Are new Cub Cadets any good?

alg720 · #1 03-24-2011, 10:57 PM

So I see alot of different new Cub Cadets in various stores. Are they as good as they used to be? Are there any to avoid? Is there a year that I should try and stay away from?

Methos · #2 03-24-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alg720

So I see alot of different new Cub Cadets in various stores. Are they as good as they used to be? Are there any to avoid? Is there a year that I should try and stay away from?

I would stay away from the big box store cubs. Pay a visit to your local cub dealer and check them out. I'll let other with newer cubs chime in on which of the newer cubs to get or stay away from.

A couple of questions tho. How big of a yard do you plan to mow and are you wanting to do anything else with it other then mowing duties? How much land are you going to be mowing weekly? I'm sure I forgot some questions but that will get the ball rolling.

gcbailey · #3 03-25-2011, 07:38 AM

I've got an '09 GT2544, a true cub GT (shaft driven, cast iron rear, kohler command). While it's true they are not an IH Cub, I would put them up against anything currently offered as far as production GTs goes. JD doesn't even make a shaft driven GT under $8K. I have the electric sleeve hitch for mine and snow blade and I clear 9 driveways in the winter and plow 2 gardens in the summer. For the price I believe they are the best value out there.

Even as far as the big box LTs goes, I would put the quality of the CC up against any other LT out there, and that's just not because of the name. You just really need to remember to compare apples to apples and LT to LT and GT to GT. I have a '07 LT 1045 from HD and it's been an excellent LT and serves its purposes excellently. CC LTs also use a heavier frame than other LTs, as do the GTs.

CC has just "re-furbed" their GTs for 2011. There is no more GT25XX series or 3000 series. It's back to a 2000 series. They are offering power steering, and electric lifts (deck) on some model GTs. You can still get the hydraulic tiller, snow blade, and other attachments that work with the 25XX series. The JD x500 series is what you could compare against and their starting price vs. a GT25XX series is over $1500 more and that's without a true shaft driven engine or cast iron rear.

Some of the GT 25XX series had issues with the hoods where the plastic bolt mounts would break off, mine did at .07 hours.... the dealer was quick about fixing it (new hood, w/re-enforced mounts). The did change the design and added bracing for 2010. So if you are looking at that, then you may be able to get a '10 leftover from a dealer. You can tell if you raise the hood and see a metal support bracket running up the center. The plastic hood is the only negative I would count against the 25XX series. Does it affect the performance, no. It's just a cosmetic thing, but truthfully what new GT do you get a metal hood with?

I've got 156 hours on my GT2544 and I have had no issues. I would buy another one if I was looking at a new GT. If you wanted hydraulics then you need to look at the 3000 series. They have a shaft driven deck and you can get front, mid, rear hydro ports for things such as tiller, blade, power angle.... You can also get a locking rear differental. The 3000 is rather pricey and for a couple thousand more you'd be looking at a SCUT. But they are an excellent GT.

alg720 · #4 03-25-2011, 09:44 AM

My main need is that I have two drive ways I must maintain in the winter, and a couple others that belong to elderly neighbors that I do just because they need the help. Mine being 20yds x 20yds. So the amount of snow is signifigant at the end of the run in any direction. I end up throwing it at least twice before it's off the drive. I realy just want to be able to throw alot of snow without the break downs that have followed me this past winter. The amount of lawn realy has no bearing on my needs. I usualy can push mow each lawn in within two hrs.

PACubCadet · #5 03-25-2011, 10:57 AM

Why push when you got a Cub?

gcbailey · #6 03-25-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alg720

My main need is that I have two drive ways I must maintain in the winter, and a couple others that belong to elderly neighbors that I do just because they need the help. Mine being 20yds x 20yds. So the amount of snow is signifigant at the end of the run in any direction. I end up throwing it at least twice before it's off the drive. I realy just want to be able to throw alot of snow without the break downs that have followed me this past winter. The amount of lawn realy has no bearing on my needs. I usualy can push mow each lawn in within two hrs.

That's somewhat my situation. I'm the "neighborhood do-it-all guy". I'm at least 25 years younger than any of my neighbors.... I have widows both houses above me and a widower in front of me. Retired below me... so all I'm missing is the warm Florida air!

As far as plowing snow goes, the blade for the 25XX series is 42". I think the johnnybucket blade is larger. For the 3000 series you can get a 60" blade and like I said, hydraulic lift and optional power angle so you don't have to leave the seat.

I've got my 2544 weighed down really good for snow... Filled tires around 70lbs each, 55lbs of wheel weights on each side, 3x42 lb suitcase weights. So you can put some weight on there without worrying about breaking anything.

inspectorudy · #7 04-02-2011, 06:58 PM

I sold a 12 ton press to a guy this morning who works for the company in Atlanta that only repairs the stuff that Home Depot sells. Like lawn mowers compressors and power washers. He said that HD gives the builders a price that they would pay and that is how the products are speced. He said that all of the models that HD sells are basically junk and that most of the mowers are not meant to last very long. He said that the compressors and pressure washers were the worst and NEVER buy anything with HUSKY on it. He said the lawn mowers were made of real thin metal and were not meant to be used with accessories like push blades or tillers. He looked at the deck on my 1811 and said that the FRAMES on the new mowers were thinner the metal on my deck! The only real CC's are the ones they sell at the CC dealers. He also said the the new Kohler engines were terrible and poorly made. They are having a bad time keeping up with all the weak spots especially the single cylinder model. It looks like the old CC's are the way to go.

gcbailey · #8 04-02-2011, 08:01 PM

Just remember the GT2544 that I'm talking about is in no way shape or form the same as what you are going to get at HD or TSC. It is a true GT, heavier frame and all, and can only be purchased at a CC dealer, no big box. I do have a '07 LT1045 and compared to other LTs the CC is better built than the same versions of JD, husky, whatever... IMO..