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Cub Z-Force Experience
- Thread starter JimMorrissey
- Start date
- Views: 8579
moss2940
Bronze Member
I read either here or another mower website that the EZT was supposed to be rated for 800 hrs. I wouldn't take that as a fact just what I remember reading somewhere.
I just assumed the IZT was rated for more hours, that would be interesting to know what hydro-gear say's.
Also one of the selling points on the IZT's was stronger 1" axles. But it looks like you can get the EZT's with 1" or 3/4" axles according to the hydro-gear website.
I just assumed the IZT was rated for more hours, that would be interesting to know what hydro-gear say's.
Also one of the selling points on the IZT's was stronger 1" axles. But it looks like you can get the EZT's with 1" or 3/4" axles according to the hydro-gear website.
OP
JimMorrissey
Veteran Member
Yep, I noticed that myself. I'll call them or email tomorrow and report back when I know anything.
I wonder if the Cub tranny feels like hydro motors or something else....The commercial pump/motor setup feels so clean and directly connected....no hesitation as the valve opens, what a great but expensive design. I really want a 48" Exmark CT. Oh well, I'll survive with an MTD product purchased at TSC /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I wonder if the Cub tranny feels like hydro motors or something else....The commercial pump/motor setup feels so clean and directly connected....no hesitation as the valve opens, what a great but expensive design. I really want a 48" Exmark CT. Oh well, I'll survive with an MTD product purchased at TSC /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Rubicon1
New member
Guys these same hydro units are installed on many of the residentual ZTR's out there. I was surprised at how many brands used them. Hustler for instance uses the cheap EZT units on there smaller Fastrak series of mowers. Toro, Dixon, etc... Basically the Z-Force is built the same (heavy duty) as the rest of the residentual line out there with the exception of the stamped deck, which I'm sure makes up for the price difference. If people are having trouble with the hydro units, that's not the mowers fault. You can have the same problem on any brand that used them. Only other alternative is full commercial that uses seperate pumps and big $$$$$$.
moss2940
Bronze Member
My first ztr was an older Snapper. I have no idea what pumps it had but I am sure they were not on par to what is available today. It was also a residential caliber unit.
I almost bought a Hustler Mini-Fastrac. It seemed to drive great and was well built without a doubt.
The reason I chosse the Z-Force was for the same money I got the IZT transmission and a Kohler Command twin engine.
It was basically a trade off between the next step up in components versus the heavier duty deck. Oh yes I shouldn't forget the Z-Force has arm rest's. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Based on my last ztr I was thinking that if mine had better transmission's on it I would probably have kept it and still be using it.
Since I don't use it comercially I am well aware of any hazards in my yard and don't have the worry of running over unknown hazard's like a commercial user might.
Hopefully the IZT and the Kohler twin are worth the trade off for the better built deck on the Hustler.
If I had jumped up to the Hustler Fas-trac which I think had the same drivetrain as the Z-Force it would have been another $1000.
Boy who knows what is the best bang for the buck, I guess time will tell.
I almost bought a Hustler Mini-Fastrac. It seemed to drive great and was well built without a doubt.
The reason I chosse the Z-Force was for the same money I got the IZT transmission and a Kohler Command twin engine.
It was basically a trade off between the next step up in components versus the heavier duty deck. Oh yes I shouldn't forget the Z-Force has arm rest's. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Based on my last ztr I was thinking that if mine had better transmission's on it I would probably have kept it and still be using it.
Since I don't use it comercially I am well aware of any hazards in my yard and don't have the worry of running over unknown hazard's like a commercial user might.
Hopefully the IZT and the Kohler twin are worth the trade off for the better built deck on the Hustler.
If I had jumped up to the Hustler Fas-trac which I think had the same drivetrain as the Z-Force it would have been another $1000.
Boy who knows what is the best bang for the buck, I guess time will tell.
moss2940
Bronze Member
I called and talked to a guy at Hydo-gear.
I asked him which was better the IZT or the EZT he said they were both good but the EZT was a newer design. He kept repeating that so I am not sure what he was trying to say, newer is better or worse?
He said any life expectancy would be set by the manufacturer for their product not them. He claimed they had no such number set for them since the application would determine that.
I think he really had to watch what he said since they supply these units to probably every ztr manufacturer out there.
He said both units were repairable.
I had compared ZTR's under the assumption that the IZT was a better built unit. After talking to the guy at Hydro-Gear I feel like I even know less as to which unit is better. I have the feeling after talking to him that looking at a mower that had the EZT and thinking it would not hold up as long as one with the IZT may have not been as clever as I thought.
I don't know who read's these post's but if someone out there has experience with both units I would learn a lot if they would share their experience.
I asked him which was better the IZT or the EZT he said they were both good but the EZT was a newer design. He kept repeating that so I am not sure what he was trying to say, newer is better or worse?
He said any life expectancy would be set by the manufacturer for their product not them. He claimed they had no such number set for them since the application would determine that.
I think he really had to watch what he said since they supply these units to probably every ztr manufacturer out there.
He said both units were repairable.
I had compared ZTR's under the assumption that the IZT was a better built unit. After talking to the guy at Hydro-Gear I feel like I even know less as to which unit is better. I have the feeling after talking to him that looking at a mower that had the EZT and thinking it would not hold up as long as one with the IZT may have not been as clever as I thought.
I don't know who read's these post's but if someone out there has experience with both units I would learn a lot if they would share their experience.
OP
JimMorrissey
Veteran Member
Hummmm. Now you got me wondering too. I don't know what to do. It's not like it's chump change either...we're talking about nearly 4 thousand dollars.
I just got back from TSC with no Z-force. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif They wouldn't let me start it or take it for a spin. This agressive guy came out from the back room and said "We don't do that here....Got it". I can't belive I'm having such problems lately with sales people. Oh well, I took my trailer and my $4200 in cash and drove home.
I'm now off to the distant Toro dealer to look at what they have to offer. I've been there before and they are great folks. It's worth the time to drive for good service and deal with people that have proper business sense.
I just got back from TSC with no Z-force. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif They wouldn't let me start it or take it for a spin. This agressive guy came out from the back room and said "We don't do that here....Got it". I can't belive I'm having such problems lately with sales people. Oh well, I took my trailer and my $4200 in cash and drove home.
I'm now off to the distant Toro dealer to look at what they have to offer. I've been there before and they are great folks. It's worth the time to drive for good service and deal with people that have proper business sense.
Thats crazy that you can't get good service from Cub in your area. I will let my dealer rep aware of your situation and maybe he can pass the word on...thats ashame.
By the way the drive units in the Z's (IZT's) are lot beefier than the RZT (EZT) units...trust me.
By the way the drive units in the Z's (IZT's) are lot beefier than the RZT (EZT) units...trust me.
OP
JimMorrissey
Veteran Member
I did. I complained to the regional manager and they said they'd take $400 off the Z-Force. I still don't want to deal with operations like that, so I pretty much bagged MTD / Cub Cadet.
I looked at what Toro has to offer today and there is a big difference in finish quality IMO. I'm going with the Toro. Now I just have to convince my wife that the Z Master series is the way to go /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Otherwise, I'll go with the ZX480. I drove it today. Very nice. The Briggs engine was nice and quite and smooth.
I looked at what Toro has to offer today and there is a big difference in finish quality IMO. I'm going with the Toro. Now I just have to convince my wife that the Z Master series is the way to go /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Otherwise, I'll go with the ZX480. I drove it today. Very nice. The Briggs engine was nice and quite and smooth.