The pictures below will show the Kubota ZD1211 modifications which to me were a complete no brainer. I bought this zero turn mower brand new from Coleman equipment in Smithville MO, May 2023 and have hated these few things from day one. This mower has the 72” deck and the strong Kubota diesel engine.
Yesterday I fixed those problems and what a difference it’s made. To start with, the roll bar (rops) is way too high and catches on everything due to the ridiculous over height. Have you ever forgot about one of these rops and went under something and before you realize what’s going on the front wheels are in the air and you are about to flip over backwards? I took 12” out of this rop and now it’s about right. And for all you safety freaks, it’s still over the operators head by a good amount, so yes, the operator is protected in case of a roll over. On the flip side of this rop needing to be in the upward position, these Kubota ZD1211 zero turn mowers are extremely over width (wide wheel base) and almost impossible to roll over, so most folks have the rops in the folded down position anyway, to keep from hitting tree limbs or other things above.
Now for the #2 thing that has been modified it the rear deck wheel on the left side (drivers side) of this mower. When you mow like I do (the right way), you start turning around trees or fence post (wrapping the deck around) half way and the when you come back from the other direction you wrap around the other side. This is better than circling the tree or post and stripping the grass down to dirt with the tires…in other words, leaving circles around the trees where grass never grows back. See in the pictures how I moved this rear deck wheel to the inside more than the stock position, which saves the trees and whatever else you are trying to mow around. And yes, this deck wheel in the original position catches everything and if it’s trees, it strips the bark right off the tree before you realize it. We use our mowers like they are designed to be used, and not have to weed eat every single time we mow. I hate weed eating!!
These two changes were completely necessary and much needed. Kubota should design these this way from the factory and not have these two issues for the buyers/owners to have to deal with. And as you can see in the pictures, the roll bar (ROP) is way to tall from the factory and this is actually more of a safety issue when it’s in the up position, rather than being folded down. As I mentioned above, these machines are very wide wheel base and almost impossible to turn over anyway, unless it would be from having the ROP in up position and catch it on a tree or something hanging down and flip over backwards.
Obviously, Kubota and other manufacturers cannot get everything perfect to please each need, but I would think they would at least have some actual lawn care folks test a machine before they start cranking them out to the public. My machinery choice is and always will be Kubota, due to the toughness, the dependability, the simplicity and ease of operation and maintenance is unmatched. I love Kubota stuff!!
Always do your best,
-Mike Pilcher
MPE LLC – Pin Oaks Farm
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