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I bought the cub cadet 50 inch with the fabricated deck with the kawasaki 24 horsepower engine and I love this thing, had it for 4 years now with no complaints.
Last spring I compared these two zero turns and the Toro. I kept wanting to buy the JD or Toro, but common sense kept bringing me back to the Cub. Ended up purchasing the Cub and couldn’t be happier. Just sitting on them, the Cub build materials is evident. I couldn’t agree more with your review. The Cub was lacking an hour meter, but I called customer service and mentioned I it didn’t understand how maintenance is referred to by hours and no hour meter was included. They kindly sent one out to me at no charge. Your advice about purchasing from a dealer directly is spot on. I had direct dealers for all three within 15 minutes of my house and unfortunately some may not be so lucky. My local Cub dealer took $300 off the Home Depot price as well. If I didn’t have a Cub dealer so close, I may have went another direction though. Service and quick part availability is important.
Great comparison and review! Would have to agree on the Cub Cadet. Also, my experience has been Cub Cadet's seats are more comfortable, imo. From Sophia, N.C.
I’ve had issues with the deck having parallel blades and leaving a miss in between. Anything over 2.5 looks terrible. Been that way since I bought it and did some digging in the ultima groups and found out it’s an actual deck design flaw. It also scalps worse than my old Dixon ever did. Gonna try an m60 tank S from a buddy and see what that does for me.
What's important to me: - Engine - Deck thickness - Transmission(s) - Bushings & bearings on wheels & steering system - Deck spindles - Comfort. Which is affected by the seat, wheel sizes, engine noise & vibration. I'd be interested in how well it soaks up bumps. I'm really surprised that the Cub out-spec'ed the Deere on so many components.
I mow 3 acres with a conventional riding mower with a stamped deck. This is not a manicured lawn but a rough field. I have had my current mower for 10 years and have never had any problems with a stamped deck bending, breaking, or rusting out. I don't abuse it, but neither do I baby it. It's my second mower I've used on this acreage. My first mower lasted 15 years before the transaxle failed, and the deck on that one also held up well. I could see where it would be a concern on a commercial mower.
Appreciate your insights. Have been researching a zero turn for a couple of weeks and your videos were a big help. Picked up a ZT1 46” yesterday from my local dealer 👍
@@arielle94396 you need to give some detail instead of just saying you hate it because most people that's watching this and it's going to see your comment is looking to purchase one!
ZT1 42 Owner Kohler 200hrs use it semi commercial no issues 4th season. Dealer purchase. Paid 2800 May 5 2020. Only thing I would change is now the 42 Cub comes with Fab deck.
@@Mechanical_MindRecently picked up Toro Titan 48 2011 model Kawasaki 22hp 480hrs 2800 Hydros definitely a better built machine than my Cub and extremely comfortable which is important to me 👍🏾
I have a Cub Cadet Z force with the manufactured deck. Live on a farm where I beat the crap out of a mower with stumps, rocks, too tall grass, 6 years in and I have certainly had to do repairs, but overall it’s held up well.
The only thing you missed was the Cub seat is mounted to a hunk of exposed plywood. The JD is mounted in a time proven ABS material. Also not mentioned, the 2023 JD front wheels are no longer in plastic bushings but in bearings. Not sure about the Cub
Excellent comparison. I'm in the market because my 2008 Cub Cadet's steering has failed. I can't find the segment steering part 917-04034. Ugh, so frustrating that I can't find this part and fix my tractor. (If you have any thoughts on these, please do share!) I've been happy with my Cub Cadet so I was leaning toward a new Cub Cadet. Your comparison sealed the deal for me should I have to buy a new tractor. Thanks for doing this.
I bought a CC ZT1 50 w/ 23hp Kawasaki and I'm already regretting it. The deck vibrates so hard it feels like the machine is falling apart. The deck height adjusts itself while you're mowing. You start out on 2.25 and next thing you know you're down to 1.75 or even 1. The machine is very loud and the cut is already looking like I need to replace the blades. I've gotten stuck a few times and the mower is 600lbs which is not bad for pushing it out but when I pull the springs in the back to disengage the transmissions, the wheels stay locked up. I don't know if that's the parking brake or what, sometimes the wheels stay locked sometimes they don't. All and all the yard looks fantastic but I'm not sure I bought the right machine...maybe the Husqvarna has a better deck and everything else is the same. I've heard it's impossible to get someone on the phone with Husqvarna and the warranty isn't good because the dealer jerks people around.
Excellent video and very good comparison between those two mowers! I am in the market for a zero-turn myself. I have always been partial to JD. However, after watching this video I am going to take a good look at the Cadet. I also like the Husqvarna mowers.
The springs on the seat of the Deere will work better than the plastic, not rubber suspension on the Cub seat. I have a Cub Cadet and just put springs off a Harley soft tail seat
I would say that if you were going to buy a mower in this day of age you should look at every review that you can and don't get in a big hurry and remember most of these guys are just selling you a good paint job... They may look pretty but trust me you could be buying a big headache
I'm trying to buy a zero turn for home use. I almost ordered this Deere from Home Depot. But I was under the impression it had a different engine. To be honest, for $3600 or whatever, after taxes, I'm not impressed with either of these in the video
Right off the bat, look at the front of the frame. Look where the side frame rails connect to the front cross frame. Cub Cadet is solid contact all the way around. John Deere skimped that area badly'
Nice comparison. I have 2 cub riders a push mower and tiller. The tiller either fires right up or tames forever to get it to start. Thats best i can say about cub cadet! The riders suck and the push mower is worce. I went with Kioti for zero turn mower.
John Deere has definitely lost its luster the last few years. Now you are just buying a name. If you can, always buy a welded deck. They last so much longer.
Just paid $3,299 for the 42 with the 21.5 Kawasaki and the fab deck. I was comparing with the Exmark Quest and it's not even a comparison in my opinion
For me the xt1 was the clear winner. 24hp twin engine 50" fabricated deck 20" rear tires and the k46 transmission which isn't the best transmission it is a good transmission if you do oil changes. For a grand less it's hard to justify a zero turn. Plus swapping in a k66 transmission at a later date is a great upgrade which I was lucky to find on Facebook for a cheap price.
My z335e quit on me today. Out of nowhere, it wouldn't start. I struggled to get it back on to my trailer and was forced to push cut my clients property. John Deere can't stand up to the work load in my opinion.
I bought a 2021 cub cadet ultima zt1 54. I looked around and see which one would fit me. The handles on the cub are very comfortable. I don't have a stamped deck. I think, the stamped decks are cheap made. Won't last long. The cub is easier to work on vs the John deere. That is why , I bought the cub cadet. Plus the deck.
Yeah I don't have a close cub cadet dealer just big box stores. JD has the repair network. I have a hustler dealer about 40 miles and they are to be good. Not sure. I really don't want to buy a brand without somewhere for service preferably within 30 mins but 1hr max.
I have a JD D130 riding mower. During a recent carb cleaning to open jets, I discovered the intake was warped where in attaches to the carb. This quite possibly is allowing unfiltered air directly into the carb. Poor design and/or material choice B&S!
As a cub cadet dealer mechanic, the deck and spindles are the biggest problem. They need to upgrade the spindles at least. Deck quality is very poor as are the lift arms . Here in nz we get lots of bent decks and blades also heeps of spindle problems. Look at any deck very closely when buying a ride on. I have worked on many better machines at slightly higher price, but worth it in the long-term.
I just replaced my spindle bearings with NIN bearings. 150 hours on the machine. Zt2 50” also just changed hydro fluid and filters. The bearings weren’t at catastrophic fail level but they were a little grainy on one spindle. I’ll tell you the bearings were $80 so hopefully they are better than the Chinese ones that come with its have you figured out any conclusive repair for the vibrating decks? I’ve noticed the belt tensioner arm is kind of wobbly where it pivots.
In your comparison summary, you forgot the easier oil drain tube on the Cub. Oil changes are the most frequent maintenance chore! That alone would push me toward Cub. Disclaimer: I have a CC 2007 i1046.
@@Mechanical_Mind Yea, I know. And, that was GOOD. That's why I was surprised that you didn't mention it in the "tally" of points for each. I enjoy your videos. I am subscribed and always hit the like button.😁
@jstpsgthru oh, gotcha! I should have mentioned the better engine protection also on the Cub Cadet. I can't tell you how many commercial landscapers would back into something and hit the back sheet metal and still break the intake manifold. Many times they wouldn't realize something was wrong before it was too late.
So I've been looking at the Cubcadet with Fab deck in the 42" with 18hp kawaski or the 46" with Fabricated deck and 21hp Kawaski . Would you suggest going to the Ferris 300s for $4k?
Ferris is a great brand. I do like how you can get a z2800 for $4k. I don't like the decks are 12 gauge vs an 11 ga on the Cub Cadet. Or a 10 ga on a Toro Timecutter Max for $4k. If you have tons of hills I'd go with the Ferris. Can't go wrong either way really. I think if I didn't have hills I'd go with the Cud Cadet.
@Mechanical_Mind Thanks! What would you say about getting the 46" Fab Zt1 with the 21hp Kawaski over the 42" Fab with 18hp Kawaski? One last one to throw at ya, the Bad Boy Rambler with I guess Briggs and Straton 19hp engine versus the Cub Cadets
Hi thanks so much for these informative videos! I have been doing a lot of research to help me pick a new zero turn this yr. I was leaning towards a John Deere 48 inch. Cause I’ve heard from multiple ppl that they are really reliable lawnmowers. Being a single mother I can’t spend a fortune and I need something that’s going to last me a while. I have 1 acre of land. I heard Cub Cadets are cheaper and break easier? This video looks the opposite of what I thought. So now I’m stuck on what to do. Any help would be appreciated thanks
Well, many people just repeat what they hear. When taking advice from someone, consider what their experience is on the topic. Many others base their decisions on emotions ("My daddy had a John Deere tractor and it was the best 😢") or brand loyalty. John Deere does make some of the best ag equipment. Equipment that cost over $50k or more, they are a top brand and that's their bread and butter. As far as small residential lawn mowers under 5k, JD doesn't even make many of the parts. Most brands of residential mowers are using the same parts from the same manufacturers. Engines from Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki or Kohler. Transmissions from Tuff Torq or Hydro Gear, pto clutch from Warner the list goes on and on. The difference is what are you getting offered from each brand for the price. For $3400- $4000 I'd go with Cub Cadet with the Fabricated deck. $4k -$5 Look at Toro Timecutter Max and Toro Titans, and Gravely. Consider the warranty offered. Buy from a dealer. If you buy from Lowes or Home Depot make sure YOU register the mower for the warranty. They will not do that for you like the dealerships will.
The JD has cheap aluminum spindles and stamped decks in 13 gauge steel. They're not competitive or quality products at the $3,500 price range. Total crap actually if that helps. The smaller the number the thicker the steel. Get a Husqvarna or CC. Husqvarna has a 10 gauge fabricated deck that's better quality than CC or JD.
Sir I have a question. I have a E120 and my neighbor has a D series. I have had no problems but my neighbor has had numerous problems. Is the E series just better or is it just a coincidence and maybe he just got a bad one ??
E models are just a little larger and have wider tires than the D of equal number. The most common reason for equipment breakdown is #1 misuse/ abuse. Trying to use the mower beyond its capabilities. #2 Lack of maintenance.
Cub is a better value; I had an LTX1042KW for lots of years (still in use with a friend, who has a smaller yard than mine)... when I went to a zero turn, looked at all of em, ended up buying a Bad Boy Magnum (around $4000) which seems sturdier than these
John Deere takes the lead when it comes to higher end higher priced agricultural equipment. Tractors, Combines, Sprayers etc. My father sold high end ag equipment for 30 plus years, and I was always around John Deere other brands. My Grandfather was a farmer also all his life. All his equipment was John Deere. Great stuff. John Deere's bread and butter isn't in the entry level, lower cost residential lawn mowers. They have bigger fish to fry.
The differences between the 2 models that you compared were so minimal that I really can not see your Cub Cadet advantage. You need to crank them up and use them to see how they operate to make a fair comparison. Both are entry level zero turns, both will make fair mowers for the Harry homeowner who thinks he needs a riding mower.
I'm a mechanic that works on mowers. Im not a landscaper. Cut quality mostly has to do with the operator. How fast, low and the techniques used to cover the yard. Blade speed may vary between models but the blades themselves have a huge outcome in the cut quality. For most people they pick a mower based on price, availability and features. If cut quality is more important to you than price, a $3400 from Home Depot will not be the best option. I'd go to Scagg, Gravely, and Toro dealerships and see if they will let you test cut with some model. A Home Depot or Lowes will never let you test with a brand new unit with 0 hours on it. Most Dealerships will. I suggest buying from a dealer also for other benefits like future service. I did a video covering that topic also.
mechanical mind-question- out of all the box stores and dealer mowers (riding- tractors&zturns), from 42"-54"decks, which one is the MOST comfortable? that is now my main concern since i have an arthritic spine, 57yrs old, and less energy. i currently have a 38" riding tractor/garden tractor poulan with a turning radius of 5-6", 2007-2010 model, that was given to me. it was great at first in 2020, but since then, my back is worse, tired of spine getting beat up by my mower banging on my lower spine, need a change, 2k-5k price range. thanks.
This is hard to hear. The last Cub I had was the biggest piece of junk I ever purchased. My JD has lasted 18 years problem free. Given most product quality theses days can’t say I’m surprised.
John Deere break way too much and they’re not reliable the cub cadets. I have a cub cadet and I’ve had it for five years and it’s really perfect. I love that thing runs great Kawasaki engine. It was 8 1/2 miles an hour.
Both engines are gudget entry level engines. Junk stamp decks. Send another 3 grand and get a miwer that will ladt you a lifetime. Lovin my Kubota Kommander. Industrial grade Kawasaki with cast iron cylinders, serviable dual hydro static transmission.
So you think because YOU have never needed lights that no one else would ever need them either??? If so, you would also have to think companies are just adding lights on units for the fun of it.
