This isn’t entirely true. There are ZTR exceptions that can handle steep hills and hillsides with ease.
The Cub Cadet Pro Z (with steering wheel) are designed specifically for mowing hillsides and the interesting Altoz “tracked” ZTR can handle much of the same.
I have successfully mowed my steep hillsides with my Pro Z 560 S and saved an hour of mowing time compared to my B2601 w/ 60” MMM.
Mike
Mike - I'm very curious to learn more about your experiences with the Pro-Z.
Since I started this thread I have made some adjustments to my fleet. I changed airports and no longer am responsible for mowing so much grass. That means I sold the B2410. At the new airport I keep one of the B7510's for snow removal and I purchased a 60" Landpride 3PTH finishing mower for "just in case" purposes. I've used it behind the B7510 at home and it cuts well enough but is far, far too awkward to use in anything other than the wide open flat areas.
Our next door neighbor had their old lawn tractor fail. At the same time I had one of the mounting brackets break off our 30 year old Cub Cadet lawn tractor (the first real mechanical failure of this machine - it has been an amazing workhorse). The neighbor came over to borrow our Cub Cadet, only to find its deck upside down on sawhorses while I welded it. In a fit of frustration she went out and purchased a brand new Cub Cadet ZT2-60 - that's a 60" zero turn that uses lap bars.
I've cut our property three times now with that ZT2-60 and have done some learning which I'll share here.
Firstly, I have learned that a 60" deck makes the cutting go quickly, but it's really too wide for our property. Too often I find the edge of the deck digging into the rapidly-rising ground at the base of hills and ditches. I've left furrows with the edge of the deck - this clearly isn't desirable.
Secondly, I've learned that traction with this ZT2-60 is poor - it's certainly far more greasy than our 30 year old Cub Cadet traditional lawn tractor. Dew on the grass means one has to exercise great caution. Since the machine belongs to our neighbor I use it very gently and yet I still find burnout marks on the grass from wheels spinning.
Thirdly, with this lap bar zero turn, if those front castoring wheels get onto soft ground and you need to change direction you're screwed. The amount of force required to pivot the front wheels and get the machine turning is more than the back wheels will generate - they spin and the machine sinks into the mud. It's been a long, long time since I last had to tow a lawn mowing device but I've already had to tow the ZT2-60. I suspect front wheels which "steer", like those of the Pro-Z, will offer a significant improvement in this arena.
Fourthly, when it comes to slopes, pick a different machine. The lack of directional control on the front wheels means all directional control comes from the rear wheels. Twice now I've found myself sliding sideways down a slope - the first slide was stopped when the deck slammed into the corner of an outbuilding, the second slide was arrested when the deck slammed into the trunk of an elm tree. In the first instance I approached the slope at about half the speed that I would have used with the belly-mount Cub Cadet lawn tractor. Having learned from the first time, the second incident occurred even though the approach speed was, quite literally, as slow as I could make the machine go. Once the back wheels break free in a sideways slide you're just along for the ride. Not a pleasant experience.
The ZT2-60 is extremely fast compared to our old traditional lawn tractor with its belly-mount mower. The down-side is that I can't cut at full speed because my body can't take the pounding from the bumps. I like the ergonomics of this machine and the smoothness of its power delivery and driveline are incredible. I find that when I'm mowing under and around trees it feels more like I'm hovering a helicopter - the maneuvering is effortless and very fast. The physical shape of the mowing deck allows one to get the edge of the deck snuggled in tight against obstructions - it's very well thought-out in this regard.
With all the above information in hand I'm sure readers can see why I'm still sitting on the fence when it comes to finding a better solution to our mowing needs. The Kubota F-series is still what I consider to be the ultimate solution, but also with the ultimate price tag. The ZD machines will solve some of the shortcomings of the lighter Cub Cadet lap bar zero turn.
The one big question mark in my mind is the steering wheel Cub Cadet mowers. I've seen a couple of Pro-Z 100 machines advertised for sale at "reasonable" prices, 10-20% less than the cost of a ZTS2-60 residential-series steering wheel zero turn. I'm spoiled by the power steering on my B-series Kubota tractors so I'm worried about higher steering forces on the Pro-Z. I'm also concerned about the ease of maintenance (or difficulty in maintaining) a Pro-Z.
Thanks for any additional information you care to share.
