Best Tractor Under $2000
 

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.

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 :TwoCents:

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

:biggrin2:

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. :beatdeadhorse:

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.:beerchug:

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!:beerchug:

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.

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????:Choke: 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.

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.

I got a 1641 with 400 hours, looks brand new, 48" deck, 451 45" snow blower, new battery, front bumper that I would let go for $2000 :biggrin2:

Super cub cadets! Diesel or gas. Any one of them will do.

If you can't find a super cub, a Deere 318, 330, 332 would be a second option. Or have you priced out a used commercial zero turn? I see allot of them for sale for under $2k that don't have too many hours on them. Ferris, exmark, bobcat, scag, lesco and so on

See I don't know enough to know if that's a steal or if I was being robbed!!

Just a quick look on CL, theres several options but I noticed that many of these old tractors have motors that are 10 to 16 HP. Are they really up to the task of a 48" deck?

Heres the only Cub with Super in the title in my area.

http://limaohio.craigslist.org/grd/4815445500.html

A properly maintained 1641 will run forever. The Briggs in it is actually a Diahatsu gas engine. With a name like that, it has to be good! It's just like cars these days. Manufactures keep getting more horse power out of everything because that sells. Lawn tractors with 24 horses? Really? I bet. 16 horse will mow just fine and blow snow 20 feet

That valve cover on your Lima Link should be blue. It looks like it got hot and crispy.

The advertised hp on the newer low end units is way optimistic and overrated. I had a 20hp jd mower I bought new in 2005. It was kind of reliable, sometimes, but cut poorly. I picked up a free Cub 1861 last spring with a bad head gasket & broken head bolt. It had a clean 54" deck. I fixed it, out new blades on, and a new deflector for the deck. I have 200 tops in it and its a pleasure to mow with. Its 18hp but way more machine than the jd was.

I also have a 782 and an 86. I have less than 2000 in all my tractors and implements combined.

If I were mowing that much, I would be looking for a super garden tractor with a 60" deck. I have both the older style and later style deck and they both mow very good. I like the newer style because the caster wheels turn 90 deg. to make removing the deck much easier. Someone else with better knowledge of the newer supers can offer more insight on what model. I'm partial to my 1782 with the 3 cylinder Kubota diesel, but working for a diesel engine manufacturer has made me partial over the years.

LMFAO. Yes, a 10-16hp will pull a 48" deck with ease. I run a 50" on a very tired Mag10 in a gear drive. Struggles a little in heavy grass in 2nd, but fine in 1st. Only time I have issues is when I'm trying to cut 8" tall grass. If your going with a SGT like the one you listed, it's 21HP will run the 60" deck just fine.


I think it got battery acid on it. Doesn't look like it was from heat to me.

I'd say you're right. Look at the white colored outline around the edge of the paint.

How many hours is a well maintained Kubota gasser good for? That one shows 1333 hrs. now and that's if the hour meter still works.

Around here I'd say that's kind of high considering the hours and it doesn't have a 60" deck.

Im guessing on the acreage. I live on 14 acres but much of it is wooded and pasture. I only mow around the house and barn. With the 2165 that I have and the 48" deck, I mow everything in less than 2 hours. I suppose I could be way off on my estimate. Im content with a 48" deck but definitely don't want anything smaller.

They'll run a long, long time. I've only overhauled a few of the 3 cylinder motors. None of them were gas. Most of the diesels were done in from overheating, or lack of maintenance to the fuel system. (Worn out injectors.)


I'd say your off. At least if you mow around anything, or your moving really fast. I'm going to guess your mowing between 1 and 1.5 acres, depending on how many things you mow around.

Fair enough.

So you think the one I linked is a good buy? A fair price? Should I be looking for something older?

I think the price is right, and no that's old enough. The Kubota gasser is the best gas engine you can buy.

Check out this thread (all subsequent links) for the common problems and what you can expect to do to make it a good machine for years to come.
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=33244

you can have this for under 2 grand and its already done.

From how you described how you will use this tractor You really don't need the extra stuff that you get with some of these models like aux hydraulics 3 point hitches, brinley equipment or sleeve hitches. What you need is a good reliable mower. I just picked up a JD GX345 with a 54 inch deck that looks like a new one. It sold in 2003 for almost $8000. It has a Kawasaki 20 hp water cooled engine and of course foot controls, power steering, hydraulic deck lift, adjustable steering wheel, cutting depth adjuster between your feet and deck that is stable on hills and has three blades. I paid $2500 for it but all it will do is mow and pull a trailer. I don't think you can beat that with any small tractor for what you need. No offense meant to the CC guys but there are some great green products too. Stay away from the big box store crap no matter the warranty. The repair time will be horrendous during the summer which of course is when you will need it the most. Keep looking its winter!:beerchug:

Just my 2 cents but I'd be all over that Bad Boy. Yes it will need a little TLC but your looking at a tractor that back in it's day was over $8000.00 I have 2 of those at the moment. Cool thing is you can do so much more than just mow or pull a cart. I'd try to get it for $1000.00 - $1300.00 It looks like it has been pretty well taken care of. Point out to the seller that the plastic is broken and that the side panels are no longer available. The grill is still available and one of our members is working on repo side panels but you don't need to let the seller in on that.

Sam Mac knows these Super tractors inside out. Tough to go wrong listening to his advice. Personally I think thats a great tractor, and better than anything new.

There WILL be some maintenance items to check out, but its all documented here step by step and you can take pics and post any questions along the way. A little time invested will have you a great machine that will last.

At the same time, just for mowing, a used zero turn might be worth looking at. I dont know anything about them or if its possible to get a good one in your price range, but the guys mowing grass for a living tend to gravitate to these zero turns - likely for a reason.

Take some time and browse through these threads to get an idea of what's involved in bringing one of the oldies back to good condition. Yes it will take a few $$$ and some time but when it's done you'll have a sweet machine that you can take the satisfaction of knowing you did it. Being a member here will also be a great resource for questions you may have. :beerchug:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=33244

If you start looking for used tractors on CL, try out searchtempest.com Will let you search for keywords in your area. Also there is oodle and yakaz

Shawnee has a good point some nice green options will work if you can't find a cub. Really no reason you couldn't find a cub though. But I would steer far clear of a 318 way overpriced and way over rated for the low hour life span an onan has.

That 2182 looks sharp, and having something quality to mow with will make the chore more enjoyable and fun. You will love power steering.

Here ya go.
http://limaohio.craigslist.org/grd/4811374751.html

or that 2182 looks like a good but too

Thanks for all the help guys. I really do appreciate it.

So I have decided to skip the two mowers I originally asked about and to skip a new mower all together. I don't need all the tractor this is the Super that I linked but I emailed the seller and Im going to go check it out. Depending how that goes, Ill go and talk to a dealer about used zero turns.

After looking around here, Im very interested in these old tractors. I may have to pick me up a project tractor to tinker around with. There are several in my area to choose from. I still don't know what Im looking at as some of them date back to the 60's but they are all fairly cheap and could be fun to play with!

Thanks again for all the replies.

They are, indeed. :beerchug:

How about this one?
http://limaohio.craigslist.org/grd/4799959292.html

I agree with the suggestions you got here so far, stay away from the big box store junk, it won't last and you will need the warranty. If you know what end of a screwdriver to hold and listen to the people on this forum you will end up with a machine that will blow away anything new in your $2000 budget. In the past year I have bought three Cub Cadet Supers that after repairs and upgrades would fulfill your needs and budget with enough left over for a few adult beverages and then some. I did a 2082 with a 60" deck for a total of $1600, a 2086 with a 54" deck for $1400 and a 2084 with a 54"deck and a 45" blower that is almost done for $1200 ( the best deal so far). If I was you I would be taking a look at that 2182 before it gets snapped up. If I lived closer I would be taking a look
.:beerchug:

This one looks like a winner. 1864's are killer tractors. Wish I could find one like that in this area.

You can mow, tow, add a 3 point and plow your garden, plow your snow and have $$$ left over.

Thanks again guys.

I didn't see the 1864 in my search. Ill contact them as well.

Yes, I know which end of a screwdriver to hold! I also love projects. Im just frustrated with my 2165 since it was never intended to be a project. Like I said, it has some kind of engine problem that I don't have the tooling or knowledge to fix. It has had a ton of other minor issues that I have fixed over the years. Im just done messing with it.

Im excited to venture into something different. In the passed, Ive tinkered with boats and antique outboard motors.

Just for giggles, what would you guys recommend for a first project? Obviously, finding something that is gonna be my lawn mower is priority but in the meantime, I don't see a problem with looking at potential projects!

I dunno if it matters or changes your mind on anything but I mowed all of this last season with a 10 horse and 50 inch deck and dint have any issues other then I couldn't mower though the tall thick stuff just had to slow down

Yeah Im learning. Ive always thought more horsepower equals better but I understand now that most of todays HP ratings are way over rated. Now that that has been brought to my attention, I remember a lawsuit against small engine manufacturers a few years ago for that very reason.

Pick up the 1864 and we'll see if we can't help you get the 2165 sorted out. The 2165 is a pretty good grass cutter. The Vanguards are one of my favorite engines.