KWRB
Bronze Member
I have a Cub 2186 that I like (not love). It was my grandfather's, and he is meticulous about maintenance and traded up 4 years ago. It was in good shape when I bought it from him, but it's a little long in the tooth now. I have enough projects going and I am getting tired of all the little fixes. To boot, the only dealer close to me is, frankly, a jerk. I hate buying parts from him because he's just plain rude.To boot, I think the engine bit the dust a few weeks ago. Black smoke and quit, now won't start. I'm mechanically astute, but I don't feel dealing with this machine anymore.
I bought a used 2186 with a valve problem a year ago and it's about back together after new valves and a new head, but that doesn't solve the old deck issues and the whack-a-mole repairs that are sure to come on this unit too. this one (with the original as a cannibal corpse), will be more of a fun project than an essential everyday tool.
I'm going to break down and buy a new machine.
My fiance does the mowing because she's less tolerant of shabby looking lawn than I am. I know I've got it good in this respect, so I'm trying to take good care of her who takes care of our place. We have a few acres we mow with the rider (the rest with my big tractor). I want to go with an overpowered machine and I think I've settled on the Cub XT3 GSE or GSX. I like that they're American designed and manufactured, and though I don't like my local dealer, I think that should be less of a problem with a new machine (should break less). She kind of likes a front mount machine, but those zero-turns are mow-only and they cost a lot more. For the money, I'd like to have some versatility.
If you have experience, what do you all think of these machines? Since I'm buying new, I'm going to cast a very wide net and price them at virtually every dealer in NY, and I'll drive a long ways to pick it up if I have to. I know my local guy will have a price 125% of the next closest dealer, so I'm already committed to not going the local route.
Thanks for any advice,
Kurt
I bought a used 2186 with a valve problem a year ago and it's about back together after new valves and a new head, but that doesn't solve the old deck issues and the whack-a-mole repairs that are sure to come on this unit too. this one (with the original as a cannibal corpse), will be more of a fun project than an essential everyday tool.
I'm going to break down and buy a new machine.
My fiance does the mowing because she's less tolerant of shabby looking lawn than I am. I know I've got it good in this respect, so I'm trying to take good care of her who takes care of our place. We have a few acres we mow with the rider (the rest with my big tractor). I want to go with an overpowered machine and I think I've settled on the Cub XT3 GSE or GSX. I like that they're American designed and manufactured, and though I don't like my local dealer, I think that should be less of a problem with a new machine (should break less). She kind of likes a front mount machine, but those zero-turns are mow-only and they cost a lot more. For the money, I'd like to have some versatility.
If you have experience, what do you all think of these machines? Since I'm buying new, I'm going to cast a very wide net and price them at virtually every dealer in NY, and I'll drive a long ways to pick it up if I have to. I know my local guy will have a price 125% of the next closest dealer, so I'm already committed to not going the local route.
Thanks for any advice,
Kurt