Cub Cadet’s new self-leveling seat turns heads at GIE+EXPO

Cub Cadet’s new PRO Z 972 SDL features a self-leveling seat which automatically levels 15 degrees. Those who attended the GIE+EXPO got a chance to try it out for themselves. (Photo: LM Staff)

At the 2019 GIE+EXPO, Cub Cadet unveiled an addition to its PRO Z Series of commercial zero-turn lawn mowers.

The new PRO Z 972 SDL can mow up to a 25-degree hillside, or 46 percent grade, and comes equipped with a self-leveling air-ride seat. The seat, which automatically levels 15 degrees in each direction side to side, offers a full 30 degrees of self-leveling.

The  seat, which allows operators to level side to side, can be either locked for fixed operation or unlocked for full travel and swivel capabilities.

“The PRO Z 972 SDL provides the productivity of the non-self-leveling unit while maintaining all-day comfort on steep slopes,” said Josh Sooy, director of commercial products with Cub Cadet. “Along with the self-leveling seat, the unit includes a fully integrated lighting system to allow for low-light operation and to meet the standards of cities, municipalities, parks and recreation departments and departments of transportation.”

The PRO Z 972 SDL comes with a 35 hp Kawasaki engine and a triple-plated steel cutting deck, dual rear wheels and four-wheel steering system. It will be available for purchase in February 2020.

Aaron Griffith, national sales manager with Cub Cadet shows how easy it is for operators to raise and lower the deck on the Pro X 600 stand-on mower at the GIE+EXPO. (Photo: LM Staff)

New stand on mower

The company also adds to its stand-on mower offerings with the introduction of the PRO X 648, PRO X 654 and PRO X 660 in a 48-inch, 54-inch and 60-inch deck, respectively.

The mowers in the PRO X series come with a 10-gauge deck shell, 7-gauge top and bottom reinforcements and standard 24-inch tires. The mower also comes equipped with Marbain blades that can reach up to 18,500 blade tip speed and have a 1.5-inch blade overlap. Models in the PRO X series feature a Kawasaki engine with up to 25.5 hp.

“We have the first adjustable, on-the-fly suspension system,” said Aaron Griffith, national sales manager with Cub Cadet. “You can change the adjustment with a lever to adjust the suspension on the platform to make you more comfortable.”

The PRO X series also has adjustable hip pads by about 2 inches up and down and an easy-to-adjust deck height.

“This deck weighs 300 pounds,” Griffith said of the PRO X series. “I can raise and lower it with my finger.”

Mowers in this series will be available for purchase in December 2019.

New UTVs for 2020

Cub Cadet also gave its Challenger series of utility vehicles an update with models MX550 and MX750 EPS.

Updates to the series include heavy-duty U-joints, adjustable shocks, LED headlights, 26-inch off-road tires, 1,200-pound towing capacity and vibration-reduction and noise-reduction upgrades.