Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI
Commercial mower · Model 53FLHUUYA50 · Commercial-duty · Gas
$18,199 Cub Cadet list price
Manufacturer list price only — it excludes tax, freight, dealer setup and any local discount, and dealers set the final price.
- Weighs 1,631 lb
- On a 6×12 trailer 2,531 lb towed, single-axle 3,500 lb
- Mows an acre in 11 min (7 at top speed) How long for your yard? ›
- How these are worked out ›
The Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI is a commercial-grade gas commercial mower, built for daily commercial mowing, with a 72-inch deck and a 999cc engine making 38.5 hp. It weighs 1631 lb (739.8 kg).
At a glance
Compare similar mowers See how this mower compares with machines of a similar size and purpose.
Chosen by stated rules, not opinion: same class, a deck within 8 in of this one, the same kind of power and a compatible duty class, then the closest power, weight and price, with other makers preferred. Figures are the manufacturers’ published ones; nothing is estimated.
Engine
| Power Source | gas |
|---|---|
| Engine Make | Kawasaki® |
| Displacement | 61 ci (999 cc) |
| Engine Power | 38.5 hp |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Engine Model | FX Series EFI |
| Start Type | Ignition Key |
Deck
| Cutting Width | 72 in (1829 mm) |
|---|---|
| Deck Material | fabricated 7ga. (.187”) steel shell |
| Deck Construction | 7ga. top plate 7ga. bottom reinforcement ¼” rolled leading edge |
| Deck Gauge | 7 |
| Cut Positions | 16 |
| Discharge | High-density, impact-resistant rubber |
| Max Cut Height | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | 1 in (25 mm) |
Drive
| Transmission | 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400 |
|---|---|
| Ground Speed | 14 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 26"x12"-12" |
| Reverse Speed | 6 mph |
Dimensions
| Weight | 1631 lbs (739.8 kg) |
|---|---|
| Fuel Capacity | 14.9 gal (56.4 L) |
Commercial / Pro
| Frame Construction | Fully welded, full-length 3/8 x 5" laser cut steel / integrated tie-down slots |
|---|---|
| Seat Type | High-back Air-Ride suspension with EVC cushion, seat belt |
| Commercial Warranty | 3-Year / No Hour Limit Warranty and/or 5-Year 1,200 Hour |
Professional use
How the PRO Z 972S EFI fits commercial and high-acreage work, from the specs we have. Duty class: Commercial.
Productivity computed from deck width and ground speed. Compare on the calculator ›
| Deck width | 72 in |
|---|---|
| Engine make | Kawasaki® |
| Engine displacement | 999 cc |
| Engine power | 38.5 hp |
| Transmission | 16cc Hydro-Gear 5400 |
| Ground speed | 14 mph |
| Cut-height range | 25 mm – 127 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 56.4 L |
| Weight | 739.8 kg |
| Commercial warranty | 3-Year / No Hour Limit Warranty and/or 5-Year 1,200 Hour |
| Deck construction | 7ga. top plate 7ga. bottom reinforcement ¼” rolled leading edge |
| Deck gauge | 7 ga |
| Frame construction | Fully welded, full-length 3/8 x 5" laser cut steel / integrated tie-down slots |
| Drive tire size | 26"x12"-12" |
| Seat type | High-back Air-Ride suspension with EVC cushion, seat belt |
Cub Cadet doesn’t publish 4 of these for the PRO Z 972S EFI: drive type, warranty, spindle type, anti-scalp rollers.
See the Cub Cadet commercial pro hub › · Professional buying hub ›
Similar models
Other commercial mowers with comparable specs — including other brands — that buyers cross-shop with the PRO Z 972S EFI.
Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — cubcadet.com.
See every mower with a Kawasaki FX Series engine ›
What the parts on this spec sheet mean
See all Cub Cadet mowers and specs ›
Spot a wrong spec? Suggest a correction.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.
What the specs work out to
Figures MowerFacts computes from Cub Cadet’s own numbers — not published by the manufacturer.
Mowing time
- ¼ acre3 min 2 min
- ½ acre5 min 4 min
- 1 acre11 min 7 min
- 2 acres21 min 15 min
- 5 acres53 min 37 min
- 10 acres1 h 45 min 1 h 14 min
About 11 min per acre at 5.7 acres/hour, mowing at 9.8 mph. The second figure is at the published 14.0 mph top speed (8.15 acres/hour) — faster than anyone really mows. About 84.9 acres per tank.
Weight & hauling
- Machine weight1,631 lb
- + 6×12 trailer900 lb
- Towed weight2,531 lb
- single-axle 3,500 lbCarries it, 969 lb spare
- tandem-axle 7,000 lbCarries it, 4,469 lb spare
Needs a single-axle 3,500 lb trailer and a vehicle rated to tow at least 2,531 lb.
Gate & trailer fit
- 32 in gateToo wide
- 36 in gateToo wide
- 48 in gateToo wide
Needs at least 79 in of clearance (estimated).
Power & run time
- Power per deck inch0.535 hp/in
- Run time per tank~14.9 h
Mowing times assume 5.7 acres/hour: deck width x 9.8 mph at 80% efficiency, which allows for overlap, turns and trimming. 9.8 mph is 70% of the 14.0 mph top speed Cub Cadet publishes - almost nobody mows flat out. The "at top speed" figure is the same sum at 14.0 mph, shown so you can see it.
Fit uses the deck width plus 6 in for the discharge chute, because Cub Cadet doesn't publish an overall width — measure before buying if a gate is tight.
Towed weight adds a 900 lb allowance for a 6x12 open utility trailer to Cub Cadet's published machine weight. Your trailer's own weight is on its VIN plate. Tongue weight, axle placement and your vehicle's tow rating are still yours to check — this is the load, not a loading plan.
Run time assumes a typical 1 gal/hour burn at working load; real consumption varies with engine, load and cut.
Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI questions
What size deck is on the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI?
The Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI has a 72-inch (1829 mm) cutting deck with fabricated 7ga. (.187”) steel shell construction.
What engine is in the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI?
The Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI is powered by a Kawasaki® FX Series EFI, 999 cc, 38.5 hp. Horsepower is the manufacturer's own rating.
How much does the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI weigh?
The Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI weighs 1,631 lb (739.8 kg) as specified by Cub Cadet.
What size trailer do I need for the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI?
At 1,631 lb, the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI on a typical 6x12 open utility trailer (about 900 lb empty) is roughly 2,531 lb of towed weight. That is within a single-axle 3,500 lb trailer, and your tow vehicle needs to be rated for at least 2,531 lb. Tongue weight, axle placement and your own trailer's empty weight still have to be checked — this is the arithmetic, not a loading plan.
How fast is the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI?
Top ground speed is 14 mph. With its 72-inch deck that works out to about 8.15 acres per hour at 80% efficiency — allowing for overlap, turns and trimming.
How long does the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI take to mow an acre?
About 7 min per acre, from its 72-inch deck at 14 mph and 80% efficiency — roughly 8.15 acres an hour, so five acres is about 37 min. Rough or obstacle-heavy ground takes longer; this is deck width times ground speed, not a timed test.
How big is the fuel tank on the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI?
The Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI holds 14.9 gal (56.4 L) of fuel.
How much does the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI cost?
Cub Cadet's published list price is $18,199, checked 23 October 2026. That excludes tax, freight, dealer setup and any local discount — dealers set the final price.
What is the Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S EFI built for?
Commercial-duty commercial mower. Built for daily, paid commercial use.
Source: Cub Cadet (manufacturer) · archived copy