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What blades for my zd221?
#1
S
sjm1580
S
sjm1580
Have the original blades on my zd221 and was wondering if their are any recommendations for different blades than OEM? These cut great but I guess I would like to have them mulch a little better.
Love to hear some opinions on different blades.
Thanks
Love to hear some opinions on different blades.
Thanks
#2
S
sjm1580
S
sjm1580
Well, bit the bullet and bought gator blades from the local Kubota Dealer. Their opinion was they are a little better than OEM because of the blade construction and not necessarily because of performance. Mowed a bit and I could not tell the difference in the cut quality or mulching.
My 2 cents and my response to my own post....
My 2 cents and my response to my own post....
#3
jekjr
I have a ZG222 with a 48" deck. My dealer only stocks the style that came on it. They do have them in a Oregon aftermarket. It does not cut tall grass worth a flip.
jekjr
Well, bit the bullet and bought gator blades from the local Kubota Dealer. Their opinion was they are a little better than OEM because of the blade construction and not necessarily because of performance. Mowed a bit and I could not tell the difference in the cut quality or mulching. My 2 cents and my response to my own post....
I have a ZG222 with a 48" deck. My dealer only stocks the style that came on it. They do have them in a Oregon aftermarket. It does not cut tall grass worth a flip.
#4
S
sjm1580
S
sjm1580
I cut Bahia and St. Augustine grass with mine and it cuts just as good or better than the factory blade no matter how long and wet it is. Maybe depends on the type of grass?
#5
jekjr
What do you do to it to get it to cut Bahia grass?
I have a ZG222 48" and a ZD 326 with a 60" deck and neither cuts Bahia grass worth a flip. I know several others with them that say the same thing.
I just bought a Scag to cut Bahia when we only have to unload one mower.
jekjr
I cut Bahia and St. Augustine grass with mine and it cuts just as good or better than the factory blade no matter how long and wet it is. Maybe depends on the type of grass?
What do you do to it to get it to cut Bahia grass?
I have a ZG222 48" and a ZD 326 with a 60" deck and neither cuts Bahia grass worth a flip. I know several others with them that say the same thing.
I just bought a Scag to cut Bahia when we only have to unload one mower.
#6
S
sjm1580
S
sjm1580
My local Kubota dealer had OEM and Oregon blades. He recommended the Oregon blades and I have to agree they cut better.
#7
jekjr
I am a Kubota fan through and through but I despise how they cut Bahia Grass. Neither of mine will cut it. A local guy saw me running a Scag Turf Tiger a few weeks ago. He has a Kubota as well. He wanted to know about the Scag on Bahia Grass because he was sick of double and at times triple cutting grass. Running side by side there is not a close comparison. The Scag beats it hands down. In about anything else the Kubotas do a great job. If you get in deep Bahia the Scag will put it to shame.
jekjr
My local Kubota dealer had OEM and Oregon blades. He recommended the Oregon blades and I have to agree they cut better.
I am a Kubota fan through and through but I despise how they cut Bahia Grass. Neither of mine will cut it. A local guy saw me running a Scag Turf Tiger a few weeks ago. He has a Kubota as well. He wanted to know about the Scag on Bahia Grass because he was sick of double and at times triple cutting grass. Running side by side there is not a close comparison. The Scag beats it hands down. In about anything else the Kubotas do a great job. If you get in deep Bahia the Scag will put it to shame.
#8
S
sjm1580
S
sjm1580
I don't cut grass for a living and I really can't imagine a huge difference between different types of mowers. When I think about it in simple terms, you have a motor turning blades at a certain rpm with blades and it cuts what it comes into contact with. The only variables are the blades and mower deck (assuming the motor is powerful enough). Is the Scag deck that much different from the Kubota deck? I don't know the answer, but it must be if it indeed cuts Bahia that much better.
I have had three different Kubota mowers (mid mount mower on small tractor and finish mower on medium size tractor and now the zd221) and they all cut Bahia what I consider very well, but again I don't cut grass for a living so I really don't have experience with other machines to make a comparison.
I have had three different Kubota mowers (mid mount mower on small tractor and finish mower on medium size tractor and now the zd221) and they all cut Bahia what I consider very well, but again I don't cut grass for a living so I really don't have experience with other machines to make a comparison.
#10
jekjr
I do. Scag has what they call a Velocity deck. It is sloped in the front. It appears that it actually stands tall grass like Bahia back up. I bought a Tiger Cat 52" and in Bahia Grass it will out cut the ZD326 60" all day long. If we are cutting other grass that is not tall however the 326 will do a great job. Most times the Scag will cut it in one pass while the Kubotas have yo make two and in real heavy grass I have seen them have to make three to equal the cut.
jekjr
Do you think there is a significant difference in the mower decks?
I do. Scag has what they call a Velocity deck. It is sloped in the front. It appears that it actually stands tall grass like Bahia back up. I bought a Tiger Cat 52" and in Bahia Grass it will out cut the ZD326 60" all day long. If we are cutting other grass that is not tall however the 326 will do a great job. Most times the Scag will cut it in one pass while the Kubotas have yo make two and in real heavy grass I have seen them have to make three to equal the cut.
#11
jekjr
We have 60+ properties on schedule and cut numerous others here and there. This year we have cut properties as large as 40 acres. Again I an a tried and true Kubota man. However the Scag will put it to shame in tall Bahia grass.
I ran a Turf a Tiger with a 60" deck and 35hp motor for several days that is a demonstrator. It was about $3K higher than the Turf a Tiger if memory serves me correctly. It used so much gas that I decided not yo spend the extra $$ and get it. Also we cut in a lot of places that he 52" can get into that the 60" can't that I bought the 52" on the Tiger Cat. We have run the hide off of it for a couple of weeks.
jekjr
I don't cut grass for a living and I really can't imagine a huge difference between different types of mowers. When I think about it in simple terms, you have a motor turning blades at a certain rpm with blades and it cuts what it comes into contact with. The only variables are the blades and mower deck (assuming the motor is powerful enough). Is the Scag deck that much different from the Kubota deck? I don't know the answer, but it must be if it indeed cuts Bahia that much better. I have had three different Kubota mowers (mid mount mower on small tractor and finish mower on medium size tractor and now the zd221) and they all cut Bahia what I consider very well, but again I don't cut grass for a living so I really don't have experience with other machines to make a comparison.
We have 60+ properties on schedule and cut numerous others here and there. This year we have cut properties as large as 40 acres. Again I an a tried and true Kubota man. However the Scag will put it to shame in tall Bahia grass.
I ran a Turf a Tiger with a 60" deck and 35hp motor for several days that is a demonstrator. It was about $3K higher than the Turf a Tiger if memory serves me correctly. It used so much gas that I decided not yo spend the extra $$ and get it. Also we cut in a lot of places that he 52" can get into that the 60" can't that I bought the 52" on the Tiger Cat. We have run the hide off of it for a couple of weeks.
#12
S
sjm1580
S
sjm1580
Interesting about the deck(s). I hate to go try a Scag now and then dislike the Kubota. Well you have to like the fuel consumption on a Kubota. If I keep myself ignorant on the cut difference between the Scag and the Kubota I think I will still think the Kubota is the greatest.
#13
jekjr
Even the 22 hp Kawasaki on the Tiger Cub does not do as well on fuel as the ZG 222.
The ZD 326 has two tanks and I am not tough enough to run both tanks out in a day.
jekjr
Interesting about the deck(s). I hate to go try a Scag now and then dislike the Kubota. Well you have to like the fuel consumption on a Kubota. If I keep myself ignorant on the cut difference between the Scag and the Kubota I think I will still think the Kubota is the greatest.
Even the 22 hp Kawasaki on the Tiger Cub does not do as well on fuel as the ZG 222.
The ZD 326 has two tanks and I am not tough enough to run both tanks out in a day.
#14
W
wingstrut
W
wingstrut
Hey Guys, I'm new to this thread, but not new too mowing, I have lived in Florida for over 55 years and have used many types of mowers back when all there was is Bahia grass, I found if you slow down your forward speed you can cut it with any mower.
I hope that helps.
I'm looking at purchasing a new Kommander Z121S, my grass is mostly St Augustine, I hope this mower will work alright on this grass.
At my age this should be my last mower purchase.
We have a Scag dealer in the area, do you think I should look at this instead of the Kubota, I have a Kubota diesel tractor and I love it, that is why I was looking at their brand.
Sorry to get off the subject, but I need a mower as my grass is about 10 inches high.....................Ron
I hope that helps.
I'm looking at purchasing a new Kommander Z121S, my grass is mostly St Augustine, I hope this mower will work alright on this grass.
At my age this should be my last mower purchase.
We have a Scag dealer in the area, do you think I should look at this instead of the Kubota, I have a Kubota diesel tractor and I love it, that is why I was looking at their brand.
Sorry to get off the subject, but I need a mower as my grass is about 10 inches high.....................Ron
#15
jekjr
If you are cutting Bahia grass the Scag will out cut the Kubota. Plain and simple. On about any other kind of grass I have run into the Kubota will,do just fine. We run a ZG 222 Kubota and a ZD 326 Kubota. We also run a Tiger Cat Scag.
Grass that the Kubota has to go over twice to cut the Scag will cut equally well in one pass. We run me both daily in the same yards.
jekjr
Hey Guys, I'm new to this thread, but not new too mowing, I have lived in Florida for over 55 years and have used many types of mowers back when all there was is Bahia grass, I found if you slow down your forward speed you can cut it with any mower. I hope that helps. I'm looking at purchasing a new Kommander Z121S, my grass is mostly St Augustine, I hope this mower will work alright on this grass. At my age this should be my last mower purchase. We have a Scag dealer in the area, do you think I should look at this instead of the Kubota, I have a Kubota diesel tractor and I love it, that is why I was looking at their brand. Sorry to get off the subject, but I need a mower as my grass is about 10 inches high.....................Ron
If you are cutting Bahia grass the Scag will out cut the Kubota. Plain and simple. On about any other kind of grass I have run into the Kubota will,do just fine. We run a ZG 222 Kubota and a ZD 326 Kubota. We also run a Tiger Cat Scag.
Grass that the Kubota has to go over twice to cut the Scag will cut equally well in one pass. We run me both daily in the same yards.
#16
W
wingstrut
I am mowing my own yard, 1 acre and it is 90% St Augustine, so I guess I will go with the Kubota.
Thanks Jekjr, you can't get a better opinion than from someone who uses both pieces of equipment, Thank you again..................Ron
I know that this mower is a little overkill on just an acre, but I'm getting tired of walking behind my self propelled 26 inch Sarlo.
Plus it looks like everyone is moving up to the ZTR's, they look like they will be fun to operate.
W
wingstrut
If you are cutting Bahia grass the Scag will out cut the Kubota. Plain and simple. On about any other kind of grass I have run into the Kubota will,do just fine. We run a ZG 222 Kubota and a ZD 326 Kubota. We also run a Tiger Cat Scag.
Grass that the Kubota has to go over twice to cut the Scag will cut equally well in one pass. We run me both daily in the same yards.
I am mowing my own yard, 1 acre and it is 90% St Augustine, so I guess I will go with the Kubota.
Thanks Jekjr, you can't get a better opinion than from someone who uses both pieces of equipment, Thank you again..................Ron
I know that this mower is a little overkill on just an acre, but I'm getting tired of walking behind my self propelled 26 inch Sarlo.
Plus it looks like everyone is moving up to the ZTR's, they look like they will be fun to operate.
#17
jekjr
We love Kubota equipment. The zero turns are built like tanks. The 200 and 300 series are any way. I am not overly impress with the 100 series but I have never been on one either. I have about 600 hours on my ZD326 and about 375 on my ZG222. Because of the conditions they have been run under both have been hammered. They are like an old Timex Watch. They take a licking and come back ticking. If you are only cutting an acre, there are times we cut as much grass in a couple of days as you will cut on a year.
jekjr
I am mowing my own yard, 1 acre and it is 90% St Augustine, so I guess I will go with the Kubota. Thanks Jekjr, you can't get a better opinion than from someone who uses both pieces of equipment, Thank you again..................Ron I know that this mower is a little overkill on just an acre, but I'm getting tired of walking behind my self propelled 26 inch Sarlo. Plus it looks like everyone is moving up to the ZTR's, they look like they will be fun to operate.
We love Kubota equipment. The zero turns are built like tanks. The 200 and 300 series are any way. I am not overly impress with the 100 series but I have never been on one either. I have about 600 hours on my ZD326 and about 375 on my ZG222. Because of the conditions they have been run under both have been hammered. They are like an old Timex Watch. They take a licking and come back ticking. If you are only cutting an acre, there are times we cut as much grass in a couple of days as you will cut on a year.
#18
W
wingstrut
W
wingstrut
Well. I'm 68 years old, walking behind a 26 inch mower for two hours is a lot, especially with a bad heart, and a tractor type mower will not cut on the slope that I have, but the lower gravity of the zero turn should do a better job if approached slowly.
I have to agree the Zero Turn is overkill, but at my age, (I'm not crippled, I can still climb trees and prune, paint the house, lay block, build structures,) but it will be fun for a change.
I should probably get the lower end mower as it will probably do the job, but I like the quality of the upper end series, I can't justify a commercial grade, so that is why I was looking at the Kommander Z121S.
You said that you were not familiar with the 100 series, If you look at them they look pretty tough compared to some of the other mowers in that class.
There is one thing I don't understand, the mower decks have square corners, they are not rounded like most mowers, how do they cut the grass without leaving clumps, it seems like the grass would bunch up in the corners then fall out on the ground, do you have this problem.?
Thanks for your time......Ron
PS: not too many years ago a good mower would cost around $400.00 now they are $5,000 to $10,000
I have to agree the Zero Turn is overkill, but at my age, (I'm not crippled, I can still climb trees and prune, paint the house, lay block, build structures,) but it will be fun for a change.
I should probably get the lower end mower as it will probably do the job, but I like the quality of the upper end series, I can't justify a commercial grade, so that is why I was looking at the Kommander Z121S.
You said that you were not familiar with the 100 series, If you look at them they look pretty tough compared to some of the other mowers in that class.
There is one thing I don't understand, the mower decks have square corners, they are not rounded like most mowers, how do they cut the grass without leaving clumps, it seems like the grass would bunch up in the corners then fall out on the ground, do you have this problem.?
Thanks for your time......Ron
PS: not too many years ago a good mower would cost around $400.00 now they are $5,000 to $10,000
#19
jekjr
We don't have a problem with grass bunching in the corners and making a mess. In the area we live in most people cut grass very two weeks. Many times it is like cutting hay. We have many times to pick our decks up high and run over clippings to disperse them to make a yard look good.
Many times with e Kubota mowers we have to double cut tall Bahia grass to make it look good as well. Our Tiger Cat Scag will normally cut Bahia in one pass better than the Kubota mowers will. More times than not the Kubota mowers will have to slow to a crawl or either make a second pass to make it look as good.
jekjr
Well. I'm 68 years old, walking behind a 26 inch mower for two hours is a lot, especially with a bad heart, and a tractor type mower will not cut on the slope that I have, but the lower gravity of the zero turn should do a better job if approached slowly. I have to agree the Zero Turn is overkill, but at my age, (I'm not crippled, I can still climb trees and prune, paint the house, lay block, build structures,) but it will be fun for a change. I should probably get the lower end mower as it will probably do the job, but I like the quality of the upper end series, I can't justify a commercial grade, so that is why I was looking at the Kommander Z121S. You said that you were not familiar with the 100 series, If you look at them they look pretty tough compared to some of the other mowers in that class. There is one thing I don't understand, the mower decks have square corners, they are not rounded like most mowers, how do they cut the grass without leaving clumps, it seems like the grass would bunch up in the corners then fall out on the ground, do you have this problem.? Thanks for your time......Ron PS: not too many years ago a good mower would cost around $400.00 now they are $5,000 to $10,000
We don't have a problem with grass bunching in the corners and making a mess. In the area we live in most people cut grass very two weeks. Many times it is like cutting hay. We have many times to pick our decks up high and run over clippings to disperse them to make a yard look good.
Many times with e Kubota mowers we have to double cut tall Bahia grass to make it look good as well. Our Tiger Cat Scag will normally cut Bahia in one pass better than the Kubota mowers will. More times than not the Kubota mowers will have to slow to a crawl or either make a second pass to make it look as good.