Newbie To Cub Cadet ZRTS Zero Turn Mowing

Greeny173

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I am relatively new to using a zero turn mower and have lots of questions. My Cub Cadet is a ZRTS1 50" and I use it to cut a 1 acre parcel. It makes cutting this parcel so easy for me since I only have the use of one hand. The one question I have right now is when I am cutting new grass this year my mower clumps up the grass and tends to dump it when I cross my sidewalk area. I am cutting initially at 4 then my second cutting is about 3 1/2. Should I cut at 4 for both cuttings until the weather gets warmer and grass tends to dry out more? Like I said, I am relatively new at a zero turn, and need a lot of advice from the ones who are old hands at this.
 

Tiger Small Engine

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I am relatively new to using a zero turn mower and have lots of questions. My Cub Cadet is a ZRTS1 50" and I use it to cut a 1 acre parcel. It makes cutting this parcel so easy for me since I only have the use of one hand. The one question I have right now is when I am cutting new grass this year my mower clumps up the grass and tends to dump it when I cross my sidewalk area. I am cutting initially at 4 then my second cutting is about 3 1/2. Should I cut at 4 for both cuttings until the weather gets warmer and grass tends to dry out more? Like I said, I am relatively new at a zero turn, and need a lot of advice from the ones who are old hands at this.
Sounds like you are mulching, and not allowing grass to go out the exit chute. Always better to let grass fly out the exit chute as far as possible, by raising plastic safely chute at 45 degree angle, unless around people, cars, or windows.
Always try to mow dry grass, not wet grass. If you are going to double mow, make sure you do second pass the opposite direction as first (perpendicular). First pass at 3.5”, and second pass at 3.75” or 4”. By cutting the second pass higher, you are pulling excess grass off the top and redistributing it. Note: Double mowing one acre is usually unnecessary and time consuming. Simply slow down, cut when grass is dry, cut with sharp blades, change pattern every week, and raise exit chute.
 
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SeniorCitizen

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"First pass at 3.5”, and second pass at 3.75” or 4”.
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Seniorcitizen .I'm not seeing how that's possible .
 

Auto Doc's

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I am relatively new to using a zero turn mower and have lots of questions. My Cub Cadet is a ZRTS1 50" and I use it to cut a 1 acre parcel. It makes cutting this parcel so easy for me since I only have the use of one hand. The one question I have right now is when I am cutting new grass this year my mower clumps up the grass and tends to dump it when I cross my sidewalk area. I am cutting initially at 4 then my second cutting is about 3 1/2. Should I cut at 4 for both cuttings until the weather gets warmer and grass tends to dry out more? Like I said, I am relatively new at a zero turn, and need a lot of advice from the ones who are old hands at this.
Don't cut early in the day when the grass still has dew on it. If the grass is thick, find a way to raise the outlet chute slightly so clippings can exit properly. Cutting twice is double the work, slow your speed down and cut once.

I have a similar Cub Cadet. Make sure you locate and grease the front steering shafts once per season. There are plastic covers that you can remove, and it makes it much easier to grease.

A zero turn with a steering wheel is pretty cool to operate and I think they are balanced better for the operator.
 
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