New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54

   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54
  • Thread Starter
#131  
Cub plowing through 8 to 10 inches of thick, wet fescue in the rain yesterday. Handled it like a boss. Started raining after I began mowing, but it was supposed to rain for the next couple of days, so I decided to forge ahead.

Seat position mod seems to be about right and the ride was pretty comfy (except for the rain...). Machine was quite the mess afterward.

39 hours now and no issues other than the oil drip which seems to have subsided, or maybe the oil is just being shaken off from all the mowing.
IMG_7902 B.JPG
 
   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54 #132  
We just purchased a ZTX5-54 inch. (Post above). No steering wheel, but must be a similar mower. We only got one key, how do you get an extra? Got to call the dealer because we didn't get a manual for the Kohler motor. Where do you find after market blades? Have you tried an impact wrench when removing blades? Have only mowed 5-6 hours but it is a brute and rides like one. Front wheel suspension is a joke, will try lowering the pressure although the manual says not to. What are your feelings?
 
   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54 #133  
We just purchased a ZTX5-54 inch. (Post above). No steering wheel, but must be a similar mower. We only got one key, how do you get an extra? Got to call the dealer because we didn't get a manual for the Kohler motor. Where do you find after market blades? Have you tried an impact wrench when removing blades? Have only mowed 5-6 hours but it is a brute and rides like one. Front wheel suspension is a joke, will try lowering the pressure although the manual says not to. What are your feelings?

I have a ZTXS4 but will give my answers...

1. I believe Tractor Supply sells cub keys (they're all the same I believe -- https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/mtd-ignition-key)
2. You should do that, but I suspect you can find the manual online. Definitely get it though -- the maintenance schedule in my Kohler manual is different than in the cub manual (for oil + filter changes at least)
3. I got my gator blades from northerntool. Drop-shipped from Oregon.
4. I didn't use an impact wrench, just a standard socket with a 3' breaker bar. Ended up working.
5. The suspension insert I added to mine made a big difference IMO. Needed some rubber spacers for the seat presence switch to fit, but other than that was just bolt-on. Something to consider if you find you want to soften the ride
 
   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54
  • Thread Starter
#134  
We just purchased a ZTX5-54 inch. (Post above). No steering wheel, but must be a similar mower. We only got one key, how do you get an extra? Got to call the dealer because we didn't get a manual for the Kohler motor. Where do you find after market blades? Have you tried an impact wrench when removing blades? Have only mowed 5-6 hours but it is a brute and rides like one. Front wheel suspension is a joke, will try lowering the pressure although the manual says not to. What are your feelings?
CC's are shipped with plastic bag under the seat containing two keys, an owner's manual and an engine manual. The dealer I had deliver my machine was horrible. Apparently his common practice was to just put one key in the unit then throw the rest of the contents of the bag into a big box under his sales counter. I had to go back to his place and ask for the manuals and my extra key which he begrudgingly gave me.

CC makes a pretty good product, but REALLY needs to work on their dealer network.

Fortunately, it's easy to order blades from CC either from their web site (or the CC store on Amazon) and you can get aftermarket blades from Oregon store on Amazon. Some CC parts like blades, oil filters, etc., are available from farm stores like TSC that sell CC products. I am running Gator blades by Oregon on mine for the summer and they are working great.

I haven't tried using an impact to remove the blade nuts - very good idea. Might keep me from having to use a wrench on top of the spindle which is a PITA.

I am running lowered pressure on my tires and it helps the ride a lot. Sidewalls say 28 rear and 20 front and I am running 15 front and rear. Have not noticed any negative effects except it lowers your mowing height a little, like maybe 1/4".
 
   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54 #135  
Apparently his common practice was to just put one key in the unit then throw the rest of the contents of the bag into a big box under his sales counter.

Must be what my dealer did as well as I only got one key. Will just buy a backup at some point
 
   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54 #136  
I ordered these little hooded umbrella type keys (fishing plug not included) for about $6 for a pair to hopefully keep dust and dirt out of the key thingie. Brand new owner of a ZTXS4 48. Only mowed twice with it.
 

Attachments

  • 20250609_113208.jpg
    20250609_113208.jpg
    2.1 MB · Views: 20
   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54
  • Thread Starter
#137  
Did my annual/50 HR oil/filter change and air filter service last week. I was going to remove the drain hose and the adapter fitting so as to apply some thread sealer to stop the oil seeping. However, as of late, I hadn't noticed any more drips so I thought "Cool, fixed itself".

No such luck, just the dust on the underside of the machine is soaking up the oil. Anyway, i decided it was just too much trouble and blew it off. I can live with a little drip of oil once in a while.

Got smart and packed the area around the oil filter with newspaper and a BUNCH of rags to catch the oil while removing the old filter. Did a much neater job this time.

No other issues to report at this time. Unit is running great and the Gator blades are delivering a nice cut.
 
   / New 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54 #138  
I still feel like I get more clumping with the gator blades, but haven't sharpened the stock blades and put them back on to verify. Turns out I'm lazy.

I just hit 50hrs on mine and was planning to do an oil+filter change, but the Kohler manual actually doesn't recommend that when using their 'pro' filters. Don't have the manual handy so don't recall if it's 100hrs or something less. Have all the parts so may do it anyway as annual changes seem like a good thing.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

(1) HD 24ft Free Standing Corral Panel (A48837)
(1) HD 24ft Free...
Deere 9970 Cotton Picker (A50397)
Deere 9970 Cotton...
1240 (A50490)
1240 (A50490)
2012 AGCO Rogator RG1100 (A50397)
2012 AGCO Rogator...
5' X 20' X 3/8" SHEET STEEL, (2) PCS (A50460)
5' X 20' X 3/8"...
New/Unused 30ft x 65ft x 15ft Storage Shelter (A48837)
New/Unused 30ft x...
 
Top