Kubota ZD1211 Diesel Zero Turn Overview by Messicks.

[@codyjones3016]

Nice review we just bought one here in Texas and love it was able to back it up steep trailer ramps which most other zero turns won't do. It has plenty of power and love the wet clutch system. Should last for years to come.

[@1Cobranut]

Good video. I have the previous model ZD326 and I can attest to its ruggedness and reliability, as well as its excellent fuel economy. It is heavy, but the controls are very responsive, and it turns fine in my opinion. The only issue here is it will tear the turf if you spin it with one tire stationary. The advantage to the weight on the drive tires is it will handle hills that many zero turns will not.

[@JCG48]

I was thinking about buying a 326 model 2010... You think it will be a good deal... It's been prepared to sell from a local dealer

[@fitch8363]

After owning a ZD1211 since 2018 I finally figured out a solution to the rear tire problem we've been having. Neither myself, the local tire store, or my Kubota dealer (About 1-1/2 miles from where I live) have been able to find a tube that works longer than an hour in the 26x12x16 low profile tires. If a tire goes flat, which happens a couple/three times a year, and is then driven on for even a relatively short distance like ten yards before the operator realizes it flat, we've not been able to get them to reliably seal to the rim again. No tube and not sealing reliably once flat has met every flat tire is a $240 new tire problem. The solution, for me, was to buy a pair of ZD326 rear wheel/tire assemblies that are a bolt on swap for the stock 26x12x16 wheel/tire assemblies. We did this because our ZD21 (owned from 2004 to 2018) which didn't have the low profile tires worked just fine with tubes in the tires. They also went flat a LOT less often. The big plus? Tubes are readily available for the 26x12x12 tires and mower works just fine with the easily and cost effectively maintainable ZD326 wheel/tire assemblies. The rim offset is an inch less in the 326 rims than the 1211 rims but it doesn't matter and the two Inch total tread width decrease actually solves an interference problem between the left rear anti scuff roller and the stock rear tire. It also stops the rich rear tire from extending beyond the blades. The 26x12x12 ZD326 tire is actually slightly smaller in diameter (less than an inch) than the 26x12x16 tire, but all that's required to accommodate that is to readjust the fore and aft level on the deck which takes about ten minutes. For me, being able to fix flat tires for about ten percent of the cost made the swap worth while. YMMV.

[@jayanddenissejones6648]

Great video Neil! Your video caused me to go buy one of these! It's probably way more than I need but its a beast!

[@mjojo1000]

I love these zero turn mowers I’m looking forward to owning one of these awesome mowers

[@davidmount5190]

What a beast. I test drove one, I'm sold

[@WilliamBos72]

thanks a ton for doing these vids Neil. Kubota will be the mower of choice for me.

[@blessed7fold]

Very well done review. I learned a ton and you explained why your machine is the better choice. Good Job!

[@HarrisPropertyMaintenance]

just started working for my local kubota dealer, uncrated a 72 rear discharge 1211 and it sat on the lot 4 hours before being sold.

[@ventrac]

Great Video Neil. Good information across the board.

[@AJ67901]

nice review. Very easy natural delivery of through product knowledge. Great job!

[@myredute]

The Kubota ZG222 is still the best commercial ZTR on the market. Heaps of power from Kubota's own V twin engine & tough as they come....fabulous mower!

[@fitch8363]

I have just short of 700 hours on one. Everything about it is a huge improvement over the ZD21, especially the maintenance access, except the tires. It isn't going anywhere. Between the three family members that use it to maintain a bit over 7 acres of lawn, we love it. That said,the tires are really REALLY expensive and prone to slow leaks and sensitive to pressure differential. I haven't been able to find a tube that fits them. Your a world class dealership but even you don't sell a tube that fits them, either, darn it. It would be a big benefit if you could find and stock a tube for these tires.

[@AStanton1966]

I wonder if you could foam those tires? And if so, would the ride be too unbearable? I have 2 Kubota tractors and have had problems with the front wheels going flat on both--crappy tire beads!

[@fitch8363]

@@AStanton1966 I foamed the front tires on my ZD21 - it was not an improvement. The front rims completely broke off the wheels a few months apart. I replaced them with air filled. That experience leads me to believe it wouldn't work well on my ZD1211. I think the loss of tire spring would make the ZD1211 about underivable with foamed rear tires. Plus, it's a heavy machine and adding foamed tires to it, which are noticeably heavier than air filled, wouldn't improve that. Kubota has sold mowers without low profile tires, the ZD21 I traded in, for example had rear tires that worked flawlessly - much better than the PITA tires on the ZD1211. I'm considering checking to see of those are the same OD as the existing ones and could be used on the ZD1211.

[@AStanton1966]

@@fitch8363 Sorry to hear about your foam experience. If I ever needed to get another rear set of tires loaded, I would go to foam rather than beet juice--no air pressure to worry about.

[@gregorysampson8759]

Nice! Most salesman don't really understand their product like that!

[@miamiflorida9464]

How do you get rid of the warning light thats red looks like an i up side down and a circle around it thanks

[@deerewheelhoeclifton5710]

Hello. I own a 1211 with 60" deck. I'm very familiar with the zd's having owned 7 since 2003. My question is how do I get a better cut performance out of this mower? I've exhausted every trick I know and it still "drags over" or leaves behind to many uncut blades of grass. Especially bad in tall fescue.

[@bjgarbacz1]

Get gator blades it makes it look like carpet

[@tricountyfarmer5640]

I'd bet a 72 would contain the taller grass and cut it compared to the 60. I know my 72 inch exmark will cut stuff a 52 inch exmark leaves tall. Similar situation but different brand. I want a kubota but no way to justify it.

[@samball2991]

Could you please do some videos on the 2 grass catchers available? I can’t find any info or reviews just a few bad pics. I’m interested in purchasing but I can’t find anything on the web. Keep up the good work. I love your videos

[@ea32da32]

Although these are fast, at 60 years old I tried using my sons new zero turn, BEAT ME TO DEATH. Forget this for me. Unless you’re on a golf course green any small bump goes right up my back. Give me a BX!

[@MessicksEquip]

Yup. zero turns can really beat you up. That's part of why many companies focus on big tires, thick seats, etc.

[@moultonditcher6187]

I traded in my GF 1800 4 wheel drive on this machine,way faster and so much more comfort in the ZD machine.The hystat on this machine is very smooth,the fuel economy is quite good also.The only real issue I find with these machines is the burn marks on the lawns in a tight turn situation,you really have to pay attention,That inside wheel better not lock up,or burn time.Overall,great machine.

[@TheInsanePanda]

You look like Mac from Its Always Sunny, but very great video

[@js4455dl]

Neil, have they made any changes to this mower since this video, I'm looking at a 2024 72 inch, or should I go with 60 inch i have large open area thz

[@MessicksEquip]

nope, same machine. I'd want the 72 for a lot of acreage.

[@js4455dl]

@@MessicksEquip and this machine would handle it fine. Wish you was closer

[@POLSKI416]

you do some great videos. very informative. I can't find one on the 700 series. maybe I'm just missing it, but if you don't have one, could you make one?

[@robertthomas7997]

How to switch on tank to another when fuel is low

[@johnnypopper-pc3ss]

LOVE my ZD331 !!

[@jimedwards9310]

That mower is so nice :)

[@spezza9]

Does anyone know what the part is called for the cover of the jack? Mines seen better days. Wanted a new one.

[@togodbetheglory9725]

I haven't seen the new 2019 do they stopped building it???

[@MessicksEquip]

they do not build mowers in model years.

[@USCGCoasttoast]

Hey I have a Z726XKW-60 the tires say 20psi but the book says 10psi..What should I have in the tires?

[@MessicksEquip]

15? There is wiggle room. Lots of guys soften the for ride

[@USCGCoasttoast]

Ok Thanks

[@jamesrenshaw4566]

Where can I find the pins and wheels for the deck ?

[@jamesrenshaw4566]

On a zd326

[@rprestage]

Neil you have me about ready to ditch green.

[@squeaky61]

The whole reason I clicked on this video, is I wanted to hear it run! Wanted to hear the diesel on the mower...

[@bendigr]

i just got one of these mowers. I love it. it replaced my Ferris.

[@lopezvaaude88]

Nice Very Nice I Like My New Kubota.

[@tylercorbin8073]

I wonder why the battery and the oil lights on the dash are on when it’s brand new machine

[@MessicksEquip]

Every light on the dash turns on when the key is on accessory.

[@rdking8001]

I have a zd1211 with only 50 hours on it and it just started only taking fuel from one tank? I checked shut offs both on any ideas?

[@MessicksEquip]

dirt in your fuel. There is a line that connects the two tanks that maybe plugged.

[@StanWilhite]

IMO, the "sportier" look of the new rear tires isn't anywhere around worth the loss of the extra cushion you get with a taller sidewall tire utilizing lower air pressure. I don't get that at all....maybe the engineers don't have to actually use these mowers.

[@stepside2839]

Agreed and they should have radial tires = sidewall flex

[@tricountyfarmer5640]

@@stepside2839 I'd love to see a radial turf tire. I'd hate to buy it.

[@stepside2839]

@@tricountyfarmer5640 there are radial turf tires made, but not widely used. Spartan lawn mowers were one of the 1st to use a radial turf tire. I think Gravely now offers that. Because the side wall will flex, it gives an advantage of better contact with surface, while supplying some cushioning. Tweel tires do the same & offered on some John Deer models, but they are expensive. Others companies are offering them as an option. Again $$$$

[@MikeSmith-lx9jg]

HOW much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ?????????????????????

[@hamsamichjack4408]

Around 15 to 16 thousand

[@arkyump]

Why would you want a articulating front end while mowing?

[@MessicksEquip]

Contouring, follows the ground better

[@Quarterpounderspatch]

Also can be locked to fixed front end. If you like being beat to death.

[@1Cobranut]

Do not care for the "low-profile" tires. I run lower than standard air pressure in my tires, and the extra sidewall allows for a smoother ride. The shorter sidewall on these would be less effective in that respect, and also makes it easier to bend the wheel rim with lower pressure.

[@1Cobranut]

Mainly my yard, which is a bit bumpy. I also occasionally use it to keep the road into my property clear, instead of mounting the bushhog to my tractor. There are lots of large quartz rocks in my land. I've got the yard clear of them, but they do keep popping up in the road. LOL Incidentally, my tires were loaded with chloride from the dealer, which makes it very stable on hills as well. Low-profile tires would not hold nearly as much fluid.

[@MessicksEquip]

We said the same thing at first. Our experience so far is showing that this model is holding side hills better than the prior one. Its hard to say if this is due to the tire change or something else.

[@1Cobranut]

Even if grip is the same, they will still ride rougher.

[@1Cobranut]

It's a great mower, but if you want it to pay for itself you better be prepared to keep it busy from dawn to dusk every day. Better have lots of neighborhood yards to do that. Mowers of this caliber are usually used on large commercial lots. My employer contracts a pro landscaping company to do their considerable property, and they don't even use diesels like this. I bought mine because I wanted it, I could afford it, and it should last a lifetime of my usage with proper care.

[@1Cobranut]

Good choice. I have had my BX2200 about 16 years, and the only things it's needed besides oil and filter changes were an updated steering cylinder, and hydraulic lines, which I changed due to age, after a couple had sprung a leak. The fact that Kubota parts are not overly expensive, and the excellent service I've had from the BX, made the decision to buy the ZD an easy choice.

[@fisherspropertymaintenance9138]

You should do a mowing video on this

[@tomhopkins6758]

I have a 5 year old kubota kommander 124 and I really hate it. It won't go. It won't stop. Has 28 hours on it now and has been to the dealer AT LEAST once a year! I'm currently on KZbin now trying to fix it AGAIN ! IM FURIOUS WITH IT AND WISH I NEVER BOUGHT IT

[@MessicksEquip]

Take it to a different dealer. If you have that few of hours on it the fuel would have gone bad and probably ruined the carburetor

[@tomhopkins6758]

Thanks for the response. But (so far), that's about the ONLY thing that I haven't had trouble with.

[@usarmy6646]

what is your name

[@shannonpaschal6435]

It's actually 24.8 horse power

[@fisherspropertymaintenance9138]

Which location was this at

[@MessicksEquip]

most of our videos are filmed at our Elizabethtown, PA store.

[@fisherspropertymaintenance9138]

Is the zd1211 in the showroom

[@MessicksEquip]

+Celticgaming Music we cycle things around, but i think there is one right now.

[@fisherspropertymaintenance9138]

Thanks I'm looking to view it in person to see if it fits my needs. Elizabeth is the closest one to me

[@samdaly9784]

Turn that front wheel before you put 600lbs of weight on it by jacking up the deck.

[@wjjmlg]

not anymore....

[@spukduk5632]

If only they didn't get stuck because of nothing

[@jaxadams4254]

Absolutely no benefit of having a diesel zero turn with that low of horsepower and added weight of machine. The gas engines have plenty of torque with better bang for buck and a faster mowing machine

[@MessicksEquip]

Never run one have you? We sell them all, personally would take a diesel every time.

[@tylerblevins4630]

@@MessicksEquiphe ain't ran the zd 331 72in we got it for 10,000 cash when it had like 350 hours on it old lady hooked us up since it was really for me to cut my family's 5 acres . Takes me about 4 hours but Man U can really sling some grass way faster than the gasoline 48in kabota we have 4,000 hours on. Big. Difference in the diesels !! I don't even cut full throttle usually unless it's super tall just make sure it runs efficiently all the way. But we cut our grass on 5 every week or so and it's big thick grass and it handles it like a beast !

[@c1a101]

Hey get over and demo the small excavator!!!!...You're good!!..lol