2554 vs 3100

[JPPWNY]

I'm looking to buy a 2554 or a 3100 with 54" deck.
I am not a mechanical genius by any stretch, but I cringe when I look at the PTO belt twisted and contorted underneath the muffler on a 2554. To me this looks hokie and I trust the PTO belt on my SLT1554 more than the looks of the 2554 configuration.
Can anyone out there tell me if the PTO belt setup on a 2554 is reliable? bad? suceptible to problems?
I am thinking of going to the 3100 just because of this.
I know having shaft driven transmission is better than belt driven, but is having a shaft driven deck PTO that much of an advantage over belt PTO?
The 2554 looks like a heck of a tractor (except the concerns I outlined above) for the price. Just don't know if the 3100 is worth the extra $1,400 just because it has a shaft driven PTO.
Thanks for your advise.

 

[JTKub]

The PTO belt routing system found on the 2K series has been around for a long time. Yes, it's not as simple as a vertical shaft engine as far as PTO to deck belt routing, but that's the price you pay to have direct engine to transaxle shaft drive. FWIW, I've beat the crap out of the PTO belt on my 2544 (chunks missing) and she's still going. I would amagine avg. PTO belt life on a 2K series is over 100hrs. They take seconds to remove and replace. The idler pullies under the muffler are super deep-sheaved, so they will continue to work well with an old battered belt. If it were me & I had the need for a 54" deck, I'd go 3K series for the comfort, power everything, etc..

Joel

 

[ducati996]

Its what else you get in the 3100 that makes the $1400 difference go away (is it really that much of a difference or can you lower it?)
I would say the 3100 is the true value proposition in their garden tractor line.
And it gets harder to see the value proposition or it disappears when you move up to the 3200. The 3200 is a great machine but all you get is a differential lock, 2 hp and a tilt steering wheel. Its at least $1k for that difference. Besides the price of the 3200 gets close enough to the 5000 series.
However the general ease of attaching attachments, the shaft coupled quick disconnect really shines and eliminates belt wear. Of course the frame, size and comfort along with power steering and lift hydrolics all add to the value of the 3100.

Let us know which way you choose

Duc

 

[jmt1271]

ducati, how much did you pay for your 3100? i got the 3200, (the main thing i wanted was the diff lock). but there wasnt much diff price wise between the 31 and 3200. i got out the door for right at $6k with my 3200 and 54" deck. both mowers were badass and i think the best value in HEAVY duty GT's.

 

[ducati996]

ducati, how much did you pay for your 3100? i got the 3200, (the main thing i wanted was the diff lock). but there wasnt much diff price wise between the 31 and 3200. i got out the door for right at $6k with my 3200 and 54" deck. both mowers were badass and i think the best value in HEAVY duty GT's.

I guess it sounded like I was putting down the "value" aspec of the 3200 but I didnt mean it that way. There is a price difference between the 3100 & 3200
and for the most part its close to $1k.
Myself I have a 3204, which is just like the 3100

 

[MrWiggles2]

I put my belt on wrong a month ago and cut the grass. I couldn't figure out why the belt would chirp when I started the pto, it usually doesn't. After cutting I realized what I did and did it right, but the belt had frayed and has some nicks and gouges. I am still using the same belt, now with 130 hours. My neighbor changed his on his 2140, at over 450 hours. As long as you put them on right, they last a long time. Yes, its a long belt and it twists and contorts but I'm telling you that they work just great. I get great power to my deck, it doesn't bog in the thickest grass and it works fantastic. I think you'll really like a 2554 if you opt that way.

 

[Fordlords]

With a 3100 you'll get a thicker frame, power steering, (awesome) and shaft driven deck as items above the 2554. If you can justify the cost, go for it! But if not.. The PTO belt system on the 2554 is basically the same deal as on my old 682, and while the belt does take a lot of twists it works great and lasts a long time- you can even buy a Kevlar belt at TSC that last even longer than the OEM belt.

A lot of people test ride the 3000's and are sold just on the power steering. The cost of the added features of a 3000 would be nearly returned at selling time, but I don't think you would go wrong with either the 3100 or 2554.

-Fordlords-

 

[micman32]

I have a 2518. The belt can be a pain if you don't put it on right. I burned one up because of that. The replacement had lasted well over 100 hours and still has plenty of life in it.

 

[JPPWNY]

Well, best price my dealer will give me on the 3100 with 54" deck is $6,198.
Best price on 2554 is $3,800.
Big difference, bigger than I thought as I didn't realize the deck was ADDITIONAL cost on the 3100.

I know the power steering and shaft driven deck is nice, but I don't think that I can justify the price difference.
I have strong, muscular arms that can handle the steering on my SLT1554 (so I shouldn't have a problem with the 2554) and I can replace tons of PTO belts for that price differential.

If I can sell my little JD L100 before Cub's 2 yr, 0% financing offer expires at the end of July, I will go for the 2554. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[JSharp]

Well, best price my dealer will give me on the 3100 with 54" deck is $6,198.
Best price on 2554 is $3,800.
Big difference, bigger than I thought as I didn't realize the deck was ADDITIONAL cost on the 3100.

I know the power steering and shaft driven deck is nice, but I don't think that I can justify the price difference.
I have strong, muscular arms that can handle the steering on my SLT1554 and I can replace tons of PTO belts for that price differential.

If I can sell my little JD L100 before Cub's 2 yr, 0% financing offer expires at the end of July, I will go for the 2554.

I was wondering how you were going to get a 3100 with a deck for the money you mentioned. The difference between a 2554 and a 3100 with the 54" deck was over $2K when I bought my 2554. It wasn't worth the $$ difference to me either. If you can get a current 2554 for $3800 it's a good price. None of the dealers within 50 miles of me would move from retail.