[Walker Mowing]

I am in the market for a new 0-turn this season. I am very partial to Exmark especially since they have put a Kubota in their diesel model and they say they improved their deck even more.

My question to you guys is what are some of the positives and negatives of diesel mowers over gas. I am looking at the positive of better fuel usage and the ability to run red or off road fuel to offset the cost of more expensive road taxed fuel. The down side obviously is that diesel mowers cost more up front. If it helps, I manage some large properties such as soccer fields and other large properties. I use my Exmark walk behind for the small properties.

Thanks you in advance for advice toward this matter.

[Pelican]

You've pretty much nailed it. Plusses are fuel economy and using off road fuel, minus is up front cost.

I've run a Kubota ZD28 for 3 seasons now and can say diesel is the way to go. I can run a day and a half on the same fuel as a 22hp gas mower will run 6 hours on. I've got my own storage tank, so I've eliminated 2 trips a week to the gas station, a major time savings.

John Deere has a diesel powered Z now too, looks pretty good.

[start2finish]

I don't own a diesel mower, but I have talked with guys that have. They tell me the torque curve on a diesel isn't as steep as a gas. When you bog it down it takes longer to recover. here gas 2.33 a gallon. off road diesel 100 gallon min 2.40 a gallon. On road diesel 2.49 a gallon

wasn't any better during the off season(heating oil)

I like diesels for their long term use. all of our equipment with the exception of the mower that never leaves the farm or our personal lawns. We run diesels in all of our trucks. But we have considered our next truck being gasoline powered. The up-front costs and the cost difference of fuel just doesn't make if cost effective until you put 150,000 plus miles on the vehicle. and the gas motor that has worked its tail off is wore out. As for the 5000 option the diesel is, could we put a crate gas motor back in for 5K and run another 150k?? that is a big question for us!

[Walker Mowing]

I suppose the torque curve issue could be solved with a turbo which is probably why Scag went with a turbo diesel in theirs, as well as the other benefits of adding a turbo to a diesel engine. My dad has a ZD-21. It is for his own use on his 8 acres but I have used it. I have never noticed any problem with it bogging down and not recovering. Not to say that some don't have this problem.

I am partial to diesel engines. Diesel trucks are a bit of a hobby. I would agree on the cost of a new truck coupled with the cost of fuel is probably not very cost efficient. I bought mine used with low miles and in excellent condition. But when it comes to equipment, I am trying to be more cost efficient instead of diesel minded. Thats why I asked for some help from you guys in the green industry. If gas seems to be the way to go I would stick with gas.

The storage tank is something I have thought about as well. I hate to go to the gas station all the time, even when its on the way. Being able to just fill up when loading would be much better. Still would need gas for the walk behind and two stroke's but they don't need gas near as much as the ZTR's. I also have a Kubota B-3030 that I would be filling up off a storage tank.

Thanks for the input so far. Maybe someone else can expand on the bogging down issue.

[cutntrim]

How about a fuel tank for the bed of your pickup? I see construction company pickups with them all the time. You could hould enough fuel to cover your mowers all week probably.

[Walker Mowing]

Do you mean for gas?

I have looked into them for carrying diesel for mower and tractor. Lots of people have them around here, its farm country. But most have diesel in them for their heavy equipment.

Looking at Gemplers, the tanks they have for sale say not for use with flammable's (gasoline). Only for combustibles (diesel). I don't know the DOT regs on hauling either one around in large quantities. I know that excise will eyeball me with a diesel truck. Lots of guys run the red in their trucks. Not for me though at $1000 for your first violation.

[Pelican]

I haven't experienced any problem with bogging down with my ZD28, in fact it's quite the opposite. When in their power band, diesels make more torque than a comparable gas engine. The difference is the power band is much more narrow with a diesel than a gas engine and yes, recovery might take a few seconds longer. It's been my experience though that the diesel drops out of the power band much less often than the gas engine did, I'm hard pressed to come up on conditions that make my machine drop out of the power band.

The key will be making sure you have enough engine on your machine when you purchase. Any machine that is underpowered will be problematic, whether it be gas or diesel.

My biggest saving has been in time as I mentioned. I'm refueling less often and making fewer trips to the gas station. Even when the gas station is on the way, and they aren't very often, I have to wait quite a while before enough cars clear to park my truck/trailer combination at the pumps. Then I put up with glares and poor attitudes of the other customers while I fuel up my machines and cans. Most of the stations near me are fairly small and difficult to get in and out of with my rig. I can say I easily have saved a couple hours a week in refueling time. With a 3 man crew, that's big.