Best Tractor Under $2000

BassBlaster · #1 01-02-2015, 04:05 PM

So it has come time to replace my Cub Cadet 2165. I bought it used from a guy several years ago and it has been a good tractor but its at a point where I keep having minor problems that Im tired of working on. That's to be expected from a 17 year old tractor though. Latest issue is a head problem. I replaced the head gaskets last season and was able to finish the mowing season but the same problem is coming back so I assume I have a warped head or something. I dunno. I know Im done with it though.

So, I have a budget of about $2000 and Im not buying used. I want a warranty. I don't have a need to pull any implements or push any snow. I just need it to cut grass well and maybe pull a wagon around to clean up yard waste and what not on occasion. I mow about 2 acres so I prefer at least a 48" cut.

Ive kind of narrowed my search down to 2 possibilities. The new Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series. I can get the 23 horse, 50" cut for right at $2000. The Kohler engine makes me a bit nervous but Cub has a really good warranty.

My second choice would be the Husqvarna YTH24V48. Is a 24 horse, 48" cut and also is right at $2000. It has a Briggs motor.

Just reading online reviews, the Husky gets excellent reviews. The Cub looks very promising though and like I said, comes with a really good, if not the best warranty.

So, opinions on both and also if there is something else I should be looking at, Id love to hear about it.

Again, I have a $2000 budget and that's a fairly strict budget.

J-Mech · #2 01-02-2015, 05:09 PM

Since you asked for opinions, I'll give mine.
For the $$ your looking to spend, I don't think it makes any difference what you get. All the machines in that price bracket are about the same. One may have a better warranty than the other, but all too many times we see on here where they will be worked on before they are out of warranty. You'll more than likely have either machine back at the dealer for one thing or another within the first 2 years. Within 5-7 you'll be looking for a new machine. IMHO, your better off either fixing the one you have, or go older. You can buy, and fix one up for far less than $2K, or buy one that someone has already went through. They are on e-bay all the time. There are a couple on here for sale (or there were). There may even be someone on here willing to sell you one for that kind of $$. I own over 10 cubs and I don't think I have $5K in all of them together with repairs and attachments. I'll drive them for the next 20 years. I don't think the new machines in that price range are worth their weight in scrap, so you take my opinion for what it's worth. Your just can't get anything good anymore for less than about $6K. That's my

Mike McKown · #3 01-02-2015, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Your just can't get anything good anymore for less than about $6K. That's my

I didn't want to be first to be rude but that pretty well sums it up.

Sam Mac · #4 01-02-2015, 05:44 PM

Sounds like you have already picked 2 that work for you and your budget. Flip a coin and have at it. Just my 2 cents but I'm all about the pre 1996 Cubs. For 2 G's I can come up with something that will be purring like a kitten long after what you're looking at has been melted down for scrap metal. Have a nice life.

Oak · #5 01-02-2015, 06:00 PM

I'm like the other guys on here. The stuff made today is pretty much good for 5 years (maybe) and then you scrap it and repeat the process. All the people I work with and probably 98% of the people buying equipment today are that way also and just buy new every 5 years or so. I don't see a problem with that and the people I work with look at a lawn mower as a tool to mow the yard with and don't give a crap about shaft drive, rear lifts and ground engaging equipment. They mow the grass with it and put it up until next week. That is why there isn't a market for garden tractors anymore and why they are not built.

I would go to your local dealers (Deere & Cub) and look at what they have. I don't know if what they have will be in your budget but I think they could steer you in the right direction. Good luck and let us know what you end up getting. I like the looks of the new XT1 but don't know much about them.

CubDieselFan · #6 01-02-2015, 07:45 PM

I think I have said this before, but it is worth repeating.

Back in 1998 I bought a 1572 with about 900-1000 hours. I traded a 1989 1050 and paid 1900.00 to boot, that was with tax. My brother in law bought a Murray from Wal-mart. He told me how dumb it was to pay that much for a 11 year old machine. The Murray lasted 3 years and then he bought a Huskee from Tractor Supply. I think it lasted 3-5 years I am not sure. Now he has a green mower that he is looking to replace. When the green mower was in the shop, he and his daughter was mowing with push mowers, I went over with my dumb mower and finished it for them. He wanted to buy it.

So it is not easy to guess what I would do.

Sam Mac · #7 01-02-2015, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CubDieselFan

I think I have said this before, but it is worth repeating.

Back in 1998 I bought a 1572 with about 900-1000 hours. I traded a 1989 1050 and paid 1900.00 to boot, that was with tax. My brother in law bought a Murray from Wal-mart. He told me how dumb it was to pay that much for a 11 year old machine. The Murray lasted 3 years and then he bought a Huskee from Tractor Supply. I think it lasted 3-5 years I am not sure. Now he has a green mower that he is looking to replace. When the green mower was in the shop, he and his daughter was mowing with push mowers, I went over with my dumb mower and finished it for them. He wanted to buy it.

So it is not easy to guess what I would do.

Bingo we have a winner!

j4c11 · #8 01-02-2015, 08:12 PM

I would just add that I see complaints all the time from people who have Cubs under warranty, they drag it to the dealer to be fixed under said warranty, and get it back 3 months later because they have so many to fix, there's a waiting queue. So while you may have a warranty, you may not have a mower to mow with for the summer. In other words, warranty does not equal reliability. You are better off with a machine that is reliable and no warranty than with a machine that is unreliable but has a warranty. Having said that, if you drop $2,000(including repairs/rebuilt engine etc.) on a Cub Cadet garden tractor made sometime between 1980 and 1994 you will have something that will last you another 20 years.

gdheck · #9 01-02-2015, 08:22 PM

You do have to consider that you can even kill one of the old Cubs that we love so much just as fast as the box store mowers die. Just like a previous owner of my 1211 not having the air cleaner on it. Wonder why the cylinder, piston and rings were in such bad shape????

Just remember that if you get an older machine or hang onto the one you have that maintenance is key. You might have several things to fix before it's a nice reliable machine again, it will stay that way for several decades with proper maintenance.

BassBlaster · #10 01-02-2015, 09:16 PM

Okay so lets say Im okay with buying and fixing up an old machine. Knowing that I mow aprox. 2 acres, what might I be looking for?

I do have a mower that could get me by until a project was finished and I do have the mechanical ability to do it. I just don't have any knowledge of these old tractors to even know what to look for and what to stay away from.