Mower series / Cub Cadet
Cub Cadet Ultima Series Z
The Cub Cadet Ultima Series Z is a residential zero-turn you steer with lap bars. Decks come in 42, 46, 50 and 54 inches. Kawasaki FR engines run from 21.5 to 24 hp, and the Z1 42 uses a Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER engine. At J5 Tractors, our Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna stores sell it.
At a glance
residential zero-turn · 4 models: 42", 46", 50" and 54"
- Deck size
- 42-54 in
- Engine
- Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER or Kawasaki FR
- Engine horsepower
- 21.5-24 hp
- Transmission
- Hydro-Gear EZT 2200; Tuff Torq TZ 350
- Top speed
- 7-7.5 mph
- Cutting height
- 1-4.5 in
- Fuel capacity
- 3.5 gal
- Drive
- Hydrostatic; lap bars
Sold at Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna. Best for big yards and open lawns, mowing around trees and beds, a first zero-turn.
Every model, side by side
| Specification | 42" | 46" | 50" | 54" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||||
| Engine | Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER (AX90Z0) (Z1 42) / Kawasaki FR Series (651V) (Z2 42) | Kawasaki FR Series (651V) | Kawasaki FR Series (691V) (Z2 50) / Kawasaki FR Series (730V) (Z3 50) | Kawasaki FR Series (691V) |
| Engine horsepower | Not stated by Cub Cadet (Z1 42) / 21.5 hp (Z2 42) | 21.5 hp | 23 hp (Z2 50) / 24 hp (Z3 50) | 23 hp |
| Displacement | 547 cc (Z1 42) / 726 cc (Z2 42) | 726 cc | 726 cc | 726 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 gal | 3.5 gal | 3.5 gal | 3.5 gal |
| Deck | ||||
| Deck size | 42 in | 46 in | 50 in | 54 in |
| Deck construction | Stamped; 13-gauge steel (Z1 42) / Fabricated; 11-gauge steel (Z2 42) | Fabricated; 11-gauge steel | Fabricated; 11-gauge steel (Z2 50) / Reinforced Fabricated; 11-gauge steel (Z3 50) | Fabricated; 11-gauge steel |
| Cutting height | 1-4.5 in | 1-4.5 in | 1-4.5 in | 1-4.5 in |
| Blades | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Drive | ||||
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear EZT 2200 | Hydro-Gear EZT 2200 | Hydro-Gear EZT 2200 (Z2 50) / Tuff Torq TZ 350 (Z3 50) | Hydro-Gear EZT 2200 |
| Top speed (forward) | 7 mph | 7 mph | 7 mph (Z2 50) / 7.5 mph (Z3 50) | 7 mph |
| Top speed (reverse) | 3.5 mph | 3.5 mph | 3.5 mph | 3.5 mph |
| Size | ||||
| Front tires | 11"x6.0"-5" | 11"x6.0"-5" | 11"x6.0"-5" | 11"x6.0"-5" |
| Rear tires | 20"x8"-8" | 20"x8"-8" | 20"x10"-8" (Z2 50) / 20"x12"-8" (Z3 50) | 20"x10"-8" |
| Comfort | ||||
| Seat | 18" high back (Z1 42) / 20" Cut-and-Sew with Head Bolster (Z2 42) | 20" Cut-and-Sew with Head Bolster | 20" Cut-and-Sew with Head Bolster | 20" Cut-and-Sew with Head Bolster |
| Suspension | None | None | None (Z2 50) / Front caster suspension (Z3 50) | None (Z2 54) / Front caster suspension (Z2 54P) |
| Current pricing | See Ultima Series Z 42" pricing | See Ultima Series Z 46" pricing | See Ultima Series Z 50" pricing | See Ultima Series Z 54" pricing |
All specifications on this page were taken directly from Cub Cadet, the manufacturer. Figures from Cub Cadet Ultima Series Z product comparison (specifications) and Cub Cadet series page, checked November 2, 2026: Cub Cadet Ultima Series Z product comparison (specifications), Cub Cadet series page. Columns are deck sizes. Where a deck size comes in more than one Ultima Z model, the model name is in parentheses after the value.
Z1, Z2 or Z3: what changes
The number after the Z tells you most of it. The Z1 42 is the starter model. It's got a 547 cc Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER engine, and Cub Cadet doesn't publish its horsepower. Its deck is stamped from 13-gauge steel, and you sit on an 18-inch high-back seat.
Step up to a Z2 and you get a 726 cc Kawasaki FR engine. That's 21.5 hp on the 42 and 46, and 23 hp on the 50 and 54. The deck is fabricated, welded up from 11-gauge steel rather than pressed from one sheet. The seat's a 20-inch cut-and-sew with a head bolster.
The Z3 50 tops the series at 24 hp. A reinforced deck, a Tuff Torq TZ 350 transmission and a 7.5 mph top speed set it apart. It also rides on 20x12 rear tires with front caster suspension. You can get that suspension on a 54 too, as the Z2 54P.
Picking a deck for your place
Each Ultima Z carries 3.5 gallons of fuel and cuts from 1 to 4.5 inches. The 42 and 46 spin two blades, and the 50 and 54 spin three. Forward speed is 7 mph on all but the Z3, and reverse is 3.5 mph.
So which width? A 42 or 46 slips through a narrow gate and around flower beds. A 50 or 54 covers open lawn in fewer passes, from a big yard on up to a few acres or more. Measure your gate and your shed door before you choose. Want a steering wheel instead of lap bars? Look at the Ultima ZS.
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 42", 46", 50" and 54" there, then call the store to see one.
Financing
Financing for the Cub Cadet Ultima Series Z starts with our easy online credit application. It works for new and pre-owned machines.
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
Questions people ask
Does the Cub Cadet Ultima Z1 42 have a Kawasaki engine?
No. The Z1 42 runs a 547 cc Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER engine, and Cub Cadet doesn't state its horsepower. If you want a Kawasaki on a 42-inch deck, that's the Z2 42. It's got a 726 cc Kawasaki FR rated at 21.5 hp and a fabricated 11-gauge deck.
What does the Cub Cadet Ultima Z3 50 add over the Z2 50?
A bit more of nearly everything. The Z3 50 runs a 24 hp Kawasaki FR to the Z2's 23 hp. It has a reinforced fabricated deck, a Tuff Torq TZ 350 transmission and front caster suspension. Top speed's 7.5 mph against 7, and the rear tires are 20x12 instead of 20x10.
How many blades does a Cub Cadet Ultima Z deck use?
It depends on the width. The 42- and 46-inch decks use two blades, and the 50- and 54-inch decks use three. All four widths cut from 1 to 4.5 inches. The deck's fabricated 11-gauge steel on every size except the Z1 42, which you'll find stamped from 13-gauge.
How much does a Cub Cadet Ultima Series Z 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 42", 46", 50" and 54". If the one you want isn't listed, call the store.
More Cub Cadet series
- Ultima Series Z42-54 in
- Ultima Series ZS42-60 in
- Ultima Series ZT42-60 in
- Ultima Series ZTX48-60 in
- Ultima Series ZTXS48-60 in
- PRO Z 700 Series54-60 in
- PRO Z 900 Series60-72 in
- PRO X 400 Series34-48 in
- PRO X 600 Series36-60 in
Cub Cadet pricing and inventory · Zero-Turn Mower Dealer · Mower Financing · Every series
