turn. I have had it for probably 6 years. It has a 25 horse kawasaki engine. I am 100% satisfied. It has given me no problems, but I service it myself and drive it myself. It also has a 60 inch deck. I tell everyone it is like a self-propelled brush hog. I am sure there are other brands that are good, but for me I"ll take the deere and will buy another one, if needed.

 

[Anonymous-0]

i got new JD Z465 last fall 25hp kow 62 in deck it is a mowing fool will cut faster then i can stand to ride yard is a little bumby

 

[tech5201]

Have you considered the Residential series?
http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/
com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCa
tProduct?pNbr=SKU22565&tM=HO&link=enav

I've got 55 hrs. on ours.
Use it on nice lawn, rough areas near wind breaks, in
meadows that used to need bush hog, etc.
I looked at the Commercial & Estate type units.
Planned to trade up to one eventually.
After using the lighter (than the higher $ series) Z425-54"
on 5-8 acres per mow, as needed, I'm impressed.
May get a second Z425 in the future.
Base price for ours was $3800 at the dealer.
Gonna get me that $350 suspension seat someday.

Tony

 

[Ken M]

We have had a 757 for several years and once you try a zero turn you will never go back.

 

[tech5201]

How's your back?
If I had any back problems at all, I couldn't ride a ZTR
without a suspension seat! Most ZTRs have no suspension,
the ride's pretty rough cause you sit over the rear axle.

T

 

[Jim Plunkett]

We have a 757 have had it for 7 or 8 years with no problems of
any kind . Mow around 3.5 acres a week.

 

[Don Anderson]

I have had a f925 and now a 1435. Granted they are not zero turn but pretty close and the ride is great and will mow some pretty tall wet grass without ever having to slow down. Five gallons of diesel will let you mow a lot of grass especially if the grass is not too tall. The 1435 has a 72" deck so you can go over a lot of area in an hours time.

 

[RobMD]

I work for a local John Deere dealership. We have had a lot of problems with Z810 through Z830A Zero Turns. Pumps would go out within 2-300 hours. We have trouble with the deck lift adjustment being hard to turn after dirt accumulates. We also have had trouble with the front wheel bearings going out.

Fortunately, all of these problems have been corrected under warranty.

It's unpleasant when a customer does have to pay 1000 plus labor @ $82/hr. for a pump/motor combo outside warranty. The disgust and worry on his face about the other pump going out soon is quite understandable.

 

[Dave H]

I know you guys have to have the green but maybe you could paint a red one green lol. I am running a toro - Boooo. However it will turn 1000 hours this coming summer.

So lets hear it from the folks that have at least over a hundred hours on that green machine.

 

[Ray]

Get a diesel grasshopper.We always had deeres till a few years ago when i bought a front deck grasshopper at an auction. I won't buy another deere,the grasshopper is a better built machine.
The kubota diesel runs smooth and uses less fuel than the deere.

 

[T]

I got a Simplicity 50 zero turn, I know it aint green but it should be. suspension, bev holder, decent on gas, and cuts to beat heck.

 

[LarrySTN]

Hustler turf builds one of the best ZTR"s and the parking brake is applied as soon as the control levers are moved out to get off. No extra lever to mess with, available to 37HP

 

[travz500]

last july I updated from a 42" huskee pos and got a
Z445 with 54" deck what took 2 1/2 hours now takes
45 mins love the zero turn but however it only has
9.6 hours and as we speak it is a jd because it has
a serious tracking problem the left side is very
slow compared to the right side so its getting fixed
but i love it and know of 4 people with either the
445 or the 465 mine has been the only troublesome
but its under warranty so as long as it gets fixed i
am happy

 

[d9gdon]

I'm glad I asked. I didn't know anything about the suspension seat. That's one thing I'll definitely get.

 

[tech5201]

FYI:
Deere's OEM seat suspension option for the Z400 series is
around $250 for a spring sandwich installed under the
existing seat.

The suspension seat I'm referring to is this one:
http://www2.northerntool.com/farm-acreage/seats/item-
17566.htm

T

 

[James Williams]

I would like to try a JD zero,Ive got a E-Mart which is a great mower,Ive got 1400 hundred hours on it with minimial maintance,and a lot of abuce.I hope to buy a new mower in 2 years,but probally buy another exmart becaues of the price.you guys will never wear a mower out with only a few acers a week

jimmy

 

[d9gdon]

I think I'd better demo one of them. I don't want to get one that I don't like. We can mow every 4th day when it warms up, weekly when it starts getting hot.

I know there's some other good brands out there, but I just have my mind made up on a Deere.

 

[Machinery-Man]

Deere changed all it's model with the discount stores selling them. I have the older 757 which is midrange with 5' Personally I'd get one of the older model pretty simple to use...would get one with out the roll bar as this makes the mower unstable and dangerous around trees..I took mine off added ballast to the tires and works excellent. I don't run it like a mountain goat use some common sense. The K engine at 27 h.p. handles the blades fine...there are some sites on ebay that sell these...good luck...

 

[Resting Relics 1]

We have a 997 zero-turn diesel that mows about 12 acres a week for the Town public works in the Town I work for. It's two years old with a bagger and has a little over five hundred hours. So far it's never been down and operators seem to like it. We demo'd it against most other brands. We found cheaper but this was liked the best and best dealer support.
John

 

[Nofbdybs]

About 2 years ago, I found out everything that any sane person would ever want to know about ZTMs.

Here is the first thing. There are about 35 brands out there.
When its all said and done, there are only about 15 actual MFGs. Everything else is a rebadge with a different color paint job

Engines Southwest is located in Shreveport, just off of North Market. They assemble about 10 different brands there. All made by MTD. Cub Cadet, Big Dog, Hustler, ect. There are a few cosmetic differences, but at the core, they are the same machine. As are 99% of them out there.
Here are a few things.
The Hyd motors are ALL MADE BY THE SAME MFG. Every one. Pretty much everything under 24hp with have a 2800 Hyd motor. Ill say that again. Everything from a Exmark, Toro, Cub, Gravley, Scag, ect, ALL run the same hyd motor from the same MFG.
The larger units run a 3400. Again, all made by the same MFG.

Controls, such as the start, choke, blade engage, ect. ALL made by the same MFG.

Take all that into mind. When you get down to it, you are paying for a MFGs deck, and frame, as pretty much everything else is all made by the same company.
The only thing that actually seperates them is deck design. MFGs really cling to a deck design. Which one can evacuate the cut grass the most efficently.



A few quick things.
There are 2 types of Toro. The ones you get at Lowes, and the ones you get from a dealer. The Lowes ones are of a little lower grade. But, a toro from a actual Dealer is made by Ex-mark. The only difference between a ExMark and toro, is the deck. thats it.

Some John Deeres are made by Murray, some are made by MTD.
The John Deere you get from Lowes is not the same unit as the one you get from a JD dealer. However, not exactly better.
Cub Cadet is made by MTD. MTD makes a great majority of ZTMs.

Aerens and Gravley are the same.


The only 2 makes that actually stand out above the rest are Kubota, and Grasshopper. Far more than you want to pay, and way more than you will ever need.

I ended up with a 52in Gravley with a 24 Kohler. Only because I had a relationship with the dealer, and they had them for 0% financing.




With ZTMs, unless you go for a high end (above $12,000) Scag, Grasshopper, or Kubota, its not about who is "best" They are all the same.
That in mind, go with a dealer you like, a better warranty, 0% financing, ect.



The reason I dont care for a JD, is because very few, if any of them have a formed deck. (as opposed to a thin, stamped one)

You are really paying for the JD name if you go with one of thier ZTMs.

 

[tech5201]

I"m aware of the JD turf operations in Horicon, WI. and the
Tech. Triangle area near Raleigh, N.C. that turn out the ZTR
mowers and other products.
Where are these MTD and Murray plants that you speak of that are producing JD mowers?

T

 

[tech5201]

Hey d9gdon,
I think the Estate (500 series?) is replaced with the Z700 series.

Looks like the current ZTR offerings from Deere are:

Residential Series
Z200 at app. $3000
Z400 at app. $4000
Z600 at app. $5000

Commercial Series
Z700 at app. $7000
Z900 at app. $8000

These prices are just for comparison. You could probably
spend north of twelve grand for a Z900 with MOD deck,
etc. Don't remember what the Z997 diesel machines
cost. Maybe more towards $20K?

You didn"t mention your budget.
Are you needin" any help navigating dear Deere's site?
Have you got a good JD ag. dealer near you with a turf division and service department?
Are you planning to purchase this from a store-front dealer?
If you"ve got any hills at home to mow, talk 'em into bringing one out to you to test on your landscape.
They're a lot of fun (sic) on hills!
You may prefer a two or four wheel-steer tractor/mower that's more stable on hills.
I doubt it'd be more fun than the ZTR though.
I also tow with my Z.
Heck, people push snow with 'em now. Hiber (?) front blade,

 

[4430jd]

I dont know what took the place of the 757 they are a real good Mower. I have had one for 7 yrars and it mows 5 acres a week and is same as new.

 

[tech5201]

Oops. Pushed the wrong button. Forgot I was in Preview.

Anyway, all the series have the features you mention.
As the $s go up, the metals get thicker, speeds increase, weight and stability increase, options galore, etc.
The lighter series are easier to get un-stuck (drive wheel in hole) and are more forgiving on the turf when you turn without both drive wheels moving.
The heaver series (commercial, etc.) are really meant to run all day, every day.

IMHO,
Tony

 

[tech5201]

Did the 700s become the 800s become the 900s?
Can't remember if the 700s & the 800s were out at the same time.
Every 700 owner I've met loves/loved 'em.
The 800s had some rough spots.
First JD ZTR I shopped was a used 757.
Almost bought it, but I decided to go with a new one with warranty so I wouldn't have to do any repairs for a while.
More fun to jump on the Z and mow than wrench on an old tractor.
A lot of units in the upper areas of the series now have four year warranties.

 

[d9gdon]

I think I'm going with either the 445 or 465. I don't have any hills to climb. I think they offer the 4 year warranty. I am going to have them bring one or both of them to try out. I have 3 different JD dealers within 35 miles of my house.

 

[tech5201]

Bueller...........

 

[jdtech99]

Care to share what the source of your info is? I know several people at JD and I can assure you MTD and Murray don't make zero turns for them.

Just because you read it on the internet doesn't make it true.

 

[tech5201]

His post didn't help the OP much.

I looked at the Engines Southwest web site.
Don't see that they manufacture anything.

The hydraulics company he talks about is Hydro-Gear.
Tuff Torq also supplies that equipment.

Not sure he knows what gauge the 7-Iron decks are on the commercial machines.
It's a stamped deck, and according to some, the best in the LCO industry.
Also, the MOD deck, I believe, is unique to JD.
Most other JD series' decks are nine or ten gauge.

I know these kinds of posts should roll of our backs, but that ticked me off.
I'm here to help where I can, because the folks on this board have been invaluable to me.
A messed up post just confuses the OP.
The guy just asked for some feedback about JD ZTRs, not for a runaway diatribe.

This isn't a 'bleed green' thing either. I never owned anything green 'till a few years ago. Was always the other colors. It's green now 'cause a JD ag. dealer is a mile away,
and it's full of great people that take care of my needs.

I too am waiting for a response.

Bueller......

 

[Nofbdybs]

(quoted from post at 14:35:08 02/24/11) His post didn't help the OP much.

I looked at the Engines Southwest web site.
Don't see that they manufacture anything.

The hydraulics company he talks about is Hydro-Gear.
Tuff Torq also supplies that equipment.

Not sure he knows what gauge the 7-Iron decks are on the commercial machines.
It's a stamped deck, and according to some, the best in the LCO industry.
Also, the MOD deck, I believe, is unique to JD.
Most other JD series' decks are nine or ten gauge.

I know these kinds of posts should roll of our backs, but that ticked me off.
I'm here to help where I can, because the folks on this board have been invaluable to me.
A messed up post just confuses the OP.
The guy just asked for some feedback about JD ZTRs, not for a runaway diatribe.

This isn't a 'bleed green' thing either. I never owned anything green 'till a few years ago. Was always the other colors. It's green now 'cause a JD ag. dealer is a mile away,
and it's full of great people that take care of my needs.

I too am waiting for a response.

Bueller......

Waiting a response? That all you have to do with your time.
Sorry, I couldnt get back to you sooner. I had a few things to do.
Mostly, WORK!


Take it down a notch, buddy :roll:

I mistyped, and stated that some JDs were made by MTD.

They are not. Sorry, I made a mistake. Feel better now?





Seriously, is that the only thing that you took from my entire post?



Also, i never stated that Engines Southwest actually MADE anything. Its an assembly, and dist location.A lot of what they assemble under many different names, is actually rebadged, and repainted units MFGd by the same MFG. You actually took the time to investigate all of that?







I swear, some of you have skin as thick as a grape.
Better stay inside, for say, the rest of your life, as things get MUCH worse than an unnacurate post on a message board.