Is the 19'- 22' John Deere Z335 Residental Zero Turn The Worst Mower Ever?

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  • @Mechanical_Mind
    @Mechanical_Mind  7 місяців тому +1

    To find tools, shop equipment, mower parts and more, you can find them at my store. Click this link: www.amazon.com/shop/mechanicalmind
    I'll get a commission on the sale at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to help the channel and get the items you need.

  • @terryrush5585
    @terryrush5585 5 місяців тому +6

    I've had mine for 7 years, it's been a beast, never had any problem except the deck cables, ..one of the best mowers I ever had

  • @codymalone6343
    @codymalone6343 Рік тому +6

    Awesome video! I think there is a whole world of residential guys that watch your channel looking for good info on residential mowers. It’s a hot market. I’m currently shopping and wanted a Deere so badly all my life, and good to see this side of owning/maintaining as everything else on UA-cam is the sales people telling us what is great about their mowers. I use consumer reports, but you can’t beat this type of stuff! Thanks again!

  • @SecretSquirrel-et6dl
    @SecretSquirrel-et6dl 8 місяців тому +2

    Really appreciate your videos and agree. It’s all about perspective and philosophy of use. My .46 acre subdivision lot makes this thing more than adequate for the job I think. I’ve done all the things you showed here. Most aggravating think for me was the front tire deflation brand new. Dealer put some sealant all over it, and it’s performed ok for 3 seasons (about to start the 4th now). It’s only got 45 hours on it and a lot of that is idling time from drying it off and keeping it clean like new. My mom had a box store cub cadet that lasted 20 years, and it was neglected. I really take care of mine so for my REALISTIC needs with practical maintenance, I hope mine will last me much longer.

  • @mellowjammer
    @mellowjammer Рік тому +10

    For 2023 the Z300 series has a ball bearing in the bottom position of the front caster spindles but they kept a plastic bushing at the top. I removed the bushing and added another ball bearing at the top (same one as the bottom, AM102888). You need to add a thin 3/8" washer (about 0.050" thick & 7/8" OD) between the caster spindle and the black retainer cap to maintain the proper spacing. The new decks (48" and up) are 10ga. steel, the frames are beefed up, no more black plastic panel under the seat for easier access, no more cable for deck height adjustment, foot lift & dial adjustment (1/4" increments) for deck like most good zturns use. Got a $65 boarding step option to mount to the frame so I will never need to step on the deck. The foot panel just lifts off now without bolt for easy access. No more parking brake lever. Kawasaki engines on most "M" & "R" models. In other words, many needed improvements made to the 2023 Z300 lineup.

    • @codymalone6343
      @codymalone6343 Рік тому

      I am def looking forward to his review of the new z3. I get they are not designed to be commercial. Seem to have addressed a lot of his concerns, but time will tell

    • @codymalone6343
      @codymalone6343 Рік тому +3

      I heard someone say on another review - reliability of a tool has more to do with the owner than it does with the product. An owner using the product inside its intended purpose of design is going to get max life out of anything. I get that they can’t take being driven into a tree stump. My car would have a hard time taking that also. So I will never understand the basis of the comment that it’s a “junk deck” because it can’t be crashed into things. Under normal intended use; it would seem these new z3 are prob fine for most owners. Clean it, care for it, maintain it, be aware of yard hazards, I can’t imagine it won’t last as long as any other mower.
      I would be curious if something in particular is causing it to throw belts, if spindles bend bc they are crashed, etc. or are they failing under intended use due to poor quality

  • @andresfortuna9753
    @andresfortuna9753 Рік тому +2

    For me this is best mower I ever had I bought mine 8 years ago and used daily since then mowing 10to15 yards every single day and still running like a champ

    • @DavidHernandez-ue4fz
      @DavidHernandez-ue4fz 6 місяців тому

      Hi,i have the Z355E 48" but i can't cut grass less that 3" high because the belt will go out of the pulleys and get damaged or broken,any suggestions please.?

  • @jefffletcher3376
    @jefffletcher3376 6 місяців тому +3

    I own that mower and your right about those front bushings. 20 bucks every other year and tuning up and oil change is eazy. Other than the front caster wheel bushings mows nicely.

  • @FishFind3000
    @FishFind3000 Рік тому +5

    When I went to buy a zero turn I went in looking at a z740r 54” but it was a bit wider than my trailer so I asked if there was something similar. Salesman showed me a z920m 48” and it was only $1k more… it made no sense not to upgrade with all the upgrades for a small difference in price.

  • @perfblue_n
    @perfblue_n Рік тому +5

    Saying that this is the worst mower ever might be a little extreme. I have this model and have over 300 hours on it. I’ve had the casters lock up once while out on a property an don’t own a grease gun so I poured bar & chain oil down in there and never had the issue again. So I’ve also never greased the pulleys. Only thing I’ve replaced is the deck belt. Other than that just normal maintenance. It’s a very good mower for the money. Quality of cut with a nice stripe for a residential stamped deck is very surprising.

    • @brandtsweet
      @brandtsweet 6 місяців тому

      I have one too, and a couple years ago. This was a very highly reviewed product..

    • @Rondonwan
      @Rondonwan 5 місяців тому

      @@brandtsweet

  • @jonmyers8046
    @jonmyers8046 Рік тому +3

    Thank you very much for this video. My dad bought one of these lovely machines right before he passed last fall. I'm really wishing he didn't. Now I've inherited extra work. It's still new so I'm hoping I can address these issues now before it becomes more work. Personally I'd rather take it back to the dealer. BTW I've learned from experience that silicone grease is best for plastic on metal wear surfaces like those bushings. For now I'll just keep an eye on those front tires till I decide what to do there. 🙄 I prefer my old 110

  • @Smiley810Jay
    @Smiley810Jay Рік тому

    I've had my John Deere 6yrs, I cut 2 1/2 acres a week has been a great machine for me I do agree with the casters I installed roller bearings and greased, tires I used slime doesn't take much to fix the small problems good information to help others and I remove my belt the same way 😂

  • @andybrown3191
    @andybrown3191 Рік тому

    We have this model at my church where I am the grounds keeper. One of the first springs when we brought it out of storage it started making bad noises. Turns out the mice built a nest between the cylinders and it couldn't get air flow to cool it properly. Smoked the whole engine, scored a cylinder wall. Now we specifically check for that each spring:). We haven't had any other issues. My only beef is no suspension so if takes bumps hard and I am 6'4" and can't comfortably have my knees under the handles even when they're adjusted all the way up.

  • @FishFind3000
    @FishFind3000 Рік тому +3

    On my d120 it also had sealed bearings in the spindles and when I took them apart they didn’t get any grease that I was pumping into them.

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  Рік тому +2

      It John Deere...Youre supposed to pump it so full of grease that it bust the seals...😆.

  • @GregG628
    @GregG628 Рік тому

    Nice and thank you. I recently bought one with just under 100 hrs. I have 1/2 acr and love it. But, I have a little chunk on the left front and so I think I need to go ahead and Jack it up and check the stuff andwhat not on the front wheels. Great video and very informational for me and like I said it's just a 1/2 acre and that's not counting my building in my house.

  • @cmcfalls2
    @cmcfalls2 6 місяців тому

    Just FYI in case you find this video in the future, I don't know if they changed this before or after this video was posted, but my Z355e has bearings on those front wheel posts.
    I ordered replacement plastic bearing inserts and pulled the front tires off only to find bearings on the top and bottom of the post. I bought it 2, maybe 3 years ago from Lowes. So maybe they changed to the plastic ones at some point.

  • @brianlchase
    @brianlchase Рік тому

    Grease put into the spindles will sit there and leak oil over time as the thickeners begin to solidiify. The oil does get past the seals. It's not doing anything like pushing out the old contaminated grease, but that stuff is also just sitting there solidifying and leaking oil anyway. The track the balls ride in stays clear of grease generally unless it's over packed.

  • @subsonicrc
    @subsonicrc Рік тому

    I have the one with the Excell deep deck 48" comercial deck. I have the curved ends for the support frame rails. The only issues I've had with it so far. Is the support frames break at the bolts that hold the deck support. I've broken both sides now. I've got 300hrs so far. They made all kinds of excuses for it.

  • @66lwmorgan
    @66lwmorgan 6 місяців тому

    I have the Z345M mower, I assume it's probably pretty much the same mower, at least it looks just like mine. Why couldn't a guy drill a hole in the front where you replaced the bushings and installed a grease fitting so it could be greased? I also read JD had a bad batch of belt tension springs that were continually breaking, mine just broke at 35 hours.
    You made some points that I will definitely be doing to my Z345M mower, thanks for sharing.

  • @Fresh-tw7ev
    @Fresh-tw7ev 3 місяці тому

    I have a ZTrak 375R 54” and I think I screwed up my deck height by watching a very confusing JD tutorial video. How do I take my mower height bolts back to factory specs????

  • @CoolSteve77
    @CoolSteve77 Рік тому +1

    How much grease needs to be added for the spindles? Getting ready to replace mine after 275 hours the blades started bumping each other. Nice video.

  • @TacticalMainframe
    @TacticalMainframe Рік тому +2

    Thank you so much. Showing us what to watch out for. I enjoy your channel.

  • @RichardTankard
    @RichardTankard 4 місяці тому

    How about frame breakage, have you seen that? One side of mine broke where a bolt passes through, and the other side is cracked.

  • @sresener
    @sresener 3 місяці тому

    Could you fit a rubber o ring on the top and bottom of the castor. This may keep sand and debris entering

  • @robertmailhos8159
    @robertmailhos8159 Рік тому +1

    My thoughts are the ideler pulley should have a bit of resistance in their spinning The front caster s in my own thoughts should have grease fittings on them

  • @jamesravencraft8789
    @jamesravencraft8789 5 місяців тому

    Why are you running all of that air in the tires? The front tire says 44 psi I think but the owners manual and the quick maintenance guide under the seat says 15 psi in the front and 10 psi in the rear So which is correct??????

  • @lioneldeliz7053
    @lioneldeliz7053 Рік тому +1

    What's your thoughts on the 2023 Z320R / 21.5HP FR651V Kawasaki / 42" Accel Deep Deck? Thank you

  • @thomasgriffin3474
    @thomasgriffin3474 Рік тому

    There’s reasons I traded my z345m for a z320r. I like the light weight decks when it comes to cutting my Bermuda grass

  • @jasonharrison5211
    @jasonharrison5211 Рік тому

    Awesome info! I have this mower. Great tips. Thank you

  • @danielhanawalt4998
    @danielhanawalt4998 Рік тому +2

    Good work on your video, very informative. I have the Z335E mower and I'm pretty happy with it. Has just over 100 hours and no serious problems. The front tires, especially the left one, loses air, but I just air them up before each use to keep it level. I'm considering getting the extended warranty. I wonder if it's actually worth it though. I can go up to 4 years or 500 hours. I wouldn't put the 500 hours on it before the 4 years ran out. That plan is $622. I can handle the small things that can go wrong, but the transmissions are expensive. What are the chances one those would go out before the four years or 500 hours?

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  Рік тому +1

      Hi Daniel, I wouldn't worry about needing to replace the hydros. I think the hydros and the engine can easily go over 500 hrs. The belts idlers and spindles will all go out before 500 hrs. Id say before 300 hrs you will have idlers and spindles going out. If you bend deck that would most likely NOT be covered under warranty. If you get the warranty they will need to keep those plastic bushings replaced and the idlers and spindles. The belts will not be covered unless related to a manufacturing defect.
      Thanks for watching! 🍻

    • @danielhanawalt4998
      @danielhanawalt4998 Рік тому

      @@Mechanical_Mind Thanks for your reply. I have been thinking the the hydros and engine should easily out last the extended warranty hours of 500. Those are expensive parts and if they had a habit of failing in a short time, those mowers wouldn't sell too much. All the other things you mentioned are things I can easily take care of and afford when needed. I did bend the deck once when I hit a stump hidden in the grass. Bent the blade and the deck. I did auto body work for years, so the deck was not a problem to straighten. That's when I had to replace a spindle as well.

  • @lioneldeliz7053
    @lioneldeliz7053 Рік тому +2

    A little help please. At a John Deer dealer the Z320R is $4,690.88 out the door.
    At Home Depot it's 3,96718 out the door. Why should I buy it at a dealer? Thank you

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  Рік тому

      Hi Lionel, sorry Im just now seeing your comment. Is it the 2023 model?

    • @lioneldeliz7053
      @lioneldeliz7053 Рік тому +1

      @@Mechanical_Mind Hi, yes it is. Thank you

  • @paulamaral8029
    @paulamaral8029 6 місяців тому

    I know the one issue I have is when I cut the grass with the bagger system is that it always gets clogged barely goes into the bags all the time don’t know y…also i removed the red flapper inside the tide don’t know what that did ….and also I no idea how to remove the bagger system all I see is bolts everywhere doesn’t seem no easy way to remove and put back on …when I bought the mower bought it from a guy with zero hours brand new and had the bagger already installed

  • @markinmichigan2673
    @markinmichigan2673 Рік тому

    I mow about 3 acres with a 2013 cub cadet 46" rider and I am in the market for a new mower because that one is a pile of junk as well so I wanted to get a zero turn to speed up the mowing process and try to get something a little better than what I have So I am not working on it all the time. I have been looking at different options including the John Deere Z515E but after watching your videos on John Deere mowers I am now feeling like I need to avoid them. That being said what do you recommend for a good residential zero turn that's not going to cost me an arm and a leg?

  • @andymcdowell7917
    @andymcdowell7917 5 місяців тому

    They make solid tires for the front just have to adapt it

  • @ericmyers8135
    @ericmyers8135 Рік тому

    What about the Muary lawn tractors for Biginers thanks Eric Myers

  • @RandallLord
    @RandallLord 8 місяців тому +1

    The deck lift cabel tends to break on this model. Any tips?

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  8 місяців тому

      Those cables are not fun to replace either. I dont know of anything you can do to prevent them from breaking. That's my least favorite mowers ever.

  • @robertmccolley-bm6ce
    @robertmccolley-bm6ce 6 місяців тому

    How do you remove the plastic central cover?

  • @jond2700
    @jond2700 Рік тому

    Great video. I am purchasing a 2017 z335e. I am assuming it will have the same potential problems? Anything to really look at besides the usual when I purchase it?

  • @aaronbohl8234
    @aaronbohl8234 Рік тому +1

    I got 1, and at 400 hrs now I’ve so tired of working on it. The plastic spindle bushings, seat springs, chews belts 3x a year, done replaced both idler pulleys due to bearings, electric pto clutch, ……… it never ends except the engine has been flawless

    • @Markreimers-jq1cr
      @Markreimers-jq1cr 4 місяці тому +1

      With 400 hundred + hours you can expect things to wear out

  • @eremyj5251
    @eremyj5251 Рік тому

    Thanks for the informative video, but maybe the reason they come in with "low" front tire pressure is because the manual says 15psi and you say 40-44psi. Which one is correct???

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  Рік тому

      The tires on those zero turns always come in holding no air. 0 psi. I meant to say they take up to 44 psi. Which is the max psi rating written on the tire itself.

    • @noyufly
      @noyufly 7 місяців тому

      I came looking to comment the same. Manual says 15psi. Great video…my front wheels seem to jam so I’ll be replacing the plastic bushings.

  • @Metroxl7226
    @Metroxl7226 Рік тому

    This is a great video and it addresses some minor issues. One issue I have with my 2016 model Z335E is the drive transmission for each wheel does not engage evenly. I’m thinking this is a hydraulic fluid level issue but I cannot find the fluid reservoirs. Can you relate to that transmission issue

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  Рік тому

      Those units do not have reservoirs but you can add oil from the top. There is no drain plug unfortunately. Plus to add the oil it may be easier to remove the transmission. In that case I'd say dump out the old oil and add all new. As the wear plates wear the transmissions will get slower so even fresh topped off oil may not fix the issue with one operating faster than the other.

  • @chucklimbaugh875
    @chucklimbaugh875 5 місяців тому

    I have an issue with mine. In full reverse mode, the right tire barely reverses compared to the left one. Any suggestions?

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  5 місяців тому

      Sounds like your right side hydro transmission is damaged internally.
      I'd first confirm that the input shaft pulley is not loose or spinning on the input shaft.
      Those transmissions are not really made for the JD techs to rebuild. Limited parts are available on those. You may need to end up replacing it.

  • @denttech2515
    @denttech2515 Рік тому +4

    Front tires obviously have a cheap rim that bends easily. Deere should be ashamed for this whole machine. Pathetic

  • @jayrussell-ob2ey
    @jayrussell-ob2ey 6 місяців тому

    How do you put this model in nuetral

  • @SaintBernardPuppies
    @SaintBernardPuppies Рік тому

    My blades will not engage. I replaced the pto switch but it did not help.
    Any ideas to check.
    I hate my machine it never works when I go to mow.

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  Рік тому

      I know this sounds silly but first check your battery and charging system. The clutch draws a good amount of amps during use. I made a video on how to check your charging system: ua-cam.com/video/Xj1w8dWxapI/v-deo.html
      Once you confim the battery is good and the charging system is working. Watch this video ua-cam.com/video/92O3-Vzj4fo/v-deo.html

  • @mr.courtney5703
    @mr.courtney5703 Рік тому

    Thank you for the great info on this model. I love mine. 👍👍

  • @erichvonmolder9310
    @erichvonmolder9310 4 місяці тому

    I am not a mechanic nor do I play one on TV, so for me to do this detail type of examination and then attempt to take it apart if something is wrong, it isn't going to happen. Let's say I can't get it back together, what do I do then, curse like a son of a gun as I'm sweating on the deck, then call the dealer. Also, I just don't have the knowledge and experience of how the mower should behave. In a perfect world, you expect that when you pay $4-5 Grand on a machine it better work very well. I'd rather pay the Dealer or Mechanical Mind to fix it. It might be worth it to get an extended warranty.

  • @albertsnow8835
    @albertsnow8835 Рік тому

    My promblem with JD is the deck falls apart after three to four years.

  • @franwebb7756
    @franwebb7756 Рік тому

    Good info video for this type mower..👍💯

  • @johnhansen8134
    @johnhansen8134 5 місяців тому

    Awesome video! Thank you!

  • @paulmetcalf5636
    @paulmetcalf5636 19 днів тому

    rear wheels fall off of mine

  • @chadcaldwell3823
    @chadcaldwell3823 Рік тому

    Wow you out to sell parts good luck there buddy not I. My area

  • @JohnDeere165HydroOfficial
    @JohnDeere165HydroOfficial Рік тому +1

    Its not the worst EVER but it might be bad

  • @thewolf8848
    @thewolf8848 10 місяців тому

    its a lawn mower not a lamborghini.

    • @Mechanical_Mind
      @Mechanical_Mind  10 місяців тому +1

      It's actually a poor example of a mower.

  • @mikespain8655
    @mikespain8655 Рік тому +1

    John Deere Z335, Overpriced, over rated, and cheap on quality. Not just this particular mower, but a lot of John Deere products.