Quick Navigation:
- Overview
- Riding Comfort
- Engine
- Mower Handling and Performance on Hills/Rough Terrain
- Quality of Cut
- Accessories
- Conclusion
Overview
The Cub Cadet RZT-SX 50 in. zero turn lawn mower with steering wheel control is a great heavy-duty machine for tackling all kinds of yards pretty much across the board. You get a lot of bang for your extra buck with this v-twin dual hydro machine.
I will also speak to just a few minor issues, though this mower has significant “above standard” value, while being budget friendly on the higher end.
Riding Comfort
Many people are big fans of the premium cushioned, high-back driver’s seat with arm rests. It is definitely a good looking seat. Depending on the size or amount of yard you have to mow, now there is no more seated discomfort on hills or in general. The incredible amount of stability from the frame and seat alone make mowing that much more enjoyable.
This mower is seated lower and has a more centered gravity than some consumers are used to. Not an issue, just something to try out and see if you like.
Engine
This Kohler 7000 series rear engine is both professional grade and a smooth operator. You really can’t go wrong with this top tier engine. The 24 HP makes it nice and strong. It also comes equipped with auto-choke and a push button start.
Additionally, the hydrostatic transmission is what helps the mower change speeds more reliably and overall easier, which makes speeding up and slowing down a smooth transition and ride.
For a lawn mower of this size with an ability to cut 2 to 4 acres, I find the gas tank’s capacity of 2.8 gallons to be a little tight. It wouldn’t hurt to hold a full 3 gallons, if not more.
A nice added perk is the hour meter. Similar to an odometer in a vehicle, the hour meter is a great service reminder that tracks the entire run time of your mower’s engine. Side note: for mowers without an hour meter, you can have a digital one installed in most well known lawn mower branded machines.
It has a limited warranty of 3 years and limited lifetime for the deck shell.
Check out this video on how Kohler Engines are made:
Click here to read the full warranty on the Cub Cadet RZT-SX
Service Manual for the Cub Cadet RZT-SX
Mower Handling and Performance – Hills/Rough Terrain
WARNING: You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for mowing hills, usually that means don’t mow a slope over 15 degrees. Try to attack the slope in an up and down manner instead of side to side (if you have to lean halfway off the mower to feel stable you’re probably exceeding recommendations!)
The 50” heavy-duty fabricated deck has the ability to properly mow larger yards and on more hilly terrain in less time. No need to worry when going up and down slopes and slight hills. The large 725 lb machine’s handling is great, which is also thanks to the patented Synchro Steer technology and pneumatic tires. How you work your machine does make a difference on how long it will stay in good shape, so take turns and any slopes easy.
The steering wheel control is meant to further help stabilize the Cub Cadet RZT-SX on hills. Make note, in general, zero turn models with steering wheel control perform differently than zero turn models with a lap bar. The mower sits on 13” front wheels and 18” rear wheels, which are both a little smaller than you’d see in today’s front engine lawn tractor. But it hasn’t seemed to bring up complaints from consumers.
The RZT-SX also goes up to 7mph, which is a great speed. And then it can go up to 4 mph in reverse, which is really rather fast for a mower going in reverse. Be careful when doing so.
Quality of Cut
I have yet to see any worrisome complaints or safety issues at this time. With three blades and zero turn, the RZT-SX appears to give the grass a more professional looking cut and runs like a charm. You are definitely getting the cut that you paid for from this Cub Cadet mower.
The 8 cutting positions are a nice addition to the quality of cut, with a cut width of 50” and a cut height ranging from 1” to 4”.
Accessories
The RZT-SX comes with a Smart Jet deck wash system. This is perfect for cleaning out any grass and debris build up. Regular maintenance like this can easily extend the life and quality of your mower.
Also, this model has the ability to mulch, though the mulching kit is sold separately. Alternatively, it is not recommended to do a lot of heavy towing or hauling with this model Cub Cadet.
This is not an accessory, but there is an exclusive Cub Connect maintenance mobile app. For those interested, you can see how-to guides and videos, replacement part guides, and more through the smartphone application.
The Cub Cadet lawn mower is also very accommodating with its cup holder, charging station, and storage console.
Conclusion
Though the Cub Cadet RZT-SX 50” zero turn mower hits a higher price point, it is comfortable to ride, cuts evenly, and has near commercial performance. If you are not comfortable with lap bar controls but still want the maneuverability of a zero turn mower, then give this mower a look.
Affiliate Disclaimer – if you decide to purchase a mower based on my review, I do get a small piece of the sale. It helps to keep the lights on around here. I am very passionate about lawns and mowers and offer my unbiased review towards everything that goes on this site. I research several pages, specs, videos, forums and other reviews of each mower before I post about it so you don’t have to. If I wouldn’t buy it myself, I wouldn’t recommend it to you either.
– Brandon
