New Garden Tractors

j4c11 · #1 07-01-2014, 08:26 AM

I've been keeping an eye on Craigslist for the past few months looking for attachments for my 1450 and 2072, and for some reason here in North Carolina nothing really comes up. Either everyone is holding on to their stuff, or there aren't any, which I doubt. Obviously a downside to having old tractors. So a few days ago I started taking a look at the Cub Cadet website to see what the newer Cubs look like. Some seem to have a cast iron rear end and look somewhat solid. If I was to dump that kind of cash into a tractor I would definitely want something that will last 25 years like my 1450 and 2072 have. So the question is, what is your experience with the modern Cub Cadet garden tractor? What would be the equivalent modern Cub Cadet of the 1450 and 2072 as far as build quality, if any?

jimbob200521 · #2 07-01-2014, 08:48 AM

Just my

, but if I was going to do what you are proposing, I wouldn't. Well, not exactly. I'd sell the machines I have and honestly, find a good Cyclops/Super. The price, if nothing else, would be less than the potential 4k+ you'd be investing in a newer machine. Around my parts, you can get a darn nice Super (with pretty good hours, think less than 400-500), 54"-60" deck, blade, and (purchased separately, usually) a good 2 stage blower. I know for sure I don't know enough about the newer, higher end garden tractor market as far as Cub's are concerned, but I don't believe they have the options for dual hydraulics, 3pt, rear PTO, they top out at a 54" deck instead of 60", electronic power steering instead of hydraulic, and, personally, they don't look as good. To me, they just don't make them like they used to. If I were getting one SPECIFICALLY for grass cutting, pushing snow, and pulling a cart, then I may consider one. But I would want to use my machines for mowing, tilling, cultivating, snow blowing, etc.

Disclaimer: This isn't answering your question of "what is your experience with the modern Cub Cadet garden tractor?" because #1 I don't know #2 I don't really have any experience with them (so be nice to me guys!) and #3 I can't recommend something I wouldn't do.

Sam Mac · #3 07-01-2014, 08:54 AM

What are you looking for as far as attachments? Just my 2 cents but I'd rather have a nice 2072 than the new stuff.

CAO65 · #4 07-01-2014, 09:43 AM

I have a GT 2000, and I am impressed with it. I use it for mowing and hauling on a hilly piece of property, and it never appears stressed. I put two 30 pound IH wheel weights on the inside rims, and it rarely ever spins a wheel. It's like riding my truck around the yard. I had an 1863 that I bought used. I read this site long before purchasing it and thought I was handy at tractor repair. I am, but I am not that handy. That tractor had too many things in need of repair, and the paint issues depressed me. I figured the cost of repairing the 1863 was going to be slightly less than a new Cub, and the decision was easy for me. Buying new, you aren't buying other people's problems not to mention the treatment they enacted on the tractor. There are some people on here that know their stuff, and when they post, I read and learn. But, there are people like me who know some stuff but not enough to fix some of these wonderful machines. I have owned a Sears garden tractor, an 1863, and a GT 2000. For me, the GT 2000 is far better. The only thing I miss on the 1863 is the hydraulic deck lift. I have a manual deck lift with a fabricated deck. I designed a new handle for lifting the heavy deck, and now, I don't miss the hydraulic lift as much. Hope some of this helps you in your decision.

ACecil · #5 07-01-2014, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

What are you looking for as far as attachments? Just my 2 cents but I'd rather have a nice 2072 than the new stuff.

I agree, I'd keep the 2072.

j4c11 · #6 07-01-2014, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

What are you looking for as far as attachments? Just my 2 cents but I'd rather have a nice 2072 than the new stuff.

Yeah I'm not selling my 2072, put way too much work into it. As luck would have it, the coil died on my 1450 in the middle of mowing the other day and I was forced to buy a new one, went with a Bosch blue coil. Turns out it was a fortunate event, went from misfiring and loud to no misfiring, smooth and you can barely hear it running. It's so quiet I'm kind of concerned. I don't think I could sell that one either, it's a solid little machine. Unfortunately snow plows, snow blowers, tillers, mowing decks etc are just tough to come by here for the old tractors, especially the super. They seem to pop up all the time in Iowa, Ohio, PA, NJ. Just wondering about the build quality of modern Cubs to see if that would even be an option.

jimbob200521 · #7 07-01-2014, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j4c11

Yeah I'm not selling my 2072, put way too much work into it. As luck would have it, the coil died on my 1450 in the middle of mowing the other day and I was forced to buy a new one, went with a Bosch blue coil. Turns out it was a fortunate event, went from misfiring and loud to no misfiring, smooth and you can barely hear it running. It's so quiet I'm kind of concerned. I don't think I could sell that one either, it's a solid little machine. Unfortunately snow plows, snow blowers, tillers, mowing decks etc are just tough to come by here for the old tractors, especially the super. They seem to pop up all the time in Iowa, Ohio, PA, NJ. Just wondering about the build quality of modern Cubs to see if that would even be an option.

On the pocket book, it may be most cost effective to find one (whatever attachment you're looking for) out of state and have the seller ship it to you. Maybe check with Patton, he's great about working with you on shipping from my experience.

RR1862CC · #8 07-01-2014, 12:39 PM

I mostly work on older tractors. The only modern ones I work on is my green grass killer and my boss's 2012 LTX1050 Cub.
I do not know how they build the heavier Cubs but the LTX1050 is a piece of crap! It eats deck belts like I've never seen. In two years and two dealerships it ate nine deck belt but CC says there is nothing wrong. When the warranty finally ended they turned it over to me. after an afternoon of realigning the pulleys by adjusting the brackets with a hot wrench it's working normally(for now).
The boss says there will never be another yellow and white mower in their yard.

There is a really nice SGT in AR in the for sale section at the moment for $1000. For that price you could have it shipped to NC and still come out ahead IMO.

Shotgun Wedding · #9 07-01-2014, 08:49 AM

Hi there,

I have a 2013 GTX2100, love the tractor. I believe it is a very stoutly built machine, which for the dollars they are asking for it...should be. It goes up well against the X500 series from JD.

Cast front end, cast rear end, a very stout deck when you get the fab'd deck.

The electronic power steering and electric deck lift has people a bit shy, but this technology has been around a long time. The steering is awesome.

I put a JP Electric sleeve hitch on mine (awesome!), and pull a Brinly cultivator and a box blade with it. With Ag tires and 2 suitcase weights it kicks some serious arse. Cant say enough about this tractor.

I put on a 2" dash mounted Volt Meter, a switch for the headlights (they come always on which is dumb), and an AUX switch for rear power for sprayer etc.