Cub Cadet RZT42 4.00 star(s) (2)

RZT 42 Cub Cadet
Model Year: 2011

Purchased this mower to replace an aging White zero-turn tractor style mower. I had worked in a Cub Cadet dealership and knew the older Cubs to be high quality. I also knew White and Cub shared manufacturing facilities with MTD. Good points: Very good mowing results: clean even cut with little ridging. Well laid-out controls and good operator control of the zero-turn operating system (helps to be an equipment operator; zero-turn can be a huge learning curve if you haven't operated equipment that drives and steers from the same wheels or tracks) and a good dealer support system. Bad Points: The Kohler Courage engine is difficult to start when cold. No amount of choke manipulation or throttle position can get it to fire w/o a shot of starting fluid. B.T.W., I use ONLY non-ethanol fuel so it isn't related to that problem. Secondly, the deck spindles have no grease fittings. Both sides failed in less than forty hours. They were replaced under warranty, but it is only a matter of time until those "permanently lubricated" bearings fail. Why any company thinks not putting grease fittings and tapered roller bearings on deck spindles is a good idea is beyond me. Thirdly, deck drive belt from the electric clutch at rear needs guarding to prevent debris from being inducted between the pulley and belt, in the v-groove. First time this happened I thought I had a bent blade. Mower vibrated badly when PTO was engaged. I took blades off and sharpened/balanced them, checked deck spindles, deck pulleys and idlers, but still had annoying vibration. Even put on a set of new blades. Still same problem. Started to think bearings in electric clutch were bad. While checking it I noticed the belt rode high in one spot on the pulley. Puller belt and found a small wood chip was jammed in the v-groove of the pulley causing the belt to follow an elliptical path and cause vibration. Had to actually take a flat-nose punch and hammer it out. Once this was done, belt rode in pulley correctly and vibration was gone. This has happened three times now(happens when mowing near mulched areas) and I now know what to look for if deck vibrations suddenly appears. Overall, I am satisfied with mower, but the cold starting issue is the number one gripe I have.

Pros: Very good cut quality, well designed user controls.
Cons: Cold starting issue; deck spindles.

Cub Cadet RZT
Model Year: 2012

I don't have too much to say other than I wish that I could find a stripe kit for this model other than big league. I did find one but it's been discontinued. It's model number was (rzt42-cc). Other than that my father and I have a 1949 Ford tractor I would like to make food plots for deer with it but it wont hold on these hillside thank the synchronizer is gone out at least that's what someone said any information would be greatly appreciated.

Pros: Cuts good with 2 blades.
Cons: Wish it had a heaver welded deck.