Review By : Slyhuntr on 6/25/2010
Price Paid : $13,999.00
Years of Use : 30-Days
Implements :
Purchased From : Country Equipment, Tuttle OK
Strengths Built Solid. All controls in easy reach. Maintenance will be easy as every zirk is easy to get to through access doors or covers. Engine compartment has ample room to reach filters and dip sticks etc.
Weaknesses Price? Other than price I don't see any weakness yet.
Overall Well bulit solid machine. Lots of power
Parts : Performance :
Ease of Use : Financing :
Reliability : Overall : 10
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Review By : Dennis on 6/17/2010
Price Paid : $11,700.00
Years of Use : 3+ Years
Implements :
Purchased From : Frederick Equipment, Frederick, MD
Strengths My ZD 331 is the second Kubota Zero turn I have purchased. The first was a ZD28 in 2004. Had overheating problems. Dealer replaced everything from water pump to guage. Had to stop and blow out the radiator every two hours. I then went to the ZD 331 because of much desired design changes. It had a better seat, the controls were much easier to reach, higher deck, more power (31 hp diesel), easier to perform maintenance. Good financing programs. The Japs know we like to borrow!
Weaknesses The ZD 331 has a few weaknesses and most are already mentioned. It is extremely heavy and tears up grass if not careful. You have to slow down and move the control arms carefully or make a loop. The parts are extremely expensive. I just spent $99 on the dual air cleaners. I will find some alternative and never spend that again. I still have over-heating problems but not as bad as the 2004 ZD. The temp.needle is about 70% towards Red. The dealer, Frederick Equipment in Maryland, had my 04 for weeks on end and as such, didn't want to go thru that again. It just runs hot. Its not the guage because when I back up, I can feel loads of heat on my back. Other zero turns do not do this. Recently, the mower blades would not disengage. This is a serious safety issue. There is a lever coming out of the trans. box that is too short. This is an engineering defect and Kubota put out a service bulletin. They will only repair it during the warranty period. The repair is about $100 at the dealer, but thats not the point. If its an engineering fault, Kubota should make the repair, regardless of the age of the unit. Kubota reminds my of the Toyota throttle fiasco. As such, Kubota and Frederick Equipment make money on the part and the repair, and I get screwed. No more Kubotas for me. I am getting a Grasshopper or some other brand.
Overall Overall, not a bad homeowner unit. The power and efficiency of the diesel adds much to the unit. Machine is heavy though, which has disadvantages. Parts VERY expensive, overheating in 04 and 07 units. You would think they could have fixed this by now. The defective part and Kubota and Frederick Equipment refusing it fix has soured me. The mower cannot be used in current condition and waiting for part.
Parts : 1 Performance : 6
Ease of Use : 8 Financing : 9
Reliability : 6 Overall : 6
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Review By : Luckyme on 4/8/2009
Price Paid : $12,800.00
Years of Use : 30-Days
Implements :
Purchased From : Dealer
Strengths Quality built, exceptional 31 HP Diesel, Tough Pro 72" deck, Improved access for maintenance of grease points, etc., Kubota quality throughout. Improved transmission. Comfort of new seat design and adjustment options, deep mower deck.
Weaknesses Heavy machine, fuel gauge set up (low fuel light for one tank, gauge for other). After more use, will get used to configuration.
Overall Traded up from a 5 year old ZD28-72" to the new ZD331-72". Kubota made some notable improvements and complete design change. The ZD28 never had any warranty issues, and no repairs. Was an excellent machine. Only had 325 hours, w/ no transmission issues. The ZD331 sits higher with a more commanding position.
Parts : 9 Performance : 9
Ease of Use : 10 Financing :
Reliability : 10 Overall : 10
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Review By : Rev.rr on 1/28/2009
Price Paid : $0.00
Years of Use : 1-year
Implements : 60 snow blade
Purchased From : Century Imp
Strengths Good power I use it alot for pushing snow plenty of traction amaizng pushing abilty for a zero turn. It is heavy but we live in south west Wyoming not much rain here have had no problems with sinking in lawn. And we iragate every 1-2 days. Taking the deck off and on is a snap. snow remove is much beter the 64inch blade gets inbetween cars and drags the snow back to push it off the lot. It would be great to have a snow blower attachment to go on these machine also the weight and power are there for it.
Weaknesses If you throw the lever from foward to reverse you will be missing some turf. I found out that if I slow down and move both levers in oppeste directions slower it will not tear it up also at the end of the strip i am mowing i make more of a little loop it doesnt tear it up this is on a large appartment complex there are ways to prevent turf loss! I would rather make that loop than lose the weight and power of this diesel. especialy if you use the Blade.
Overall What can I say about the power plant it is awsomw I have had no problems except for replacing the cutting blade and skid on the blade witch is normal mantinece. Extremly pleased We purchse this Zd331
Parts : 10 Performance : 10
Ease of Use : 10 Financing :
Reliability : 10 Overall : 10
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Review By : Joe from Illinois on 02/08/2008
Price Paid : $12,750.00
Years of Use : 1-2 Years Use
Implements : 72" deck
Purchased From : kubota dealership
Strengths Very heavy duty construction, lots of updates from the ZD28's. Mows great with the deeper deck, hyd. lift on deck is handy, deck hangs from a linkage,not swing chains like most others. lots of power. big fuel tank, easy service. Very well thought out machine mow 12-15 acres at least weekly would never go back to a belly mount mower. Used to mow lawns for a living, years ago, have owned just about every color, or demoed, this one is a nice mower!
Weaknesses This machine is a tank, and heavy if the lawn is very wet you'd better wait, it can't swim. Big price tag too. Striper kit doesn't even qualify as a joke, they gave me my money back on that toy.
Overall Great machine, people that have overheating problems on some Kubotas, I have to wonder how other they clean the radiator screens and service these machines, only as good as the people taking care of them you know. If you mow alot, haven't seen anything better!
Parts : 10 Performance : 10
Ease of Use : 10 Financing :
Reliability : 10 Overall : 10
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Review By : Terry on 02/01/2008
Price Paid : $12,500.00
Years of Use : New Owner (0-1 Year)
Implements : ZD331 w72""" deck - New n June 2007
Purchased From : Aldermans, Lennon
Strengths Service door, deck lift and breaks. The offset deck is a real nice feathure.
Everything that should get serviced is easy to get at!
Weaknesses Nothing at this time though but it can get stuck rather easily. If you get in a little mud, you will need a tow!
It does run a little warm (not hot) on real warm days.
Overall I mow 3 acres and I really like this machine. I have a JD x495 and I retired its deck.
I tried to take a serious look at the JD 997 but I could never overcome how large the engine hood was or appreciate the difficulty in cleaning the radiator.
Parts : 10 Performance : 10
Ease of Use : 10 Financing : 5
Reliability : 10 Overall : 9
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Review By : Joe on 08/11/2007
Price Paid : $12,000.00
Years of Use : New Owner (0-1 Year)
Implements : None
Purchased From : Kubota Dealer- ZD326
Strengths Looks good.
Weaknesses Piece of crap. Ran hot within 15 hours of use.
Way overpriced. You'll be running to the dealer constantly with this one. Mows like crap too.
Overall Bought April 2007, ZD326, 26 HP-60"cut- other review under ZD325 listed here. Dealer told us after we brought ours in-running boiling hot-that he just had the same model brought in for a blowed engine. Ours needed a new radiatior and "engine kit" after 15 hours! don't waste your money on these models of Kubotas. Their Zero-turns are the worst I've ever seen. Dealer told us they will run hot mowing on uneven ground. We mow 2 acres of yard, not hills. Dealer only wanted to give $7000 for trade in-yea they like them too. Wonder why so many people are selling them with low hours? They're crap, save your money and look into something else.
Parts : Performance : 1
Ease of Use : Financing :
Reliability : 1 Overall : 1
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Review By : coobie on 07/16/2007
Price Paid : $10,700.00
Years of Use : New Owner (0-1 Year)
Implements :
Purchased From : Dakins equipment.Jackson Mi.
Strengths This is the 326pro model with 60 inch deck.Love the diesel engine,the hydro lift on deck and height adjustment for the cutting lenght
Weaknesses None so far.
Overall Great machine.
Parts : 10 Performance : 10
Ease of Use : 10 Financing : 6
Reliability : 10 Overall : 10
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