You have done a great over view of this mower Phil. My son went with the TORO and so far so good.

Looking forward to the 500 hour review.

Great update. I have a ZT-2 50", and got it last year (during the height of COVID) from a local dealer with a good reputation. I paid $3500 with WA ST sales tax, and being that new models were few and far between, felt I got a good deal, especially as an upgrade to what HD and others sell. I could not afford anything more, and there was no way I wanted anything made overseas. Cub Cadet, at least these mowers, are made in the USA. Like you, I didn't really research it before purchase, but have really had no issues. I use it for about an acre of residential grass and it does well there, and jacking the deck to high, I can finish cut my pasture after using the tractor and brush hog if I want. These mowers aren't meant for more that 5 acres per week and no more than a 15 degree slope. I agree, they get totally squirrelly on a slope. Good job.

Good points I've got ZT1 42 right at 75 hours mowing about 15yards week. Its working for me at moment.I also sat on a JD and the Toro being 6ft this mower offered more leg room and arm reach.

Lap bar zero turns struggle on hills because the front wheels don't hold a position. In Kentucky, that's a big deal. I bought a Cub Cadet Pro Z 154 S (steering wheel type commercial mower) because it holds hills. It's a freaking billy goat!

Good info joe thanks

If you want a zero turn that handles side slopes you need a grasshopper. Maybe a bit more pricey. Mine handles the tall stuff very well also. Its a gas engine. 3 cylinder Kubota, liquid cooled.

For Hills, I'm going ZTS2.. w/steering wheel. Cost's a bit more but worthy of consideration.

Dad has a Cub Cadet zero turn where the front and rear wheels both aides in steering which makes it handle great on hills. I think it’s called a STZ.

There is definitely a lot of different mowers out there see ya on the next one

Ive always thought those were good looking mowers. Good over view!

Have you lost some weight, Phil? Lookin good, brother! Thanks for the content!

43 acers that's awesome ! You should get the Bad Boy Out Law Renegade Diesel 61" deck.

I left my first comment before you started talking about comfort. That’s why I don’t have a sit down zero turn anymore. They are hard on my back so I went with stand on mowers The stand on mowers are also much better on a hill but they don’t come in that $4000 price range so it’s not apples to apples

#1 complaint seems to be terrible spindles. How hard are they to replace and how expensive?

9:35 I think as far as lap bar zero turns are considered, there are lot of other options on the market, but if you go for a steering wheel model (ZTS2 was recently released) zero turn, you're really restricted to cub cadets range.

Toro has models with seat suspension, but not all Toros have it. Some Cub Cadets have it, too, but I think you have to bump up to a commercial model to get it. For mowing across slopes & hills, a steering wheel mower is better. Spindles... they're all similar until you get to commercial mowers.

Great rundown, thanks Phil. I’m trying to sort out mowing out, so this was timely! I guess I’d ask.. how (if) do you tag-team your bush-hogging with this more precise mower? Can I get away with just the bush-hog for a year? Thanks! -Brad

Hi. After 10 h using this machine. One morning the blades are not rotating. Cannot engage the blades??? What should I look for ginding the cause of such a problem? Thanks for your help. Isaac

That is a very beautiful sleek looking lawnmower, and I think it is biggest selling point. In fact I had all that decided on that very lawnmower myself, however, after watching several videos including this one amongst others I added it up instead purchasing thr Ariens 52 inch for about the same price as this one and I got much more value for my money. Very solid reliable mower with great reviews and I have zero regrets. I just don’t like the ugly orange. But at the end of the day, I’m not driving it up and down Sunset Boulevard it’s a lawnmower

Any issues with the shoe not pushing the grass out properly due to how it chokes down at the chute and how it has that bottom brace running across it? Looking at picking up a 60 inch ZT3 and that's a concern that I have

Leaving it outside isn't helping it belongs in a large Shed garage or barn

Cub Cadet ZT2 60 here. Paid close to $5000 for mine with tax. Not much choice because it was the only mower within 100 miles during the COVID lockdown. I'm pretty happy but would definitely appreciate some of the features that come with a step up in budget... Suspension, better seat, higher speed, beefier transmission, etc. It's hard to justify an upgrade at this point though. When I need another mower, I'll be looking at Bad Boy, Hustler, Bobcat, and a couple other brands. It's all about the specs

It’s simply sounds like you need a bigger zero turn. Zero turns aren’t very comfortable until you get to the edge of becoming commercial. Toro does have the my ride that actually makes a difference. Cadet does have springs on the front wheels, although only on some models. Again I think you need a bigger, or heavier zt. That size of land with letting the grass grow long, a heavier more powerful would make it more comfortable and more efficient. The heavier ones will just by size flattened some of bumpy terrain.

Nice overview after a few years of use.

Great review! Very thorough. I’m looking at the ZT3 60. I tested the ZT2 as well but the ZT3 has all the upgrades that address many of the issues you brought up with the ZT1 and ZT2 series. The ZT3 has a larger transmission, slightly larger engine, higher seat back, and shocks on the front wheels for added cushion over bumps. I’m curious if anyone else has the ZT3 and if these upgrades are worth the extra cost.

How to change my oil

How long does it take to grow your Christmas trees?

Pull the battery and take it inside for the winter.

#1 issue with zero turn, always get a great seat. You are riding directly over an axle.

Sounds like some of your negative comments are not the fault of the mower . I don't know of any mower that can cut Rebar. You could use a 4wd tractor with a brush hog , or finish mower . With 40 plus arcers , your asking alot for a residential mower. I have a ZT1 with 80 hours on it , no problems yet .

after 2 years i have had it in the shop way more than I got to use it and i bought it new but everything that goes wrong is never under warranty...called the dealership and they admit its a bic lighter ...call cub cadet and they think its funny ...they could not care any less

Nothing comes with gal deck corncob.its an anode

With they were $4000 still. Cheapest I could find was $5400 near me.

Sounds like you need to let some air out of your tires.

I did do a lot of research, except on the Cub Cadet line, didn't even look once at them. I looked hard at the Bad Boy, Gravely and Ariens machines. I soon discovered that the three offered practically identical models. The only real difference was in the colors, the stickers on them, and the price. Aside from those differences, the models were practically indistinguishable from each other. So, I decided that I'd go with either the Gravely, or the Ariens and base my final choice on availability in my area, and price. I came home with a Cub Cadet ZT2 50. Ok, how did that happen, right? I already had a CC RTZ, and had been running it on my residential lot for 9 years. My lot is basically an uphill lot, 20 to 25 degree incline from the street up to about 2/3 of the back yard. Lots of bumps, tree roots and dips. I have one area next to the street that the degree of incline is around 30 to about 33 degrees and it has to be mowed horizontally. My little CC RTZ managed that steep incline pretty darn well, never slipped or rolled even when the grass was somewhat wet, but being a much slighter build than the CC ZT2, the abuse it was taking from the rough terrain was beginning to take its toll. So, it was time to replace her with something more robust. Like I said, I researched and decided on either the Gravely, or the Ariens and preferably the Ariens as it was a few hundred dollars less in price. Well, I found that availability in my area was a problem. I could get an Ariens from Lowe's, but my understanding from others who have purchased from Lowe's was that Lowe's must be using blind people with one arm to assemble the mowers. Lots of issues with them upon delivery, so I scratched that idea. So, I went to a power equipment dealer near me to see if I could get my hands on a Gravely. (they advertised gravely equipment on their web site) It turned out that they had Gravely equipment, and if I wanted a Gravely Snowblower all was good, but no zero turn mowers. What they did have was Toro, Exmark and Cub Cadets. So, after a few minutes talking with the salesman and telling him what I was looking for and in what price range, he walked me over to the CC. I looked it over very carefully and asked a ton of questions. I finally realized that the CC was built every bit as good as either the Ariens or Gravely's I was first interested in and had some features that the other two didn't. The downside to the CC, it's a bit more expensive and after tax it's close to 5k. Now my choice was either risk a damaged Ariens from Lowe's, or a more expensive mower from the man standing in front of me. I went with the CC. The Cub is every bit as well built as my other choices, it's essentially commercial grade quality sold at a residential price. The frame is 2" tubular steel, machine welded and has a fabricated, not pressed, deck, just like the Ariens and Gravely's have. The seat is fully adjustable and very comfortable with plenty of cushion and fold-away arm rests, and I seriously doubt you'll find one more comfortable on a residential zero-turn mower. The steering is heads and shoulders above my CC RTZ, just really no comparison at all in that department, and the tires are the widest I've seen offered stock on any residential zero-turn. The transmission is serviceable, not sealed, changing oil is made easy with a drainage hose that's already attached, the Kawasaki power plant is one of the most reliable in the market, and it even comes stock with LED headlamps just in case you feel the need to mow your lawn after the sun goes down. The rubber deck mat is a nice touch offering safe non-slip footing and also helps with vibration dampening. Honestly, for 5k, I really don't think you can find a zero turn that will offer you more, but you wouldn't be going wrong with either the Gravely or the Ariens models that are in this class. They might not have some of the features that this CC has, but they also are several hundred dollars less expensive and are still robust and reliable. It really just boils down to availability and budget. Had either the Gravely or Ariens been parked next to the CC, I would have opted for fewer features on my new mower for less out-of-pocket expense. After all, it's not like I'm driving my mower to work every day. I'm using it once a week and don't really need headlights on it. Peace.

Was going to buy this from ts for 4000 out the door went with a bad boy avenger for 4800 from a dealer

I'm pushing 50 hours in less than 2 months. No problems. They did deliver it from factory below cold fill on trans fluid both sides! Like how? Well below, almost no fluid in the tanks

Why would you leave it outside though haha? Mice would eat the wiring

zt2 w/60" fabricated deck here. 2 years in, and the fabricated deck is literally coming apart at the seams. have a cub tractor with a stamped 46", and that thing has held up wayyyyy better.

6:57. The zt2 already has 4 ply tires.

I'll be getting a ariens edge. The decks are far more superior to cub cadet. I bought the zt2 and come to find out its the exact same deck as the zt2.

Just returned the toro bought for a day And it was garbage Got my money back … not toro commercial But the residential 60”

Do not lead blow the air filter. Dirt coms from the air filter and into the carburetor. Then you have issues. I am a mechanic for these things. Don’t

John Deere make some good mowers 😉

Im going to compare the Cadet with Bad Boy before I buy but for sure a fabricated deck.

Hills? Lol change your back tires lol

Sounds like you need a tractor and bush hog 😆

NO!! NO!! NO!! YOU DO NOT WANT TO BUY A TORO!!!