2026 John Deere Z970R 72 in. (183 cm) FastBack PRO rear-discharge

Z970RZero-Turn Mower

• 7-Iron™ PRO Mowing Deck
• Brake-N-Go starting
• Cross-porting hydraulic transmission
• Rear Discharge Deck

Features May Include:

Powerful 35.0-hp (26.1-kW) commercial-grade engine delivers class-leading performance and efficiency

The Z970R is powered by an air-cooled, vertical shaft engine:

• 35.0-hp (26.1-kW) gas engine

Engine features include:

• Overhead valve design
  • More horsepower and torque per cubic inch of displacement
  • Better fuel efficiency
• Full-pressure lubrication with full-flow filter
  • Reduces engine wear by ensuring proper lubrication, even when operating on hillsides or uneven terrain
  • Oil filter helps keep oil clean for increased engine life
  • V-twin big block design
• Vertical shaft
• Easy-access, dual-element air filter with quick-release latch
• 15-amp alternator
• Fuel pump
• Complies with strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission standards without loss of horsepower or torque
• Aluminum block engines
  • Effectively dissipate heat
  • Lightweight and strong construction
  • Extend engine life due to elimination of debilitating engine temperatures
  • Air-cooled engine design

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.

Fully adjustable suspension seat with ComfortGlide™ fore/aft suspension offers exceptional operator comfort

The 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

Standard comfort and convenience allows for easy deck height adjustment and power take-off (PTO) shutoff

The comfort and convenience package combines large, ergonomically angled control levers with specially padded grips to provide unmatched comfort and reduced fatigue:

• Keeps hands on the control sticks to minimize equipment damage and make them more comfortable over long operating days.

The control levers have built-in electronic controls to raise or lower the mower deck or disengage the mower blades.

The push button (A) on the left motion control lever raises the mower deck.

The push button (B) on the right-hand control lever shuts off the PTO.

Once the PTO has been shut off using the button, the PTO switch must be pushed down and pulled up again to engage the PTO.

Three-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty
M Series 3-year, 1200-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty

An exclusive 2-year, unlimited hour/3-year, 1200-hour (whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper warranty is standard for all John Deere M Series Mowers. The warranty is best in its class and places John Deere at the forefront of commercial mowing. It is also hassle free, with one company handling all of the paperwork.

NOTE: 36 months or 1200 hours, whichever comes first. For the first 24 months, there is no hour limitation.

R Series 3-year, 1500-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty

An exclusive 2-year, unlimited hour/3-year, 1500-hour (whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper warranty is standard on all John Deere R Series mowers. The warranty is best in the industry and puts John Deere at the forefront of commercial mowing. It is also hassle free, with one company handling all of the paperwork.

NOTE: 36 months or 1500 hours, whichever comes first. For the first 24 months, there is no hour limitation.

Heavy-duty frame provides strength and durability

The durability features of the frame are as follows:

• Heavy-duty, thick-gauge, steel channel mainframe for strength and durability
• Cast I-beam caster arms to handle the beating and pounding professional mowers receive
• Wide-open access for maintenance and cleaning

Two-piece rear bumper provides protection

A steel rear bumper provides protection for the machine. The bumper is made of two pieces, making it easy to remove and install when using a material collection system (MCS).

A rear hitch can be added to the steel bumper for towing purposes. ZTrak M and R Series Mowers can tow up to 400 lb (181.4 kg).

Michelin, X, and Tweel are trademarks of Michelin North America, Inc.

Durable, hydrostatic drivetrain including cross porting delivers better cooling and provides easy access
 

The hydrostatic drive included with the Z900 Z Trak Mowers features two 13-cc (0.8-cu in.) unitized hydraulic pumps combined with commercial-grade, heavy-duty, 13-cc (0.8-cu in.) wheel motors into a single unit. The drive units feature cross porting, where the hydraulic fluid from the side doing the least work is filtered and then fed into the input of the side doing the most work. This ensures that the coolest fluid is going into the side working the hardest in order to provide the best performance during extended hillside operation in the same direction.

One pump and one motor drive each wheel on the Z900 ZTrak™ Mowers. This provides several benefits:

• Exceptional cooling in high load conditions
• Easy-to-check level and refill hydraulic oil
• Opens up access under the seat

Mower is easy to service with many accessible components
The design of the Z900 Series makes many service components reachable and easily accessible from the ground.

• Large, open engine compartment at the rear of the machine provides convenient servicing and ensures the engine heat is directed away from the operator.

All ZTrak™ Mowers come with a maintenance label that is conveniently located inside the right-hand console. The label is written on English and Spanish languages and includes daily service check points, approximate fluid capacities, and tire pressures.