2025 John Deere Golf & Sports Turf Z965M EFI 72 in

• 33-hp (24.6 kW) EFI gasoline engine
• 60-in. and 72-in. 7-Iron™ PRO Side-Discharge Decks
• Brake-N-Go starting
• Cross-porting hydraulic transmission

Features May Include: 

• V-twin engine with Oil Guard™ System has electronic fuel injection (EFI) and electronic throttle control for quick starts and superior performance

Commercial-quality V-twin air-cooled engines with EFI power the ZTrak™ Mowers:

• Vanguard 61A6 33 hp (24.6 kW) gross at 3600 rpm (Z965M and Z965R)
• Vanguard 61G8 40 hp (29.8 kW) gross at 3600 rpm (Z985R)

Engine features include:

• EFI with electronic throttle control
  • Electronically adjusts the supply of both fuel and air, responding instantaneously when the mower transitions from light to heavy mowing.
  • Unlike mechanical governors that droop under load, torque rises while maintaining constant full-throttle engine speed.
  • Productivity and cut quality are improved because the mower blades keep turning at full speed, delivering optimal cut quality and dispersion of clippings.
  • Immediate starting in hot or cold ambient temperatures or after long periods of seasonal storage
  • No choke linkage for the user to operate
  • Higher reliability with the elimination of vapor locking, misfiring, run-on, and after-bang
  • Automatic altitude compensation
  • Delivers fuel precisely for added efficiency
  • Reduces the potential for plug fouling
• V-twin design
  • Fast starts
  • Smooth operation
• Overhead valves
  • More horsepower and torque per cubic inch of displacement
  • Better fuel efficiency
• Air-cooled for minimum maintenance and maximum reliability
• Aluminum cylinder block
  • Effectively dissipates heat to extend engine life
  • Lightweight and strong construction
• Full-pressure lubrication with full-flow filter
  • Reduces engine wear by ensuring proper lubrication, even when operating on hillsides or uneven terrain
  • Filtered oil reduces risk of contamination for increased engine life for increased engine life
• Standard cleanout ports for easy access to remove debris collecting in cooling fins
• 20-amp alternator

The Z965M,  Z965R and Z985R ZTrak Mowers are equipped with the Oil Guard System which increases engine oil service intervals from 100 to 500 hours, which drastically reduces maintenance costs and downtime.

To further reduce maintenance hassles, engine oil-level checks, oil changes, and oil filter changes also move from the engine block to the accessible reservoir location. The reservoir has a large 5-quart capacity and aluminum construction for exceptional cooling and extended oil life.

ZTrak™ Z900 Mowers are equipped with a dual-element, canister-style air filter, easily accessible from the rear of the machine without tools.

• The filtration system pulls clean air from above the engine, in turn filtering out the dust that can damage an engine over time.
• Filters are extremely easy to change when required.
• Pre-cleaner provides more protection against contamination in dusty and dirty applications.

The ZTrak™ Z900 Mowers are equipped with one single-fill, top-draw fuel tank:

• 11.5-U.S. gal. (43.5-L) capacity enables operators to mow all day without refueling.
• The fuel gauge makes it quick and easy to see how much fuel is in the tank.
• Top draw provides added safety.
• A large fuel-filler neck is angled to make it easy for an operator to complete the fueling process.

Under normal conditions, load, operation, and dependent on loads and operating conditions, fuel consumption for Z965M, Z965R, and Z985R ZTrak Mowers:

• 7Iron PRO side-discharge: 1.4 U.S. gph (5.3 L/hr)
• FastBack PRO rear-discharge: 1.3 U.S. gph (4.9 L/hr)

Oil Guard is a registered trademark of Briggs & Stratton Corporation

• Extra durability and mowing performance from 7-Iron™ PRO Side-Discharge decks pressed from a single piece of steel

7-Iron PRO mower decks have demonstrated quality, performance, and durability. They deliver a high-quality cut in diverse conditions.

Key features of the 7-Iron PRO mower deck:

• Deck is forged from 7-gauge, 0.179-in. (4.6-mm) steel to minimize the number of welds and provide a smooth underside with fewer sharp corners for reduced material buildup.
• Significantly fewer welds on the deck shell to wear or break - it is forged from a single sheet of steel rather than multiple fabrications. An anti-skid step on the deck provides easy machine mounting.
• Extra reliability and long life with cast-iron blade spindle housings.
• Higher blade tip speed than many competitors - approximately 18,500 fpm (5,639 m/min) for more blade cuts per inch mowed.
• A deep-deck design of 5.5 in. (14 cm) delivers excellent airflow so material can be processed quickly and efficiently.
• The wider and higher discharge opening provides even clipping dispersal for an excellent finished appearance in all conditions.
• Quick-release belt covers do not require tools or the removal of a ring clip; just lift one corner of the cover and rotate it slightly to remove.
  • A hole in the deck tab is provided for use of an optional ring clip for extra security, if desired.
  • This makes it quick and easy for you to clean out trash that may collect around the spindle sheave.
• Deck has rectangular leading deck edge reinforcement and the rounded corners of the forged deck help distribute impact stress to reduce the potential of damage when the mower contacts trees, rocks, curbs, and other fixed obstacles.
• Dual-captured front and rear anti-scalp wheels provide deck flotation over even the toughest terrain.
• Three 1-in. (2.5-cm), cold-forged spindles are heat-treated for strength without bulk and are supported by ball bearings, providing reliability and performance; spindle housings are ribbed cast iron providing both excellent strength and heat dissipation.
• The trim edge of the deck is equipped with a bumper that provides great abrasion resistance to protect the machine and the property.
• The front edge is raised above the blade plane to allow even cutting of tall grass and is reinforced with a square bar for durability. The front baffle has been redesigned to better manage airflow and control clippings.
• Three spindle grease fittings are accessible from the top.
• Blade overlap is 1.6 in. (40.6 mm), nearly 0.79 in. (20 mm) greater than previous decks, to reduce striping between blades.
• Quick-change, cutting-height adjustment.

On every commercial mower deck there are three 1-in. (25-mm) spindles that are cold-forged and heat-treated for strength. Spindles are supported by precision ball bearings that provide great performance and reliability.

• Superior impact strength provided by ductile cast-iron material.
• Gusseted design puts reinforcement where it is needed.
• Strength of cast iron protects against damage from blade impacts.
• Easy access grease fittings are mounted at the top of the spindle shafts for convenience.
• Grease pressure-relief valve minimizes seal damage from overfilling with grease and keeps debris from entering housing.
• Chance of deck shell damage is minimized with the 8-in. (20.3-cm) diameter housing and six mounting bolts that distribute loads and impacts.
• Ability to be reliably rebuilt is provided by use of cast iron.

The deck step safely aids the operator's entrance and egress from machine.

• Three seat choices with ComfortGlide™ fore/aft suspension offer exceptional operator comfort

There are three seating options available for the M Series, all of which are factory installed:

1. Deluxe comfort seat with armrests
2. Deluxe comfort seat with armrests and isolation
3. Fully adjustable suspension seat with armrests

Each seat has the ComfortGlide fore/aft suspension system that gives superior ride comfort over uneven areas:

• Seat can travel up to 2 in. (50.8 mm) fore and aft to absorb bumps for a significant enhancement to ride comfort.
• Control lever provides the ability to easily lock out fore/aft suspension movement if desired.
• One lever has three functions:
  • Slide seat forward and back 3 in. (10.2 cm) to allow the operator the ability to choose the leg room needed
  • Activate ComfortGlide fore/aft seat suspension
  • Lock out ComfortGlide fore/aft seat suspension

The deluxe comfort seat with armrests is standard on all M Series models:

• Rubber springs are provided to increase ride comfort.
• A convenient seat latch makes it easy to lift the seat.
• The seat is factory installed.

The deluxe comfort seat with armrests and isolation is available on the M and R Series:

• Rubber springs are provided to isolate the seat base and to increase ride comfort.
• A convenient seat latch makes it easy to lift the seat.
• Isolation mounting is a good feature to reduce vibration for operators who do not require the fully adjustable suspension seat option.
• Factory installed on Z900s ordered with the deluxe comfort seat with armrests and isolation option.

A fully adjustable suspension seat with armrests option is available on the M and R Series:

• Adjustable back angle is provided for individual operator comfort.
• Adjustable lumbar support helps to suit the needs of the operator.
• A suspension seat control dial gives easy adjustment for operator weight and ride comfort.
• A convenient seat latch provides ease of lifting the seat.
• On Z900s ordered with the fully adjustable suspension seat with armrests option, it is factory installed.

Two-lever hydrostatic control provides the following:

• The operator can select the ground speed and direction control simply by moving levers forward or reverse.
• Positive neutral lock position for levers provides added safety.
• Brake & Go operator-presence system returns levers to the neutral position when the brake pedal is actively engaged. 
• Starting the machines is as easy as starting a car. It no longer matters if the control levers are extended out or pulled in, as long as the parking brake is engaged. Just turn the key and go.
• Wide-bend, large-diameter steering levers swing out easily for entry and exit from the operator platform.

The Brake & Go starting system is a John Deere exclusive. This feature makes the starting process on all ZTrak™ mowers easier, while also making it possible to remove two interlock switches from the machine.
 
The Brake & Go starting procedure helps a novice operator look and feel like a professional. To start the machine, the parking brake must be engaged. It does not matter whether the power take-off (PTO) switch is on or off, nor does it matter if the control levers are pulled in or in the out position.
 
As long as the parking brake is engaged, the machine will start. When the parking brake is applied, the control levers cannot be moved to the forward or reverse positions.

The motion control levers have two height positions and can also be adjusted forward or rearward within the slotted holes. The levers should be adjusted so the operator can achieve a full range of control operation comfortably.

The easy-to-turn (from-the-seat) tracking adjustment allows operators to keep their mowers straight and produce professional striping results.

Several storage areas are provided on the ZTrak machines. A convenient cup holder is also available.

• Upgraded electrical system includes display panel and speeds troubleshooting

The Z900 ZTrak Mowers with EFI engines are equipped with upgraded electrical systems that power a modern display panel and speed trouble shooting.

The display panel assists in operating the mower and alerts to problems to reduce downtime and repair costs. The display panel includes:

• Hour meter
• Fuel level
• Engine speed
• System voltage
• Low engine oil-pressure indicator
• Starting interlock indicators for power take-off (PTO), operator presence, and park brake
• Bright caution and stop indicators to capture the operator's attention

The display panel’s diagnostics mode provides error codes, system voltage, and circuit continuity tests that can report switch functionality and circuit continuity in seconds, without tools.

When equipped with an optional JDLink™ M Modem - 4G, the upgraded electrical system provides additional data (fuel level, fuel consumption, and trouble codes) and enables Service Advisor Remote access to speed dealer diagnostics.