Can It Mow Steep Hills, Zero Turn Mower Cub Cadet Pro Z 972 SD

[@Caf1972]

That is very impressive, most all other mowers will have you on the bottom of the hill. Great job Cub Cadet!

[@goldeagletactical9945]

I bought the pro Z 500 a few weeks ago (same machine with a smaller motor, deck, and single rear wheels). It is an incredibly stout machine, very heavy duty. I use mine on very steep grades with no issues whatsoever. Handles slopes that I would never touch using my father in law’s walker. Love this machine, can’t say enough about it.

[@mountainmike1685]

I love my pro z 972. I mow hills like this all the time. The fact about a typical zero turn being able to mow hills is mowing across the slope, the axles/transmissions aren't made to handle the increased pressure and will fail over time. The 972 dually has extra heavy duty axles and are designed for side ways slope mowing. I am in no way bashing a zero turn, they are great. I live in the mountains and have seen what slope mowing will do to a typical zero turn. Nice video

[@arngreencare8955]

Been mowing stuff like this with Turf Tigers and 300 series Grasshopper since 2001. Not one drive failure yet... John Deeres on the other hand, a couple hundred hours and those TuffTorq transaxles are done.

[@mrpotatoheadracing]

@Have_At_IT Troll...

[@arngreencare8955]

What mountains do you live in? I'm here in western NC...

[@mountainmike1685]

@@arngreencare8955 Northwest North Carolina Mountains, and mine will mow a 45 to 60 degree hill sideways no problem, keeping your but in the seat is the hard part

[@arngreencare8955]

@@mountainmike1685 I'm down here in Lenoir/Hickory area currently watching the rain fall...

[@jefferyschirm4103]

Please remember one man's music is another man's racket !

[@memorylapsedm8262]

Just a small tip for you guys because I've been using a 50 inch zero-turn Toro for about 3 years now. The key is to turn uphill instead of downhill and that way you don't slide like you did. The reason I say this and give this advice is because imagine trying to mow next to a ditch with a fair amount of water and mud at the bottom. I've slide into it before and needed a couple people to help push it out. Start at the bottom if you can and work your way up the hill. This way you have the benefit of mowing while getting out at the same time. Also, if you have no choice but to start somewhere in the middle, like on the side or near a steep ditch like I have to, which is how I also learned what I have and am about to tell you (i.e. don't go any lower than willing or what you know the machine can handle), try backing in slowly at a slight angle and turn it into position of the line at which you want to start cutting at; then move forward to the point of where you want to start cutting at. Never turn down into a slope, because that's how you start sliding and potentially start rolling over, and instead turn into the incline as you mow.

[@mickjoebills]

This is precisely the instructions detailed in the cub cadet syncho steer manuals.

[@jasonjulius9670]

Just bought one a month ago. It’s a beast. The hills on my property were dangerous with an exmark. I make maneuvers on this machine that I wouldn’t even consider on the exmark. I do disagree that it’s not residential machine. I’ve found that the cut quality is comparable as well as the finish stripes.

[@TopNotchLawns]

Awesome.

[@wvj78]

I have hills on my property that i had to push mow because my power king would slide down into the fence. My cub cadet tank sz 54 handles it like its on rails. Ive never been on a more comfortable, more secure mower. This thing is very capable and very safe.

[@TopNotchLawns]

Thanks for sharing

[@UncleNabob]

I've been using a Cub Cadet ZForce s60 with steering wheel for 8 years. It will mow slopes that I used to flip a push mower on. I need to put a hand hold on the sides to stay in the seat! It will drift on really steep slopes especially if the grass is wet. There is no need to do three point turns as they are programmed into the system. Everyone knows how to use a steering wheel. I use a spinner knob and steer with one hand using the other for waving at friends, fending off branches from trees, etc.

[@bernardmccann7676]

Yea me to have grab handles to hang onto when on slopes goes dame places as my ventrac

[@CraigSmith568]

I have an Ariens zero turn and it will just about climb a tree, but when you aim those front wheels downhill on even a small hill you better hang on. I have a part I mow around 40 degrees and it does it going sideways or straight up. That Cub Cadet is an amazing mower. I don't need one for my small yard, but I sure would love to have one.

[@scottburgle4889]

What model Ariens do you have that climbs that well? I’m interested

[@sonjacrowell9896]

That’s awesome. Something up my alley. Love the mower

[@TopNotchLawns]

👍

[@jmd2432]

I use a zero turn without duals on the rear, but have filled the tires with fluid. This adds about another 75 lbs or so which helps keep the mower from tipping over when I go side to side, not up and down, on the hills like your #4 rated hill. -- Took me awhile to get up enough nerve to go sideways only the hill but with over-sized really 'off-terraine' 4x4 tires on the rear, it holds, and has never flipped over yet. Without the fluid in the tires I almost flipped it once, which was enough for me do the mod tires and fluid. Both well worth it. BTW, my yard is over 10 acres which I mow each week during peek spring/summer months, with the house and barn on-top of the huge hill sloping down to the stream. -- Good video.

[@TopNotchLawns]

That's crazy, never heard of doing that. Cool deal.

[@dlmp70]

How long does it take you to mow those 10 acres?

[@jamesdiehl8690]

He who turns and runs away, lives to fight another day!

[@colonelreb1014]

I have a 35 degree slope. Pretty scary.

[@wdilks]

Nice. At 9:56, it was a 180. If your back is to an Exmark, and a straight, thin line takes you to a Cub Cadet, start walking toward the Cub Cadet. When you reach the Cub Cadet, turn around and head back toward the Exmark. That turn is a 180. A full 360 would point you toward the Cub Cadet.

[@jonlarson3035]

I owned a 972S with the single rear wheel for 2 years. It was amazing on hills. You should have turned uphill. Mine never tried to come up in the front and it didn't have the weighted front wheels. I know that mower would have driven straight up that bank. Excellent mowers, I just wanted to standardize my mowers to all lap bar machines. I used mine on residential yards and commercial properties alike. Like you mentioned, running the foot pedals and spinning the wheel all the time gets kind of cumbersome, especially in smaller, tighter areas. I put a spinner knob on my steering wheel like mentioned in another comment. I would zero turn mine and it did just fine unless I was in a hurry and went kind of fast, then the front wheels would push a little and probably tore more than the rear wheel. They are a tough machine. They will take curbs at an angle perfectly also. Takes away some of the "squared up" jolt. Nice video.

[@ernestcopoulos2709]

we run cub cadets in the blue ridge mountains and even the ZX models can handle hills like that,the secret is to hang off the upward side of the hill like a sailboat and believe it or not the faster you mow the less it slides

[@ksgardenservices8359]

Here in the uk we use remote control mowers for all the slopes along motorways etc

[@JuanVega-ns5ok]

What a concept. Utilizing technology for its intended purpose, to solve problems. Way to go.

[@christianrandle48]

Aaa don’t

[@piratetaylor29]

Now I understand why there's a solid rollbar built in.

[@scottmurray2961]

This is in WICHITA KANSAS by GEORGE WASHINGTON N OLIVER ( THE HIGHEST NATURAL spot in WICHITA) across from MERITRUST BANK

[@joekemp5034]

When I test drove one I found by the end of the day I no longer had to do a 3 point turn. The way the zero turn works I never reversed except on dead end lines.

[@dlmp70]

@Joe Kemp can you please elaborate on what you mean by not having to reverse? TIA.

[@glenjamindle]

Cub Cadet is really stepping up their sponsorship game.

[@spiffyspits3605]

ROTFLMAO!!! I thought nothing faze ya until you did that mock scream. I laughed so hard. Keep it up with testing models.

[@snowbeach7]

this video was scarily fun 🤩

[@westernstarhotel]

I’m pretty sure it will mow to the top and also you can turn around going uphill

[@CountrysideStrong]

I played on that thing at GIE. What a cool machine

[@svenomick5857]

I mow in Australia with a Hustler Super Z 60 inch rear discharge very good Mowers I mow for Council if we mow with the Shute up on the other mowers we are in the Shit big Time. Those mowers do look good there are a few Contractors with them here they are very happy with them.

[@crunch_amp9282]

I got a ztx 4👍😀 Cub cadet this week and I love it

[@johnhicks9529]

Ya that would be A very good investment for you then for sure no doubt about it man. From what you were saying on your video about you mode A lot of big yards.& Buisnesses to with your zero turn ridding lawnmower. You could be sitting in your truck in airconditioning watching.& letting the machine do the work for you. 🎮 game changer.& etc.

[@caroleroseburgh1344]

What are you trying to do ❓ tear it up ❓ did they tell you that if you break it you buy it 🤣😂😅😂😁😀 .

[@johngomez5018]

Work for city of garland parks. We use kubato. Lap bar always breaking down leaving marks when turning. Tell cub to talked city of garland asap and school and gpl thanks

[@johnhershey4010]

Cuts ready good

[@dlineback1936]

You were talking about making three point turns with that mower. You don’t have to make a three point turn. Just make a u turn. I have a Cub with a steering wheel and it will not tear up the turf. A three point turn takes a lot more time.

[@d.riprock1546]

Thanks for the video. That's some cool footage. I could tell it was pretty steep by how far you were leaning uphill lol. That mower does look like a beast. I don't know if I could get used to one but if I hadn't ever been on a regular zero turn it would be alright. It's got some advantages.

[@bubbawubba2307]

That mower does put a pretty good cut on the side of those hills. It's impressive.

[@lorinaw3001]

Well I understand why you quit - now go get the one you are comfortable on - just keep on trucking !!!

[@jamesdiehl8690]

Ventrac I believe goes to 32 degrees and it's articulated with implements on the front.

[@ctiley2212]

In using this mower how much time did you save over the mower you usually use for this job? How long would it take to pay for itself using that as a measure?

[@jasonolszewski1381]

Thats one steep hill. It did a pretty good job.

[@Dale37]

I am impressed with this machine. My yard is flat, so the grade mowing wouldn't be beneficial to me but I like the overall concept. That six foot deck would cover my 5 acre really quick. This is coming from person that owns a zero turn.

[@piratetaylor29]

You are one brave soul. Yikes 😬😳 40-45°

[@Ivansgarage]

The only thing I see wrong with that mower, forward and reverse pedal, should be a single pedal with a center pivot on the pedal, toe push forward, heel push backwards, then you would have a perfect mower.... you had already mentioned, you did not like having to change from one pedal to the other... correct...

[@cerberus2881]

You might as well Mow It while you're there!😂

[@stephenmehes6430]

Personally when I do hills sideways I turn up back down the hill backwards then turn the rest of the way going up the hill n go along the side

[@amandagirl8042]

it sure goes fast

[@franzsailer2674]

What is the consumption of the 1000 Kawasaki per hours. Did the lubrification suffer? Checked the oils afterwards?

[@rickcormier9160]

I was looking at the Cub Cadet steering wheel ZTR’s four years ago because I have hills like that on my 3 acres. The Cub Cadet dealers in my area were pushing ZTRs and would not offer a demonstration despite Cub Cadets website indicating they would. That opened up my options, so I opted for the 60” Pioneer S Exmark with Kawasaki engine because the dealer was closer and had free delivery. I have had to add 35pounds of weight to the front and can only go up the hill and then back down. I still think of this mower when I am on my hill

[@erniebigbie3211]

A knob on the steering wheel really makes them easier to drive.

[@ericfreeze1945]

14:50 Looks like a Cub Cadet commerical.

[@roxanneherrman2107]

I usta mow my nefues 1 ac. Yard with a cub cuddet that had a kill switch in the seat! So if it got to get too steep, the engine would kill. Which would kinda suck when you were stuck somewhere!!

[@RoadieWingZZ]

Great video of the side turns. Noticed the rear wheels sliding sideways down hill a few inches as you came out of the turn. That’s a sign of how steep the hill really is. Gravity be real!!! 😅

[@HarryARiggs]

Thanks so much ! Rey helpful!

[@swimbait1]

That’s a nice mower. One thing I hate about my walker, getting off to change the deck height.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

I live in the mountains this is what I call flatland lawn. HAHA

[@daveallen4194]

Brian... now go back and test drive a John Deere X739 all wheel drive, all wheel steer on those same hills. This 60 inch deck garden tractor will go any where I point it, wet or dry, up hill, down, side ways, etc. The liquid cooled Kaw engine doesn't miss a beat, or slow down. It cuts well, with speed, and It works great to pull out stuck zero turns in the spring. Mount a blower in the winter, and go do 30 residential accounts, like I do here in central MN. 12k machine vrs 16k for the Cub, and the John Deere will hold its value better. Blessings

[@oliviercoulon5196]

I have a X748 and a 972SD. I can assure you the X748 will NOT go everywhere the 972SD will. Up and down? No problems. It will climb anything. But unless you've put duals on, a 4x4 lawn tractor won't get close to the 972SD for side sloping (have done near 1 for 1 with no issues).

[@kevinsteele9575]

I have tried, used many different mowers, and nothing can beat the great dane surfer. You can do hills up and down or sideways, hills so steep you can hardly stand on them. It is small and fast.

[@ronaldfuller8356]

when mowing step banks how would it be if you could put a set of change with spikes so they wood dig in the ground

[@defan2105]

A little turf tire at 9:40, not bad but a little lifting of the lawn. Now in your last video (when you got the mower) the Cub Rep said 20% max...was that only for safety or because of engine and transmission oil flow too? AND if 25%, why are you going on a 40+ degree hill? lol

[@janstolk486]

2.39 you took a mower of road ,...... wow !

[@user-eg1sw7kd6g]

A little of the lane, you appear to have a levered parking brake, available to ride, when you are going down very steep hills. I'm looking at the zts1 (for residence) which does not have a levered parking brake. Any experience on how to slow down with the zts1?

[@johnhicks9529]

Maybe this info can.,or might help.& save you from things like that to possibly. I'd check into getting those system added on to your ridding lawnmower. Using hand held transmitter.

[@StanWilhite]

PS. Think you mean 180 instead of 360. :-) Good video though!!!! PS. Even though the mower finally slid, you can still do something with it that you can't do with a lap bar ztr.....STEER IT!

[@edwinbautista9663]

PLAINVIEW 💙😤 316, stay safe mowing brother !!

[@davidcantwell2489]

So, how many holes did ya put in the seat.

[@billsparks5236]

If that last one is a two on one slope it is 45 degrees!! Like I said still very impressive! Pucker power!!!

[@zachearley1906]

A 45° slope is 1 to 1

[@brotoubrotou3164]

Curious. So how did you finally get off that hill?

[@Fencearmor]

That was one steep hill, glad you got down there safely. Thanks for the thorough review, Brian!

[@envyaa12]

Ventrac domain baby!

[@arngreencare8955]

I was thinking more Quickcut...

[@oh_look_bananas]

Nice video. I’m wondering how you feel about mowing terrain like this when it’s wet?

[@JWNLawnCare]

Nice video Brian! If you want to get better fuel economy out of big mowers do what Mike from Something2LookAt does with his Cheetah, similar HP engine and he hardly ever runs it at more than 1/2 throttle, maybe going up to 3/4 on overgrown places. You just don't need that much power to do most yards lol.

[@rsn2012]

That's what's great about the hyperdrive. You can run 8mph at 1/2 throttle. You also are a lot quieter from less blade noise.

[@michaelgretchko7051]

Make sure your rollbar pins are fully locked. When you raised up the rollbar in the beginning of the video, it didn’t seem like they locked in place.

[@snowbeach7]

I didn't hear d oh oh lol haha. It's a bit scary tho to watched when ur tilting.

[@dan6831]

Part of my property has 47 degrees slope, the mower handles it well, mowing down hill. Does anyone know where to purchase a service manual for the 972 mower? The owner’s manual is an embarrassment Thanks.

[@Britineeng]

When you mow downhill, does that mower maintain its speed?

[@williamgurtner4759]

It should maintain speed with the drives being hydraulic.

[@piratetaylor29]

Being that this Cubbie is a behemoth, is there a built in level so you'll know when to judge the pucker factor? And that could possibly an improvement request back to the company.

[@Dale.Nienow]

Great video Brian, love the slope mowing footage! My zero turn does pretty well on slopes!

[@crunch_amp9282]

You need to cut as you're gone up and down takes the tall grass out from under the tires so you have less of a chance of slipping

[@StanWilhite]

The "25 degree limit" on slopes may be because the engine won't oil properly at a steeper angle.

[@tbonemc2118]

I was thinking the same. The oil pickup is probably good for the advertised 25 degrees plus a safety margin which makes 40 degree slopes uncharted territory that could get very expensive in a hurry.

[@shawnmontalvo181]

Just wondering if you have ever tried a Ventrac? they are supposed to be the king of slopes.

[@TopNotchLawns]

No I have not.

[@19TL85]

This is literally half the price of a ventrac ..that's what sells me!

[@sunseeker5071]

Brother, great video..... you should have followed you gut and turned up hill. You would not have tipped over and you would have not slide. CUB CADET is here to PLAY. Exmark, Scag, Toro, John Deere, catch up if you can!!!!!!! Again, great video

[@BakersLawnCare]

Like the videos man

[@driverjamescopeland]

🎶At first I was afraid, I was petrified... but but I mowed that steep slope hill, Cub Cadet on it's side... and then I mowed a few more hills and I could not believe my eyes, and I survived! I can hillside! and with my 6ft deck, I'll turn the income tide alive! I've got my trusty Cub Cadet, I've got my steering wheel to grip, I will not slide! I will survive!

[@josephpegram1]

Does way better than my old Bunton.

[@rickcormier9160]

One more question, if you ever roll over or flip backwards are you safe if you stay in the seat protected by the roll bar. I wish I had something solid to hold on to in the event that ever happened.

[@yowmemperor]

impressive. all the way up is 180*, but i think you're right, probably a 40*, our race track was 33*, and looked close to that. You can download a bubble level app for your phone, next time your on that hill measure it, I would be interested in what it is.

[@bernardmccann7676]

Mow the whole lot easy as if you are still using both hands on the wheel still not steep wait till you are hanging in to the side and one hand in wheel that’s when it’s getting steep

[@adamdivine]

Baha the pucker scale!

[@williammartin5715]

Straight up Straight down on slopes

[@TopNotchLawns]

👍

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

Man...… That was a CRAZY a$$ hill!!! Glad it went OK!! Mower is pretty cool in some features.... Dirty Jersey out!!!

[@TopNotchLawns]

Yes man, it was crazy.

[@aminakishk6571]

Men like to bring all groceries from the car no matter how heavy or how much all in one shot...my husband thinks pull carts are for sissies...

[@chrisd8180]

Look at your tires lol thats why its a bumpy ride. More weight with the right tires makes for a soft ride, but then you would have horrible traction. Traction is more important obviously

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

I have an account steeper than this and I use a Husq zero-turn to do it. At some points I go up and down and I have to lean WAY forward or she'll pop a wheelie. At other points I go side to side across some steep angles and I have to really lean into the slope or those wheels will come off the ground. I always slide down the hill if there's any moisture, but that doesn't scare me as much as piss me off. I feel ya, brother. Mowing ain't always a hoot. LOL!

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

Also, on one of my accounts it's very steep and I use a Walker. One way I can sit way up on the edge of the mower leaning into the hill. The other way I can't so I do the return passes backward the entire strip. That's a good time...NOT!

[@robbiesetzer792]

How do you get paid from your customers? Is it all invoices or do you have an app on your phone? Thank you

[@jamesdiehl8690]

If Cub Cadet and other mower companies would build residential mowers like their commercial ones. The residential mowers are too massed produced and don't hold up very good. They keep repair people very busy!

[@franciscorivera5359]

I do slopes that steep with a 72" tt scag with no problems.

[@batterpm11]

So what are these hills normally mowed with?

[@TopNotchLawns]

No, we just found something to mow.

[@truthhunter5195]

You could do a lot better with more practice need to turn with the weight behind the mower in other words keep your real wheels at the bottom and your lighter side at the top when turning your ass should never be pointing Towards the Sky towards the ground is the correct method

[@4sl648]

i would like to see you run a Ventrac in the same situation and compare.

[@TopNotchLawns]

Yeah that would be cool

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

We have an early model Steiner which is from the same maker and it handles these hills pretty good, albeit it also has the steering wheel which can be a pain. These mowers are best for flat terrain. When you're doing steep slopes these steering wheels can suck out loud. You're almost better off to start at the top, do a stripe, then back down into the next strip as opposed to trying to go nose first where you're more inclined to slide. Slow and steady is the key. Been there, done that.

[@suzabakingbaked7975]

Thats pretty damn jmpressive for a yellow dually zero turn with a steering wheel

[@tazmankb26]

how does it compare to Ventrac 4500 in performance and price?

[@richdelgzz]

I wonder if you had turned around with nose facing up the hill would it had made it easier..

[@Ricky1Feather]

yep