Greetings from Illinois!
 

Greetings from Illinois! I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicagoland about 35 miles from the Loop. One house up from the Fox River which flows down from Green Bay and eventually lands in the Mississippi River. Have 1.5 acres of lawn, thus the interest in mowing tractors. Have gone the lightweight route with three Craftsman tractors in the past, but tired of having to buy a new one every six years or so. This time around leaning toward a dealer purchased Cub Cadet LTX 1046KW. Seeing so many Cub Cadet enthusiasts is exciting and reinforces the decision to go with a Cub Cadet. Since you guys are experienced with and experts on the products, any wisdom you have on the below would be valued.
- Is reliability of recent products an issue in your minds?
- Inputs about the Kawasaki engines versus Kohler engines?
- Thoughts about Cub Cadet versus John Deere? The Select Series 300 from a local dealer is the only other option I am considering at this point.
- Is it unreasonable to expect 10-15 years of life from a well maintained Cub Cadet?
- What makes you a fan of Cub Cadet products?

:Welcome2:

:Welcome2: Glad to have you!

wprusak

:IH Logo::Welcome2::IH Logo:
Nice to meet you,
I will start at the bottom of your post, What makes me a fan of Cub Cadet.
I have a 1972 149 and a 1974 169.
Being 38 and 40 years old and still preforming any task that is required is impressive to me.
When i got them they both needed some parts replaced or rebuilt but that being done i see no reason that they won't still be earning there keep in another 30 to 40 years.
I don't see very many new tractors that i think will make it any ways near that long (just my opinion) :biggrin2:
I use mine year around. They both mow grass all summer long, Push snow in the winter, plow gardens in the spring, plus drag trailers, grade with the rear blade ect...
I admit i have no experience with the newer Cubs, There are a lot of folks here that have them and use them for all sorts of chores.
Let us know what you decide to get, And no matter what Cub Cadet it is be sure to get us pictures :biggrin2:

:Welcome2:

From learning from others on OCC if Iwas to get a new cub I would skip the 1000 line up and get a 2000 or 3000 if budget allowed it. I wouldn't buy anything from a box store Cub or JD. Go to your local dealer and support them.If you wanted a garden I would suggest getting one of the older cubs that can handle the test of time. They were built to last and our help we could help you thru any problems you will have.

Cubcrazy and ACecil - Thanks for the welcomes, much appreciated!

Cubcrazy fits here in Chicagoland. As for me I am a White Sox fan.

Diz Jr - Thanks for sharing your experiences, anything mechanical still going after 40 years is indeed impressive. A testament to the Cub Cadets and the care given to them by their owner. Now if you could find a way to keep me going for another 40 years, even with some parts replacements....

I hear ya wprusak :beerchug:
I figure both of mine will out live me if they keep going like they are now :ThumbsUp:

Methos - Thanks for the inputs! Since I asked for help, just wanted you to know I did follow up on your advice. Buying from a dealer was always a given. The one I will probably buy from has been selling Cub Cadets for over 30 years, a company clearly a fan of the brand. Turns out a new 2000 bottom of the line is about $1,600 more than the 1046KW I have been looking at. And, it does not come with the mower deck, so I am figuring $2,000 more when it is all said and done. A bit more than double. Checking out online reviews of the 2000s, believe it or not percentage wise there seem to be more negative comments. While there are less total comments, not as many people putting down $4,000 for a mower tractor than a $2,000 one, I guess you expect a tractor at the $4,000 price point to work, and you feel a need to vent if it doesn't. Spoke to the dealer again, and what it comes down to is you either trust that MTD is producing quality tractors as this is their top of the line product brand, that the dealer will set it up right, a good maintenance program will be put in place and the dealer will make it right if you have a problem, or you go buy some other tractor. Think I am at that trust point, time will tell if it is misplaced. Again, thanks for the inputs!

By the way, I am Walt.