Brand New Cub Cadet Commercial "Tank / Spreader / Sprayer" HELP?!?!?!?!

[VIP_TURF_CONTROL]

My company recently splashed out 8000 for a brand new machine for us, after 2 1/2 years of complaining. Does anybody else out there have one of these machines? I wish I had opportunity to trial run it first, as my feelings go both ways on it!

A - Im so glad w ebought it, Ive wanted one for a long time

BUT B - It cost 8000!!! We could oprobably have got 2 permagreens for that?!?!?! There is also alot of mechanical bit and pieces all over that can go wrong - and WILL go wrong?!?!

Does any body else have these machines? Do you have any luck with them and do you have any good technique or advise? What rate do you mix herbicide to water with?

[RigglePLC]

Do you mean this one?
http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_14101_492266_52968_-1_600002_52969

Is it the same as they used to market through Lesco? Sweet--but--not stainless steel. 1100 pounds. Won't the fertilizer damage the steel components after a year or two? Or maybe your weather does not get humid in the summer. I have the Permagreen Ultra--the electric pump and wiring have been a problem at times. The fertilizer attacks any exposed copper wire. Turns the wire to green dust. I suggest coating any wire that is even slightly exposed with silicone sealant, especially if it is even slightly below the spreader disk. Lesco sold stainless steel spreaders for a reason.
Calibrate by timing the speed and swath width so you know how many sqft per minute you cover. Then measure pump output at the nozzles so you know how many ounces per minute you are pumping. Find your ounces per sqft. Convert to gallons(or fraction of). If you are applying 6 tenths gallon per thousand--the 40 gallon tank covers 66,000 sqft. Mix according to sqft.

[americanlawn]

We have one. Actually it's a LESCO Z-two sprayer/spreader, but it's identical to the Cub Cadet. We don't use it anymore, but it runs like new. $4000 buys it.

It spreads & sprays very fine. The spray volume & pressure is adjustable. Ours is set to spray just over 1/2 gallon per 1000 sq ft. It has awesome weed kill. It's well built with very little breakdown. It performs best on large/wide-open properties.

Problems we don't like:
1) Because it's a zero-turn, it takes two hands to turn.
2) It does not hold hills well due to the front castor wheels (free wheeling)
3) It's cumbersome for treating trim areas.
4) With ten foot booms, it is not useable on most small to medium properties.
5) If the spray tank gets low, the pumps suck air on slopes.
6) It needs to transported on a trailer.

Too bad you guys did not buy a Z-Spray or a T3000. IMO But if you can return your unit, I'd sell ours for $4000.??

[Grandview]

Must not have known about the Z. If I owned a large company I would give the employees a large say in what I would buy. Nobody is happy with bad equipment.

[americanlawn]

I have always had my experienced employees try ride-on units before we buy them. We spent a minimum of 2 1/2 hours on each/all ride-ons we compared to give them a test. Ease of use, practicality, and performance.

After criticism from certain XXX owners, I will not reveal what we found best. Yet we drove about 500 miles to actually visit each manufacturer, see their plants, and test their units, and then make a logical buying decision. I hope this does not offend anyone, cuz we have respect for all manufacturers.

Must not have known about the Z. If I owned a large company I would give the employees a large say in what I would buy. Nobody is happy with bad equipment.

[VIP_TURF_CONTROL]

I appreciate all of the feedback above. I havent had to calibrate it for spraying yet - its the bit im dreding the most! Even though I took, and successfully passed my applicators licence, its daunting and scary.

[grassgod]

We have one. Actually it's a LESCO Z-two sprayer/spreader, but it's identical to the Cub Cadet. We don't use it anymore, but it runs like new. $4000 buys it.

It spreads & sprays very fine. The spray volume & pressure is adjustable. Ours is set to spray just over 1/2 gallon per 1000 sq ft. It has awesome weed kill. It's well built with very little breakdown. It performs best on large/wide-open properties.

Problems we don't like:
1) Because it's a zero-turn, it takes two hands to turn.
2) It does not hold hills well due to the front castor wheels (free wheeling)
3) It's cumbersome for treating trim areas.
4) With ten foot booms, it is not useable on most small to medium properties.
5) If the spray tank gets low, the pumps suck air on slopes.
6) It needs to transported on a trailer.

Too bad you guys did not buy a Z-Spray or a T3000. IMO But if you can return your unit, I'd sell ours for $4000.??

Reasons to buy a Zero Turn Sprayer
1) you can operate with one hand, leaving the other hand to perform other functions.
2) with a little common sense and knowledge of your rider you can use on most hills
3) due to its moblility it can get into a lot of smaller places easily
4) with 3 section booms, the boom tips can be fold in to spray 6', or folded out to spray wider areas faster
5) most tanks can be ordered with deeper sumps to aid on steep areas
6) a trailer aids in not over loading a truck. (nurse tank, fert, and a sprayer in a tray can lead to an over load) plus a trailer helps in hauling more product for less trips back to the shop.

[americanlawn]

This unit does not steer or respond as easily as a Z-Spray. It actually takes two hands to turn. It cannot fit in small areas. Ten foot booms are a disadvantage cuz they damage plants & other property. The 40 gallon belly tank is as low as one dares to use, and the manufacturer offers no other options. It does not handle hills well at all -- it slides on wet hills and spins the tires causing turf damage.

Have you used one of these to any extent? rscvp, thanks :confused:

Reasons to buy a Zero Turn Sprayer
1) you can operate with one hand, leaving the other hand to perform other functions.
2) with a little common sense and knowledge of your rider you can use on most hills
3) due to its moblility it can get into a lot of smaller places easily
4) with 3 section booms, the boom tips can be fold in to spray 6', or folded out to spray wider areas faster
5) most tanks can be ordered with deeper sumps to aid on steep areas
6) a trailer aids in not over loading a truck. (nurse tank, fert, and a sprayer in a tray can lead to an over load) plus a trailer helps in hauling more product for less trips back to the shop.

[grassgod]

This unit does not steer or respond as easily as a Z-Spray. It actually takes two hands to turn. It cannot fit in small areas. Ten foot booms are a disadvantage cuz they damage plants & other property. The 40 gallon belly tank is as low as one dares to use, and the manufacturer offers no other options. It does not handle hills well at all -- it slides on wet hills and spins the tires causing turf damage.

Have you used one of these to any extent? rscvp, thanks :confused:

i have pointed out the benefits of zero turns, not the options on this one machine.
i have operated lots of zero turns though the years and like what they can do.
as far as damage. that has a lot to do with operator error.
i have operated everthing from ride on spreader sprayers to Terra Gators with 60/80 booms. if you can spray with a 80' boom and not damage things you should be able to spray with a 10' boom just fine

[americanlawn]

grassgod I appreciate your experience, and I realize you work just as hard as I do. We have actually run this unit for several years (actually from the first year they came out). Our opinions came from my guys who have used this unit for several years. Not all zero-turns are the same. Unfortunately, many homeowners have rose bushes, night lighting, mail boxes, etc, etc.

Please don't get me wrong -- We have high regards toward LT Rich's Z-Spray units, and the Cub Cadet "Tank" does not compare. IMO the best zero-turn sprayer/spreader on the market is the Z-Spray. (BTW I've said this before many many times)