MooreSites
Member
First off, thanks to this great discussion group for giving me some insight on what to look for in a mower. Keep up the great work!
My acreage situation
We just built a house in the middle of pasture land across from my wife's parents. We're almost a quarter of a mile off of the road with a pretty flat clearing all the way to the highway. I'm not great at estimating acreage, but I know it's easily 4 acres. About 2/3 is mostly flat (with rough spots) and the other third is a massive hill. I've tackled some of it with no problems (most is not growing fast yet). I'll edit this post if I run into trouble.
Determining what to buy
Before I purchased the Cub, I talked for at least 2 months to friends and local mowers about what to buy. Of course, there were your Ex-Mark fans, your Scag Fans, etc. I narrowed it down to the Z-Force versus the new Bad Boy residential model (60 inch), which is a great company, from what I've read here. After all was said and done, I just couldn't justify the Bad boy for the extra $1,000 it would cost me. Also, I read where the hydrolic system was different on the Cub Cadet models (RZT vs. ZF) - I can definitely feel the difference in driving the RZT vs. Z-Force. The ZF feels MUCH more secure. Also, it runs a couple miles an hour faster - which I can manage on a smooth stretch.
Z-Force versus RZT
Of course, I looked at the RZT model Cub before the Z-Force due to the fact that it was $1,000 lower. I actually tried a friend's out before deciding on the Z-Force. I'd say the RZT is a good model for just what it's recommended for - 1.5 acres. From just looking at the two side by side, you can tell that the Z-Force is built stronger. I have lots of old patches of uneven land that I'm glad I have the sturdier frame for. Plus, I get the Kohler Command 23 engine - sweeeeet.
Using the Z-Force
Operating the ZF took about a half an hour to master. At first, I thought I might have gotten into something I wouldn't like, but now I really enjoy using it. I'm finding out that the time savings has less to do with those extra miles per hour, but ALOT to do with the actual zero turning radius. What took me almost a minute to turn around a John Deer 42 inch tractor is literally almost instantaneous on the Z-Force. Also, I can now make alternating diagonal strips with each mowing session. I just whip the Z-Force around and start a new path immediately.
Cut Quality / Deck
Now, I'm not a pro by a long shot, but the cut on the Z-Force is as good as I could hope for. I can get a nice close cut and the rollers on the deck are great for anti-scalping. I used to chop my yard to death with the old mower, but this deck works great. That's another thing I noticed - the RZT model doesn't have front rollers on the deck. The Z-Force has front, side, and rear.
I read that the 48 inch Z-Force has a sturdier deck. I think this one will go the distance, however.
Power
No problem here. My first round of cutting followed what was left after a close bush-hog in the Fall (mostly dead grass from winter). I set the blade setting to half way and rolled right through it with virtually no fatique to the engine. Don't worry, I won't make a habit of that! The grass is now at a maintainable level . . . and getting higher by the second! I've always heard great things about KOHLER engines, so I trust that this one won't disappoint.
Ride Quality
Here is an example of night and day (sort of). When I first started mowing, I was using the inflation that was used upon delivery. The dealer had the tires up to 28 psi on the front and 20 on the back. That's the maximum per tire according to the manual. I had read where folks reduced it to the minumum to get a smoother ride - that is very advisable. I just reduced my rear tires to 10 psi (12 is maximum on the tire label - go figure) and 20 psi on the front. I took it for a quick spin and noticed a huge amount of difference. Bumps soak up much better. I highly recommend this for any mower - adjust to what works best for you.
Time Savings
I don't have an accurate time savings measure (hope to run some when I have . . . time), but I did notice this - on a portion that took me just over an hour to finish on a 42 inch tractor, I mowed that PLUS 2 more portions of the same size in well under 2 hours. AND the other two portions were the tall grass from the bush hog cut. Hopefully, I'll make even better time with shorter grass and softer tire pressure.
Bottom line: you WILL save time versus a lawn tractor.
Deck Wash System
Time will tell if this is just a marketing gimmick. I use it every other long mowing session. I think it works well (can't hurt). You just attach a nozel to the hose, and fasten it to one of two jets on the deck. I like to engage the blades to spray more water around the underside of the deck.
Gas Tank
I read another review discussing the gas tank. The Z-Force has a 5 gallon tank on the left with a cup holder and cargo box on the right. I'm not sure, but I believe that they left it at 5 gallons so as not to stress the engine with too long of a mowing session (since it's not commercial). Just an observation. I can get about 4 or so hours in with a tank.
Conclusion
I think I've made the right choice (will modify this post if not!). I'm glad ZTR mowers have finally made it to a (somewhat) affordable pricing scale. This mower seriously cuts my time down in mowing and I recommend it. It costs a bit more that the entry level, but the build quality, I think, is necessary for larger lawns and bumpy terrain.
I hope this review helps. If anyone has any question whatsoever, shoot me an email to lance@mooresites.com and I'll get you an answer - might not be the right one!
Lance Moore
MooreSites.com
My acreage situation
We just built a house in the middle of pasture land across from my wife's parents. We're almost a quarter of a mile off of the road with a pretty flat clearing all the way to the highway. I'm not great at estimating acreage, but I know it's easily 4 acres. About 2/3 is mostly flat (with rough spots) and the other third is a massive hill. I've tackled some of it with no problems (most is not growing fast yet). I'll edit this post if I run into trouble.
Determining what to buy
Before I purchased the Cub, I talked for at least 2 months to friends and local mowers about what to buy. Of course, there were your Ex-Mark fans, your Scag Fans, etc. I narrowed it down to the Z-Force versus the new Bad Boy residential model (60 inch), which is a great company, from what I've read here. After all was said and done, I just couldn't justify the Bad boy for the extra $1,000 it would cost me. Also, I read where the hydrolic system was different on the Cub Cadet models (RZT vs. ZF) - I can definitely feel the difference in driving the RZT vs. Z-Force. The ZF feels MUCH more secure. Also, it runs a couple miles an hour faster - which I can manage on a smooth stretch.
Z-Force versus RZT
Of course, I looked at the RZT model Cub before the Z-Force due to the fact that it was $1,000 lower. I actually tried a friend's out before deciding on the Z-Force. I'd say the RZT is a good model for just what it's recommended for - 1.5 acres. From just looking at the two side by side, you can tell that the Z-Force is built stronger. I have lots of old patches of uneven land that I'm glad I have the sturdier frame for. Plus, I get the Kohler Command 23 engine - sweeeeet.
Using the Z-Force
Operating the ZF took about a half an hour to master. At first, I thought I might have gotten into something I wouldn't like, but now I really enjoy using it. I'm finding out that the time savings has less to do with those extra miles per hour, but ALOT to do with the actual zero turning radius. What took me almost a minute to turn around a John Deer 42 inch tractor is literally almost instantaneous on the Z-Force. Also, I can now make alternating diagonal strips with each mowing session. I just whip the Z-Force around and start a new path immediately.
Cut Quality / Deck
Now, I'm not a pro by a long shot, but the cut on the Z-Force is as good as I could hope for. I can get a nice close cut and the rollers on the deck are great for anti-scalping. I used to chop my yard to death with the old mower, but this deck works great. That's another thing I noticed - the RZT model doesn't have front rollers on the deck. The Z-Force has front, side, and rear.
I read that the 48 inch Z-Force has a sturdier deck. I think this one will go the distance, however.
Power
No problem here. My first round of cutting followed what was left after a close bush-hog in the Fall (mostly dead grass from winter). I set the blade setting to half way and rolled right through it with virtually no fatique to the engine. Don't worry, I won't make a habit of that! The grass is now at a maintainable level . . . and getting higher by the second! I've always heard great things about KOHLER engines, so I trust that this one won't disappoint.
Ride Quality
Here is an example of night and day (sort of). When I first started mowing, I was using the inflation that was used upon delivery. The dealer had the tires up to 28 psi on the front and 20 on the back. That's the maximum per tire according to the manual. I had read where folks reduced it to the minumum to get a smoother ride - that is very advisable. I just reduced my rear tires to 10 psi (12 is maximum on the tire label - go figure) and 20 psi on the front. I took it for a quick spin and noticed a huge amount of difference. Bumps soak up much better. I highly recommend this for any mower - adjust to what works best for you.
Time Savings
I don't have an accurate time savings measure (hope to run some when I have . . . time), but I did notice this - on a portion that took me just over an hour to finish on a 42 inch tractor, I mowed that PLUS 2 more portions of the same size in well under 2 hours. AND the other two portions were the tall grass from the bush hog cut. Hopefully, I'll make even better time with shorter grass and softer tire pressure.
Bottom line: you WILL save time versus a lawn tractor.
Deck Wash System
Time will tell if this is just a marketing gimmick. I use it every other long mowing session. I think it works well (can't hurt). You just attach a nozel to the hose, and fasten it to one of two jets on the deck. I like to engage the blades to spray more water around the underside of the deck.
Gas Tank
I read another review discussing the gas tank. The Z-Force has a 5 gallon tank on the left with a cup holder and cargo box on the right. I'm not sure, but I believe that they left it at 5 gallons so as not to stress the engine with too long of a mowing session (since it's not commercial). Just an observation. I can get about 4 or so hours in with a tank.
Conclusion
I think I've made the right choice (will modify this post if not!). I'm glad ZTR mowers have finally made it to a (somewhat) affordable pricing scale. This mower seriously cuts my time down in mowing and I recommend it. It costs a bit more that the entry level, but the build quality, I think, is necessary for larger lawns and bumpy terrain.
I hope this review helps. If anyone has any question whatsoever, shoot me an email to lance@mooresites.com and I'll get you an answer - might not be the right one!
Lance Moore
MooreSites.com
