Looking for XT3 (real world) feedback!

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

You know, the JD 318 information is all listed at tractordata.com . Those were produced from '83 through '92, and chances are they need an engine over haul on an expensive Onan engine. I can't believe all the wise crack jokes about the XT3 measuring up against a JD garden tractor of that age. The Cub Cadet XT3 actually measures up quite well, and even better in the engine department.

You'd be money and time ahead to look further into the XT3 Cub Cadet with a good warranty, then to go with an unknown, undocumented JD 318.

Also, the forum should be a little more positive and promoting toward the new Cub Cadet line of equipment, in my opinion.

Just goes to show, I was not far off my rocker.

John, are you serious? Or joking? I'm confused.....
If you truly think that an XT3 can even come close to even a wore out 318, you are off your rocker.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

Also, the forum should be a little more positive and promoting toward the new Cub Cadet line of equipment, in my opinion.

Sometimes I swear it's WFM around here.

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

John, are you serious? Or joking? I'm confused.....
If you truly think that an XT3 can even come close to even a wore out 318, you are off your rocker.

I'm totally fine with your opinion, Jon. No foul here! But seriously, an old worn Onan in a JD 318 v.s the new XT3?

If you seriously think, if they were side by side, that I would take an old beat 83' JD over a new XT3, I'll tell you in simple English that I would choose the XT3.

Like I said, time and money to go a head with the XT3. Better engine, more power, newer, probably will mow circles around the JD.

I love old iron garden tractors, the JD 318 included. But again, you missed where the guy just wanted some info and maybe some real world reasoning toward the XT3, which has turned into something else.

I'm not going to sit here and bad mouth fellow enthusiasts. We're friends with different opinions!

I'm out! Have a good day guys, enjoy the weather!

[wsar10]

Originally Posted by olds45512

Sometimes I swear it's WFM around here.

Agreed! With both of you guys.
Forums like this are intended to educate and help each other.

I made my 3rd trip today to look at and drive an XT3. I am more impressed everytime I dig into it!! Like I said before, I have always had old solid machines and will continue to own them but I have a need for something new (now) also. For reasons including but not limited to comfort, safety and convenience. To say it won't hold up for 20 years, I definitely would disagree. One, I am OCD about maintenance but what sticks out to me is all of the cheap entry level craftsman tractors that are still kicking from the early 90's.... These things are everywhere!! The XT3 is a million times heavier duty then those and built like a tank when compared to other modern tractors. I am certain I will have issues within its life, but unlike most modern machines it seems fixable.

I take issue with the plow setup.... it is front mount (in front of F axle) with manual lift. What a flaw in a great machine, I understand the reason behind though... Price point. The dealer I talked with today sells roughly 10 a year (and tons of the cheaper lines), only ever had one come back and it was the owners stupidity. Time will tell for sure, but people made the same remarks about the 3000 series also and they have come to be known as a solid machine now.
The XT3 will needs some mods done when I get it home, but I enjoy things of that nature and will look lIke factory options when I am done. I will add a designated digital voltage meter, tachometer, headlight switch and a few LED pod lights. Then we need to look into the rear.... Meaning fabing weight racks and something with the hitch setup. Not sure what my needs will be quite yet in terms of a hitch, most likely just moving our camper around the yard.

[zippy1]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

You know, the JD 318 information is all listed at tractordata.com . Those were produced from '83 through '92, and chances are they need an engine over haul on an expensive Onan engine. I can't believe all the wise crack jokes about the XT3 measuring up against a JD garden tractor of that age. The Cub Cadet XT3 actually measures up quite well, and even better in the engine department.

You'd be money and time ahead to look further into the XT3 Cub Cadet with a good warranty, then to go with an unknown, undocumented JD 318.

Also, the forum should be a little more positive and promoting toward the new Cub Cadet line of equipment, in my opinion.

Yeah right, then when it does crap out, we're a$$holes for being "positive and promoting" such a thing.
I truly hope the OP is super happy with the tractor, and it's everything he wants in a grass cutter, really I do. Cause that there is a lot of money to dump into a grass cutter.
OFF the OP's topic. I would like something brand new for the woman, not used, but brand new, there isn't one out there I trust lasting long enough to get my moneys worth out of it.
"Unless" you pay with your first granddaughter. Feet and hands don't get you anything, anymore.

[Oak]

Wsar10, I say go for it. I mow a bunch of grass and I love how my 3000 series machines mow. If I wasn't such a cheapa$$ and one would pop up for under $2k I'd snag it but I don't see that happening for a while. Member Shotgun Wedding has a sweet hitch setup on his GTX2100 made by Johnny Products. I agree, the new mowers mow a lot better than the older equipment and I love the foot controlled hydro system. Post some pics of it if you can.

[john hall]

Some very interesting comments, both ways. I would really like to say this is a great machine for the money, but I am hesitant--not convinced in other words. I went to Cadet's site and looked at all info on these machines. Some things look really great, some well they are features found on cheap machines. I don't like the rack and pinion steering--unless it is made correctly. My wifes aunt has a 30 year old small Deere with it that works fine--but Deere cut no corners and made it quite robust. We've replaced a couple sets in older Craftsman mowers and been into a couple Cadets that used it with some cheap bushings (what a joke). Now the electric steering may be a better setup, but I did not see any pics. Regarding electric steering and deck lift, that better be high end components or it's going to be a headache, and an expensive one. My biggest concern there is, what will parts availability be 10 years down the road?

Plastic hoods and dashes, the entire industry is plagued by that. Craftsman may still have some that have metal hoods--hooray for them.

The hydro unit--who knows? Don't think that is a real popular unit for whomever is building it. That said, it either cost a fortune to produce, or its a dressed up lawn tractor version.

If you have plenty of cash and storage space, I'd say get the XT3 for mowing grass, and then get you a proven old school machine for grunt work. I can't see why the XT3 would not last 20+ years providing the electrical stuff holds up. There are plenty of older Craftsman, Murrays and the like getting the job done every week---just know what the machine is built capable of handling and don't ask for any more.

If you do get it, please keep us updated as time goes on. I hope to hear this is a great machine. I've only seen one in person, never got to operate one. Wonder if the dealer would let you mow with it?

[johncub7172]

Zippy1, I love our IH/CCC Cub Cadets! Back in the day, these garden tractors like the IH 982, IH 782D, IH 1650, JD 318, ect., were A LOT of money to be considered for a grass cutter.

My only gripe about purchasing old IH Cub Cadets, or the CCC Cub Cadets, is the fact that you can almost be 100% certain that at the least, the engine would need a solid rebuild. I have been burned by this time and time again when I could have got the garden tractor for a $100 less.

Since this great forum is called: Only Cub Cadets, and being just like a JD fan whom can't be swayed another way, I'm totally a Cub Cadet fan, and will be even in the after life! lol!

Now before Jon decides to come and lock out the thread, which I hope does not happen, I would like to suggest that its not a fair comparison between that JD 318 and a new XT3.

I hope to read more of this new XT3, and that we as OCC have a first hand opportunity to learn more about it. But for hauling heavy trailers, I'd stick with the IH Cub Cadet cast iron trans axle garden tractor.

Looks like another nice day to get outside and work on these Cub Cadets guys! Rock-on!

[J-Mech]

Don't worry John, I'm not wasting anymore time on this thread. You and the OP can't be swayed. You think a cheap made tractor with cool looking hoods is worth $5k +, but I've spent too much time actually using and working on equipment not to know better. I hope the OP enjoys his new machine, but my bet is we never hear anything about it a year from now. Either because he loses interest in coming on here and touting a machine that only 2 or 3 people are interested in, or because it turns out that we are right and he doesn't want to admit it..... Either way, I have no interest in the XT tractor at all. I'm frankly tired of hearing abut all its "wonderful" lack of features, (manual blade lift, cheap electric deck lift instead of hydraulic) and cheap parts (hydro, stamped frame components, steering components). Even when facts are presented and legit comparisons are made, they are just ignored. You guys can talk away!

[OldSkull]

Originally Posted by zippy1

I would like something brand new for the woman, not used, but brand new, there isn't one out there I trust lasting long enough to get my moneys worth out of it.
"Unless" you pay with your first granddaughter. Feet and hands don't get you anything, anymore.

To bad Husqvarna don't import the commercial P524 here on our side of the "pond" because It's freaking easy to drive around and keeping the deck clean, not mentioning it's AWD too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpXnWa7Mt9s

A friend of mine got the smaller Rider AWD ($5000) and his lady like it a lot but I think it's a bit expensive for a machine with a B&S "Endurance" engine. The XT3 is a GTX 2000 series with a new name, it's the only Cub cadet who still can be consider has a GT but if you ask me the only GT available today are made by Simplicity and John Deere and they cost around 10 gran. There is no free lunch out there 5K can't get you what was 3K in the old days.

My T series Kubota is almost 8 years old, his deck start showing his age already, It's a 5K landmower well build with a crappy OEM engine but at least He cost me $1500 so if he fall on duty, I will not loose a arm and a leg..