CH4Ohio
Veteran Member
One thing about blades (and gator blades) -- looks like Cub Cadet has a proprietary spindle design on some (all?) of their machines so the blades use an 'S' mount. Doesn't look like Oregon supports that currently.
I need to confirm with the dealer/parts department, but it appears the "commercial" versions just use circular holes/mounts, so it's not a concern. But on the residential equipment you're stuck with Cub's replacement blades.
Looks like it won't be until Friday that we can go test-drive and make a decision. Set on a ZT vs a garden/lawn tractor, just need to figurte out which one.
Thanks all for the input and appreciate any other thoughts/experiences/insights.
I bought a CC Z Force S (Steering wheel) about 9 years ago. This was the middle of the road "residential" unit. It has the Kawasaki engine and 60" deck. Did all my own maintenance. Had to replace a couple deck spindles and both belts and keep blades sharp or changed. The engine has never had a single problem. It still mows great. I plan to keep it in the family -- too good to sell at a "used" mower price. Couldn't replace it for what I'd get for it. I've mowed several acres with it all that time and it has been taken care of, but not babied. (This uses a standard generic blade size and hole.)
Saw a really good deal on a new CC Pro ZT S due to a dealer going out of business this past spring. Travelled a few hundred miles to pick it up and couldn't be happier. The seat and the power steering are two of the upgrades but overall it's just a lot more mower. Still 60" deck though. (Uses a standard generic blade size and mounting hole.)
Never had Cub Cadets prior to this, but I think mine have held up as good as any other brand. Dealer parts are expensive but the same MTD or generic parts can be found much cheaper in most every case. What led me to CC was the combination of Zero-Turn and Steering Wheel.
I would not consider a stand-up mower to mow my own place.
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As long as I'm bloviating . . . . On the NEW vs. USED question . . . .
---- My philosophy is that no one sells a good lawn mower that they're happy with. (Or chain saw, as another example . . . ) And it's not easy to really "test drive" a used ZT or riding mower. There is the occasional rare event where there's a death or divorce and some "cherry" used mower suddenly needs a new home, but even then it usually gets snapped up by family or offered at auction where it sells way higher than it should. Some things I just don't buy used. There are always exceptions, but I'm pretty sure that I could not go out and find a USED mower that would suit me.
(I have to qualify the above by explaining that I typically ONLY buy USED for cars, trucks, tractors, snowblowers, and other specific items. Some "tools" are often found with low hours and are routinely traded-in for new. In fact, that's the "business model" for some people with their vehicles or farm equipment. So I do search for USED stuff where it makes sense.)
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Good luck with your search. This does seem like a good time of year to buy a mower, but the local dealers here are still having trouble with getting inventory. That might still be a problem.
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