Our verdict
The bottom line
For estate owners and professional groundsmen. The Kubota G23 is what cricket-club groundsmen and head gardeners actually run on. Diesel engine outlasts the rest of the machine; properly maintained these run 30 years.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Diesel engine — 30+ year service life realistic
- 137cm deck for proper estate work
- 550L collection bag
- Used by professional groundsmen and golf clubs
Cons
- Eye-watering price
- Diesel maintenance routine matters
- Heavy at 500kg — needs serious storage
Full specs
| Type | Ride-on |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 137 cm |
| Engine / Power | Kubota D722 diesel 3-cylinder |
| Weight | 500 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | Yes |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 550 L |
| Suited to lawn | Large |
| Noise level | 100 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used-market tip
£5500–9000 used. Kubota diesel hours: under 1500 is excellent for a G23, under 3000 acceptable. Diesel injectors need clean fuel — ask about service history. Hydraulic system pressure test should be part of any pre-purchase inspection on a unit over £7000.
Where to look: Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are usually 20–30% cheaper than eBay UK for petrol mowers because most sellers want local pickup. eBay tends to win on cordless and electric (lighter, easier to ship). Always insist on a starting demonstration before paying.