[Wild One]

I'm buying a new home and need a rider. I wanted a zero turn with a steering wheel. Cub and Toro look like the choices that are available.

My plan was to get a new Cub cadet z-force with 54 inch deck Kohler engine. I did also find a 2 year old Cub cadet z-force commercial mower with 60 inch deck 170 hours. Both of the above mowers are the "sz" or steering wheel models. Looks like I could get either one for about the same money $4200-$4500 more or less.

My biggest concern now is the Cub Cadet brand. As I search the web I see a lot of negative reviews on the Cub brand. I'm getting cold feet. I can't afford to make a mistake.

My big questions are, Why do I see so many bad reviews on Cub Cadet? Would you still recommend the brand? Any thoughts on the steering wheel zero turn mowers?

The new yard is 3 acres, all rolling, not to steep except for a ditch line. I just want to make the right choice. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[forkz]

i have a 06 z force 50 lap bars 50 in deck 23 hp kohler command 23hp regular maint minor stuff been a great machine steering wheel nice but i prefer the sticks

 

[Tom-machinery-idiot]

You've got to take the review system with a grain of salt. Some may be accurate and very valid. Some will be something based entirely on an issue having nothing to do with the quality of the product in question. I read reviews on a product I've owned before and had very good luck with but there are always a few who state it's a piece of junk. I wonder to myself if they got a bad one or did some other event take place in the experience? Did he get a lemon or does he not know what he's doing? Or is it really junk? Did someone buy the low end model and compare it to their friend's which is the super deluxe version? Even the best most well thought out machines have failures. Ask the crew of Apollo 11 what they thought about their experience and then ask the guys on Apollo 13.

 

[Greybeard09]

I would also take reviews with a grain of salt... People that have had the slightest issue with an item always leave bad reviews. Those who have had no problems hardly ever say anything. It's a system that creates a bell curve that looks like a product has much more "wrong" with it than right.

This isn't to say a Cub Cadet, or any other brand, is perfect... We are, unfortunately, living in a disposable society where products are made cheaper and cheaper as time goes on.

As far as Cub vs Toro... There are more Cubs out there which gives a larger database of reviews. This might look like there's more wrong with one brand over the other and not necessarily be the case.

All of that being said I do like my Cub Cadets... Are they the old IH Cubs designed to last forever? No... But they are still built well considering their time period.

 

[mikerockandroll]

My dad recently was looking at the z force cub. I tried both out and found the sticks has more fluid operation than the wheel. But to each their own. Seems like a nice solid machine.

I think he is leaning more to the 700 ferris however. I liked the cub for the Kohler command. Versus the Briggs in the ferris. My 2 cents.
Always a Kohler fan here.

 

[mikerockandroll]

I also noticed the cub seemed to vary on deck size for the engines.
Smaller decks at the dealer on this z force had a confidant(which I am not familiar with) vs the 60" which had the command

 

[FordTractors]

My neighbor has a Toro SS5000 and loves it.

 

[bhayden]

A lot will depend on the quality, or lack thereof of your dealer. For me it's the same dealer that sells Cub and Toro. I'm surprised you can get the Toro for the same price. I see a lot of commercial guys using Toro; Cub... not so much. Cub Cadet is just a brand name for MTD. Like Buick, Chevy and Cadillac are for GM. When you have to deal with MTD they are a PITA. Seems they go out of their way to make it hard to communicate with them in hopes you'll just go away.

I haven't had any big issues with my Cub lawn tractor except a deck spindle seizing up (no grease zerks). A piece of Troy-Bilt equipment however (another MTD brand) was a whole different story. After about six months they finally sent me a refund check but like I said; they're first line of defense is to obfuscate, avoid and generally make it impossible to deal with them. If it were me and the cost was comparable I'd go Toro in a heartbeat.

 

[Tankman]

Do you need a zero turn? I prefer the garden tractors and nothing MTD.
My garden tractors do more than any zero turn.

I prefer Craigs List, ease of transportation, save some loot.

 

[Garycw]

I'm not a fan of the zero turns, mostly because of all the hills I have. I've been happy with used cub 2 and 3 series mowers. I've gotten the most trouble free service however from a John Deere.
One thing I've noticed about reviews and forums they ALL have issues at some point regardless of brand or type. If going with a mid mount mower the 54" seems to give a little cleaner cut than the 60's


Sent from the mountains