Questions About Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors

Hi Everyone:

We are in the market for a new lawn tractor. Home Depot has various Cub Cadet models. What are the good and or bad points of Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors? As far as service or maintenance is concerned how reliable are they?

How do they compare to other brands? Again, as far as service or maintenance is concerned? I have read good and bad things about them, that is why I am asking.

Is there anything that we should know about the Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors before we purchase one? Is there any reason why we should not purchase a Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor? Should we consider another brand? If so, why?

In general, is their a lot of time spent repeairing Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors?

Thank you for your time, consideration, and cooperation. I hope to hear from you soon,

David

 

Bought the SLT 1550 at the beginning of the season. I've got about 18 hrs on it, so far it's been a good unit, haven't even needed to sharpen the blades. Parts are easy to come buy, as Cub has their info online. The GT model is slightly heavier, bigger tires, 4" more deck and a slightly higher rated hp engine, but the SLT will take the same accessories as the GT (they use the same frame) and it's about $500 less. Can't speak towards the other models.

 

FYI,

Cub Cadet is owned by MTD so you are in essence buying MTD.

HD power equipment is not the same as at a power equipment dealer. Meaning the TORO you buy there is not the same TORO you buy t a TORO dealer.

HD does not service equipment, dealers do.

A tractor is a big investment, I recommend checking with local power equipment dealers in your area and trying to get the best deal. You may be surprised. Service/warranty wise in addition to quality you will be much better off.

Most of the "older" machines you see around came from dealers. Big box machines usually get junked or parted out a lot sooner. There are reasons for this.

Here is a great example. I just acquired a MTD 8-24 snowblower that the owner paid $800 for. Engine seized after 2.5 hrs. He swears he put oil in it they said he ran it without. He is out $800. I have a nice snowblower body with 2.5 hours on it for free. If bought from a dealer they would most likely have put the oil in, started it up for him and given a demonstration. Probably delivered it and done this at his home. There would be no warranty issue from the homeowners.

God Luck and buyer beware

Good luck

 

"HD power equipment is not the same as at a power equipment dealer. Meaning the TORO you buy there is not the same TORO you buy t a TORO dealer."

No... they're the same; the john deere and toro tractors you see at HD are the same ones at the dealer. It's a common myth that the john deeres at HD are made by MTD. Anyway, you're better off going to a dealer for better service.

 

We can agree to disagree, you will NEVER find the same exact model # at a dealer and at HD.

The same goes with most everything else. Example.
A delta single lever faucet you buy at a supply house may be model 43256, at HD it is 43256A. Looks identical, $40 difference. Now take it the apart. Supply house is all brass, you can replace seats etc. HD model is all plastic inside, becomes a throw away after 3 years. Supply house faucet will last 15+. Do the math, it is a no brainer.

 

The Cub Cadet 1000 and 1500 series are basically MTD machines and are sold with different paint as Troy-Bilts, Yardman, Yardmachine, Bolens, White, and MTD, as well as several generic store brands. The 2500 and 3000 series are built much as the original Cub Cadets were with a heavy duty rear axle, shaft drive and stronger frames. If I was looking at Cub Cadet for a 15-20 year machine (homeowner use) I'd be looking at the 2500 and 3000 series machines. And irregardless of model or brand, I too would be buying it from a dealer, not a box store. My local dealer recently closed due to box stores coming in the area.... now I can't get parts without driving 45 minutes each way. He sold at the same price, but folks didn't even bother to stop in while on their way to Home Depot, Lowe's or Walmart for savings they really didn't even get. And I'm now out of a local mechanic with over 35 years experience.

 

I agree with all the above for the most part. I'd personally prefer to stay away from the box stores. Not only because of lack of service and competent advice, but also for the obvious economic effects it has on small business. Buy from a local dealer and put food on a table, not profit in stockholders' pockets. He'll remember you and be there for advice, repair, etc... when the time comes. In the long run you'll save more and feel better about the purchase.

If I were getting a cub cadet, it would be one of the better ones that bontai joe mentioned. I personally would not buy one of the cheaper ones even heavily discounted. I think if you are spending less than 3k, your best bet is usually an AYP product like craftsman or husqvarna. Over 3k and you can get a decent deere or simplicity/snapper.

That's my take on it as a small engine repair shop owner/operator. Hope it helps.

 

Agree with you here. MTD is making the tractors for many companies you see at the HD, Lowes and the like. One thing is that John Deere and Toro is that these two companies have taken the warranty and parts into their system so that if one needs warranty or parts, the dealer can handle it. The price that HD wants to sell these tractors at does not make sense for these companies to build them when MTD has a line and only makes some cosmetic changes that the average customer does not recognize. Toro has pretty much gotten out of the tractor building business and gone to the zero turn mowers along with its line of 21 and 22 inch walk behind mowers. When you work on these tractors daily you see many of the simularities and part interchangeablities. Fixed a MTD tractor last week with Toro Parts. Looked funny with a Black Tractor and Red parts.

 

Toro and John deere are not made by MTD. Not even the cheap ones at home depot. MTD has nothing to do with them.

Correction: I just did some research, and Toro has farmed out the production of their low-end mowers to MTD, apparently to make a mower cheap enough to compete in the low-end consumer market. From the info I gathered, Toro is still independent, and not owned by MTD.

 

Deere no, low end Toro... yes. The LX and GT 2000 series machines are manufactured by MTD. Everything is MTD except the deck, which is stamped by Toro. Fact, not hear-say. Toro still manufactures the XL, 400XT and Classic series.

 

I knew I should have checked further on the Toro before I said that. I haven't seen a Toro made by MTD yet (not many toros at all in my area) and had not heard of any correlation between the two. I stand corrected.

Deere, I do know for a fact is not made by MTD unless something has changed in the past month or two.

 

I believe that Toro recently discontinued manufacture of the XL, 400, 500 and Classic series garden tractors. In fact I know that the Classic Wheelhorse design is now out of production, but that some dealers still have some in inventory. Toro is focusing on their Zero-turn models and selling the rebadged MTDs in the box stores. Shame to think of the Classic Wheelhorse design being gone like the 2 wheel Gravely and the tube frame Bolens.... I know the whys of these decisions, they cost too much in today's market place, labor costs, blah, blah...... but for me knowing the difference in quality of the Classic Wheelhorse vs. the box store MTD made Toro, I'll mourn the loss of another fine machine.