The Z998R Diesel ZTrak™ Mower is powered by a turbo-charged, 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine with gross SAE J1995 43.4 hp (32.4 kW) that meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Final Tier 4 emission standards. The engine achieves Final Tier 4 compliance by using a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter (DOC/DPF) system.

The three-cylinder diesel engine features low noise levels, superior fuel economy, and a high torque reserve that provides plenty of power and performance.

Key features of the engine include:

• Economical, cast-in-block cylinder design gives good cooling and long life.
• Liquid-cooled design provides more consistent operating temperatures than air-cooled.
• Direct fuel injection is provided.
  • Injects fuel directly on top of pistons for more efficient combustion
  • Develops more horsepower per gallon of fuel
  • Improves starting
• Aluminum-alloy pistons with built-in steel struts are lightweight to reduce connection rod bearing loads and provide good heat-transfer characteristics.
  • Design permits tighter tolerances and neutralizes expansion of the piston, thereby reducing blow-by fuel and noise from piston slap
  • Higher top rings on the piston and a thinner head gasket greatly reduce the volume of unburned waste and increase combustion efficiency
• Timing gears and injector drive gears utilize a helical profile to help lower engine noise.
  • Gear teeth have a ''roll-off'' profile, giving almost no clash, noise, or backlash
• Fuel filter with replaceable element is provided.
• Quick starts in temperatures down to 0°F (-18°C).
• Auto-bleed fuel system gives extra convenience.
  • No need to prime the system if the unit runs out of fuel; the system will self-prime the injection pump, lines, and injectors, providing fast fuel recovery
• Key start and shutoff
• See-through coolant recovery tank permits operator to check coolant level without removing radiator cap.
• Sealed radiator compartment keeps trash and debris on the outside of hood.
• Dual-element, dry-type air cleaner with safety element and air-service indicator is provided.
  • Dual-element design for added engine protection
  • Easy to service
  • Completely sealed for effective cleaning and 90 to 95 percent of dirt ejected before it reaches the paper element
  • Secondary safety element for additional filtering
  • Air-restriction indicator to let operator know when the filter needs servicing
• Full-pressure lubrication with full-flow filter lengthens engine life.
  • Engine wear reduced by ensuring proper lubrication, even when operating on hillsides or uneven terrain
  • Oil filter helps keep oil clean for increased engine life
• Automotive-type alternator (150 amp) provides plenty of charge to the battery.
• Rear-mounted, covered radiator and fan keeps noise away from the operator and is easy to service.
• Isolated engine mounting reduces engine vibration at operator's station for more comfortable operation.

‍

The Z998R Diesel ZTrak™ Mower leverages E-Cut electric-drive technology, which John Deere pioneered for golf mowers. The Z998R mower’s 61-in. (155-cm) center deck is shaft driven and its two 22-in. (56-cm) E-Cut Wing Mower Decks are driven by electric motors. The E-Cut Wing Mower Deck electric motors are powered by an engine-mounted 56-V 240-amp alternator.

In nine seconds, by pressing buttons on the steering levers, the operator can convert from a productivity-focused 100-in. (254-cm) cut width to 60-in. (152-cm) or 80-in. (203-cm) cutting widths as landscaping obstacles require. In addition to providing multiple mowing widths, electrically driven wing-mower decks overcome belt alignment limitations and reduce shielding, which simplifies cleaning.\

‍

The E-Cut Wing Mower Deck electric motors are designed to last, even in difficult mowing environments. The motor’s anodized housing is durable and has even been submersion tested to ensure the motors are sealed from the elements.

John Deere’s extensive testing processes led to the development of serviceable motors. In the event of a severe blade impact, the lower-cost and serviceable spindle (A) and lower motor housing (B) are designed to fail and protect the expensive components of the drive motor.

FastBack PRO Rear-Discharge Mower Deck Advantages

Advantages of a rear-discharge mower deck include:

• Less chance of damage from objects being thrown from the mower deck
• Time savings with the ability to mow closely around fixed objects with either side of the deck
• A cleaner mowing experience by lessening the amount of debris that can blow onto the operator

A rear-discharge mower deck is ideally suited for:

• Schools
• Parks
• Playgrounds
• Traffic areas (city boulevards, roadsides, etc.)
• Areas with long, grassy spots that need to be cut, where you are not as concerned about wide dispersal of grass (park areas, roadsides, etc.)*

*NOTE: Operators maintaining turf outside of target areas are encouraged to evaluate rear-discharge dispersion through a cut quality demonstration to ensure satisfaction.

Commercial-quality deck design

A large volume of material can be thoroughly processed with the deep-deck design:

• Unique baffling system is designed to reduce clumping and windrowing often associated with rear-discharge mowers.
  • Efficiency is enhanced with baffles surrounding each blade to control material as it is moved to the rear.
  • Material exits the deck quickly as the baffles are lower at the rear.
  • Movement of material is controlled to minimize the likelihood that clippings are thrown onto unwanted areas.
• Less debris gets on the operator as material is directed to the rear and toward the ground.
  • Debris is kept low and directed into the turf by the flexible rear shield.

‍

The Z997R and Z998R Diesel ZTrak™ Mowers are equipped with an advanced 4.3-in. (10.9-cm) full-color LED touchscreen, which provides unprecedented control and information.

Similar to mobile device screens, the touchscreen contains multi-colored pixels. Unlike segment-based displays, a touchscreen can be extensively customized, which enables software-defined menus and supports multiple languages including English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian. The touchscreen is bright so it can be read in sunlight and backlit for low-light conditions.

The touchscreen is designed and tested to withstand the elements. It is IP66 rated, indicating it is dust-tight and protected from water.

The touchscreen provides the operator with:

• Mower deck status
• Stop, service, park brake, power-take-off, seat switch, and diesel particulate filter regeneration indicators
• Fuel level
• Hours
• Connectivity signal strength

The touchscreen can be used to adjust machine settings:

• Mow mode - Choose between eco, cut quality, and productivity modes
• LoadMatch™ - Slows the mower under heavy cutting load, providing consistent cut quality
• Maximum ground speed

The touchscreen can also be used for diagnostics.

Customizable machine settings for each member of the team

The Z997R and Z998R Mowers are factory-configured with a single full-access user profile. Fleet operators may choose to tailor menu access to the unique needs of owners, crew supervisors, and operators. Each user is assigned a PIN that may be restricted from machine settings and diagnostic menus.

A mower can have up to three owner profiles. Owner profiles have access to the following settings:

• Display settings
• Mow mode
• Speed limit
• LoadMatch
• Service and diagnostics
• Factory reset
• Operator permissions

A mower can have up to 100 unique operator profiles, each with their own PIN that remembers their unique language and machine settings. Each operator-profile setting has access to the display settings menu. Based on the owner’s permissions, each operator may be given access to, or restricted from, accessing the remaining menus. For example, an owner may give crew supervisors and experienced operators access to more settings than less experienced operators.

‍

The Z997R and Z998R Diesel ZTrak™ Mowers include a standard air-suspension seat, which provides maximum operator comfort across a wide range of operator traits.

Key features and adjustments:

• 24-in. (60.9-cm) seat back with body-contoured seat cushions.
• Weight and height adjustment allow for proper ride and suspension height.
• Damper adjustment that allows the operator to adjust the seat’s ride to their preference:
  • Softer settings increase seat travel to absorb large bumps.
  • Stiffer settings reduce vertical seat travel, reducing movement of the operator’s arms and legs.
• 5.9-in. (150-mm) of seat fore-aft slide adjustment helps account for a wide range of heights.
• 1.8-in. (46-mm) of fore-aft suspension travel softens and absorbs directional changes.
• Back-angle tilt adjustment reclines seat back up to 20 degrees to accommodate operators.
• Lumbar adjustment provides proper back support.
• Standard, adjustable armrests are made of a durable material that provides adequate support and surface area for the operator's arms.
• Cushions are ideal for those who seek proper back support. The highly resilient contoured foam construction allows for all-day mowing comfort.
• A raised seat ensures a commanding view to the front and side mower decks.
• A retractable seat belt that is convenient to use.