Hi all new to the cub cadet site

[duckhunter27]

Been on the bob cat site for awhile looking for a new mower and been looking at cub cadets looking at the RZT 54 with the Kaw motor for about 3,600. and looking at a Z force 54 inch with Kohler and a steering wheel for about 4,700 anyone have any input good or bad or which mower would be best I have about 2 acres to mow thanks Vince

 

[JTKub]

Hello Vince,

Normally I'd steer you away from the RZT series due to the issues I've read of over the years with respect to the ligher-duty Hydro-Gear brand EZT drives they use, but it looks like for 2011, Cub is putting the ZT-2800 series drives on the RZT 54". The 2800's are fully serviceable with spin-on filters. Kawi's are top of the line engines as well. I've read that they're not rebuildable anymore due to crank bearing design, but I'm not sure if that's true or not. There's not much that you can rebuild anymore anyway.

I'm very happy with my 2010 model year Z-Force 44". They discontinued the fab'd 44" this year and went with the 48" for the smallest. If I were you, I'd seriously consider the Z-Force 48" for your needs. You definitely don't need 54" for 2 acres.

Joel

 

[duckhunter27]

Hi Joel
Thanks this is the kind of input im looking for I will check and see if the dealer has a 48 inch Z-force. What about the steering wheel verses lap bars any input on that? I have never mowed with a zero turn so dont know what i need.

 

[JTKub]

The things I didn't like about the wheeled models are; They used the lighter EZT drives, the tires/wheels were smaller and the front axle doesn't pivot. It's solid mounted. On top of that, there's a lot more moving parts on the steering wheel models. Lab-bar machines have a lot fewer parts.

Really, the only complaint I have with my Z-Force is it's very LOUD. The Courage V-twin engine is real smooth and quiet and the drives are smooth and quiet, but these new fab'd series decks without exaggeration, sound like a bayou fan boat. My 2544 was much quieter.

Joel

 

[duckhunter27]

By the spec sheets they gave me the 48 in Z-force s uses the Dual EZT drives the 54 in Z-force s uses the dual hydro-gear ZT 2800 drive and the Z force 48 lab bar model has dual hydro gear and trade ZT 2800 not sure what all that means

 

[JTKub]

Correct, the RZT54 and Z-Force (lap bar) line use the same upgraded ZT-2800 drives. It looks like Hydro-Gear calls the beginner model the ZT-2100 and the EZT the 2200 now. Here's info on the drives: Hydro-Gear - Products

Joel

 

[rbobbitt]

Good morning,

I have an RZT 50 (600 hrs) and I just bought a Z-Force S 54 (2 hrs).
I mow about 4 acres with very little of it flat.

I've only mowed once with the S54 so my comments may be a little premature.

Pro: The the S54's front wheel steering makes it super stable on my hilly yard. I mean this is a night and day difference, what an improvement.

Pro: There is less wheel damage to the grass with the rear wheels controlled by the steering box (maybe I'm too aggressive on the RTZ?).

Pro: S54 seems to be a little faster.

Pro: S54 blade speed also seems faster for a nicer cut.

Pro: Cautionary Reverse cutting switch allows a temporary manual override of the reverse PTO cut off.

Con: (minor) The seat PTO cut off is too sensitive. A bounce from a small bump will trigger the PTO cut off.

Con: On steep slopes the engine gets swamped with oil causing blow-by. I may have to modify my mowing route to avoid this but the RZT had no problems with the old route. I'm waiting on a response from the dealer on this issue.

Con: It's a little pricey at $4799.

The front wheels can steer over 180 degrees and I have noticed that trying to turn on a hill can cause the front wheels to take a lot of force. We'll see how they hold up.

Hope this helps!

 

[duckhunter27]

Good morning rbobbitt
Thanks for your input and yes it helps alot every bit of info a guy can get helps pick the right mower. I did some checking about what size i needed and most people i talked with agreed with Joel that i did not need a 54 in to mow 2 acres. So i started looking at the 48 in and i found a big dif in the Z-force 48 lap bar and the Z-force S 48 steering wheel so i think im leaning toward the Z-force 48 in lap bar model. If anyone has more info to help me make the right choice pls join in. I will keep checking back not sure when im going to pull the trigger its snowing here today lol but it will be soon i hope. Thanks agian Vince

 

[JTKub]

Con: On steep slopes the engine gets swamped with oil causing blow-by. I may have to modify my mowing route to avoid this but the RZT had no problems with the old route. I'm waiting on a response from the dealer on this issue...

What engine do you have on your S 54? Reason I ask is the Kohler Courage Pro 20 V-twin on my ZForce will blast out a MASSIVE blue cloud of oil smoke on certain inclines if I do just the 'right' maneuver.

I do know that vertical shaft OHV engines are super sensitive to proper oil level, so I could be slightly on the over-full side, causing this issue. On some of them, you definitely don't want to exceed half way between the "add" and "full" on the stick, or even be a little towards the add side even.

Joel

 

[JTKub]

I will keep checking back not sure when im going to pull the trigger its snowing here today lol but it will be soon i hope. Thanks agian Vince

Vince, for a new machine, you really can't go wrong for the price. They're heavy beasts and made pretty well for the $. Are they the best ZTR? No way. Higher end commercial units will ride, handle and hold up better, especially over rougher terrain. But you're going to pay a lot more.

There's not a lot of up/down movement allowed for the cutting decks on the Cubs. This can make the deck lock itself into the fully upright 'travel' position if you're not careful. I had to raise the rear deck rollers on my fab'd 44 up and out of the way on mine to prevent this from happening. Otherwise the deck would ride on the ground and get bounced up to the locked position on the foot pedal adjuster.

Joel

 

[duckhunter27]

Well guys i just ordered a new Z-Force 48in dealer said would take 7 to 10 days hope he is right. I will try and keep up dating after i get mower may be able to help someone else down the road. Thanks agian to everyone who gave me input Vince

 

[JTKub]

Congrats to you Vince! You're going to love it. I believe I waited about 2 weeks to get mine when I ordered it this time last year. I'm curious to see what the difference between the 44 and 48" deck aside from width. Like I say, you might have to raise the (near full-width) rear roller system on the deck, but maybe they made some changes for 2011. Check your PM box for some other pointers.

Joel

 

[duckhunter27]

well dealer just called my Z-force has arrived. Never been so excited to mow the lawn i plan to pick it up tonight after work dout i will get chance to mow tonight but thursday for sure . Vince

 

[JTKub]

Duck, are you still on it? How'd it go?

Joel

 

[duckhunter27]

Got it home late last night got to drive it around alittle. Plan to mow tonight when i get home if it dont rain.

 

[JTKub]

Yep, stay out of the soft spots!

If it's any consolation, I just buried mine in a soft spot. I haven't been able to cut yet due to the rain and it needs it badly! It hasn't rained in almost 2 days so I figured I'd give it a shot. I got most of the 'dry' spots and veered a little off into no man's land.

Thank goodness they're relatively easy to un-stick. I wound-up pulling the bypasses on the trans, lifting the front by had and rotating the machine 45deg so each rear wheel got out of their ruts.

 

[duckhunter27]

That dont sound good or fun i have mostly sand so shouldnt have to worry about getting stuck. Well im heading home to mow/play here is a view pic's of my new Z-Force.

 

[JTKub]

Very cool! I see some mild differences between a 2010 and a 2011. Yours has a purdy Cub yellow engine air filter cover, your valve covers are metal instead of plastic like mine and your fuel tank and storage pod are different, as is the fuel tank mount. Interesting! Here's the arse-end of mine:

Joel

 

[duckhunter27]

Well I mowed was less then half the time and was my first time on a zero turn so im sure my mowing time will get even faster with more practice. It mowed very nice little more bumpy then i was used to but will get used to that. I have a ton of trees,bird baths,swiming pool etc to mow around was getting better at that also by the time i was done.

 

[JTKub]

Oh.. in the event you haven't, check those tire air pressures! All four tires were aired up over twice what they should be when I first got mine. Dropping them to specs helps the ride some.

Joel