New kubota lawn mowers. Comparing Kubota Lawn Tractors

Comparing Kubota Lawn Tractors

Looking for a riding mower? Kubota offers lots of great mowers and lawn tractors to suit a variety of purposes. Everyone’s needs are different ranging between smaller mowers for less land, and larger, more powerful models that can do more than mowing. Choose the right mower, and you can use it in the spring with a lawn roller or in the winter with a front-mounted snowplow. Let’s talk about the different types of lawn tractors as well as a range of Kubota riding mowers to suit different purposes.

Types of Mowers

Before you buy a mower, analyze your needs. Options include traditional riding mowers and lawn tractors, zero turn mowers, and small tractors. Consider the following:

• How much grass do you have? If you have half an acre to mow, a small riding mower gets the job done faster and easier than a push mower. However, if you have a lot of acreage, you’ll probably want something larger that features a wider mower deck to speed the process.
• Is your lawn sloped? Slopes play a big part in the type of mower you’ll need. Zero turn mowers have a high center of gravity, which can make them unsafe on steep hills. Lawn tractors and compact tractors may be a better fit to mow those hills safely.
• Is your terrain packed with lots of obstacles? Lawns with lots of trees, landscaping and other obstacles mean lots of tight turns and lots of backing up to make sure you don’t miss anything. Zero turn mowers feature high maneuverability to make navigating obstacles easier.
• What else do you need besides mowing? For many homeowners, the only real need they have is mowing. If that’s the case, a riding mower will be the best fit. However, gardeners might be interested in lawn tractors that can pull wagons or tillers. People running a small farm may prefer a compact tractor that can not only mow, but use a rotary cutter, a front end loader, and other implements.

We’re mainly concerned about Kubota lawn tractors here, but understand that mowers break down into three types:

Riding Mowers

Riding mowers are the most popular type of mower for mid-sized yards. For most homeowners, these mowers will get the job done. They come standard with a mower deck. Deck widths will vary based on options selected and the size of the mower. Some riding mowers, particularly on the larger end, can be equipped with implements like yard rollers, grass sweepers, sprayers and wagons, making it a versatile tool that can handle any job the average homeowner may need to do.

Zero Turn Mowers

This is the mower of choice if you have a lot of grass to mow or a lot of tight turns and obstacles in your terrain. Traditional riding mowers feature front wheels that turn together when you turn the steering wheel. Zero-turn mowers turn on a dime using dual transmissions driving side wheels independently.

These mowers are typically speedy, averaging six to eight miles per hour compared to the three or four that a riding mower achieves, which lets you mow lots of grass quickly. That’s in addition to the fact that many zero turns offer large mowing decks. Kubota zero turn mowers range between 42 inches and 72 inches while Kubota lawn and garden tractors go between 42 and 54 inches.

The drawback to these mowers is that zero turn mowers can be dangerous on steep slopes. They have an increased risk of tipping, and because they don’t have a dedicated braking system—you have to pull back the levers to stop the mower—they can be difficult to stop if they start to slide. Here’s how some of the top Kubota zero turn mowers compare.

Compact and Subcompact Tractors

This is the ideal choice when you need a lot more than a mower. For many homeowners, though a compact or subcompact tractor is probably too much tractor. Kubota tractors come with a lot of options like choices between turf tires and tires for other uses, plus options for a front end loader. Since they feature three-point linkages and PTO drives on the rear, this means you can use a lot of different types of equipment, including box blades, rear driven mowers, post hole diggers, snow blowers, sweepers, tillers and more.

That’s what makes tractors ideal for hobby farms or homeowners with a lot of land to maintain. If you’re looking at several hundred feet of driveway that needs to be graded each year, or if you need an easier way to clean barn stalls or move earth than a wheelbarrow, these tractors will do it—and they’ll mow your lawn, too.

For the homeowner with an acre or two, remember that bigger the equipment, the harder it is to maneuver. Compact tractors need a larger area to make turns.

What Are The Top 5 Kubota Lawn Tractors?

If you’re looking for a new mower, Kubota a top brand to consider. They offer a lot of options, and they’re built tough. Accidents can happen when you’re mowing. Cheaper mowers don’t place as much emphasis on structural quality, which means the chances of something bending or part of the framework warping when you hit something goes up. Below are five of the best Kubota mowers out there, each ideal for different budgets and different needs.

Kubota T2090BR-42

This is a smaller riding mower, but with a 20 HP Briggs Stratton engine, it still has plenty of power. It has a lot of great features including a ductile cast iron front axle that will stand up to bumps and shocks whereas other mowers with weaker front axles are more likely to bend or break. Mower decks for this model range between 42 and 48 inches. which gives you a nice wide path for a riding mower. Other options are available, like a deluxe high back seat with armrest and suspension for extra comfort while you’re mowing. This lawn tractor also has optional attachments, including a front snow blade, snow blower and grass catcher.

Kubota T2290KW-42

Also a smaller mower, the Kubota T2290KW-42 is ideal for small to mid-sized yards. It has a 21.5 HP Kawasaki engine, which is a step up from the 20 HP engine in the T2090BR-42. It also adds a few features. Cruise control lets you set the right speed and go, and suspension beneath the seat makes the ride more comfortable. Mower deck sizes are available in 42 and 48 inches. As with other models, you can also get a front snow blade, snow blower and grass catcher for this lawn tractor.

Kubota T2290KWT-48

The Kubota T2290KWT-48 is a feature-rich riding mower. It has an updated dash that lets you monitor the mower’s systems and the 21.5 HP engine. This is a comfortable mower, too. Dual arm rests and a suspension seat prevent shocks when you go over bumps and give you a place to rest your arms. There is also a 12-volt power outlet and a slot for your phone so that you can charge while you mow. Available mower decks for this model come in 42-inch and 48-inch sizes.

Kubota GR2120

This heavy-duty mower is designed for small to mid-sized yards. It features a 21 HP engine and mower decks between 48 and 54 inches. While the horsepower is lower than other models, keep in mind that this is a powerful diesel engine. This mower is made with durable 10-gauge steel while the mower deck features a tough 5/16-inch U-frame platform. With the optional mulching kit, this mower breaks down grass clippings so that you don’t have to collect them—although a grass catcher is available, too. One of the things that sets this mower apart from others is the shaft drive PTO, which is a sturdy, low-maintenance improvement on belt-driven mower decks.

Kubota GR2020G

This mower offers several upgrades. It features a 5/16-inch U-frame platform that gives it enhanced durability. It also has a shaft-drive PTO to power the mower deck, which is a more durable, less maintenance intensive option compared to the belt drives that most riding mowers use. It’s a riding mower that has been designed for comfort with a high-backed seat, cruise control, and a step-through operator platform that makes it easier to get on and off the mower without bumping your shins.

With a 48-inch mower deck. and with Kubota’s Glide Steer technology, it features a tight turning radius that gives you professional results. Optional attachments include a front snow blade, snow blower and grass catcher.

Have questions about which is the best Kubota lawn tractor for you? Stop by our showroom or get in touch! We’ll be happy to help you pick the right fit.

Kubota unveils new mowers and adds enhancements to its zero-turn line

Last week at GIE, Kubota unveiled its new line of Hydro Walk Behind Mowers and new product enhancements within two of its powerful zero-turn lines.

Kubota unveiled its new line of Hydro Walk-Behind Mowers and new product enhancements within two of its powerful zero-turn lines at GIE Expo last week. The goal of these new products and enhancements is to reduce costs and maximize time for busy landscape contractors.

Power grass catcher makes Kubota’s zero-turns more productive

With its all-steel blower construction and 10-bushel carrying capacity, the all-new Power Grass Catcher leaves no debris behind. Kubota

The all-new Power Grass Catcher for the Z400 Series 54- and 60-inch steel-welded mower deck zero-turn models is engineered for landscapers who demand durability and top performance at a faster speed to reduce time on the job. With its all-steel blower construction and 10-bushel carrying capacity, the Power Grass Catcher leaves no debris behind as it easily takes on top-level mowing performance even with the most challenging mowing tasks.

Early in 2021, Kubota announced the introduction of two new models to the Z400 Series: the Z412KW-48, Z422KW-54, and Z422KWT-60. The newest models come standard with 6.5-inch-wide front caster tires and a deluxe adjustable suspension seat with 3 inches of travel designed to maximize operator comfort.

Delivering the same performance, durability, and class-leading traveling speed customers expect from the Z400 Series is made possible thanks to an exclusive Hydro-Gear ZT-3600 transmission, 24-inch low profile rear tires, and 22-24 horsepower Kawasaki engines. The series features durable 48-, 54- or 60-inch decks, providing superior cut quality for a variety of property sizes across different turf and terrain.

Tweel Tires help to prevent downtime from flats

The Michelin Tweel Turf airless radial tires are designed to eliminate service time caused by flat tires and unseated beads. Kubota

Next, Kubota builds on the exceptional performance of its popular Z700 Series by introducing Tweel Tires to its Z781 zero-turn mower, powered by Kawasaki FX EFI engines, for both the 54- and 60-inch model decks. The Michelin XTweel Turf airless radial tire is designed to eliminate service time caused by flat tires and unseated beads. The spokes offer excellent lateral stability on hillsides, sloped surfaces, and even when traveling over curbs and bumps.

Introducing new Hydro walk-behind mower with improved ergonomics

Kubota unveiled new W Series Walk-Behind Mowers in three new models. Kubota

Finally, with new ergonomic controls, a new floating deck design, and larger tires, the new W Series Hydro Walk-Behind Mowers offer three new models – the WHF14NC-36-2, WHF15NC-48-2, and WHF19NC-52-2 – and each is built to out-perform when cutting, mulching, and bagging.

The new W Series models are perfectly tuned to optimize power and cutting width so that mower speed and horsepower increase with each deck size option, across the 36-, 48- or 56-inch decks. Take on properties up to 3 acres with a resilient five-hour run time and increase your performance with these newly improved, great durability mowers.

The 10 Most Frequent Kubota Zero Turn Mower Problems

Maintaining a healthy lawn can sometimes be quite difficult, especially if you live in an area with fast-growing grass types. You will end up mowing your lawn every other weekend, which is much harder if you have a lawn mower that breaks down all the time!

This is why investing in a good mower will make your job a lot easier, and you will think of mowing your lawn as a pleasant task to do early in the morning.

When you are spending a lot of money on something, you have to make sure that you get a mower of the highest quality. Gardeners often turn to Kubota zero-turn mowers as they are produced by a Japanese company that has been in the business for a long time. They are effective, reliable, and expensive!

However, they are not perfect — you can still face some issues even after you have bought the best of the best. Today, we are going to talk about the most common Kubota zero-turn mower problems.

If you are considering getting one, read this before you part with your hard-earned money!

Kubota Zero Turn Mower Problems

Kubota lawn mowers are getting relatively popular nowadays. They are produced by a brand that has been in the business for quite some time now. Kubota offers zero-turn mowers with a choice of engines ranging from 19 to 32.5 horsepower, and deck widths from 43 to 72 inches. These mowers are fast and easy to handle, and they ultimately get the job done.

The catch is that Kubota are quite pricey, with some of their tractors costing over 30,000!

When it comes to the mowers, they cost a bit less. However, you will still have to spend several thousand dollars for a good Kubota mower. So, before spending all that money, you should get familiar with all features.

We are now going to discuss the common problems that you might have to deal with.

Uneven Cut

Grass having uneven cuts and track marks is a bothersome and typical issue. This is also one of the common issues with Spartan mowers.

The typical causes of uneven cuts are obvious: using blades that are worn, broken, or dull, mowing too quickly, and not overlapping. As well as dull blades, the causes can also be damaged deck shells, blades not installed properly, or a clogged deck with grass clippings.

To ensure that you have cut every blade of grass, you should slow down, overlap rows, and change or sharpen the blades.

You will quickly start enjoying your newly renovated lawn by adjusting the cutting height to the terrain. However, there are a number of other factors that affect cut quality, so if you notice that one side is cutting more or less than the other, you should also check the tire pressure to make sure it’s the same on both sides.

Ensure that everything is properly installed and clean the mower blades regularly.

Starting Problems

Your lawnmower not starting is among the worst situations you could face. The most important thing is to remain calm and give it a thorough examination.

The most common causes of this issue include fuel tank clogging, bad electrical connections, clogged air filters, and faulty charging systems.

The battery and fuel levels should be checked first; your mower won’t start if the gasoline tank or batteries are empty. Fill up the tank, charge the battery, and if the problem persists, look for other faults.

If the battery is weak and failing, you might need to replace it, but you must never let it discharge. You should remove the battery from your mower and store it in a warm location if you won’t be using it for an extended period of time (such as throughout the winter), and if you have a battery tender, use it!

While you’re at it, remember to check the connectors. Like rusted and weak connections, broken or frayed wires pose a threat and won’t convey enough electricity. Don’t forget to check the spark plugs, replace any worn-out wires, and tighten any loose connections.

You should examine the carburetor and clean it using a carburetor cleaner if the gasoline tank, battery, and other components are all full and functional. If it doesn’t work, manually clean it.

Overheating

The most common complaint by Kubota customers is that the mower overheats frequently. Overheating issues are usually caused by blocked filters. This is because the filter gets clogged with dust and grass after it has been used a couple of times.

This type of blockage can lead to radiator damage, which is a far more serious issue, especially if there is leakage from the radiator. Therefore, you should regularly check and replace the filters if they get clogged.

Scalping

When the mower’s deck isn’t properly installed, that is, if it strikes the ground, it will cut the grass at its growing point. An improperly leveled deck can create an uneven cut and brown patches on the lawn.

It will take some time for the grass to recover from scalping. Some grass types might recover faster, while others can take weeks until they start growing again.

Other issues that might cause scalping include a deck that’s too-low, uneven tire pressure, an uneven lawn, and ground speed that’s too fast.

Step Cut

Step cut happens when the surface of the lawn has sharp ridges on it after mowing. Imagine spending all that time and energy cutting your lawn, just to end up with an uneven cut or a step cut! Step cut occurs primarily due to severely damaged blades, an inadequately leveled deck, blades and tires not being installed properly, and a damaged mower spindle.

Check to make sure that your deck is level, your blades are undamaged, your mower spindle and deck shell are in good shape, and your tires are adequately inflated to prevent stepped cutting. You shouldn’t experience any future step cuts if you adhere to these instructions.

Transmission Issues

Hydraulic transmission problems are also one of the most common issues reported in customer reviews. This is also a frequent issue with the Ferris zero-turn mower.

Hydraulic transmissions are primarily used to reach higher acceleration. However, this system is fragile and needs constant upkeep, such as replacing the hydraulic fluid regularly. If there are any leaks in the system, air may enter and slow down the mower until it eventually stops. The likelihood of a sudden blockage in your zero turn mower increases with hydro drive component failure.

If the ground is muddy or damp, drive softly over the grass instead of mowing. Instead of driving up or down, utilize the sideways position to lessen the likelihood of hydraulic transmission failure.

I would suggest that you avoid cutting wet grass, which can damage both your lawn and the mower.

Changing the fluid can also be troublesome. I would suggest watching this video:

Handles Too Stiff

Investing in a good mower isn’t all about getting that even cut. It is also about comfort — you will have to get something that is comfortable, especially if you will be mowing the lawn every other week.

Some customers have complained that the handles are too stiff, and some senior citizens cannot operate the mower at all!

Streaking

When the mower leaves short, uncut grass strips in its path, streaking occurs. This is usually caused by rusted blades, a clogged deck, slow engine speed, or cutting rows not overlapping.

Cleaning your mower, properly overlapping, mowing at the proper speed, and making sure your blades are sharp can all help minimize lawn mower streaking.

Issues With Fuel Line

If your mower has some issues with the engine right after you’ve bought it, then there is probably something wrong with the fuel line. If it seems as though your mower is using more power than it should be, you should immediately check with the dealer to get to the bottom of this issue.

In some scenarios, there can be undissolved parts in the fuel line.

Wheels Not Turning

Drive belt wear and worn-out wheels are the two main causes of this problem.

The drive belt will break or continually come off if it is loose or worn, which will result in problems like a slow-moving mower or the mower not moving at all.

Since zero turn mowers use rear-wheel drive, the drive belt is located on the mower’s transaxle, which is mounted on the back wheels. Verify that the belt is on the pulleys and that it is sufficiently tight. You should get a new belt if the old one is worn out.

Inspect the wheels if the belt doesn’t appear to be the issue. If the gears on your wheels become worn out, you should replace them.

How To Keep Your Mower In Good Condition

Maintaining your mower properly will help it last longer.

This includes giving your lawnmower routine cleaning, periodically checking the oil and fuel, and being cautious with how you store it.

Check The Oil

Checking and refilling the engine oil, adding more grease to the parts that need it, and topping off the hydro oil are all crucial parts of maintaining your mower and extending its lifespan.

Every time you use your lawn mower, check the oil. You should also use lubricant after every 25 hours of use, replace the engine oil every 50 hours, and replace the hydro oil every 400 hours.

However, you should change the hydro oil in a new lawn mower after the first 100 hours and then every 400 hours thereafter.

Clean The Mower

Cleaning your mower as frequently as you can is crucial. Simply cover all the electrical components to protect them from moisture when washing it. After letting the mower dry, oil all the necessary components.

After 25 hours of use, clean the deck and the engine cooling fins. The battery cable can be cleaned every 100 hours, and the spark arrestors every 50 hours. Finally, everything should be fine if you clean the cutting deck’s undersides once every 400 hours.

Store The Battery

You must take care of the battery to extend its life, or you will have to purchase a new one each year. When not using the mower, you should be careful with how you keep it.

When preparing for the winter and anticipating not using the mower for a few months, you should unplug the battery and keep it in a warm location to prevent significant charge loss.

A battery tender can be used to extend its life and keep the charge so that it will be ready when spring arrives.

Store The Mower

When not in use, the mower must be stored carefully to prevent damage from the sun and rust and corrosion from the rain.

Keep it in a garage or another protected area where the elements won’t affect it. Over the winter, keep the mower inside a shed or garage to prevent damage from snow and cold.

Check The Fuel

It’s crucial to check the fuel because it can go bad if the mower isn’t used for an extended period of time.

Fortunately, you can forget about issues with old gasoline by purchasing a fuel stabilizer from Amazon.

Check The Tire Pressure

Check to see if the air pressure in both tires of your lawnmower is the same before using it. If one of your tires has a minor loss of air pressure, you won’t get a clean cut.

Check The Air Filter

Your mower may have trouble starting if your air filters are clogged, primarily because the fuel may burn less efficiently than usual.

Like the gasoline filter, the air filter can be cleaned or replaced using a similar procedure: unplug the cables, remove the filter, and decide whether it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

The filter can be thoroughly cleaned with warm water and soap, just let it air dry and then replace it in the mower.

To Sum Up

The above mentioned Kubota zero-turn mower problems aren’t extremely troublesome. I am sure that you aren’t expecting too many issues when you spend a lot of money on a machine, but unfortunately, that’s never completely true.

After you have used the mower for a long period of time, you will definitely run into some issues despite its price and durability.

In my opinion, Kubota zero-turn mowers are good mowers, and if you have enough money, I definitely recommend buying one. If you want to try other zero-turn mowers, then check out John Deere zero-turn mowers or Ferris zero-turn mowers.

That’s all, folks. I hope this article was helpful.

The Best Zero-Turn Mowers of 2023

These achieve the rare feat of making lawn mowing fun.

By Roy Berendsohn Published: Mar 1, 2023

When it comes to yard work, zero turn mowers do the impossible. They make lawn mowing fun. They accomplish this by putting unprecedented speed, control and maneuverability at the disposal of the person mowing the lawn. The so-called “zero turn” feature of these mowers converts a grass cutting machine into something akin to an amusement park ride. You steer the machine with two levers—the left lever controls the left wheel, the right lever the right wheel. With that steering setup, you can zoom over the landscape cutting straight lines, curves, or pivot the mower into and out of a corner. What’s not to like?

Read on to understand how these agile grass cutters work, how we go about testing them, and see some candidates that we’ve recently tested as well as some that we haven’t but that we think look particularly promising.

How Zero-Turn Mowers Work

A zero-turn riding mower consists of an operator platform, a frame and wheels, an engine (or battery bank), transmissions (or motors), and a pair of control levers commonly known as lap bars. In gas mowers, the engine powers a pulley system. One group of pulleys drives the blades, another group powers a pair of transmissions–one at each rear wheel. When you move the lap bar forward or back, you are directing the transmission to go faster, slower, or even turn the opposite way. When one drive wheel turns clockwise and the other counter clockwise, the mower pivots. When the wheels rotate at different rates, the mower turns in an arc-shaped path. When the lap bars are in the neutral position, the mower stops. Aside from a parking brake, there’s no other braking mechanism. Battery-powered zero-turn mowers work the same way, but have separate motors to drive the rear wheels and one for each blade inside the mower deck.

When it comes to transmission, most mowers have a Hydrogear EZT—a well-known and cost-effective residential-grade transaxle with a reputation for durability.

Some mowers use a deck stamped from one piece of steel, others use a deck fabricated from multiple pieces and welded together. A fabricated deck can be built from thicker steel at a lower cost than it would be able to be built otherwise. Once you’re talking about stamping metal as thick as 10 gauge (about 1⁄8 inch thick), the cost of stamping such a deck would push up the mower’s price beyond what most people are willing to pay. The decks in the mowers below range from 42 to 52 inches, a typical size in this class of product. When powered by these engines and the Hydrogear, these mowers will deliver a decent cut quality at their rated top speed of 7 mph. Note, however, that cut quality declines steeply if you maintain that speed in very thick grass or on uneven terrain.

As to the electric mowers, they represent the leading edge of the technology in this category. These are remarkable and expensive mowers powered by large-voltage lithium-ion batteries. If you’re interested in reducing mowing noise and simplifying your maintenance routine by eliminating gas and oil, they’re worth a look.

Selecting a Zero-Turn Mower

Everyone would like to select the biggest possible zero-turn mower with the hope of whittling a big grass cutting job down to size as quickly as possible. Reality usually intercedes because these machines are expensive and the wide range of options available today quickly drive up the cost. Roughly speaking, you start somewhere in the range of a mower with a 42-inch deck costing in the vicinity of 3200 to 3500 and move up in increments of 1000 to 1500 until you reach entry-level commercial-grade equipment that costs 7000 to 8000.

Again, speaking in terms of approximation, a mower with a 42-inch deck will cut a two-acre lot (that takes into account that the house, driveway, outbuildings and various landscape features are taking up some of that space). Use a mower with a larger deck to cut anything over two acres. But here’s the caveat. That entry-level ZTR mower (3200, say) with a 42-inch deck will wear out faster and need more maintenance than a mower with a 50-inch deck, a heavier frame, larger engine and higher quality transmissions, and thicker deck with more robust blade spindles, costing 4500.

In the simplest possible terms, you can cut a smaller area with a larger mower and expect more longevity out of the machine (not to mention a nicer mowing experience) or you can cut a larger area with a smaller machine and encounter more maintenance and a mowing experience that will be, we might say, a bit more rugged.

But there are still other factors to consider, in selecting a mower other than deck size and your budget. Larger mowers take more space in a garage or outbuilding. And a mower with a 50-inch or even 60-inch deck, as useful as it might be in getting the job done more quickly, may not fit through a fence’s gate, and it might be more difficult to maneuver in tight spots without creating scalp marks on the lawn from a lot of close-quarter pivoting.

Carefully consider all these factors when shopping for a mower: your budget, maintenance and whether you will perform that work yourself, mowing speed and time, maneuverability and trimming in tight areas, the importance that you place on your comfort while mowing, cut quality, longevity, storage, and access to the landscape.

How We Select and Test

There’s only one way to test a mower, and that’s to cut grass with it. But we also do more than mow.

We raise and lower the deck and adjust the seat. We look at service point access (the air filter, the spark plug, and the oil filter) and how easy it is to remove the deck. We mow approximately an acre with each mower, considering cut and mulching quality while running uphill, downhill, across washboard, and along sidehills. (On sidehills, we’ll mow surfaces pitched up to approximately 20 degrees; manufacturers generally recommend not going steeper than 10 degrees, but we like to be thorough.) We evaluate power and speed relative to cut quality—we investigate whether the mower delivers a decent cut mowing at full speed. When mowing in damp conditions, we look at whether the mower’s tires accumulate grass and how effectively it discharges moist clippings. Finally, we test maneuverability (these machines are, generally, very nimble) and how readily they come to a stop when you back off the lap bar control levers.