Which John Deere Ztrak Zero Turn Mower? | Is the Z3 Z5 Z7 or Z9 best for you?

[@iceman4977]

I think we all want the Z9 but gotta settle for Z3 😭

[@WesternEquipment]

I feel this pain! The Z9 is such a beast so I would agree, but any Ztrak is a good choice.

[@TheSwampChicken-II]

I mean, I have a Scag Cheetah II, and I'm not rich by any means. You can save up for the Z9.

[@FishFind3000]

They have good financing if you really want one. I just got a z920m and can’t wait to mow with it. The dealer got me $2500 off it since I was looking at a z740r so it was a less then $1000 to jump from a z7 to a z9 and is totally worth it.

[@Type_One_Diabetic]

I have a z4

[@TexasNightRider]

This is the best review of the John Deere ZTR family. Thank you.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you!

[@Pawildsbigfootedition]

I chose the Z920M after watching this 3 years ago and have no regrets it’s still the best I’ve ever seen for my yard.

[@WesternEquipment]

Awesome! I am glad I could help and thanks for watching!

[@coleoshtamebaghe3606]

Still loving my Z915E three years after buying it. Mow about 4 acres weekly.

[@WesternEquipment]

Glad you like!

[@bowbender1]

I have two z997s a z970r a z830a and my favorite , my old 757. Had it 2007 and still runs strong and handles the best of them all.

[@WesternEquipment]

Man, you have quite the collection! So is it safe to say the 757 is your favorite?

[@bowbender1]

@@WesternEquipment it is. It handles the best. 997 is close though

[@dougschlickbernd8862]

This information is great,just wished it was available 2yrs ago when I was buying . No one could really explain the difference . I came across a z540m that was 2yrs old with 73hrs 2yrs warranty left on it. The JD Dealer gave me a great deal, I couldn't afford a new one but this was great for me, had them install a mulching kit . This mower works great for my small business. It's not to heavy to leave tracks in the lawns, the 54inches deck is the right size for small or large yards. I've got mowing jobs after the people watching me there neighbor lawns. Thanks J D

[@WesternEquipment]

Sounds like you did well! Thanks for watching!!

[@markf8256]

These in-depth product reviews are great. I am considering a Zero Turn now that my property has been cleared creating over 3 acres on a decent grade hill. I am getting bounced around too much on my X580 w/ 54” deck. My neighbor recommended the 7 series to save my back.

[@WesternEquipment]

The 7 series would be a great choice here. The seat and the addition of the Tweels on Z740R would really help here.

[@henrylombard1965]

This is the way reviews should be. I’d say you should gat a side hustle advising others on how to present families of products clearly. Well done and thank you for outlining the whole JD ztr family so clearly.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@denisewildfortune4058]

Outstanding presentation! I was searching for an introduction to the JD line of mowers and hit the motherload.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you! Glad we could help!

[@jesuscenteno9126]

Me gustaría saber si en España hay algún concesionario o vendedor y donde

[@raymonddargie6594]

You did a great job explaining all the differences with each Z category.Helped clear up some questions. Thank you so much.

[@WesternEquipment]

You are so welcome!

[@johnbouwens2024]

I work for a college in Oregon and We use a 930m to mow ball fields with... socker. Baseball and softball .... Its awsome.. and we also have a john deere1600 turbo 3 bat wing mower it cuts 12 feet wide ...

[@WesternEquipment]

Both are awesome mowers for sure!

[@billrook6165]

Just bought a new X345R with 22hp Briggs. Will take me some time to get good with it. But so far, I love it! If I could change anything on the X345R, it would be to slide the seat back one more notch. It sits too close to the steering bars, for potbellied operators like me. The other thing is... The decks' discharge deflector will not fully hinge upward to pass through narrower storage building doors. The black plastic wrap-around cover on the frame blocks the deflector's upward hinge travel.

[@WesternEquipment]

I agree with you on both of these issues. Thanks for watching!

[@johnphilips6868]

I just had to sub to this channel. The reviews are better than most I've seen on KZbin and I just love lawn equipment. Keep up the good work, dude

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for the comment and thanks for the sub. We will keep putting content out, no worries!

[@TheSwampChicken-II]

@@WesternEquipment I'm a lawn equipment enthusiast, too. I mean, I mow my neighbor's yards, but I mostly love the machines for what they are. What! People collect cars, why can't I collect mowers without getting the hell judged out of me! I also test the equipment, so I can give my opinion so people get the right machine for the job.

[@minojones8429]

I’ve had the pleasure of using the Z970 equipped with the MOD kit and the Michelin X Tweel kit and it is the best cut and ride quality of any mower I’ve ever used. I was super impressed with this machine. JD hit a home run with this combo. Thanks for the good review and details.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you for watching!

[@jameskeough4620]

Wow! A ton of information presented concisely and professionally. Good job! I learned a lot!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@ctn830]

I need help deciding between 2 used JD zero turn mowers. Which would you choose if you had to decide between a 2019 Z540R (with Kawasaki engine) with 100 hours or the 2023 Z325E (Briggs & Stratton engine) with 40 hrs? This is for home use only. 540 a little more but almost same price

[@sidallen685]

I like the JD 930M with the Kawasaki 28hp engine, I wanted to stay with the 54” deck so I had to special order the mower and I went with the Michelin Tweels also, great mower.

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, the Z930M is very popular in our area as well. Hope you enjoy your mower!

[@matthewfox4658]

I own two 950m’s. Dry grass they cut just as nice as any other mower. Wet grass. Probably the worse I’ve ever seen. And it’s been a wet spring/early summer.

[@WesternEquipment]

I hate to hear that about the wet grass. What seems to be happening?

[@Coco-sk9lz]

Wow! Great information! I came here looking for JD brand mower and your video is the best I've come across! Thank you from New Zealand :)

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for watching! New Zealand is a place I’d love to visit.

[@itzpete1689]

If I had a tight, and curvy yard this is what I would go for, but my yard is just straight and flat so I went with the s130

[@WesternEquipment]

Not a bad choice at all. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesjohns83]

My wife loves big decks. According to her, our neighbor has a bigger deck than I do (I've never seen it; apparently he only mows while I'm away on business). She tells her girlfriends that she wishes mine was bigger and that I should consider upgrading to a girthier model. John Deere has really done an excellent job with this lineup and put a lot of thought into the size of their decks (it really does matter!). I think I'll pull the trigger on one of these...and although she won't be happy that I finish quicker, I'm certain she'll appreciate another 12". Hell, I might even let the neighbors wife take it for a spin! - She's been on a lot of big decks over the years.

[@WesternEquipment]

Interesting! lol

[@kevinstenger4334]

I was looking for some general information on these because a friend of mine wanted me to try and fix his Z425. He was telling me he would never buy another John Deere product because they are junk. I told him they are generally pretty good and maybe he just wasn’t understanding something. He bought this thing in 2018 on clearance because it was a leftover from a previous model year, yeah, like 4 model years. He couldn’t believe it when I showed him the tag that says it was built in January 2014. He said it has always been very hard to start so didn’t get much use because he has another larger machine of another brand. He had taken it back to the dealer once and all they did was put a new battery in it. It’s an hour and a half to the dealership and their service sucked so he never went back. Then it started losing all of the oil out of the right side transmission every time he used it so he just parked it until he brought it to me. I took a look at it and discovered the throttle cable was not adjusted properly from the factory, the choke would never come on. A quick adjustment to correct that and she fired right up. On to the transmission. The thing was caked with oil, dirt and grass so I opted to just drop the whole unit out from under the machine so I could clean it up and get a good look at it. After cleaning it up and changing the oil in it I spun the input with my battery drill to verify it works and let it sit to see where the oil leak was. No leak! Then I thought maybe it only leaks when the pump inside builds enough pressure or when it gets warm so I reinstalled it. When I ran the machine it worked but the right side was clearly not as strong as the left and had no reverse so I adjusted the linkage a bit to get some reverse out of the right side. We then mowed my neighbors lawn to try it out and it was somewhat OK , then took it down the street to my friends house to try it out some more. The second lawn has a pretty good slope to it and the machine almost ran away going down hill and the right side didn’t have enough power to climb back up so we had to help it. This machine only has 47 hours on it! I sent him home to look for his paperwork to find out how long his warranty was. I can’t believe this thing has a junk transmission and of course with all things John Deere good luck getting parts without going through the dealer who has already demonstrated their incompetence.

[@WesternEquipment]

I'm sorry to hear of your trouble! If i can help shoot me an email at [e-mail].

[@garygbur3992]

You do the very best videos! Thank you for taking the time to educate JD owners!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@nurzrachit7133]

I really would like to a zero turn, but my yard is crazy. I have a creek next to my house, and probably 1/4 of what I mow is very bumpy and irregular. The main part of my yard is flat and a zero would be great, but I've heard zero turns don't like the bumpy terrain as well as a standard rider. I use an ariens 46in 20hp automatic the last few years, but it has not been well suited for my situation. The mower runs fantastic, but it seems a bit flimsy and under equipped to last the punishment. I also can not just go bigger deck either, because down by the creek it can get a little tight. I've even considered getting one of those brush cutters to give the mower a break. Basically I'm probably looking for something that doesn't exist. I need a mower that can be robust and can take a beating, but can hoof it through the regular mowing activity as well. Hope you can help with that, thanks, great video.

[@WesternEquipment]

If you would like to stay zero turn then i would suggest looking into the Z7 series. Great seat option for ride quality, Tweel options for better grip and ride quality, and also a very robust sturdy frame for the large residential customer! If not, possibly a 1025R tractor with a 60" belly mower for your strictly mowing applications, then possible a 48" rotary cutter (brush hog as most call it) for the rear for those tight areas of rough mowing by the creek. I would check out both options!

[@TheSwampChicken-II]

You could get the Etesia AK95. It's a brush cutter mower.

[@squirrelatwork]

Would you recommend the z5 series for commercial use. No more than 7-10 acres at a time

[@WesternEquipment]

I have seen the Z5 mowers used commercially, but I would not say that I recommend it. I would recommend a Z7 though. Thanks for watching!

[@thnksno]

I only have about an acre to mow. I run a Z930M, yeah it's a bit much but I didn't buy it to replace it in 5 years.

[@WesternEquipment]

That's a good mower! Thanks for watching!

[@jaytomes8765]

This guy does great videos. Best information I have found and clears up a lot of questions. You can tell he cares and loves what he does. Thank you!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you for that and thanks for watching!

[@ChrisMeuzelaar1]

From Albany, Western Australia, thanks for this, we have always had a L series mower for around the farm sheds but are looking for something bigger

[@WesternEquipment]

@Chris Meuzelaar thanks for watching all the way over in Australia!

[@darrendoss3753]

It's the way Briggs does there horspower rating that's why other engines are lower horspower and still do the same work.

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, most companies have different ways of rating their horsepower which is why torque should be the real measurement. But HP is way more eye-catching to the buyer!

[@giovannimg6732]

Way to cover everything in detail. Thank you. You got a new subscriber.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for the support!

[@toddweiland3508]

Great video. Do you have one that covers the lawn mowers???? ( 100 series through 700 series )

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and not yet but hopefully coming soon. Thanks for watching!

[@tprice323]

You do a great job breaking down all the questions I've had in looking at these mowers. It starts to get confusing on which model is what and why someone should buy an R over M or an E. It looks like 2021 got even more complicated. I think JD marketing team should simplify the models down a bit as it creates a lot of confusion when purchasing.

[@WesternEquipment]

I agree with you but, I also love the variety of models to help and better suit the customers. Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@tprice323]

@@WesternEquipment For sure, it is nice to have the option to choose between Kawi or Briggs engines. What are your thoughts on the new 545R vs 530R or even the M for that matter. Is EFI much better? Is the high capacity deck on the R that much of an advantage of the M?

[@jimmcfadden1438]

Great video.you taught me a lot about the zero turn john deere mowers .thanks for your efforts👍🇺🇸

[@WesternEquipment]

Glad I could help! Do you have one?

[@damondavis7305]

Good video. as a big guy, I gotta appreciate the seat on the 740r

[@WesternEquipment]

Same here man, let me tell you, it is a phenomenal seat!

[@AlanBuckner]

Great video, very helpful. Gonna get mine in 2 days!

[@WesternEquipment]

Awesome! Keep us updated on which one and how you like it! Thanks for watching!

[@therrienmichael08]

My first John Deere research.

[@WesternEquipment]

Was it helpful?

[@marqueswilsonn]

My Ferris has a welded deck 10 years old and still no rust. Even if it did rust the metal is so thick I could grind it out and weld a new bead in there.

[@WesternEquipment]

There are definitely some manufacturers that have it figured out and not all manufactured decks have issues! Just pointing out the pros of the stamped deck! Thanks for watching!

[@perryrockett25]

Nice, I just bought the z345m I love it!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for watching!

[@msclecarcrzy]

I'm looking to purchase the Z740R in 54in. Hope to pick it up Saturday. This will be my first deere.

[@4gauge10]

I miss the Deere Z-traks that used steering wheels,these were built back in the 1990's and were much better design then all of these combined.These were the F-900 series Z-Traks,the steering wheel feature allows you to eat and drink while driving,which you cannot do with the "stick"system.

[@WesternEquipment]

We have had a lot of customers say the same thing! Maybe they will make a return someday!

[@midgebarker4022]

Since the tube frame is big no deal for me, I have to start at the z9 series.

[@WesternEquipment]

The Z9's are great but I would also say the tubular framing is super stout! Thanks for watching!

[@jdtractorman7445]

Even though it isn't reviewed here, the Z540R is a great mower. Wide rear tires, thick cushioned seat and foot pedal to raise/lower the deck. That lever comes in handy. I would like to see them offer some type of wheel suspension, but the seat is pretty soft and gives quite a bit.

[@WesternEquipment]

Stay tuned! We are going to do a video over a suspension system!!

[@zeroturn7091]

Z300 needs a rear wheel upgrade option. Tires are way too narrow. Yep it also needs a fuel gauge.

[@WesternEquipment]

We agree and will push your feedback forward! Thanks for watching!

[@AuGold808]

doesnt have a fuel gage? wtf ... common sense 101 john deere -- embarrassing.

[@danieldargis7429]

there is no fuel gauge but there is a "low fuel" indicator...i am the proud owner of a z335E and i love it

[@Recovery12Life]

Man a lot has changed in three years

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes it has! I need to do an update on this.

[@jacoblynch8636]

something I wished he would have touched on and he did night is when you move up to a bigger engine you may not get more horsepower but you get more torque and that’s the important number that nobody ever tells you when you have more blades or bigger blades that are spinning a bigger cutting deck you need more torque also more torque with a heavier machine 20 something horsepower is more than enough horsepower to push any of these things there’s 7 to 10 mph but it’s the torque you need for everything else and nobody talks about those numbers but that’s what a bigger engine get you

[@WesternEquipment]

You are correct! I wish i would have used torque in my explanation!

[@fowlercarlos]

Very informative video. I’m in the process of purchasing either a John Deere or eXmark mower.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for watching! We hope this video helped in your decision making!

[@fowlercarlos]

@@WesternEquipment Thanks. I'm still deciding between a John Deere, eXmark, and Ferris. John Deere store and Ferris dealers were friendly. eXmark dealer didn't want to help me. They gave me a brochure and said everything was self explanatory .

[@chrisallison9849]

@@fowlercarlos that's unfortunate you have a shitty exmark dealer. In my experience exmark has the superior product in their Lazer z series but you gotta get what works best for you

[@johndeere1951a]

Do any of these models have oil draining changing of the transmission ? Trans maintenance is the most important feature for longevity.

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, you can check out the video I have done on the Z9's on our other channel 247Parts.

[@josephharmon5925]

I mow 2+ acres a day until my 10 acres is mowed (depends on weather) each month. Some areas are light mowing of grass up to 8" tall, further out (bulk) is 3' high brush with intermittent little shrub/brush that is up to 3/8" thick at base. Nobody ever talks about the size or density of what they can cut or avg blade life. So any recommendations?

[@WesternEquipment]

I would suggest looking into a compact tractor with a drive-over deck and a rear rotary cutter, maybe a 2025R with a 60" drive over deck and a 60" rotary cutter. This would give you the clean cut mowing with the drive-over deck for your clean grass and the more brush hog style mowing for your 3' tall grass and brush mixture. If you want to stay with a zero-turn then I would definitely suggest a high horsepower Z9, either a Z970R which is 35HP gasoline engine or the Z997R which is a 37.4HP diesel engine. But that is just my opinion. Let us know if we can help! Thanks for watching!

[@smooth247fyi]

Why do you mow it all? Leave some wild?

[@josephharmon5925]

@@smooth247fyi At the end of the season the 3' stuff drys out and becomes a fire hazard, and with the winds in this area I can't safely burn it to control it.

[@merrilljohn1619]

What does the "A" stand for in Z920A ? Thank You !

[@WesternEquipment]

The A was used as a trim level indicator along with B before John Deere started using the E, M, and R at the end of the model numbers to indicate trim level and features.

[@timthetoolman5522]

Excellent review. Do you guys sell JD mowers? Do you deliver to Indiana?

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes we do but we currently do not ship them. We are going to try to in the future!

[@srg2972]

I have two small horse pastures, 1/2 acre total, what level would I need?

[@andrewanderson8600]

I got them all in my Christmas list. 😂🤞

[@WesternEquipment]

Haha that's a good place for them!

[@thomashale8063]

Are the operating arms adjustable? Im a pretty big guy, Id like to have a little more room away from me if that is available?

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, all of the Z-Traks have some sort of adjustment on the control levers. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelhayes9773]

How strong is that frame on the 3 series. I compared a 355R to a Cub Cadet ZT150 sitting side by side and the Cub Cadet made the JD look like a weak toy. I need a new zero turn and can't decide which way to go. I mow up to 4.5 acres at any given time and I have a front easement ditch that will test the strength of any mower.

[@WesternEquipment]

Questions like these are hard to answer. I can say the frame is strong enough to hold so pretty big operators. I weigh about 275 and it has plenty of strength to hold me and perform well. With that much to mow I would consider looking into the Z5 series as an option. They are more money but they offer a roll over protection system, more frame strength and options for more comfortable seat and ride. I would also say that if that ditch is pretty steep you may consider a tractor style mower. They tend to perform better on side hills and if you’re looking for the turning of a zero-turn mower you could look into a 4 wheel steer like the X354. I hope this was helpful and thanks for watching!

[@rhaltunen]

Is there an updated video like this for 2024?

[@dlapin8917]

ugh I'm still undecided on on John Deeres. Been seeing mixed reviews. Thank you for your video though.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@sidallen685]

John Deere mowers are good built machines, I have a 2009 Z445 with a 25 hp Kawasaki with 54” reinforced deck, I still use it daily, maintenance is the key for longevity.

[@tusafilms7286]

Been using a simple LA110 since 2009 on a 3acre rough lawn...still working great.

[@ErikAsquith]

I have a Z950M 60” MOD deck and it was great to see how it compares to all these other available models in the ZTrak lineup. Great comparison video and thumbs up!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@BigDog-xj8ol]

Do you have a review of the Z915a?

[@WesternEquipment]

Unfortunately I don’t. Those were in production before we started our channel.

[@erkisaar1316]

I have 545R . Do You have a more comfort seat for that mover ? Is it possible to but 7 series or 9 series seat on the 5 th ?

[@WesternEquipment]

Unfortunately, the Z545R comes with the most comfortable and high quality seat in the Z5's. It does not look like a Z7 or Z9 seat would work without quite a bit of modification. I'm sorry I don't have a better solution but thanks for watching!

[@johnwilliamson3164]

What about bagging systems...

[@WesternEquipment]

Hopefully I can cover those in another video soon. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@David-ll8bt]

Good video. Can you tell me on the Z5 with a 24 Horse Power Kawasaki how many Horse Power go to the blades and how man Horse Power go to the Drive Train? Thanks

[@WesternEquipment]

I do not see any specific specs on the HP breakdown but I do know that your transaxle does not take much and most of the HP goes to the deck. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@David-ll8bt]

@@WesternEquipment Thank you for searching for me. I'm curious, not a big thing.

[@Sciron]

Ok I’m 13 and about to start a lawn mowing business what should I buy?

[@stifflers69mom1]

Sciron some sheep 🐑

[@WesternEquipment]

There are so many great options it is hard to tell. It also depends on your budget and how big of a deck you need. Send us a message if we could help more!

[@kennyspencer8563]

Can you make a video riding them? Curious if there is any difference..

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, hoping to get a few more Ztrak models featured in the Mow An Acre series when the grass greens back up in the spring. Thanks for watching!

[@kennyspencer8563]

@@WesternEquipment Awesome. Looking out!

[@dominicargenio8791]

I don’t know much about this but what zero turn mower would you suggest for a “beginner” or more like not cutting like 700 ft of grass

[@WesternEquipment]

I would suggest that you go to a dealership and see them in person and base your buying decision off of terrain and yard size rather than experience level! But i would say the Z300 series is the least expensive if you were worrying about damaging it due to lack of experience!

[@jeanettereisinger289]

Thank you, a very good comparison.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you!!

[@justinballengee258]

What about the toughness of the transmissions?

[@WesternEquipment]

They get stronger and more durable as you move from the Z3 to the Z9 to matching the weight and use of the machine. If you need additional info on a specific model let me know and I can get that for you. Thanks for watching!

[@whatsfordinner1695]

@13:06 how are we meant to know that? Are you saying John Deere just randomly puts any old motor into the mower?

[@WesternEquipment]

No, I should have phrased this better. I was mainly speaking on how John Deere specifically picks the style and series of engine that goes into each machine instead of just putting any HP of engine in the mower. They specifically consider the size of the mower and what it is going to be used for to match the engine to the mower.

[@3sons66]

Do you guys run into clutch bearings going on Z970's? My mower at idle without the deck engaged is ridiculously LOUD...almost has a metallic sound to it. When mover is engaged it's almost unbearable. Everything is working as it should. When I get under it when running, it sounds like it's coming from the clutch area. Just wondering if you've had similar problems? Thanks!

[@WesternEquipment]

Not that I know of but, that can be a costly item to replace so I would definitely get with a repair shop or look to see if there are any common fixes for them. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@hswing11]

A drive belt from dealer at $70.00 compared to $12.00 for local parts house.

[@WesternEquipment]

This can be true, but keep in mind that quality, convenience, and availability come with a price at times...

[@steveeab2364]

Wowzers

[@nobodysnow8266]

Awesome video! A lot of useful info. I work on John Deere equipment for my city. Any good websites for diagnostics and repair manuals you might recommend?

[@WesternEquipment]

I'll have to check int this!

[@wannabejeeper]

I'm trying to decide between the Z3 and a standard ride on mover. I do a lot of side hilling... and find myself one wheel spinning a fair bit. I have 9K square feet of lawn, and starting to do my neighbor's that's about 2/3 as big. Nothing level on his. Thoughts? I know the 500 series of ride ons and up have a rear diff lock. Ideally I'd like a machine that can cut grass and blow snow... but $10K plus is out of the question.

[@WesternEquipment]

Well to get that dual purpose your best bet is the tractor style. you should be able to get into an X5 for somewhere between $6K to $8K. But I'm not sure what your snow blower would run. Let me know if I can help!

[@bennybabch552]

Is 850 hours for a 2016 z950m allot? And how much do you think it’s worth?

[@WesternEquipment]

Really just depends on how it was used. If it was for commercial use then no but for residential I would say that is quite a few. And it is hard to determine value because it depends so much on location. In areas that require mowing all year round the value will be higher rather than others.

[@kdr1048]

We run 997R. Incredible mowers

[@WesternEquipment]

We are definitely a fan of those! Thanks for watching!

[@hans-jurgenwiegand3103]

I only got the chance to run one, once. I never ran a zero turn machine before, but this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I couldn’t pass up the chance. I was receiving my Chraftsman Z6000, the next day. The Craftsman is still impressive and I learned not to let my grass get out of control, after running the 997. Got stuck once crossing the drain ditch, along the road. The other 997 gave me a little push, and I was free. The 997 discharged 4’ grass like it was coming out of a conveyor belt. Biggest problem was finding room for all the discharge, without re-mowing the discharge. Overall, the 997 was the most impressive mower I’ve been on, but way to big & heavy for every circumstance. I had to buy a second ZT, for a 2 acre plot, 50 miles north of me. Didn’t want to haul a mower 100 miles, every trip. I’m getting my new JD 540M, tomorrow. Traded my JD E160, because it hurt my arthritic shoulders, even with a spinner. No pain on my Craftsman, same with the John Deere? The E160 was very impressive for non commercial mower cutting 4’ field grass/weeds. It pushed me into JD brand mowers!

[@hans-jurgenwiegand3103]

I only got the chance to run one, once. I never ran a zero turn machine before, but this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I couldn’t pass up the chance. I was receiving my Chraftsman Z6000, the next day. The Craftsman is still impressive and I learned not to let my grass get out of control, after running the 997. Got stuck once crossing the drain ditch, along the road. The other 997 gave me a little push, and I was free. The 997 discharged 4’ grass like it was coming out of a conveyor belt. Biggest problem was finding room for all the discharge, without re-mowing the discharge. Overall, the 997 was the most impressive mower I’ve been on, but way to big & heavy for every circumstance. I had to buy a second ZT, for a 2 acre plot, 50 miles north of me. Didn’t want to haul a mower 100 miles, every trip. I’m getting my new JD 540M, tomorrow. Traded my JD E160, because it hurt my arthritic shoulders, even with a spinner. No pain on my Craftsman, same with the John Deere? The E160 was very impressive for non commercial mower cutting 4’ field grass/weeds. It pushed me into JD brand mowers!

[@treelim69]

Great walkaround!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you!

[@guyjolliff9602]

Great video. Doing one on Cub Cadets as well?

[@WesternEquipment]

If we can get our hands on some we will try to do some comparisons between the John Deere and Cub Cadet!

[@guyjolliff9602]

@@WesternEquipment That's great thanks Brent

[@trevm922]

Awesome video brother 🤙 Keep them coming I subbed.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks man, I really appreciate it.

[@josephalford4012]

I have a Z820A. Why we didn't talk about the Z8?

[@WesternEquipment]

I was only explaining the current models at the time and the Z8's are no longer made. If you have questions specifically on you Z8, feel free to comment and I will do my best to answer it. Thanks for watching!

[@grgygantz6760]

Good review of the newer product line. So why did John Deere in their infinite wisdom? Take the mowers out of the local dealerships and transfer them to the farm stores. I used to have a dealership 5 miles from my house. Which made it extremely convenient. Now the closest farm store. Is 25 miles away, Not exactly convenient.

[@WesternEquipment]

I had not heard of this happening. All of our dealerships are technically "Farm Stores" and they have always carried mowers.

[@DerrickTMoon]

How do they hold up over time?

[@WesternEquipment]

Just like most things, the better you maintain and take care of your machine the longer it will last. We still have machines come in for routine maintenance that are 15 years old or more and run like a champ!

[@ssmatthews]

Very thorough and informative.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and glad you liked it.

[@EthEdr]

What's the width of the 48" deck with the shoot raised? I know the cut width is 48 but I'm guessing the deck itself adds a few inches. My gate is about 52" wide. Am I stuck with a 42" or would that 48” model fit through there?

[@WesternEquipment]

You will have enough room with the shoot pulled up. I would have to put a tape measure to the specific deck to whatever model you’re looking into to get you a for sure measurement, but I’m confident with a 52” gate that you will have no problems.

[@EthEdr]

Western Equipment Man that makes me feel better haha I'm looking at the Z355R. I want to get the biggest deck I can fit through the gate. Would be my first zero turn and I'm hoping to cut down my mowing time and enjoy more of my weekend. Thanks!

[@ncpinebox]

Great video. Thanks for all the details!

[@WesternEquipment]

Glad we can help!

[@pauljohn5554]

Stellar review. Thanks

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@railfanjames7699]

Are there baggers available for these Units?

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, for some models. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@railfanjames7699]

@@WesternEquipment I still have a 1987 John Deere 420 I use for every week for mowing! Still in service!

[@justinmatthews8984]

I am trying to find something similar to replace my Grasshopper 725 K in John Deere. I have 3.5 acres to mow with a couple of somewhat steep banks. I am having a really hard time deciding if it is worth the extra $2000 to get a z730m over the z540r .

[@WesternEquipment]

I think the heavier frame and more rear weight would help you on your banks. I also think you would like the park break at the steering handles in case you got in a situation where you needed to stop quickly on those banks. Also, the extra comfort of the seat and the addition of the seat belt and roll over protection bar would greatly benefit you as well. All just my opinion! Good luck!

[@USCGCoasttoast]

No grease fittings??For front wheels

[@WesternEquipment]

Not until you get to the Z9!

[@edwinrideout514]

Good explanation but all these great mowers and not a single blade of grass to be seen!

[@WesternEquipment]

HAHA! Very true! Did this video in the winter.

[@comp358]

Great job Brent, this video really helps to understand zero turns.

[@WesternEquipment]

Glad I could help!

[@chrisjimerson443]

Hey im looking for western equipment hats do you know what the website is i cant find it

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes! Check out this link 247parts.com/parts-attachments-and-accessories/we-apparel/. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisjimerson443]

Ok i found it thank you it tuck me an while to find it

[@oneofgodschildren]

I have my father's gravely zero turn and it beats the crap outta me so bad I can't walk for 3 days after mowing 😢 I need a better seat for real

[@connorbarnett7494]

Awesome video! Thanks!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for watching!

[@maxzimora]

Video from last year, any differences since 2019 now?

[@WesternEquipment]

Nothing major, some cosmetic changes on a few models. We will have a few new things coming out in the near future so stay tuned!

[@ubcts]

I want the one that that has a seat that lasts more than 6 months

[@WesternEquipment]

Good thing is that the seats have been improved on all of the zero turn models and most of the tractor style mowers as well.

[@chriskent577]

Should of show cased the 997r as well .

[@WesternEquipment]

We will make sure to get something put out on the Z997R. Thanks for watching!

[@Petertutinski]

But I want to know how bulky each model is. Are they bulkier? Less bulky? About evenly bulky? I prefer the best amount of bulk.

[@WesternEquipment]

It is pretty consistent as you move up in each family that the bulk becomes more. Look closely at the different in frame sizes in this video, that gives the best indicator of bulk.

[@crs290]

Ha!

[@saulekaravirs6585]

Great video, But you did not quite cover my application. I'm building a Tank... It's for airsoft, but we want powered tracked drive. So my partner and I are looking into using Zero Turn Mowers to get a neutral turn capability, or rather just tank drive at all. Speed is nice, but we really just need in to move under it's own power, and not break the transmission. Since we are cheap, we probably want something used, so I think that nocks out the very appealing diesel which you said became available this year. The tank will be a 3 or 4 person operation plus all of the plywood armor and a "Nerf" air cannon. We plan on adapting the PTO from the mower drive to operate our turret. With this information, which type of mover do you think we would need to look at.

[@saulekaravirs6585]

Also, because we plan on implementing our own Cristy Suspension, the frame does not need to hold all of the weight as the Zero Turn Mower will be elevated off the ground entirely anyway. So no mower deck with spinning blades of doom/grass cutting either. We pretty much are just looking at a drive train and a way to hold it.

[@WesternEquipment]

I would still say you need to look into a Z900R. The drive system on the Z900R's have cross porting transmissions, meaning they allow oil to flow from one transmission to the other when the oil gets too hot to help avoid damage. I think this would be a great feature to have since it sounds like this tank will be under quite a load. I want to see this bad boy when you get it built, so let me know when the video is posted of it. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@saulekaravirs6585]

@@WesternEquipment Thankyou for the technical advice. We are hoping to start work on the hull and drive system this coming summer.

[@ernestgerrald6179]

Great video I am going to get my soon

[@WesternEquipment]

Awesome! Let us know what you get and what you think of it!

[@GOLFADDICT65]

hi great video...i am 280 pounds and am on a 1 acre lot....can i get by with a z545R ....thx.....cheers all from Canada

[@WesternEquipment]

Hello, and yes the Z545R would be a great choice! Thanks for watching from up north my friend!

[@tyler558806]

Awesome video displaying each JD Mower. Just wanted to mention here though, even the cheapest Spartan mower offers 7ga steel deck at $4k vs.the JD ZTrack at $9.2k. Don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of companies making money off their name and not their products. I've researched and compared for weeks and the cheapest Spartan mower blows that Ztrack out the water for price by offering thicker steel, beefier deck parts/spindles, non-welded deck (all one-steel piece), and easy access components in the engine bay and deck for quick repairs. JD doesn't like you repairing your own products. They believe that they are the proprietary owners of the technology that only they can repair. If you don't believe me, take a look at any Louis Rossmann video on YT of them screwing farmers over by attempting to convince Congress only JD should be allowed to do repairs on YOUR vehicle.

[@WesternEquipment]

Everybody has their preference! I personally know very little about the Spartan mowers, but I think there is something to be said about part availability and the service provided by John Deere. I will look into the Spartans more and maybe do a product comparison video in the future. Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@tyler558806]

@@WesternEquipment I would generally agree with you. But after watching John Deere reps attempt to convince Congress that only they should be allowed to repair your equipment because they created it and therefore are the proprietary owners of the product ensured I'd never give them a dime of my money. Just for reference John Deere attempted to sue a farmer because he altered the software on his tractor so he could repair it and keep using it.

[@ArtOfHealth]

Tyler That behavior is very messed up. When I sold Electrolux Vacuums in the 70s along with Kirby and Rainbow, there was no way to fix them yourselves. It was propietary information and protection of their patents. As you hear Trump and other Republicans whine about China stealing our technology, we have done the same thing to other nations. But the fact remains that we should be able to fix our own shit especially if we are 100 miles out of town and we break down in the middle of 500 acres. Farmers want full sovereignty.

[@jesseparbhu6125]

Great video thanks really helped allot

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and I’m glad it helped!

[@texarkanaandi7393]

I wonder why Deere doesn't use larger rear fenders to protect riders from mud and wet grass

[@WesternEquipment]

Good question, but on the flip side I think in most cases these mowers aren't being used in wet conditions... Just a rule of thumb I was always taught to follow. But maybe this is something John Deere should consider! Thanks for watching!

[@tacratt6091]

Who the hell mows in mud and wet grass?😂