Cub Cadet Z-Force S Commercial 48 vs Z-Force S 54

[jworkman]

No I didn't take pictures. Each time the failure occurred I was more interested in getting the mower back to the shop and on a trailer to the dealer. That being said I have all of the shop tickets from the dealer. So I can document the failures. Mean time between failures (MTBF) is getting shorter. The last failure occurred this past Friday. I went to the dealer on Saturday morning and made them give me a new belt and I installed myself. I have some ideas about what is causing the failures and I am on the verge of implementing a fix. But I am sure if I implement repairs it will void any remaining warranty so I am hesitating.

 

[jworkman]

Well I may have finally solved the problem with the belts breaking. After the dealer removed the rod that puts tension in the in the hydro drive belt I failed one more belt. I removed that belt myself and put the new belt on. Before I ran the mower I decide to remove the guards that were placed around the sheaves to keep the belt in place when there was slack in the drive belt. Of the three guards I removed two of them have been riding hard on the belt. I suspect the belt was getting hot and brittle and coming out in chunks. The guards were all rubbing on the outside edge of the belt. Also noticed that the PTO belt has enough belt slap due to its long unsupported length that it periodically rubs on the control rods for the hydro on the right side of the mower.

 

[sdukfan]

I too am considering buying either the commercial 48 or the z-force s 54 since they both have servicable transmissions which i have read is the way to go. I also have a large sloping hill in my front yard that is probably around 20 to 25 degrees that is why I like these cub cadet models over standard ZTR, they are supposed to hold hills better. I am also at large guy 375 lbs pounds so I think the tilt steering wheel will help keep the wheel from rubbing against me. Is it worth the extra $500.00 dollars for the commerial 48, $5,499.99 vs $4,999.99 for the force z 54. I don't really need the extra cutting area of the 54 because I and only mowing 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 acres and currently use a 42 tractor and can do it in 1hr 45 mins. I was originally looked at the z force 48 but saw it had a sealed transmission used in the cheaper s series. I also am concerned about all of the belt wear problems I have read about on these mowers, however most of these seemed to be on earlier verisons when the first came out. I wonder if the have fixed this problem my dealer said they will ware out belts quicker than my 12 year old craftsman tractor because the blades now days turn much faster, is this true or is he blowing smoke at me. I haven't actually sat or drove either one, he is out of stock and only has the cheaper rtz s series and would have to order one for me, because its the end of the year model wise for him in sales and he won't be getting any more till next years comes out, unless I want to buy one. I want to get the best mower for the least amount of money thats why I am looking at these 2 vs a John Deere x534 with 54 in cut for 6,995.00. Can any of you guys give me an idea for what I should do not a lot of choices on different mowers in my area Philpot, KY, at least the cub dealer is only 2 miles from my house. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[jworkman]

I too am considering buying either the commercial 48 or the z-force s 54 since they both have servicable transmissions which i have read is the way to go. I also have a large sloping hill in my front yard that is probably around 20 to 25 degrees that is why I like these cub cadet models over standard ZTR, they are supposed to hold hills better. I am also at large guy 375 lbs pounds so I think the tilt steering wheel will help keep the wheel from rubbing against me. Is it worth the extra $500.00 dollars for the commerial 48, $5,499.99 vs $4,999.99 for the force z 54. I don't really need the extra cutting area of the 54 because I and only mowing 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 acres and currently use a 42 tractor and can do it in 1hr 45 mins. I was originally looked at the z force 48 but saw it had a sealed transmission used in the cheaper s series. I also am concerned about all of the belt wear problems I have read about on these mowers, however most of these seemed to be on earlier verisons when the first came out. I wonder if the have fixed this problem my dealer said they will ware out belts quicker than my 12 year old craftsman tractor because the blades now days turn much faster, is this true or is he blowing smoke at me. I haven't actually sat or drove either one, he is out of stock and only has the cheaper rtz s series and would have to order one for me, because its the end of the year model wise for him in sales and he won't be getting any more till next years comes out, unless I want to buy one. I want to get the best mower for the least amount of money thats why I am looking at these 2 vs a John Deere x534 with 54 in cut for 6,995.00. Can any of you guys give me an idea for what I should do not a lot of choices on different mowers in my area Philpot, KY, at least the cub dealer is only 2 miles from my house. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Your size should not be a problem I am larger. The manual states that you should not mow slopes steeper than 15 degrees. I have mowed cross ways on slopes greater than 25 degrees. I have one slope I mow that is 45 degrees I mow it up and down. Coming down is easy going up is tricky. My yard is 2 acres with lots of trees and slopes. I can mow it with this mower in 1 1/2 hours. It is the weedeating that takes so long. I chose the S 54 because of the servicable transmission. I replaced a 24 year old John Deere with this mower. The belt wear problem appears to be solved. This is what was done. When you set the hand brake on this mower it causes the transmission drive belt to go slack. The belt has guards that prevent the belt from falling off the pulleys when it is in this slack mode. The commercial mowers do not have this feature there is always tension in the drive belt. The local dealer removed the rod that slacks the drive belt when setting the hand brake. In addition I removed the belt guards. The guards showed obvious signs of rubbing the belt. Since these adjustments I have not had a failure. I now have 12 operating hours since this adjustment and 112 hours on the mower. I have enjoyed all other aspects of this mower. My major gripe was the belt failures. Now that this problem is behind me I am going to add a light kit to the mower. The mower needs handles on the outside sloped faces. I am looking around at different mowers and tractors and when I find a set that I like I will add them myself. The handles will help keep you steady in the seat when mowing crossways on the steeper slopes. The only reason for getting a smaller deck size is for 4 foot gates. 2 miles or 15 miles to the dealer doesn't matter. You should not have to take a brand new mower back to the shop 9 times in the first two years. But now all of that is behind me. My other mower is a Kubota BX 25 D.

 

[sdukfan]

Hey guys. I just ordered a new ZForce S Commercial 48" after spending over a month of investigating & trying out several different brands of mowers. CC wasn't even on my radar until I went in to look @ Toro & Dixon mowers @ one of my local dealerships. Knowing my background & my lawn, he recommended I look @ the S series mowers from CC. I've run Deere, Simplicity, Gravely, Toro, and a couple of others over the years and unless I'm terribly dissapointed after owning this new Cub for a season, I do believe I'll be a 4 wheel steer Zero Turn convert for life. All I did was drive it in an empty parking lot, but WOW, how do you even sell a lap bar ZT after letting someone try the S series?

Maybe I'll be singing a different tune after getting it home & mowing with it. If so I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong. My dealer says it should be here by the end of next week. I'll get back to you after I've actually mowed with it a few times... :thumbsup:

Jon

Big Jon since I am also considering a commerical z force 48 how do you like it? I am still not sure because $5,500 is a lot to pay and not have one to test drive or sit on, my local dealer is out of stock and since its the quote end of his sales season and next year models coming out soon he won't be ordering anymore, unless I want to purchase one. Jworkman said that his belt problem is fixed and from what he said in his response sounds like the commerical z force s didn't have the same problem since they always have tension on the belt. Another point I like about the commercial z force s48 over the z force s54 is that the transmission is a set up and had metal cut gears not composite like the 2800 in the s54, according to what I read on another site, besides I don't really think I need a 54 inch cut might be to large to get in between some places. Any input you could give me would be great in making this major purchase, Jworkman had already made me feel better about the belt problem. One final throught the z force s54 comes with a professional grade kawasaki while the commerical z force s48 has a kohler command, which is the better engine? I have had kohlers in last 3 mowers over the last 25 years with never one of them failing, the mowers usually wear out before the engines thats the problem I have with my craftsman now. Thanks everyone.

 

[jworkman]

Big Jon since I am also considering a commerical z force 48 how do you like it? I am still not sure because $5,500 is a lot to pay and not have one to test drive or sit on, my local dealer is out of stock and since its the quote end of his sales season and next year models coming out soon he won't be ordering anymore, unless I want to purchase one. Jworkman said that his belt problem is fixed and from what he said in his response sounds like the commerical z force s didn't have the same problem since they always have tension on the belt. Another point I like about the commercial z force s48 over the z force s54 is that the transmission is a set up and had metal cut gears not composite like the 2800 in the s54, according to what I read on another site, besides I don't really think I need a 54 inch cut might be to large to get in between some places. Any input you could give me would be great in making this major purchase, Jworkman had already made me feel better about the belt problem. One final throught the z force s54 comes with a professional grade kawasaki while the commerical z force s48 has a kohler command, which is the better engine? I have had kohlers in last 3 mowers over the last 25 years with never one of them failing, the mowers usually wear out before the engines thats the problem I have with my craftsman now. Thanks everyone.

Interesting info about the transmission. My S 54 has the Kohler Command Engine on it. I am pleased with its performance. When you read through the manual you will see an interesting tidbit about the EPA considers the life of the mower to be 7 years for the average home owner. I think that life expectancy is based on emissions compliance. I am hardly the average homeowner and I have a tendency to keep my equipment for 20 to 25 years. I was a maintenance engineer for most of my career and I find that if you do the proper maintenance the equipment will last. I bought this lawnmower with the thinking that it would last me until I was to old to do the lawn maintenance.

 

[sdukfan]

Interesting info about the transmission. My S 54 has the Kohler Command Engine on it. I am pleased with its performance. When you read through the manual you will see an interesting tidbit about the EPA considers the life of the mower to be 7 years for the average home owner. I think that life expectancy is based on emissions compliance. I am hardly the average homeowner and I have a tendency to keep my equipment for 20 to 25 years. I was a maintenance engineer for most of my career and I find that if you do the proper maintenance the equipment will last. I bought this lawnmower with the thinking that it would last me until I was to old to do the lawn maintenance.

Well when to dealer to see about ordering mower said that wasn't showing he could order the commerical z s48 said it might be that cub cadet was done with the production for this years model, in that case his rep would have to fine one at another dealer and get transfer, doesn't sound good its the same situation for z force s54. Since I can't wait should I take a chance on a z force s48 with sealed ezt transmission it does have the professional kawaski engine and dealer said they haven't had any issues with the sealed transmissions and I would only be putting 50 to 60 hrs a year on the mower by my est. mowing about 2 acres most of it is pretty smooth few bumps here and there, this mower is a lot more heavy duty build that my 12 year old craftsman 42 in cut I have been using?

 

[txzrider]

someone posted some numbers about the ETZ's versus others with regard to max hp and weight, etc... When I found out my prospective mower had ETZ's I made note of the fact that is had less hp and the weight of the mower was less. Other than that I am expecting many years of service. Also there was a recent post from a guy who hit 300 hours on his EZT equipped mower... he managed to replace his fluid and restore his EZT's normal operation for like $25. So worst case is... down the road I do that.

 

[ntran]

I know this thread is old, but would like to hear your experience on the Z-Force S series after 2-3 years of use. Is the belt problem fixed? Do you have any issue with your steering wheel mower? I am also looking for a zero turn with steering wheel and unfortunately only CC and Toro make it (Exmark's Quest S is very much similar to the Toro SWX5050. I have a fairly steep slope and the Toro SWX5050 handles it pretty well (much better than the commercial zero turn with FX Kawa and ZT4400 and another stand on with similar engine and ZT3400). I looked at the Cub ZForce S today (commercial one with Kawa FR engine and ZT3100) and the new Pro Z (with Kohler Confidant EFI and ZT3400) and was impressed with the build of those mower. But since I saw mixed reviews about the belt issues of CC, hopefully someone can share their experience after 200 - 300 hrs of use.

 

[Ric]

I know this thread is old, but would like to hear your experience on the Z-Force S series after 2-3 years of use. Is the belt problem fixed? Do you have any issue with your steering wheel mower? I am also looking for a zero turn with steering wheel and unfortunately only CC and Toro make it (Exmark's Quest S is very much similar to the Toro SWX5050. I have a fairly steep slope and the Toro SWX5050 handles it pretty well (much better than the commercial zero turn with FX Kawa and ZT4400 and another stand on with similar engine and ZT3400). I looked at the Cub ZForce S today (commercial one with Kawa FR engine and ZT3100) and the new Pro Z (with Kohler Confidant EFI and ZT3400) and was impressed with the build of those mower. But since I saw mixed reviews about the belt issues of CC, hopefully someone can share their experience after 200 - 300 hrs of use.

Just curious but what commercial zero turn with FX Kawasaki engine and ZT4400 and another stand on with similar engine and ZT3400 did you look at? I'm also curious to know what Cub Z Force S today (commercial one with Kawasaki FR engine and ZT3100) did you looked at?