Choosing the Right Commercial Lawn Mower for the Job
If you’re managing large lawns, parks, or facilities, your equipment matters. The right commercial lawn mower can save hours, reduce costs, and deliver a flawless finish every time. When searching for ride on mowers, Cub Cadet offers a trusted range of zero-turn and commercial ride-on mowers designed specifically for commercial use—but which is the better fit for your business? For those looking for ride on lawn mowers for sale NZ, understanding these differences is key.
Let’s break it down.
Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Mowers: Ultima Range
Engineered for speed and manoeuvrability, Cub Cadet’s Ultima ZT range is purpose-built for efficiency. With a zero-degree turning radius and powerful dual hydrostatic transmissions, these mowers can pivot effortlessly around trees, garden beds, and other landscaping features. Many businesses in New Zealand find these zero turn mowers ideal for their specific needs.
Specifically, the Ultima Series steering wheel (ZTS) options provide Synchro-Steer™ technology, allowing you to control all four wheels using the intuitive steering wheel and conquer hills up to 20 degrees. These models offer enhanced stability on slopes compared to traditional lap bar zero-turns.
Best For:
Flat, open areas with lots of obstacles or tight spaces.
Key Advantages:
- Unmatched manoeuvrability – Ideal for high-detail mowing
- Professional cut quality – Minimal trimming required
- Commercial-grade durability – Welded steel decks and powerful engines
- Customisable – Add mulch kits, striping kits, and more
- Steering wheel option – provide notable control and safety benefits, especially on steep terrain up to 20°, in comparison to lap bar controlled zero turn mowers.
Considerations:
- For Ultima Series lap bar (ZT) models, consider that they are not ideal for steep slopes (10°+ incline). Uneven terrain, wet, or soft ground can also pose a risk of losing traction due to differential rear-wheel steering.
- Lap bars require a bit more skill to operate confidently
- Slower mowing speeds than commercial ProZ range
Cub Cadet Ride-On Mowers: Pro Z Range
Cub Cadet ride-on mowers combine comfort with stability, especially on hilly or uneven terrain. Designed with a low centre of gravity and offer remarkable traction and stability. This guarantees that you and your team can confidently and safely mow throughout the year while enjoying optimal comfort. If you’re looking for the best ride on mowers for challenging landscapes, the Pro Z range is a strong contender.
Best For:
Sloped or rough ground, large spaces, and operators who prefer traditional steering and comfort.
Key Advantages:
- Greater stability – Engineered to provide seamless manoeuvrability even on steep, wet, or uneven surfaces
- Faster mowing – Cover up to 40% more ground per hour
- Larger fuel tanks – Fewer stops, longer run time
- High-powered V-Twin engines – our zero turn commercial rider mowers can tackle the most significant, most challenging, and most rugged mowing tasks with ease.
- All-day comfort – Suspension seating, intuitive design
- Heavy-duty performance – Robust design can handle heavier workloads
Considerations:
- Larger turning radius than smaller zero-turn models
- May need extra trimming around tight obstacles
Quick Comparison Table
Which One’s Right for You?
For Landscapers & Contractors:
If you’re mowing detailed lawns daily, navigating around lots of edges and obstacles, a Cub Cadet Ultima zero-turn will help you finish fast with a pro-level cut. For properties with significant hills, the Ultima Series steering wheel (ZTS) models are recommended for their superior slope handling.
For Facility & Grounds Managers:
Dealing with large sports fields, parks, vineyards, or uneven outdoor spaces? A Commercial ProZ Cub Cadet ride-on provides the stability and ease needed for safe, consistent mowing over varied terrain. These ride on mowers are built for robust performance.
Choose Ultima Lap bar Zero-Turn if you:
• Maintain obstacle-rich flat areas
• Need speed with precision, and efficiency
• Staff is experienced in differential steering
Choose Ultima Steering wheel Zero-Turn if you:
• Maintain obstacle-rich areas with hills or slopes
• Need speed with precision, and efficiency
• Operators prefer steering wheel
Choose Commercial Proz Ride-On if you:
• Work on uneven, hilly, or soft terrain
• Maintain large sections or areas
• Prefer stable, wheel-based steering
• Have operators of varied skill levels
• Prioritize operator comfort and ease
Still Deciding?
Explore the full Cub Cadet Ultima and commercial range in our catalogue or talk to a local dealer. We’ll help you find the right ride on mower to match your workload, terrain, and operator skill. Whether it’s a new Cub Cadet ride on mower or one of our powerful zero turn mowers, we’ve got you covered.
Need Finance?
We offer flexible finance options across the full Cub Cadet mower range. Talk to your dealer today to learn more about financing you next ride on mower.