Only Cub Cadets

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR SPONSORS!

CC Speciaalties R. F. Houtz and Sons

Patton Acres IH Cub Cadet Parts

Cub Cadet Parts & Service


If you would like to help maintain this site & enhance it, feel free to donate whatever amount you would like to!




Attention Folks we have a new owner!
Greg Rozar AKA- CubDieselFan


Go Back   Only Cub Cadets > Cub Cadets > Cub Cadet Rear Engine Rider & ZTR (RER)

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-30-2018, 09:30 PM
therock therock is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: GA
Posts: 16
Default A 2003 Z-Force 44 15 Years Later

Hi Folks just the story behind one mans ZTR.







I have 3/4 acre at the time loaded with trees and the wife summed it up correctly, "Every time you mow you get mad, please get a mower you like". I tried a Snapper single blade rider, and a John Deer Hydro-Static lawn tractor and loathed them both.

Cub Cadet ran a promo on these in 2003 for $2599.00 and could be had with an 18HP Intek or the 15HP Kawasaki. We couldn't locate a Kaw powered unit (believe me we searched including calling Cub Cadet) and the promo was going to expire so I went Intek. It took 6-years for the Intek to fail from the now known air box sealing problem.

Anyways before this the first thing I did besides try to destroy it (I never operated a ZTR before) was trade the useless cup holder and storage tray for another fuel tank. I guess that added weight but also balanced things?

My yard was not a better homes and garden example and besides a newbee operator it was kind of rough so the first thing I did was find out how easy it was to bend the deck caster brackets. The second was how to make bare spots in the lawn. Other than that I had fun instead of getting mad I finished in 1/2 the time and learned fast how to keep the casters on the deck and avoid making bare spots.

Then the engine smoked at startup pretty bad but I couldn't see it while mowing and it used 1/2-cup per 2 or 3 hours. The plugs looked like they were dipped in oil. I put up with it for a few more years before swapping it out.



I called Small Engine Warehouse asking for the most engine I could install and keep my muffler, bolt patterns, and pulley, and stay in alignment.
They set me up with this 23HP Briggs, an over production run unit for Husqvarna and the date code was very recent to the time.
All I can say is WoW! I can skip a mow or two more if I have too and take on the drain field growth without much protest from her.



An industrial maintenance tech I had to leave my mark on her so I found a larger capacity Mobil1 oil filter and plumbed in an oil pressure gauge. She runs 40psi cold and a tad less hot. I change the oil at the preferred frequencies but it is always new or fresh looking.





Also, I kept tossing belts because of things getting packed into covers over the outside blade spindle pulley covers. Sweet Gum balls really caused issues in there. So I raised them and no more accumulation.





OK, almost finished. You may have noticed the nice new looking deck. Its brand new and a little story goes with it too.
My learning curve and less than perfect lawn took their toll on the deck. I have hit some stobbs stopping me dead still from half speed and they bent the rear hangars back cracking the deck. I only found them after seeing a poor cut because my deck was not leveled.
A new deck from CC is over $1k !!!! I welded on her a few times but once you start this..........

I managed to keep tweaking on her but the baffles recently separated from the deck and you can imaging the noise I'm sure.



So compared to other larger decks the price is ridiculous and I called the company now being MTD, since its an original CC part they forwarded me to that side of the house.
In speaking with the rep and letting him know I was in total disbelief over the cost pointing out that the parts drawing describes it as an "Assembly" not a shell he put me on hold and came back agreeing telling me its a full assembly, spindles, pulleys, tensioners, but no belts. Being I have done public service I got a little discount and ordered.

What I got in the box was a bare shell. I called and worked my way up the ladder getting a call back. Long story short all my conversations were recorded and this rep letting me know deck assemblies are very rare and the cost for the deck was accurate but they felt I was inadvertently misled and gave me yet another larger discount, or I could return it. WoW.

So I am not unhappy. Heck even @1k its still cheaper than a new mower. And note--- there are only two more in existence and no other CC deck will swap in.
And with a good aligned set of blades and deck my lawn cut looks MUCH better.
__________________
2003 ZForce 44" 23HP B&S
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-01-2018, 10:23 AM
Terry C's Avatar
Terry C Terry C is offline
Grand Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,488
Default

Glad things turned out to your liking. Looks like you take care of your equipment. Thanks for sharing your story.
__________________
Terry

O,100,72,102,123,104,124,105
125,129,149,1200,982
(2)2182s w/60in Habans
3225
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-01-2018, 01:18 PM
therock therock is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: GA
Posts: 16
Default

Thanks,
She is garage kept.
__________________
2003 ZForce 44" 23HP B&S
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-20-2019, 05:22 PM
1962300's Avatar
1962300 1962300 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: IA
Posts: 1
Default

I have the same mower. I also added the second gas tank. The kawasaki engine just gave up. Got a low hr 23 hp Briggs from a Husqvarna put in it. Purchased the mower at an auction in 2006. I have mowed 3.5 unforgiving acres with it every season with it. It does not look as good as yours anymore. My 3 girls an I have all had turns at breaking it. Great mower. Hope it lasts another 10 years.
__________________
1872. 60" haban. 3 point. Rear pto.
Zforce 44.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-27-2019, 08:32 PM
Cub Cadet 123's Avatar
Cub Cadet 123 Cub Cadet 123 is offline
Grand Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 4,469
Default

Looks like it is in great shape and after looking at the price of new ones, you are wise to fix up what you have. I got mine in '08 and so far haven't had any major issues, other than the pto and pto switch. Surprised that you did not get a fabricated deck on it (unless, maybe that is not an available option). The Salesman stated that mine should be good for 15 years and I said, heck no....I'm going to get 20-25 years out of it. Right now, I'm slightly over 200 hours on my meter, so I hope we are both looking at many more years for our Z's!!!!

BTW: I like your idea of elevating the pulley guards!!! Think I may give that a run on mine. Thanks for sharing!

Cub Cadet 123
__________________
Still don't know what I'm doing in OHIO?.....If you find me, then please point me back toward INDIANA.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-03-2020, 03:29 PM
spndncash spndncash is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Medina Ohio
Posts: 171
Default hours?

I know this is an old post but since it is getting attention again...
First off your ZTR is beautiful! I have a similar vintage RZT23/50
I am curious what your hours were when you gave up on the engine., he 23/50 is over 1400 hours now but just keeps going. Mine is much more heavily warn than yours but the price was right - free. I am also curious what your service schedule on the hydro's is. My manual only states change the oil every 200 hours. Oil change on the hydros requires removing the hydros. Since my mother was the original owner of the 23/50 I know it did not have the hydro oil changed until 1200 hours. I replaced the center section on one hydro and the swash plate bearings (one had broken and no they are not really replaceable) on the other. so far they are holding up. the motor smokes occasionally on start up but I am never low on oil. engine oil changes are twice a season and were once a season for 1200 hours

I have other ZTR's for backup but I am excited every time the 23/50 makes it through another mowing!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:57 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

Cub Cadet is a premium line of outdoor power equipment, established in 1961 as part of International Harvester. During the 1960s, IH initiated an entirely new line of lawn and garden equipment aimed at the owners rural homes with large yards and private gardens. There were a wide variety of Cub Cadet branded and after-market attachments available; including mowers, blades, snow blowers, front loaders, plows, carts, etc. Cub Cadet advertising at that time harped on their thorough testing by "boys - acknowledged by many as the world's worst destructive force!". Cub Cadets became known for their dependability and rugged construction.

MTD Products, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio purchased the Cub Cadet brand from International Harvester in 1981. Cub Cadet was held as a wholly owned subsidiary for many years following this acquisition, which allowed them to operate independently. Recently, MTD has taken a more aggressive role and integrated Cub Cadet into its other lines of power equipment.

This website and forum are not affiliated with or sponsored by MTD Products Inc, which owns the CUB CADET trademarks. It is not an official MTD Products Inc, website, and MTD Products Inc, is not responsible for any of its content. The official MTD Products Inc, website can be found at: http://www.mtdproducts.com. The information and opinions expressed on this website are the responsibility of the website's owner and/or it's members, and do not represent the opinions of MTD Products Inc. IH, INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER are registered trademark of CNH America LLC

All material, images, and graphics from this site are the property of www.onlycubcadets.net. Any unauthorized use, reproductions, or duplications are prohibited unless solely expressed in writing.

Cub Cadet, Cub, Cadet, IH, MTD, Parts, Tractors, Tractor, International Harvester, Lawn, Garden, Lawn Mower, Kohler, garden tractor equipment, lawn garden tractors, antique garden tractors, garden tractor, PTO, parts, online, Original, 70, 71, 72, 73, 76, SO76, 80, 81, 86, 100, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,109, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 147, 149, 169, 182, 282, 382, 482, 580, 582, 582 Special, 680, 682, 782, 782D, 784, 800, 805, 882, 982, 984, 986, 1000, 1015, 1100, 1105, 1110, 1200, 1250, 1282, 1450, 1512, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1610, 1615, 1620, 1650, 1710, 1711, 1712, 1806, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1912, 1914.