John Deere Z997R Diesel

I have had this mower for four seasons and what a great machine. I have been developing 17 acres so this mower has seen everything from taking down saplings to manicuring my lawn. I haven’t given it anything it can’t handle. I love the mulch-on demand to keep throwing g grass in window wells and flower beds. The only thing lacking is a powered way of changing to mulch and back. I love the blade speed but beware, it’s hard on blades. I plan on a new set every year. All of my equipment is Deere from compact tractors to utility farm machines and the Z997R measures up to the Deere name.

I had a commercial pro series 1999 Dixie Chopper with a 25 hp Koehler command pro that has approximately 2500 hours and is just started giving me some trouble. So I purchased the Z997R and really like the way it cuts. It has an excellent cut quality. It will go through thick heavy even wet grass with no problem. Its fast forward. I like the rear opening hood (even is removable with just two pins) the seat opens forward to give you wide open access to the engine and transmission. It has large oil and fuel filters with a very large hydraulic revivor plus its very easy to check the hydraulic fluid level. It will cut 6-8 hours on one tank of fuel. Traction seems to be better than my Dixie Chopper, will tear the grass if you turn fast and hard. I think its because of the big rear tires and weight, the tire are 26" x 12" which I like. Ok some of my dislikes. Its slow in reverse only 5 mph. The rear hood screen and coolers get clogged very quickly you have to clean them every time you mow or the hydraulics will overheat ( have not had that problem yet because I clean it every time) The hydraulic tank and the instrument cluster are one large plastic molded piece. It should have been two separate parts. The deck lift does not have any zerk fittings on any of the rotating parts. It squeaks every time its raised or lowered. I can hit it with spray lubricant and within 2 or 3 time cutting its squeaking again.

I had one the only problem with this machine is with a rear discharge the outside of the radiator becomes plugged up and the machine over heats. It needs a reversible fan to keep the radiator cleaned to prevent overheating.

Pros:

• pro

I previously owned a 997 diesel Z-Trak mower with the Izusu diesel engine and 60" side discharge mower deck. Thankfully John Deere went back to the Yanmar Diesel engines because it's night and day difference. My new 997R with a 60" side discharge multch on demand deck is so much quieter with the Yanmar engine and is much more powerful and responsive, I ordered the optional seat suspension which I would highly recommend for a larger operator like myself at 6'3" and 300 #. You can't stall this mower in thick grass and the operator station has been upgraded to more user friendly gauges and especially great are the button controls in the erogonomicaly correct designed handles, which raise the deck or stop the mower deck with the simple push with your thumb. Awesome feature ! I also suggest getting the rear bumper option which protects the engine cab completely. John Deere also brought the sides of the machine inward so you don't rub the side of your machine against tree trucks any more like my old 997 did...nice feature too. Highly recommend this machine if you have a large lawn to mow with a lot of trees to mow around !!

Just replaced a diesel SCAG Turf Tiger with this thing. Amazing power behind the 72" deck, no bogging in thick Bermuda. Even at 50-75% throttle I couldn't provoke it to stall.....Unbelievable power, actually!!! This thing is heavy at 1800-ish pounds, but it makes the ride smooth. Ordered mine with Kenda Executioner tires. So much torque on tap, I'd bet it would spin the tires and tear up grass with standard turf tires. Quiet, comfortable, powerful, responsive and love the hydraulic deck lift..... Look forward to mowing my vineyard theses days... :)

Pros:

• powerful
• comfortable
• quiet
• heavily constructed

• pricey
• needs a substantial trailer