Used 3240 40th Anniversary Question

WiredLlama · #1 04-27-2016, 11:02 AM

New to the forum. Thanks for all the informative information I've been able to find around here.

I'm currently using a late 60's 149 but the it is need of a good bit of TLC that I don't have the time to do quickly and am looking to purchase a newer CC to do the lawn work.

I came across a used 2001 3240 40th anniversary edition with 400 hours on it at my local dealer. Asking price is $2,000. I'm curious as to what the general opinions are on this machine and if that price seems consistent with what people in the know are seeing. This used model will come with a bagger as well. Pictures below.

As I have browsed some of the forum I feel I already know that answer to this next question, however: I was also looking at a brand new XT2 GX 54" Fab CC as well. With a bagger out the door I am looking at $4,000 for that set up. Does anyone have any opinions or advice for or against going with either tractor?

Thank you so much!
Jason

Shotgun Wedding · #2 04-27-2016, 11:47 AM

That 3240 tractor is a very stout tractor. It would have listed for over $6K when it was new in todays dollars and I would highly recommend it.

The $2000 asking price is fair if it is immaculate, I'd offer $1500 and go from there.

CubDieselFan · #3 04-27-2016, 12:16 PM

Can you work on it yourself? I would not get it. I would start at 1000, you can always go up but never down.

Crimsonred04GT · #4 04-27-2016, 04:48 PM

I just bought the same model tractor two weeks ago. Mine is pretty much in excellent looking condition. It was stored indoors and primarily dealer maintained. It had 335.6 hours and came with a 54" deck and 42" Hydaulic Tiller along with the roller and brush attachment to break down the dirt clods after tilling. It also had two suit case weights and mounting kit on the front. This entire set-up cost me $2700 out the door including taxes. So far I'm pretty impressed with the tractor and especially the tiller. It's a chewing machine. I'm impressed with its capabilities but there are some expenses to take in to consideration. One, the trans fluid and filter change that's required every 100 hours isn't cheap if you stay with Cub Cadet/MTD fluid and filters. You'll need close to 6 quarts of oil. It's running $14.99 a quart at Tractor Supply (TSC). The filter will run about the same as a quart of oil. I'd suggest you make sure they do the oil and filter change for you using factory specific items since it's at its 400 hour interval. There are some other recommendation son the oil here on the forum but I'm going to stick to factory oil for now. (I was able to locate a shop that had a gallon bottle of the oil for $40 saving me some cash so you might want to call around if they won't do the oil/filter change). You can look under the middle towards the front of the axle and see the filter to try to determine if it's new or not. Two, also look into the tractor reverse and forward movements. If it's moving somewhat slow in either direction, it may be adjustment/bushing wear. Thanks to an awesome forum member here, I found out that I just need bushings on my pedal linkage and not a trans. (Thinking this is why I got the deal I did. They thought the trans was going bad). Mine would barely move in reverse during movement for tilling and after tilling. Push the pedal to go in reverse. While traveling backwards, use your hand to lift up on the forward pedal, if it speeds up, then it may need bushings as well. Talking about the filter/oil change and doing the pedal test will show the seller you have some knowledge of the tractor. Hopefully they'll work with you and you can get a really good price. Overall, I'd say the tractor is pretty awesome and the power steering makes my wife very happy. Keep us to date on if you purchase it and how it goes with the dealer. Wes

Crimsonred04GT · #5 04-27-2016, 05:15 PM

Here are a couple pics of the recent purchase of my 3240 Cub and tiller. The deck isn't attached because I have it off for the tiller. Not the greatest pics but wanted to get some on here.

Sam Mac · #6 04-27-2016, 08:00 PM

Looks like you have all the toys for that one. Take some pics when you tilling with it and send them in for POTW.

Crimsonred04GT · #7 04-28-2016, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Looks like you have all the toys for that one. Take some pics when you tilling with it and send them in for POTW.

I'll send them in possibly next week. Looking at tilling the lawn between the side of the house and garage since it needs redone with grass seed and to eliminate the weeds. Only toy I'd still like to get for it is a blade for the front or a snow blower. After shoveling snow off the new driveway this past winter, I definitely am in line for a change in how I do the snow removal....

WiredLlama · #8 04-28-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimsonred04GT

I just bought the same model tractor two weeks ago. Mine is pretty much in excellent looking condition. It was stored indoors and primarily dealer maintained. It had 335.6 hours and came with a 54" deck and 42" Hydaulic Tiller along with the roller and brush attachment to break down the dirt clods after tilling. It also had two suit case weights and mounting kit on the front. This entire set-up cost me $2700 out the door including taxes. So far I'm pretty impressed with the tractor and especially the tiller. It's a chewing machine. I'm impressed with its capabilities but there are some expenses to take in to consideration. One, the trans fluid and filter change that's required every 100 hours isn't cheap if you stay with Cub Cadet/MTD fluid and filters. You'll need close to 6 quarts of oil. It's running $14.99 a quart at Tractor Supply (TSC). The filter will run about the same as a quart of oil. I'd suggest you make sure they do the oil and filter change for you using factory specific items since it's at its 400 hour interval. There are some other recommendation son the oil here on the forum but I'm going to stick to factory oil for now. (I was able to locate a shop that had a gallon bottle of the oil for $40 saving me some cash so you might want to call around if they won't do the oil/filter change). You can look under the middle towards the front of the axle and see the filter to try to determine if it's new or not. Two, also look into the tractor reverse and forward movements. If it's moving somewhat slow in either direction, it may be adjustment/bushing wear. Thanks to an awesome forum member here, I found out that I just need bushings on my pedal linkage and not a trans. (Thinking this is why I got the deal I did. They thought the trans was going bad). Mine would barely move in reverse during movement for tilling and after tilling. Push the pedal to go in reverse. While traveling backwards, use your hand to lift up on the forward pedal, if it speeds up, then it may need bushings as well. Talking about the filter/oil change and doing the pedal test will show the seller you have some knowledge of the tractor. Hopefully they'll work with you and you can get a really good price. Overall, I'd say the tractor is pretty awesome and the power steering makes my wife very happy. Keep us to date on if you purchase it and how it goes with the dealer. Wes

Thanks for the info. I can hopefully make it back out to the dealer tomorrow after work. I will be sure to check out your suggestions for sure. Thanks!

Oak · #9 04-28-2016, 08:33 AM

Here's my opinion. The new $4k XT2 is a pretty good lawn mower but in a year you would lucky to get $2500 for it. From what I read over on MTF the guys like them.

The 3240 is priced about right. I sold this 3240 for $1800 with 1500 hours on the meter. I spent way too much time and money on it to get it that nice. I completely redid the 54" deck with PPG paint and all new bolts, blades, bearings and seals.
DSCN1741.jpg DSCN1737.jpg

The one you're looking at has the 44" deck on it. I'm not impressed with that deck, they are kind of cheaply made it also does not have the striping roller on the back like the 54". The spindles are not made as well on the 44" when you compare them to the 54" either. The tractor is also missing the chrome hub caps that came standard on the 3240, not that you need them but will help if you ever resell it. Maybe see if they have a 54" they could swap out for the 44" that is on it but you will loose the bagger because I don't think it will work on the 54". Once you mow with a foot controlled hydro and power steering you will never go back to anything else.

I'm leaning towards the 3240 over the XT2 but keep in mind that you are buying a 15 year old machine that may need some repairs. I would also see if the dealer would service the transmission to seal the deal.
***If you choose the 3240 make sure you read the manual on how to use the locking differential or you will have a $2000 parts machine.

Good luck and let us know which you get.

Nice unit Crimsonred. Someday I will find one of those hydro tillers.

Crimsonred04GT · #10 04-28-2016, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oak

Here's my opinion. The new $4k XT2 is a pretty good lawn mower but in a year you would lucky to get $2500 for it. From what I read over on MTF the guys like them.

The 3240 is priced about right. I sold this 3240 for $1800 with 1500 hours on the meter. I spent way too much time and money on it to get it that nice. I completely redid the 54" deck with PPG paint and all new bolts, blades, bearings and seals.
Attachment 74233 Attachment 74234

The one you're looking at has the 44" deck on it. I'm not impressed with that deck, they are kind of cheaply made it also does not have the striping roller on the back like the 54". The spindles are not made as well on the 44" when you compare them to the 54" either. The tractor is also missing the chrome hub caps that came standard on the 3240, not that you need them but will help if you ever resell it. Maybe see if they have a 54" they could swap out for the 44" that is on it but you will loose the bagger because I don't think it will work on the 54". Once you mow with a foot controlled hydro and power steering you will never go back to anything else.

I'm leaning towards the 3240 over the XT2 but keep in mind that you are buying a 15 year old machine that may need some repairs. I would also see if the dealer would service the transmission to seal the deal.
***If you choose the 3240 make sure you read the manual on how to use the locking differential or you will have a $2000 parts machine.

Good luck and let us know which you get.

Nice unit Crimsonred. Someday I will find one of those hydro tillers.

The hydro tiller, condition and low hours is what sold me on the entire package. I was tired of getting beat up by my Tro-Bilt rear tine tiller tilling my garden of rocks and wanted something for the back of a tractor. Was originally looking at a pull behind but knew it would just bounce all over even with cylinder blocks on top of it. I really wanted a larger tractor with a deck, bucket and rear tiller but they were kind of way out of my price range at the moment. Found my 3240 on Craig's List that a guy traded in along with a JD455 tractor for some monster commercial zero turn. I may have paid maybe a little too much for it but I don't have any regrets. My SLT1554 has been worked hard and maintenance/repairs have been decent for the most part and past knowledge of Cubs gave me confidence this was going to be a good choice with minimal compromise. So I made the decision for the 3240CC with tiller set-up. So glad I went with it. Now if I can just locate a front blade or snow blower...