Recommendations/Warnings - Cub Cadet ZTXS5 Series ZT Mowers

[DK35vince]

You can get aftermarket a low profile suspension seat base from Amazon or Ebay for around $180.
They do help, I added one to my tractor seat

 

[Runner]

Runner,

I agree a suspension seat on the 4 and 5 models should be included.

I found this YouTube review of the CC ZTXS5 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whXagZM5bTc - 30 minutes long but the reviewer takes time to show how everything on the mower works. I may want to get the ZTXS6 because I don't have tight spaces between trees.

He then goes on to make this video, where the machine is having one rear wheel lock up:

Turns out it just needed to be adjusted and all appears to be well now, but this is the thing that makes me a little bit leery of these machines. There is another video on YT by a different guy with almost the same problem on a 5 series, I think. Bolt came out of one of the transaxle control rods. I still think it's a neat concept but it's probably a good idea to keep a close eye on the steering components to make sure everything stays tight....

Speaking of YT, these girls are beating up an old CC Zforce pretty good and it seems to be holding up OK:

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Exact Cub I have.

 

[Rhino35]

He then goes on to make this video, where the machine is having one rear wheel lock up:

Turns out it just needed to be adjusted and all appears to be well now, but this is the thing that makes me a little bit leery of these machines. There is another video on YT by a different guy with almost the same problem on a 5 series, I think. Bolt came out of one of the transaxle control rods. I still think it's a neat concept but it's probably a good idea to keep a close eye on the steering components to make sure everything stays tight....

Speaking of YT, these girls are beating up an old CC Zforce pretty good and it seems to be holding up OK:

I have a Z Force CC and in general it is a fine mowing machine. I replaced the original rear wheels with some with more traction tread, and both vertical axles broke (one at 200 hours, the other side at 400 hours). I have a country lawn with some bumps, no doubt, but these axles weren't up to a task they should have been up to. Still, each repair cost about $250, and over the eight years I've had the mower its the only maintenance I've paid for. I do my own oil and filter changes, and it runs like a top at 540 hours on the machine.

I've giving the Z Force to my mother in law because her mower burned up!

 

[Runner]

I have a Z Force CC and in general it is a fine mowing machine. I replaced the original rear wheels with some with more traction tread, and both vertical axles broke (one at 200 hours, the other side at 400 hours). I have a country lawn with some bumps, no doubt, but these axles weren't up to a task they should have been up to. Still, each repair cost about $250, and over the eight years I've had the mower its the only maintenance I've paid for. I do my own oil and filter changes, and it runs like a top at 540 hours on the machine.

I've giving the Z Force to my mother in law because her mower burned up!

Rhino,

When you say "vertical axles" do you mean the spindles on the front wheels, or something else? Just trying to get a clear picture of what part we are taking about.

Thanks

 

[Rhino35]

Rhino,

When you say "vertical axles" do you mean the spindles on the front wheels, or something else? Just trying to get a clear picture of what part we are taking about.

Thanks

 

[Rhino35]

The are probably called spindles. They are vertical round steel posts that attach each steerable front wheel to the chassis. After they broke the wheel and half the axle (spindle) could detach downwards. I was good about pumping grease in the four zerks in that area. Maybe a bad spindle part lot, maybe not enough robustness designed into these parts…maybe my 225 pounds and country lawn bumps.

 

[Runner]

The are probably called spindles. They are vertical round steel posts that attach each steerable front wheel to the chassis. After they broke the wheel and half the axle (spindle) could detach downwards. I was good about pumping grease in the four zerks in that area. Maybe a bad spindle part lot, maybe not enough robustness designed into these parts…maybe my 225 pounds and country lawn bumps.

OK, got it.

Wow, that seems like an unusual way for a spindle to break, even once, let alone twice. I think you're right, sounds like a bad batch of spindles was being used.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[drumminj]

You can get aftermarket a low profile suspension seat base from Amazon or Ebay for around $180.
They do help, I added one to my tractor seat

Thanks for calling this out. I believe I had looked at these before, but decided to pull the trigger on one of the Trac Seats suspension kits this time around. I'm taking the seat apart anyway to play with the presence sensor, so it'll be a perfect time to try installing one of these.

 

[Rhino35]

I went to a dealer and have the low down on two Ultima Cub Cadet models, the one Runner and we've been discussing, and its next in line up the model number sibling.

Differences between ZTXS5 and ZTXS6 (which is Model Number 47RICHB8A10) - the 6 has one inch wider rear tires, 1.5 more HP in a different Kawasaki engine, bigger “charged” trannys (whatever that means), 15 versus 12 amp charging system, and...the 6 has a suspension seat upgrade which my salesman said was really nice. You dial in a comfort level - a firmness ride level - I guess. I sat in a ZTXS5 and liked the ergonomics. They didn't have a 6 for me to look at and play with the seat, but I'm leaning towards the 6. Other than the above items they are the same machines.

Difference in price is about $1,000-$1,500, and neither is inexpensive.

 

[drumminj]

That's one thing that blows me away -- it's impossible to find a list of the 'upgrades' as you go up the product lines. And it's impossible to find a dealer that has all in stock (4, 5, 6) that you could actively look at and compare.

What about the 6 is worth $1k to you? Seat upgrade? Not sure wider tires will make much diff (less likely to leave ruts?)

 

[2manyrocks]

I went to a dealer and have the low down on two Ultima Cub Cadet models, the one Runner and we've been discussing, and its next in line up the model number sibling.

Differences between ZTXS5 and ZTXS6 (which is Model Number 47RICHB8A10) - the 6 has one inch wider rear tires, 1.5 more HP in a different Kawasaki engine, bigger “charged” trannys (whatever that means), 15 versus 12 amp charging system, and...the 6 has a suspension seat upgrade which my salesman said was really nice. You dial in a comfort level - a firmness ride level - I guess. I sat in a ZTXS5 and liked the ergonomics. They didn't have a 6 for me to look at and play with the seat, but I'm leaning towards the 6. Other than the above items they are the same machines.

Difference in price is about $1,000-$1,500, and neither is inexpensive.

You can compare the difference in specifications on the Cub Cadet website.

Ultima ZTXS5 54 Zero-Turn Mower | Cub Cadet US

Featuring a 24 HP Kawasaki FS Series OHV engine, Commercial-grade dual Hydro-Gear ZT-3200 hydrostatic rear-wheel transmission, and 54 in. AeroForce Max™ fabricated deck Order online. Choose Dealer Delivery or pick-up within one business day at your local dealer. Financing available.

www.cubcadet.com

Ultima ZTXS6 60 Zero-Turn Mower | Cub Cadet US

Featuring a 25.5HP Kawasaki FX801 V-Twin OHV engine, Commercial-grade dual Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 hydrostatic rear-wheel transmission, and 60 in. AeroForce Max™ fabricated deck Order online. Choose Dealer Delivery or pick-up within one business day at your local dealer. Financing available.

www.cubcadet.com

 

[Runner]

I pulled the trigger on an Ultima ZTXS5 54. Should be delivered sometime today. Have no idea how this will go, whole new adventure for me. My conditions are slightly beyond those limits specified for this model by Cub Cadet, i.e., some 24 degree side slopes, so I will be acting as "test pilot" to some extent.

Will be starting a new thread in this section with details in near future.

 

[Rhino35]

I pulled the trigger on an Ultima ZTXS5 54. Should be delivered sometime today. Have no idea how this will go, whole new adventure for me. My conditions are slightly beyond those limits specified for this model by Cub Cadet, i.e., some 24 degree side slopes, so I will be acting as "test pilot" to some extent.

Will be starting a new thread in this section with details in near future.

Congrats on the purchase! Do start a thread on your experience with it. My 7 year old CC Z Force SZ (60 inch deck) is a good machine, but no doubt all these Ultima series CC's are a step up. In a post above someone said a "suspension seat" can be put on a ZTXS5 for about $180. I did get an upgraded seat for my SZ right away - back then it retailed for $400, but the dealer sold it to me for $295.

The experienced salesperson, in comparing the ZTXS5 and ZTXS6 said for my residential use mowing 4 acres (some with slopes like yours) said he didn't think the tranny, engine, or amp system differences would result in any less use to me over the next 20 years.

 

[Rhino35]

You can compare the difference in specifications on the Cub Cadet website.

Ultima ZTXS5 54 Zero-Turn Mower | Cub Cadet US

Featuring a 24 HP Kawasaki FS Series OHV engine, Commercial-grade dual Hydro-Gear ZT-3200 hydrostatic rear-wheel transmission, and 54 in. AeroForce Max™ fabricated deck Order online. Choose Dealer Delivery or pick-up within one business day at your local dealer. Financing available.

www.cubcadet.com

Ultima ZTXS6 60 Zero-Turn Mower | Cub Cadet US

Featuring a 25.5HP Kawasaki FX801 V-Twin OHV engine, Commercial-grade dual Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 hydrostatic rear-wheel transmission, and 60 in. AeroForce Max™ fabricated deck Order online. Choose Dealer Delivery or pick-up within one business day at your local dealer. Financing available.

www.cubcadet.com

Good post 1manyrocks. I did that, and wrote down the differences when I went to the dealership. The thing that wasn't listed in the "compare" feature of the CC website was that the 6 has a "suspension" seat. Both have high back seats, with some kind of dampening/comfort feature

 

[Rhino35]

That's one thing that blows me away -- it's impossible to find a list of the 'upgrades' as you go up the product lines. And it's impossible to find a dealer that has all in stock (4, 5, 6) that you could actively look at and compare.

What about the 6 is worth $1k to you? Seat upgrade? Not sure wider tires will make much diff (less likely to leave ruts?)

Yours is the right question. I could go with either model and I'm sure I'd be pretty happy.

These Ultima machines weigh 1,000 pounds. With my older Z Force SZ after a couple of years I had the dealership put on knobbier rear tires (the OEM tires weren't appreciably worn though). The SZ model weighs 850 pounds. I think they were actually Quad tires which fit the CC's wheels. They were smooth enough not to affect the lawn and they gave much better traction going up hills. I'm thinking wider can't be a bad thing so that is one factor for the 6.

My SZ has a Kawasaki 24 HP engine. Doesn't appreciatively labor going up hills so the 5's 24 HP Kawasaki should do fine. But, an extra 1.5 HP on a 6 with the extra 250 pounds of the frame also not a bad thing.

I dunno what "charged" means with the 6's slightly larger cubic inch transmissions, but I do a lot of zero turns on hillsides. An aside here...back when I was discussing buying the SZ 8 years ago with the salesperson and asking about reliability he commented that somebody with a high time CC zero turn had complained their right side tranny had needed to be replaced before its left side. He said that was because they guy had kept driving in left hand circles while mowing, as IF that was a weird thing to do. Ummmmm, the grass ejection port is on the right side of these mowers so of course people are going to drive mostly in left turns. If you mow with right turns without a bagger your clippings will pile up (especially when turning) and you'll be eating them. I thought that was funny, but, I will admit I do try and turn right when I can *grin*.

I digress. Maybe the "charged" larger trannys will last longer with me making mostly left turns. Not a bad thing.

And the suspension seat. I'm 68 years young and I hope this is my last mower purchase that will get me to 88 or maybe longer. Wife 10 years younger sometimes mows too, and she has some back pain from time to time. But, I'm going to ask the salesperson how much it would cost to install the 6's seat on the 5. If it is about $180 that might be worth saving $800 and going with the 5.

 

[drumminj]

Yours is the right question. I could go with either model and I'm sure I'd be pretty happy.

These Ultima machines weigh 1,000 pounds. With my older Z Force SZ after a couple of years I had the dealership put on knobbier rear tires (the OEM tires weren't appreciably worn though). The SZ model weighs 850 pounds. I think they were actually Quad tires which fit the CC's wheels. They were smooth enough not to affect the lawn and they gave much better traction going up hills. I'm thinking wider can't be a bad thing so that is one factor for the 6.

Looking at the specs, I'm pretty sure the difference in tires/wheels across the lines is DIAMETER, not WIDTH. Here's what cub cadet says for rear tires (fronts are all the same):

ZTXS4: 22"x 12"-12"
ZTXS5: 23"x 12"-12"
ZTXS6: 24"x 12"-12"

My understanding of the measurements means the tire will have a larger diamater and higher sidewall as the rim size is the same (12" diameter rim, 12" wide tire). Which should lead to a cushier ride at least?

I'd be surprised if they can put the 6's seat on a 5, at least not cheaply. Do share what you hear back if you ask them! If your lawn is anything like mine (bumpy), a better seat is worth it. I'm only in my 40s and feal beat up after mowing.

 

[Runner]

Looking at the specs, I'm pretty sure the difference in tires/wheels across the lines is DIAMETER, not WIDTH. Here's what cub cadet says for rear tires (fronts are all the same):

ZTXS4: 22"x 12"-12"
ZTXS5: 23"x 12"-12"
ZTXS6: 24"x 12"-12"

My understanding of the measurements means the tire will have a larger diamater and higher sidewall as the rim size is the same (12" diameter rim, 12" wide tire). Which should lead to a cushier ride at least?

I'd be surprised if they can put the 6's seat on a 5, at least not cheaply. Do share what you hear back if you ask them! If your lawn is anything like mine (bumpy), a better seat is worth it. I'm only in my 40s and feal beat up after mowing.

That is my understanding as well. This tire size thing mystifies me. CC says the tire size is 23 x 12 x 12. However, looking at the Parts section of the CC web site, they say the rim is a "12 x 9". The tires are listed as Carlisle (now Carlstar) Turfmaster Plus, but Carlstar says the dimension of the tire is 23.9 x 11.5 x 9.5.

The reason I'm even looking at these numbers is because I'm thinking ahead what I might do if I see any traction problems with stock tires. Looking for something knobbier than the stock tires, but not having much luck finding the size.

Thinking of something like this Versa Turf Versa Turf Tire, but in order to get the same actual dimensions as the stock tire, you have to get the one Carlstar lists as 24 x 12R12.

I'm completely confused. Guess I need to just see how the stock tires work and go from there.

 

[drumminj]

I suspect a 12" wide tire will fit on a narrower rim (not sure if 9" though?)

Similar to car/truck tires where you buy tires based on section width and they tell you the rim width range they work on (and on which size rim the advertised section width was measured on).

 

[Rhino35]

Looking at the specs, I'm pretty sure the difference in tires/wheels across the lines is DIAMETER, not WIDTH. Here's what cub cadet says for rear tires (fronts are all the same):

ZTXS4: 22"x 12"-12"
ZTXS5: 23"x 12"-12"
ZTXS6: 24"x 12"-12"

My understanding of the measurements means the tire will have a larger diamater and higher sidewall as the rim size is the same (12" diameter rim, 12" wide tire). Which should lead to a cushier ride at least?

I'd be surprised if they can put the 6's seat on a 5, at least not cheaply. Do share what you hear back if you ask them! If your lawn is anything like mine (bumpy), a better seat is worth it. I'm only in my 40s and feal beat up after mowing.

My salesperson wrote me this inside quotation marks, with my comments in parenthesis;

"Buying that suspension seat assembly through parts costs at least half of the price jump to the next size mower (this being from the ZTXS5 to the ZTXS6), so most people who want the suspension seat just buy the 6. The seat upgrade is sold through Cub for $1,100 (you have to buy the seat and suspension assembly as one part). Both the 5 and 6 have the same seat, with the same padding, but the 6 sits on something like this;

https://www.northerntool.com/products/k-m-low-profile-mechanical-seat-suspension-model-6081-23435?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Farm + Acreage > Seats > Seat Accessories&utm_campaign=K & M&utm_content=23435&cmpid=53403379&agid=3200075889&tgtid=pla-4576923311672367&prdid=23435&ogmap=SHP|PLA|BING|STND|c|SITEWIDE||Farm Acreage - SC|Farm Acreage - SC||53403379|3200075889&msclkid=4374a32120a81983fbe4c5664e8a8d7b&gclid=4374a32120a81983fbe4c5664e8a8d7b&gclsrc=3p.ds

(If you went to that link you saw a sorta box spring assembly) "You could probably fit the seat on the 5 with something like this and it would get you the same thing for $200 instead."

(For those of us inclined to tinker and take a chance it would work, or who could return the part to Northern Tool if it didn't, the aftermarket mechanical suspension seat would be an economical upgrade.)