Cub Cadet’s residential mowers may get the most attention thanks to innovative features that make them easy to use, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out if you need something for commercial duty. The Pro Z 100 Series of mid-deck ZTR mowers are built for the needs of commercial and high demand residential buyers, combining features like the SmartJet deck washing system and Cub Cadet’s Signature Cut with a platform built with top quality components.
Engines
These mowers are available with a 23.5 hp Kawasaki FX Series engine or a Kohler Confidant engine rated at either 25 or 27 HP. The Confidant is equipped with electronic fuel injection, making them easy to start on cold mornings while reducing maintenance and increasing engine life through precise fuel control. A full pressure oil system with an automotive-style oil filter and a heavy duty air filtration system further improves engine life. The Kawasaki engine uses a carburetor, but features like a giant canister-style air filter, full pressure lubrication system and an integrated oil cooler give it the durability to make it a great choice for commercial use.
Fuel is provided by a pair of four-gallon gas tanks at the sides of the motor, proving plenty of running time between fill-ups while keeping the center of gravity low for stability.
Drivetrain
Motivation is provided by a HydroGear ZT3400 hydraulic transmission. Top speed is 9.5 mph.
Deck
The 100 Z uses a fabricated deck made from 10 gauge steel paired with a 7 gauge reinforcement plate. It houses three blades and is available with a cutting width of 48, 54 or 60 inches when paired with a Kohler motor or 60 inches when equipped with the Kawasaki motor. A sloped front, a set of anti-scalp rollers and a consistent blade speed ensure the finish quality you expect from a Cub Cadet. This deck is designed for side discharge, but a mulching kit is available, as is a striping kit for that perfect ballpark finish. Need to collect clippings? Cub Cadet offers a bagging system with a PTO impeller to keep grass moving through the system without bogging down the deck. It can store up to 9 cubic feet of debris before being unloaded.
Cutting height can be adjusted to 15 settings between 1-5 inches. The inside of the deck can be cleaned using Cub Cadet’s SmartJet high-pressure deck washing system: just hook up a hose, and the channels inside direct the water to wash out clumped grass and debris. A power deck lift kit can be added for easier maintenance. This mower can even be used to clear snow with a wheel weight kit and a 58-inch snow blade.
100 S: More than Just a Steering Wheel
In the past, translating a ZTR’s movement to a steering wheel has been a little awkward, limiting their use to residential models aimed at buyers who won’t be putting in the hours to get comfortable with lap bar controls. That all changes with Cub Cadet’s Synchro-Steer system.
What sets this mower apart is its use of four wheel steering. On the 100 Series S, those front wheels aren’t just casters: their angle is controlled by the steering system while the speed of the two rear drive wheels adjusts to make turns. This makes steering as controllable as a lap bar mower while reducing scrubbing to the point that it’s almost nonexistent. Even if your crew is proficient with lap bar controls, a Synchro-Steer model is still worth a look.
100 L: A Better Lap Bar
The 100 L doesn’t have the Synchro-Steer system, but that doesn’t mean the lap bar system was ignored. It’s fully adjustable using a set of large, easy to reach knobs for quick adjustments, and the parking brake system is integrated into the controls: open up the bars, and the brake locks automatically.
Warranty
Cub Cadet backs these mowers with a two-year/unlimited operation hour warranty for commercial owners and a four year/500 hour warranty for residential owners. Kawasaki guarantees their engines for three years of commercial use, while Kohler guarantees their engines for two years of commercial use or three years of residential use.
Getting Parts for Cub Cadet Professional Mowers
www.cubparts.com is a certified dealer for Cub Cadet, Kawasaki, and Kohler, letting us provide you with OEM parts for anything on your Pro Z 100 Series. When you search for parts, you’ll see factory diagrams alongside part descriptions, making it easy to find what you need. We ship orders across the U.S. and Canada.