Mower series / Cub Cadet
Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZS
The Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZS is a residential zero-turn with a steering wheel, which Cub Cadet calls Synchro-Steer. It comes with 42-, 46-, 50-, 54- and 60-inch decks. The 42 runs a Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER engine, and the rest run Kawasaki FR engines from 21.5 to 24 hp. Our Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna stores sell it.
At a glance
residential zero-turn · 5 models: 42", 46", 50", 54" and 60"
- Deck size
- 42-60 in
- Engine
- Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER or Kawasaki FR
- Engine horsepower
- 21.5-24 hp
- Transmission
- Hydro-Gear EZT 2200; Hydro-Gear ZT 2800
- Top speed
- 7 mph
- Cutting height
- 1-4.5 in
- Fuel capacity
- 3.5 gal
- Drive
- Hydrostatic; steering wheel
Sold at Conroe, Navasota, Normangee and Buna. Best for mowers who want a steering wheel, open lawns and big yards, moving up from a lawn tractor.
Every model, side by side
| Specification | 42" | 46" | 50" | 54" | 60" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | |||||
| Engine | Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER (AX90Z0) | Kawasaki FR Series (651V) | Kawasaki FR Series (691V) | Kawasaki FR Series (691V) | Kawasaki FR Series (730V) |
| Engine horsepower | Not stated by Cub Cadet | 21.5 hp | 23 hp | 23 hp | 24 hp |
| Displacement | 547 cc | 726 cc | 726 cc | 726 cc | 726 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 gal | 3.5 gal | 3.5 gal | 3.5 gal | 3.5 gal |
| Deck | |||||
| Deck size | 42 in | 46 in | 50 in | 54 in | 60 in |
| Deck construction | Stamped; 13-gauge steel | Fabricated; 11-gauge steel | Fabricated; 11-gauge steel (Z2 50S) / Reinforced Fabricated; 11-gauge steel (Z3 50S) | Reinforced Fabricated; 11-gauge steel | Reinforced Fabricated; 11-gauge steel |
| Cutting height | 1-4.5 in | 1-4.5 in | 1-4.5 in | 1-4.5 in | 1-4.5 in |
| Blades | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Drive | |||||
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear EZT 2200 | Hydro-Gear EZT 2200 | Hydro-Gear EZT 2200 (Z2 50S) / Hydro-Gear ZT 2800 (Z3 50S) | Hydro-Gear ZT 2800 | Hydro-Gear ZT 2800 |
| Top speed (forward) | 7 mph | 7 mph | 7 mph | 7 mph | 7 mph |
| Top speed (reverse) | 3.5 mph | 3.5 mph | 3.5 mph | 3.5 mph | 3.5 mph |
| Size | |||||
| Front tires | 13"x6.5"-6" | 13"x6.5"-6" | 13"x6.5"-6" | 13"x6.5"-6" | 13"x6.5"-6" |
| Rear tires | 20"x8"-8" | 20"x8"-8" | 20"x10"-8" (Z2 50S) / 20"x12"-8" (Z3 50S) | 20"x12"-8" | 20"x12"-8" |
| Comfort | |||||
| Seat | 18" high back | 20" Cut-and-Sew with Head Bolster | 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 | None | None |
| Current pricing | See Ultima Series ZS 42" pricing | See Ultima Series ZS 46" pricing | See Ultima Series ZS 50" pricing | See Ultima Series ZS 54" pricing | See Ultima Series ZS 60" pricing |
All specifications on this page were taken directly from Cub Cadet, the manufacturer. Figures from Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZS product comparison (specifications) and Cub Cadet series page, checked November 2, 2026: Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZS product comparison (specifications), Cub Cadet series page. ZS models steer with a steering wheel (Synchro-Steer). Columns are deck sizes; the model name is in parentheses where a deck size has two models.
A wheel instead of lap bars
Lap bars take some getting used to. You push and pull one bar for each drive wheel. The ZS puts a steering wheel in front of you instead, so it drives more like a lawn tractor. You still get the tight turns of a zero-turn.
Front tires are 13x6.5-6 on each ZS. Rear tires run from 20x8-8 on the 42 and 46 up to 20x12-8 on the 54 and 60. Top speed's 7 mph forward and 3.5 mph in reverse across the series. The tank holds 3.5 gallons, and each deck cuts from 1 to 4.5 inches.
Where the sizes split
The 42 is the entry point. It's got a 547 cc IntelliPOWER engine with no published horsepower, a stamped 13-gauge deck and an 18-inch high-back seat. The 46 moves to a 21.5 hp Kawasaki FR, a fabricated 11-gauge deck and a 20-inch seat with a head bolster. Both spin two blades.
At 50 inches you choose between two. The Z2 50S keeps the fabricated deck and runs a Hydro-Gear EZT 2200. The Z3 50S gets a reinforced deck and a Hydro-Gear ZT 2800 instead. The 54 and 60 are built the Z3 way, with both. From 50 inches up there are three blades, and the 60 runs a 24 hp Kawasaki FR 730V.
A 60-inch deck covers a lot of open ground, from a couple of acres on up. Just check that it'll fit your gate and your shed first. Happy on lap bars? The Ultima Z covers 42 to 54 inches, and the ZT goes to 60.
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", 54" and 60" there, then call the store to see one.
Financing
Financing for the Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZS 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 ZS steer with a wheel or lap bars?
A steering wheel. Cub Cadet calls the system Synchro-Steer, and it's on each ZS from the 42 to the 60. If you'd rather run lap bars, look at the Ultima Z, ZT or ZTX. Either way you're on a zero-turn, so you keep the tight turns around trees and beds.
What engine is on the Cub Cadet Ultima ZS 60?
A Kawasaki FR Series 730V of 726 cc, rated at 24 hp. It drives through a Hydro-Gear ZT 2800 and spins three blades under a reinforced fabricated 11-gauge deck. Rear tires are 20x12-8, and you've got the same 3.5-gallon tank as the rest of the ZS.
What's the difference between the Cub Cadet Ultima Z2 50S and Z3 50S?
The deck and the transmission. The Z2 50S has a fabricated 11-gauge deck and a Hydro-Gear EZT 2200. The Z3 50S has a reinforced fabricated deck and a Hydro-Gear ZT 2800. It rides on 20x12 rear tires, where the Z2 50S runs 20x10. Both share a 23 hp Kawasaki FR, so you won't feel a power difference.
How much does a Cub Cadet Ultima Series ZS 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", 54" and 60". 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
