Cub Cadet Ultima Review 2023 - Is It Worth It

A beast, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 zero-turn mower. I have never been more eager to review a lawn mower than I am right now. This bad boy offers a lawn experience rather than just a lawnmower.

Over the past ten years, riding mowers like the Cub Cadet Ultima have undergone significant development. The time when you kept a silly-looking tractor in your garage is over. A lot of commercial mowers have been updated for the modern home, combining commodious features with the strength of a commercial mower.

Cub Cadet Ultima Features

Comfort

To increase comfort, there is additional padding on the seat. Additionally, the seat has armrests. The most comfortable seats available are in this larger operator station's high-back Cub Comfort™ seat.

A rubber floor mat that provides anti-shock for your feet is also included.

With the deck lift and height-adjustable deck, you have simple access to the deck.
With this residential zero turn, the adjustable lap bars are fantastic. We just adjust it to our comfort and either my wife or I can use it.

According to Cub Cadet: "The RZT^® The L/LX Series combines exceptional comfort with the accuracy of responsive lap-bar controlled zero-turn handling. Convenient maintenance features are included with thoughtful ergonomics, all of which are intended to keep you happy with your rider (and your lawn) over the long term."

Timing

You can cut your lawn 50% faster with the Cub Cadet Ultima Series' 7.5 mph ground speed than you could with a standard mower. This is made possible by the Kawasaki and Kohler engines.

I've reduced my mowing time by more than 30 to 45 minutes. There is a 50-inch cutting deck as well. A quick job can be completed thanks in large part to the turn radius and aero force cutting system.

Advanced aerodynamics are effortlessly cut through by the AeroForce decks. It is able to increase suction while reducing clumping during discharge by optimizing airflow. As a result, your bagging performance improves when you cut.

Durability

It is a robust machine thanks to the large engine and tubular design. It also feels stable because of the rubber front wheels and high-traction rear tires. I appreciate that they also want to keep the driver safe.
For instance, Cub Cadet tractors are made to discourage the practice because mowing in reverse is inherently risky.

This results in a sturdy machine when combined with the Sure-Start High-Output battery.

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1: Mowing Experience

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 riding lawn mower aims to provide the "ultimate all-around mowing experience". It aims to achieve this through a combination of its cozy design and Kawasaki engine's emphasis on power. This model's 50-inch cutting path makes it perfect for wide-open spaces and means you won't need to go over the same area as often. The 3.5-gallon fuel tank should have enough capacity to reduce the number of refilling trips and give you more time to complete the task.

To get the ideal cutting height for your particular lawn, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1's deck lift can be adjusted from 1.5 to 4.5 inches up or down using a pedal. Additionally, the deck is made of 11-gauge fabricated aero force with reinforced leading edges, resulting in finer clippings and fewer clumps after mowing.

Given that this model has zero turns, maintaining your backyard ought to go more quickly than ever. This will be very helpful for reducing the number of hours it takes to mow the lawn because it is designed for larger outdoor areas. The over-molded rubber handgrips are made with a focus on comfort, as they are intended to reduce vibration and improve riding comfort. Along with the ergonomic, fully adjustable 20-inch seat and a polymer seat suspension system, these features help you feel confident in your riding lawn mower's capabilities.

You can use the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 more frequently and maneuver around at dawn or dusk thanks to the dual LED headlights. Although riding lawn mowers should never be used in complete darkness, they are designed to provide the best vision possible in low light. This is for your safety.

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1: User Reviews

On Home Depot, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 has a 4.6-star rating out of five, based on 2,255 reviews. 93% of users would recommend this mower, making it pretty popular with users who know it best. Many reviewers mentioned how it reduced the amount of time needed to mow their lawn.

One impressed reviewer said it was the "Most fun I've had sitting down in a long time", adding that it "cuts great and starts first time every time". Another reviewer said, "it made a two-hour riding mower job just 45 minutes with the zero-turn". In terms of power, one user said that "The Kawasaki engine is a force to be reckoned with" and that after having it for two weeks, they had "drastically cut down mowing time and increased family time".

Less impressed reviewers had complaints of "vibration at the time of cutting the grass", despite extensive measures to prevent this. This could be as a result of the fact that after purchasing this model, some home assembly is still required. Another reviewer called these "noticeable vibrations". In contrast, numerous reviews praised the high caliber of the riding experience, suggesting that this may be a matter of personal preference and house design.

Riding Mower Vs Push Mower

You should bear a few things in mind before buying a riding lawnmower. Your lawn's size should be taken into account first. You are probably better off using a push mower if your lawn is less than ½ of an acre. Consider using a riding mower for comfort and speed if your lawn is larger than half an acre.

The traditional riding mower or garden tractor with a steering wheel can be great for people with between ½ acre and one acre of land. They are simple and easy to use.

Zero-turn mowers can be a lifesaver for those of us who have yards full of obstacles or more than an acre of land. The ability to maneuver around hurdles and obstacles is made much easier by the fact that many zero turn mowers also feature a reverse functionality.

Why Would I Buy a Zero-turn Riding Mower?

If you've ever tried to make a sharp turn or maneuver close to a garden bed with a traditional riding mower on your lawn, you know how frustrating it can be. I feel like Austin Powers stuck in the hallway as I try to maneuver between trees.

Mowers with a zero-turn feature operate as expected. These are the large mowers you see people using to maintain a sizable property or a lovely country event venue. Their ease of use is one of their many attractive qualities. They are controlled by two levers that enable the machine to be moved in a circular motion without having to move forward (hence, zero-turn).

Up until I gave this mower a try, I must admit that I was intimidated by all the knobs and gears. Actually, driving is a very comfortable and logical process. To move forward and accelerate, just align the levers, push forward, and move the handles in the desired direction.

What to Look for in a Zero-turn Mower

A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost. It's crucial to maintain a blade size that corresponds to the size of your lawn. Naturally, longer blades are better for larger lawns, but they start to lose some of the agility that a smaller blade offers.

A zero-turn mower must also take into account the transmission. The majority of zero turn mowers have automatic or hydrostatic transmissions rather than manual ones. A gas pedal and seatbelts are used in automatic just like they are in an automatic car. Fluid is used by hydrostatic transmissions to transmit power to the rest of the engine and the blades. Hydrostatic transmissions are the type I favor and advise using because they typically need less upkeep and have a longer lifespan (plus, it sounds cool).

While they are frequently disregarded, attractive lawn mower accessories are essential for a riding mower. To move mulch, plants, or chopped wood across your property, nothing beats attaching a nice hauler component to the back of your mower. Make sure the mower you choose has an accessory-capable hitch.

Cost is typically of utmost importance as well. Mowers with a zero-turn capability are pricey. The majority of zero turn mowers are actually more expensive than an old Honda Civic. When purchasing a zero turn mower, budget at least $3,000. Consider that compared to a riding tractor or push mower, these will last a very long time and save you a ton of weekend time. The initial cost of zero turn mowers is higher, but they have a very high long-term return.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 Riding Lawn Mower?

Due to its features created to guarantee durability and excel when it comes to power, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 is a preferred option among users. For larger gardens or outdoor spaces, the 50-inch cutting path and zero-turn technology make it perfect, and the 20-inch adjustable seat does a lot to make the ride comfortable.