Mower series / Cub Cadet

Cub Cadet PRO Z 900 Series

The Cub Cadet PRO Z 900 Series is a commercial zero-turn: the PRO Z 960L EFI, 960S EFI and 972SD EFI. Each runs a 38.5 hp Kawasaki FX EFI engine and a 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400. Decks are 60 or 72 inches of 7-gauge steel. At J5 Tractors, our Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna stores sell it.

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Cub Cadet PRO Z 900 commercial zero-turn mower with steering wheel and roll bar, three-quarter view on a white background — Photo: Cub Cadet

At a glance

commercial zero-turn · 3 models: PRO Z 960L EFI, PRO Z 960S EFI and PRO Z 972SD EFI

Deck size: 60-72 in
Engine: Kawasaki FX EFI
Engine horsepower: 38.5 hp
Transmission: 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400
Top speed: 12-14 mph
Cutting height: 1-5 in (1/4 in increments)
Fuel capacity: Two 7.45 gal tanks
Drive: Hydrostatic; steering wheel with electronic power steering and foot-pedal control on the S models

Sold at Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna. Best for commercial crews, wide-open ground from several acres on up, a 72-inch deck.

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Every model, side by side

Specification	PRO Z 960L EFI	PRO Z 960S EFI	PRO Z 972SD EFI
Engine
Engine	Kawasaki FX Series EFI (1000V)	Kawasaki FX Series EFI (1000V)	Kawasaki FX Series EFI (1000V)
Engine horsepower	38.5 hp	38.5 hp	38.5 hp
Displacement	999 cc	999 cc	999 cc
Fuel capacity	Dual 7.45 gal	Dual 7.45 gal	Dual 7.45 gal
Deck
Deck size	60 in	60 in	72 in
Deck construction	7ga. top plate 7ga. bottom reinforcement ¼" rolled leading edge; fabricated 7ga. (.187") steel shell	7ga. top plate 7ga. bottom reinforcement ¼" rolled leading edge; fabricated 7ga. (.187") steel shell	7ga. top plate 7ga. bottom reinforcement ¼" rolled leading edge; fabricated 7ga. (.187") steel shell
Cutting height	1-5 in (1/4 in increments)	1-5 in (1/4 in increments)	1-5 in (1/4 in increments)
Blades	Triple-blade / High-lift blade (standard) Marbain Blade	3 high-lift Marbain blades / 18,500 fpm (approx.)	Triple-blade / High-lift blade (standard) Marbain Blade
Drive
Transmission	16cc Hydro-Gear 5400	16cc Hydro-Gear 5400	16cc Hydro-Gear 5400
Top speed (forward)	12 mph	14 mph	12 mph
Top speed (reverse)	6 mph	6 mph	6 mph
Size
Front tires	15"x6"-6"Reliance Carlisle run flat	16"x6.5"-8"Kenda K505	16"x6.5"-8"Kenda K505
Rear tires	26"x12"-12"	26"x12"-12"	25"x9"-12" HD Traction Tread
Current pricing	See PRO Z 960L EFI pricing	See PRO Z 960S EFI pricing	See PRO Z 972SD EFI pricing

All specifications on this page were taken directly from Cub Cadet, the manufacturer. Figures from Cub Cadet PRO Z 900 Series product comparison (specifications) and Cub Cadet series page, checked November 2, 2026: Cub Cadet PRO Z 900 Series product comparison (specifications), Cub Cadet series page.

Same engine, three setups

All three share the engine, a fuel-injected Kawasaki FX 1000V of 999 cc rated at 38.5 hp. They share the 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400, dual 7.45-gallon tanks and 6 mph in reverse. The deck's the same build too: a fabricated 7-gauge shell with a quarter-inch rolled leading edge. It cuts from 1 to 5 inches in quarter-inch steps.

Where they differ is speed, tires and width. The 960S EFI is rated at 14 mph forward. The 960L EFI and 972SD EFI top out at 12. Front tires on the 960L are 15x6-6 Reliance Carlisle run-flats, and the other two run 16x6.5-8 Kenda K505s. The 972SD EFI rides on 25x9-12 HD Traction Tread rears instead of 26x12-12.

When a 72-inch deck makes sense

A 72 cuts six feet per pass. On wide-open ground, that's fewer passes to finish a property. It's also more mower to get through a gate and onto a trailer. Measure both before you choose, and think about the tightest spot on your route.

The S models steer with a wheel, with electronic power steering and foot-pedal control. Zero-turn demand runs highest with us from March through July. If you're outfitting a crew for spring, call the store early. Want a 54-inch option on a smaller frame? Look at the PRO Z 700 Series.

Who's it for? Crews that cut church grounds, cemeteries and subdivision lots, and owners who keep wide-open acreage mowed. The 960S EFI's 14 mph helps on long open runs. The 72 is the one for ground with few trees in the way.

Looking for pricing?

Current pricing is on our live inventory page at j5tractors.com, where our Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna stores list the Cub Cadet mowers they have. Check the PRO Z 960L EFI, PRO Z 960S EFI and PRO Z 972SD EFI there, then call the store to see one.

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Financing

Financing for the Cub Cadet PRO Z 900 Series starts with our easy online credit application. It works for new and pre-owned machines.

Mower Financing

Reach out to our sales team

Gene Crye and Andrew LilleyConroe store(936) 441-8110
Bryan LathamNavasota store(936) 825-8722
Gavin Johnson and Cody JohnsonNormangee store(936) 396-6032
George Holder and Steve JeterBuna store(409) 994-3522

Store pages: Conroe, Navasota, Normangee, Buna

Questions people ask

How fast is Cub Cadet's PRO Z 960S EFI?

It's rated at 14 mph forward and 6 mph in reverse. That's the top speed in the PRO Z 900 Series. The 960L EFI and 972SD EFI reach 12 mph. All three share the same Kawasaki engine and 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400, so you're not giving up power on any of them.

What engine powers Cub Cadet's PRO Z 900 Series?

A Kawasaki FX Series EFI, the 1000V, rated at 38.5 hp from 999 cc. It's the same engine on the 960L EFI, 960S EFI and 972SD EFI. EFI means electronic fuel injection. So there's no carburetor to gum up when your mower sits through the off months.

What tires does the PRO Z 972SD EFI from Cub Cadet use?

Its rear tires are 25x9-12 HD Traction Tread, narrower than the 26x12-12 rears on the 60-inch models. Up front it runs 16x6.5-8 Kenda K505s. It's the one PRO Z 900 with a 72-inch deck, and it tops out at 12 mph. You'll get the same fuel-injected Kawasaki as the 60-inch models.

How much does a Cub Cadet PRO Z 900 Series mower cost?

We keep current pricing on our live inventory page at j5tractors.com, where our Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna stores list the Cub Cadet mowers they have. Pricing depends on the model and how it's equipped, so check the listing for the PRO Z 960L EFI, PRO Z 960S EFI and PRO Z 972SD EFI. If the one you want isn't listed, call the store.

Visit our live inventory page for current pricing