Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Mower Users?

[Deputy819]

Hey Guys! I'm about to drop $3100 on a Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZT1 Zero Turn mower w/54" fabricated steel deck and Kohler 7000 series 24HP V-Twin engine. I've researched zero turn mowers (residential grade) till I'm ready to puke and this one gets the absolute best reviews compared to similarly priced John Deere's, Hustler's, Craftsman's, etc. I'm currently mowing roughly 3.5-4.0 acres with a beat up, old Troy Bilt riding-mower that "gets the job done"....but that's about it. Anyone here have experience with Cub Cadet Zero Turns/Kohler 7000 series engines??? Let's hear it all....good, bad, ugly, etc...Thanks Gents!

 

[KyCarl]

I ran the mowing crew for Boone Co. Schools the 2nd. largest in the state for 5 years.
We used all of them and I found Exmark and Kubota to last longer and cut better than the rest! I have a Kubota ZG 327 commercial grade for my grass and I love it!
I cut about 3 1/2 HILLY acres and it's less than 2 hrs?

 

[Salmonchaser]

Very good piece of equipment. I've got five hilly acres, my ex has 9.5 and my neighbor loaded his JD yesterday and came home with a cub. I think you'll be happy. I know the kid who mows my lawn in the summer while I'm in Alaska is.

 

[KyCarl]

Regular maintenance is so important! Check/Change your oil. keep sharp blades on it.
Grease the chassis and spindles if needed Do the filters. It really will pay off in the long run. We made good use of rainy days! I date my filters with a Sharpie...

 

[Deputy819]

Very good piece of equipment.

Good to hear!

Regular maintenance is so important!

Copy that! This is a whole new "realm" for me in the world of lawn-mowers...

 

[Deputy819]

Got it! Now if it will just stop raining.....can't wait to "play" with this thing.

 

[KyCarl]

Cool! Every once in awhile take the belt covers off and blow the grass crap out.
It wads up by the pulleys and burns the belt. Heat and misalignment ruins belts!

 

[Deputy819]

Copy that. Would you recommend taking the belt covers off and LEAVING them off or no?

 

[KyCarl]

No a stick or something might get hung up. And then the Liability issue if
there should be an incident? They should just clip on and off..
Those belts go pretty fast! What's the tip speed on your blades?

 

[Deputy819]

Based on what I've read and comparing other mowers of similar deck/spindle size I'm gonna make an educated guess at blade tip speed of between 1800-1900 FPM.

 

[Hairtrigger]

Get the one you like best, don't let others make up your mind...
Personally I went from Cub Cadet to a Hustler

 

[Deputy819]

Get the one you like best

Ha......too late. Already brought home the one pictured. But, as it so happens I actually like it the best (so far) out of all the ones I looked at. I almost bought a similarly sized Hustler the day before yesterday, but the Cub seemed to have better reviews.