Gtx-2000
 

I am in the market for a used mower and am currently looking at a (obviously) used 2012 GTX-2000 mower with the Command engine and 50 inch deck. The mower has about 600 hours and the asking price is $2500.00. It is still under warranty thru 4/2016. It appears to be in good shape and engine appears to run good. What is everyone’s thoughts on this mower? Thanks,

This maybe will not be what you want to hear but it is just my .02 cents. It is too expensive for 600 hours. I think you will just have more of the same issues that you have with your 1554, transmission problems. You could get a xt-1 for less money. I would look for a 1440 or something similar. I have friend at work that has one for sale for 500. The 1864's are nice too. To me 2500 is a lot of money to spend on a mower when I think of how many I could buy for that price. I hope this helps.

That machine is not under warranty. This is from a PDF file I found when I googled GTX 2000 Cub Cadet


† Cub Cadet will provide a limited warranty for a period of 5 years or 500 hours, whichever comes first, for the frame and pivoting cast iron front axle on all new Cub Cadet Series 2000 Tractors. For complete details on the 4-year and 5-year limited warranties, see your Cub Cadet Independent Dealer or operator’s manual. 4 years or 300 hours, whichever comes first, warranty does not cover normal wear on parts, batteries, and frame and front axle. Frame and front axle are covered for 5 years or 500 hours, whichever comes first. See operator’s manual for details on Cub Cadet’s Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty for Series 2000 Lawn Tractors.

I agree with CubDieselFan, that is too much for a 2000 series. Are you just looking for a lawn mower or a garden tractor?

I’m just looking for a mower nothing more. I just want something that will last me a long time if I take care of it but also be worth what I’m paying for it. Thanks for the replies there is no wrong answer here I’m truly looking for everyone’s honest opinion as I search for a good, dependable, used lawntractor.

You need to look for a much, much older machine if you want a dependable Cub Cadet. Like no newer than about 1997. (My opinion)


I say stay between 1961 and 1997 to get a good one.

Oak will say newer 2K and 3K series are still good machines. :biggrin2:

Are you able and willing to work on a older tractor would be my first question. Because if you are you could save yourself a considerable amount of money and have a better built tractor. AND if you're just cutting grass with it, you could potentially be all in for under $600.
MY 2 cents...

I’m no mechanic that’s for sure but I can usually manage to get most repairs accomplished on my mower if I can find the necessary information on line and it doesn’t require a number of “specialty” tools. Currently I am mowing about 2 acres and I’m looking for something that will get the job done reasonably quick and not stay broken down all the time. I feel I need something with around a 50 inch or larger deck. I see an occasional older Cub Cadet for sale in the area but unfortunately I don’t have any knowledge about them and fear I would just be buying someone’s junk. I understand that parts wear out but would prefer something with “major” parts that could be repaired instead of just being high dollar throw away like the trans on my current SLT-1554. Thanks to everyone for their input I’ll seriously consider any and all recommendations.

Where do you live in NC? I'll look and see if there are any bargains in your area for you to look at.

Sam-Mac, I live in Eastern N. C. near Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune and I appreciate your offer. Thanks.

I just looked on Craig's list, typed Cub Cadet in the search box.
Here is one you may want to take a look at.

http://eastnc.craigslist.org/grd/5296531197.html

Thats what ive got, I love it!

That looks good + it's been on there for a month so maybe he will come off of the price too.

That appears to be just what I’m looking for unfortunately according to Todd he already has it sold. I’ve been checking CL pretty regularly lately I don’t know how I missed it. Oh well, I’ll keep looking for something similar. Thanks,

Merlin,

I have the GT2000, and I love it. I will agree with others here and say $2,500 is a lot to pay for a 2012 with 600 hours on it.

I am not like a lot of posters here on this site in that I can fix and repair BASIC functions of a tractor, and that is about it. I got extremely excited a while back reading about these old Cubs and started my search to replace my Sears Craftsman tractor. Some Cubs had a lot of issues I could not undertake myself. I then came across a clean 1863 and paid TOO much for it. After a few days, I found it had some serious issues--severe oil leaks, ran extremely hot, numerous electrical issues, and flaking, peeling paint. It was at this point, I decided NOT to buy someone else's problems any longer and get a new tractor. I also know how I take care of my things and knew it would last a long time. Since I have gotten my GT2000, I have replaced the turf tires--Tru-Power Ags on the back and V61's on the front--and installed cast iron wheel weights on the inside of the back rims, and I swear this thing is a tank. It is much heavier--weight-wise--than the 1863, and I could not be happier. If you can get the price of the Cub you are looking at lower it might be worth it. That is just my long-winded two cents.

CAO65, I hear what you are saying. There is always a risk when buying something used. If I can locate a mower such as the GT-2554 Sam-Mac posted before that doesn’t have an outrageous number of hours and gives all indications of being in sound shape then I guess I’m willing to take the chance. However, I would expect to need to spend some money on it before to long but if I can buy a $4000.00+ when new mower in decent shape for maybe half that and am able to use it without having to make major repairs ( engine or trans rebuild) for a while then in my opinion I haven’t done to bad. On my 9 year old SLT-1554 that I bought new with the 27 Courage engine, (that I’ve read many negative comments about) that’s still running well and uses no oil I have made repairs. I have replaced all the steering, except the large ring gear, once and replaced the small steering gear 3 times as well as the spindles once and also replaced the starter once. Everything is a trade off and though I could be wrong (wouldn’t be the first time) my current thoughts are to buy used and go from there. I do however thank everyone for their assistance and appreciate everyone’s efforts to help me. Thanks,

The 1554 is one of those Tractor Supply/Lowes type tractors that Cub and John Deere make to sell to the masses who want a cheap mower and think since it is a Cub or a Deere it must be great. Box store tractors have a place in the lawn care scene--limited place. I looked at those types of tractors and noticed the transmissions were extremely weak and not very rugged. That is one of the reasons I went to the dealer and got a real tractor. It may not have the transmission like the old Cubs had--Sunstrand--but it is well built. There are things about the old Cubs that are better than the new ones for sure. But some of the new technologies--Kohler Command engine--is arguably better than yesteryear's tractor. Good luck in your search. I think as long as you are buying a real Cub--shaft driven ones--you will be alright. Either way, there are a lot of people on this site who can help and give advice.

Too bad that 2554 got sold- they are solid machines.
Last year I drove to PA to buy a 2005 (same vintage as that 2554) 2544. I do not recall the exact hours on it- but near 275 hrs, and clean for $1000. It runs and cuts head and shoulders above my old 2166.

They don't have the long lived reputation as the older models, but they are solid. I bought a 3 bin bagger from the guy who owns the Waterbury Vt Cub Store- and he thought that the transmission in these vintage- were great units- as he had only seen one back for repair.

Chris

I admit I did not do my homework before buying the 1554 9 years ago. I just took the dealers word that it was a tuff, durable mower that should last me for years. CL is full of the smaller CC (1000 series) mowers but haven’t, lately anyway, seen that many of the larger mowers listed. It was unfortunate that the 2554 got sold as it was only about 30 miles from me and appeared anyway to be in good condition. I currently see a 3235 listed but it is on the other side of the state (probably 5 or more hours away). Also like the original 2000 that I enquired about this one appears to be listed by a dealership. Not that I have anything against getting one from a dealer but they seem to usually what more for their mowers than a private individual does. I do appreciate everyone’s insight and encouragement as I search for a good used mower. Thanks,
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/grq/5309201968.html

Here is one that looks very nice. Only thing I don't like about it is the rear tires are too big for it, it should have 23x10.50-12 rear tires.
http://asheville.craigslist.org/grd/5321349889.html

Well Sam Mac, that one apparently didn’t last to long the post has already been deleted. It did appear to be a very nice mower but that was about a 700 mile round trip for me so I was going to have to think about that one for a while anyway. I’m hoping that if I am patient I will find what I’m looking for within a couple hours of home. Am I correct to assume that the springtime will be a better time to shop for a nice used mower? I appreciate all the assistance from everyone. I’ll keep looking. Thanks,

Yes keep looking they are out there.

What is everyone’s opinion on the/this Cub Cadet HDS-2185. The one in the link obviously needs some work as it has some rust, missing wheels and hardware on the deck, and missing headlights. I would be interested in your thoughts on this mower as well as the HDS-2185 in general. Thanks,
http://eastnc.craigslist.org/grd/5350784538.html

That one looks like it has seen better days. We like those for the engines, to transplant into an older tractor. If the engine does not use oil, I would buy it for the parts.

If it runs decent that is a good deal. May need a little TLC but it's worth more than the asking price just for parts assuming that the engine runs well.

Thanks for the replies. So the engine, if in decent shape, is a desirable unit how about the trans is it a serviceable, repairable unit worth acquiring if it is currently working properly? Is it safe to assume a HDS-2185, in decent condition, is a reasonably desirable mower? Thanks,

2185 is a 2000 series. OK machine but not nearly as tough as the older tractors. Pretty much run them till they take a dump then sell the remaining good parts. CH18 Kohler in decent running condition is worth the asking price for that tractor. If you take care of a 2185 it will run a long time, how well that one has been treated, who knows? No Warranty Expressed or Implied. :beerchug:

This is the before and after on a 2185 that I picked up a couple years ago. Plan was to part it out but I patched it up and gave it to my BIL. It's still going and when it comes to maintenance he is a total A-Hole. Muffler was destroyed and I was not about to spring for a factory muffler for a tractor that I was going to give away so that's why the muffler is sticking out of the hood.

I saw this second one tonight and am now considering maybe checking into both of these 2185s next week. Does anyone have any thoughts on this endeavor? Thanks,
http://eastnc.craigslist.org/grd/5350784538.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/grd/5357293785.html

Well, I was going to be a little surprised if that second mower was still around by Monday but I did expect it to be around long enough to make it worth posting. The search goes on.

This one is probably too far for you. I wonder if you wave 5 benjamins in his face if he would take it?:bigthink:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/grd/5350287195.html

There is no reason to limit your search to Cub Cadet. You can find the exact same machine with a Bolens, Troy Built, Yard machine, or MTD name tag. All are made by MTD and to the same specs.

I'm pretty sure none of those are shaft driven and are just throw-away machines.

There are a lot of smaller Cub Cadet mowers for sale in my area as well as Craftsman and other brands. As I understand it most all the current brands are all produced by MTD but as was noted I am looking for something fairly heavy duty preferably a “shaft drive mower”. I currently have one of the as described “throw away” mowers but would like to have something that is a better candidate for rebuilds. Sam Mac, that is a nice refurbish job you did on the 2185 you ended up giving to your BIL, you made that one look good. Also, the Atlanta area is a little further than I’m really looking to travel for a mower as it would be around 850 miles round trip. I do however appreciate everyone’s assistance and support. Thanks,

Here is one for you.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/grd/5356756921.html

That is a nice tractor and pretty good price. Those 3000 seris tractors have all the modern conveniences and will last as long as the old IH's. More comfy to use too.

Offer 1500 and go from there. It's a really good buy.

Thanks for the link that is a nice looking mower. If it checks out nearly as nice as it appears in the ad then it would make nice big brother to my little SLT-1554. I went and checked out a 3206 recently that appeared nice in the ad but in actuality hadn’t run in a while so I really couldn’t tell much about it. Maybe this one will check out good. Thanks,

This may play for you. Price is a little strong.

http://greenville.craigslist.org/grd/5346704710.html