Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 60 24 HP 60-Inch Zero-Turn Mower with Kohler 7000 V-Twin and AeroForce Fabricated Deck

The Ultima ZT1 60 is the wide-deck centerpiece of Cub Cadet’s residential zero-turn lineup — a 60-inch lap-bar zero-turn paired with a 26-horsepower Kohler 7000 V-twin, twin Hydro-Gear EZT transaxles, and an AeroForce fabricated steel deck engineered for serious cut quality on three- to five-acre properties. Where the smaller ZT1 42 and ZT1 50 models cover suburban lawns, the ZT1 60 is for the homeowner with real acreage who has been spending most of Saturday mowing.

Power comes from a 26-horsepower Kohler 7000 Series V-twin OHV engine displacing 747cc — the largest engine in Kohler’s 7000 platform. Full pressure lubrication, automotive-style spin-on oil filter, and a paper-element air cleaner round out a long-life engine package built for residential service intervals — oil and filter changes once a season is essentially the entire maintenance routine. Electric key start, automatic choke, and a regulated charging system handle cold mornings without operator intervention.

Twin Hydro-Gear EZT transaxles power the rear wheels independently, allowing true zero-radius pivoting controlled through a pair of lap bars. Top forward speed is 7.5 mph, calibrated for the three- to five-acre properties this mower targets. The Hydro-Gear EZT is the most widely-deployed residential zero-turn transmission in North America — well-supported, well-understood, and serviceable at most independent mower shops.

The 60-inch fabricated AeroForce deck is welded from 11-gauge plate, significantly heavier than the stamped steel decks common to residential 60-inch zero-turns. Three cutting blades work in side-discharge configuration; cutting heights adjust across 12 positions between 1 and 4.5 inches via a foot-lift pedal and pin-locked indicator — finer height adjustment than most competitors at this size. The AeroForce deck shell is engineered to maximize air flow, lifting grass blades for a clean cut and powerful side discharge.

Operator comfort centers on an 18-inch high-back seat with armrests, soft-grip lap bars, an open-frame design with a hinged floor pan for easy engine and deck access, and an integrated cup holder. The dashboard layout is honest and minimal: ignition, throttle, choke, PTO knob, hour meter. The chassis is heavy-gauge welded tubular steel with a corrosion-resistant powder-coat finish.

The standard rear hitch accepts most popular tow-behind attachments — dump carts, broadcast spreaders, plug aerators, dethatchers, and lawn rollers all mount without modification. Lifetime frame warranty is included.

For three- to five-acre properties where mowing time matters and a fabricated deck pays for itself in years of reliable service, the Ultima ZT1 60 is the most pragmatic wide-deck residential zero-turn in Cub Cadet’s catalog. The Kohler 26 HP V-twin and AeroForce deck combination is the value story.