Cub Cadet 17AZEAC5010 ZT3 60 Ultima Zero-Turn Riding Mower Review
Cut comfortably at your maximum speed with automotive-inspired, fully adjustable premium 24 in. high back seat with cushioned armrests, ball-bearing seat slide and advanced polymer seat isolators .
Independent suspension caster wheels that deliver a smooth ride with less vibration.
Cub Cadet has had a commanding presence in the lawn tractor and riding lawnmower industry for decades. So, you can trust that they are going to get it right the first time, while still continuing to improve the greatest hits in their line.
You see this in the commanding power, engineering and build quality of the Cub Cadet ZT3 60. It has a very powerful 725 cc Kawasaki engine that powers the gigantic 60-inch cutting deck and pressurizes the Commercial-grade dual Hydro-Gear® ZT-3100 hydrostatic rear-wheel transmissions. This makes it an effortlessly nimble zero-turn riding lawnmower.
The Cub Cadet ZT3 60 has a brisk maximum speed of 7.5 miles per hour, which is great for times when you need to get from point A to point B or you simply don’t want to waste a lot of time getting back to the trailer or garage to refuel. It also has the ability to mow in reverse at up to 3.5 miles per hour.
This model has a 60-inch cutting deck is made from heavy-duty 11-gauge steel and has guide wheels to help prevent scalping. It comes set up for side discharge. However, there are bagger and mulching accessories available for a very reasonable price. They also offer a plow attachment, plow extension, and tire chains for people who want a four-season vehicle to help clear away a modest amount of snow.
Cub Cadet also took the time to engineer the ZT3 60 to be comfortable as well as easy to control and maintain. It has independent suspension and front pneumatic casters. The controls were designed with ergonomics in mind, which is especially helpful for professionals who might need to operate the Cub Cadet ZT3 60 for several hours at a time. To that end the 24-inch high back seat is also very comfortable.
Cub Cadet also backs the ZT3 60 with a robust warranty program. The frame and deck both carry a limited lifetime warranty. The rest of the zero turning riding lawnmower comes with 3-years of warranty coverage.
Key Features
- 725 cc Kawasaki engine
- Dual air filters
- Commercial-grade dual Hydro-Gear® ZT-3100 hydrostatic transmissions
- 60-inch cutting deck made from 11-gauge steel
- Anti-scalping
- 7.5 MPH maximum forward speed
- 3.5 MPH maximum speed in reverse
- Designed for comfort and control
- Independent suspension
- 24-inch high back seat
- Impressive warranty coverage
- Optional accessories available
Performance
The 725 cc Kawasaki engine has dual air filters to maximize the fuel to air ratio. This helps it produce the maximum amount of power you need when you need it. The independent suspension and hydrostatic transmission also help it glide across even rough terrain. The 7.5 maximum forward speed is also nice when you need to move around from place to place. Especially if you need to maintain a golf course or other professional outdoor venue with multiple locations that need to be mowed.
Ease of Use
The Cub Cadet ZT3 60 was designed to be ergonomically comfortable, as well as easy to operate. This is important in a commercial-grade zero-turn riding lawnmower that was engineered for professional use. The 24-inch high back operator’s seat is very comfortable and the ergonomic controls let the driver command the ZT3 60 nearly effortlessly.
Cut Quality & Options
The gigantic 60-inch cutting deck on the Cub Cadet ZT3 60 lets you chew through an impressive swatch of grass in a single pass. Which is great for times when you need to clear away wide-open spaces. Yet the zero-turning radius is also very nimble, which allows you to work around landscaping features and trees without worrying about dinging the cutting deck. It truly does turn on a dime.
Though the 60-inch deck might be a little too large for some residential properties. A yard with multiple small trees or tightly packed landscaping features might be a little bit challenging to simply fit the giant deck through.
Right out of the box it is set up for side discharge. Though Cub Cadet also offers mulching and bagging accessories at a reasonable price. There is even option snow management accessories available for the Cub Cadet ZT3 60. Just bear in mind that the small plow blade and chains for this model are meant more for moving light amounts of snow off of driveways and large sidewalks, rather than cleaning up after a blizzard.
Maintenance
The 725 cc Kawasaki engine in the Cub Cadet ZT3 60 will require the routine maintenance of any gasoline lawnmower engine. This includes routine oil changes and filling it with premium high octane fuel. Cub Cadet also recommends replacing the cutting blades and fuel filter every year. This might need to be done more frequently if it’s being used professionally. The belts will also need to be periodically replaced.
Safety Features
The Cub Cadet ZT3 60 has the safety features you expect in a zero-turn riding lawnmower. This includes a PTO control knob for engaging the blades.
Special Features
The independent suspension on the Cub Cadet ZT3 60 might not seem all that special on paper, but it truly does help make this riding lawnmower more comfortable as well as nimble.
The deck wash port on the 60-inch cutting deck is also a nice touch that professionals will appreciate. You simply attach a standard garden hose and the deck wash system handles the rest.
Cost-Effectiveness
The impressive warranty coverage that comes included in the purchase makes a statement of build quality. The deck and frame both carry a limited lifetime warranty. Then all other parts and components carry a three-year warranty. This alone means you will see a strong return on your investment. You can also trust that Cub Cadet engineered the ZT3 60 for commercial use and the ability to earn it’s keep throughout all four seasons.
