New Cub Cadet tractor.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by MinnesotaCadet

I feel like these two are the more down to earth people here. And to side with Shotgun Wedding. My grandparents have a 2002 craftsman something rather. I have mowed with it and I can say that it is NOT crap. It will mow better and faster than ANY of my old Cubs. That IS A FACT. Technology grows people. It may not be as durable but it might do the job better. And I am seriously considering buying one of these new Cub Cadets. I don't care what anyone thinks. I want something that I know will start. Many of my IH Cubs I'm not sure will start without needing to be jumped or have starter fluid injected(That's mostly my fault for buying all the beat up old ones). You are all basically insulting your own tractors. The engineers over at Cub Cadet put a lot of time and the have pride in there work. Then this happens. Nonstop criticism. But as of now I'm using my 1650 for mowing and I can say my grandparents mower would get it done faster with just as good of a cut.

I just needed to get that out of my system.

I think the guys (I can speak for myself, at least) that are "insulting" the new Cubs are doing so mostly out of jest and frustration with the way things are today. I don't think anybody is saying the new Cubs can't cut grass quickly and well, we're all talking about longevity and getting the best bang for your buck. Maybe we're speaking on a commentary on society, that not everything has to be faster, more curvy, and linked to a phone. Your grandparents 2002 Craftsman may cut grass quick and well, and may do it quicker than your older Cubs, but put it against a good 82 series, or Cyclops, or Super, then compare aftermarket options and parts support down the road. Part of the problem with newer machines is who knows if parts (outside the engine) will be available for the deck, frame, body panels, etc 5, 10, 20 years down the line. The guys who are "knocking" the newer machines aren't necessarily doing so because they don't think they can cut grass well or push snow with a blade, or use a tiller, or a plow, etc, it's because they don't have confidence in them to be still working strong 20+ years from now. They don't know that parts will still be readily available for them 20+ years from now. Older Cubs (and other GT's) are proven over 20, 30+ years to be reliable, old iron that takes a lickin, keeps on tickin.

If I wasn't from a farm background, or didn't want to work on things like I do, yeah, I would be all over a newer machine because all I'd want to do is cut grass. But the more you know, the more you learn, the more you want to do, the older Cubs become more and more appealing. I have a neighbor who mows half the field between his place and mine. He uses a Craftsman from the early 2000's I'd guess. Still works, and it isn't falling apart, too much. He adds oil, starts it up, and cuts his yard, then goes inside. He zips around because he wants to get the job done and be off the thing. When I mow, I check the oil, start it up, let it warm up, then sit proudly atop 15+ year old machinery that will continue to run strong for years to come and enjoy every pass I make.

So for the old vs new: it's a pride thing. It's a long term build quality and parts thing. It's an aesthetic thing. It's an old iron vs new steel/plastic thing. It's a personal preference thing. But it is not a personal thing, making it my old vs your new. Don't take comments personally, they are opinions. The guys defending the new stuff are just as bad as the guys knocking it.

Now, let's get back to the new Cubs released today and wait and see what the build quality is like under the shiney new hood and paint