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.