5252 Should I bite the bullet

[Dawgman]

First time poster here.

I have a small farm of 11 acres. Currently my wife mows about 3 acres of it on a 42" craftsman mower. I also need to clean up the overgrown grass on another 5 acres in pasture, the rest is timber. I need something to do some grading on the drive way and some light bush hoging in the bottom. Other than that Ill be pulling a wagon to work on fences and hauling the kids around. Maybe drag a log or two out of the woods now and then. My land has some pretty good hills I basically own the end of a ridge. I have a 40 ft drop off each side of my property spread out across a 1000ft. So I would say that some of the hills are aproaching 20 deg of slope. We can traverse them on the craftsman if we slide our buts to the top side. LOL

I have found a good deal on a used Cub Cadet Series 5252 2007 model. I think it is the MTD not the newer yanmars. It has 76 recorded hours on it for only $4500. I have read alot of post on here about the 5000 series tractors but it seems most of the issues with them were in the early 2004-2006 modes. Transmission issues, belt breaking, and diff sticking.

So here are my questions is this as good a deal as I think it is?

Have the issuses that plagued some of the early 5252 been reconciled without new ones popping up?

Also what accessories would you recommend to go with the tractor. I am getting the 60" MMM but will need to get a bush hog and blade.

We are going Friday to check it out I hope it is easy for my wife to mow with and she wants to to be a smotther ride since some of the yard is not well groomed.

Thanks for your imput.

Sammy

 

[Dawgman]

Here is a piture of the tractor.

 

[Mike5252]

You somehow need to get comfortable with why someone would be so anxious to get rid of a like new tractor for roughly half the MSRP.

I thought my 5252 did a good job mowing and I didn't have any major problems w/ mine while I had it. My primary reason for trading up was I wanted a diesel and 4wd. The reliability concerns raised were a factor, but not the overriding factor. The problems I did have were more of a nuisance than anything else.

When you look around on the internet you tend to see a huge number of 5000/6000/7000 cubs with very low hours for sale. Finding one that has over a couple hundred hours is fairly uncommon. Why is it that everyone is getting the same idea to sell these tractors after such a short time of use?

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[Dawgman]

I agree that this almost seems like to good of a deal. The story that I have been told is that the orginal owner was a landscaper that went belly up and this guy bought it for a steal. After buying it he realized it was to much tractor for his 3 acre yard and he already had another mower.


It is always a risk with any used piece of equipment and I am a little skidish of this model based on what I have read. I was hoping to see someone chime in that most of the issues were resolved and the 2007 model had the kinks worked out.

As far as size and capability it sounds like just what I need. I just dont have 8-10K to drop on a tractor right now so 4500 sounds really good to me. I would love to have a desiel with 4 wd like you but dont know that I would ever reallily need it the majority of the use will be mowing just a few other jobs now and then.

Thanks for the reply

Dawg

 

[Dawgman]

Wow no one wants to brag on there 5000 series tractor after 112 views. I spoke to my dealership today and he really pushed the new Yanmar Cubs. I am not sure what I am going to do yet. Dont really want to drop 10K right now may just have to hire the neighbor to do some clearing for me.

Later
Dawg

 

[VinceSMTA]

I had a 2005 5234D with a FEL and 60" Deck. As stated in a previous post I had a few issues with it and recently traded it in for a new Cub Yanmar. That being said, my issues were with the 4wd and axle. This spring when I talked to my dealer (whom I have great trust in) he told me that all the troubles they have been having were with units that had 4wd and loaders. I was told that the unit was just too light for loader use. He did say that he hadn't had much trouble with the machines that only had mowers on. I know its not a whole lot to go on but I hope I helped.

 

[OhioGuy]

Hey Sammy,

I've had a 5252 for about three years now. I bought it new, at an auction for $5000.
I'm currently at 240 hours and have had it back to the shop twice for minor problems.
I probably could have corrected them myself, but it was under warranty.

As a mower, with the 60 deck, it's the best I've ever owned for comfort and a great cut.
Pretty good on fuel, but not as stingy as a diesel.

I've never used the three point hitch, one drawback is the belly mower is on the same PTO control as the rear PTO, a small disadvantage? So as an example if you put a post hole digger on the rear, youd need to at least disconnect the belly mower PTO to spin the PHD.

The deck isn't the easiest to get off, but there is a lot of weight there and it seems to be well built.


The locking differential is a plus, gives you a little more traction when you need it.

If you have any other specific questions, just ask and good luck!

Curt

 

[Dawgman]

Well I bit the bullet. I picked the tractor up a few nights ago. Everything on it looks great. No leaks or any other damage that I can see. The tractor handles like a dream mowing on my slopes and made the wife happy with how much faster it is. Cant wait to get some impliments behind that 3 point hitch to see how she does. Still getting used to to ROPS wife barely cought the guide wires other night so have to be more carefull with that.

Later
Dawg

 

[scoutcub]

Dawg;

Sounds like a great deal to me. I spent that much on my GT 3200 with no 3-pt, PTO, smaller mower, and smaller tractor! The main reason you have seen all these low-hour Cubs for sale lately is Cub Cadet wanted to clear the books of all models before they unveiled the new Cub-Yanmar line....Cub was selling them at wholesale or below. there's still a few deals out there, mostly 5000 and 6000 series, and a lot of implements. I just sold my 5234, (with only 64 hours) but only because I picked up a great deal on a 6284 with fel and mower. I also picked up a few backhoes pretty cheap.
I don't have much experience with the 5252, but had no problems at all with my 5234. I just visited my local equipment store, they had a 5252, 2 5234's, a few blowers and loaders.

I think you did the right thing!

Frank

 

[Tim12659]

Congrats on you "New" Cub!!! Sounds like a good deal...a lot of people will sell these things after they've tried to trade them in to a dealer...a dealer is just like an automobile dealer...they'll give you NOTHING for yours and expect you to pay the 200% Mark up on ther's....so most people think the tractor they are trying to trade isn't worth much more than what the dealer is trying to give them...I recently (July) bought a 3186 with 160 hrs for $1,500.00 and the thing is like new...I've put almost 200 additional hrs. on it with NO (knock on wood) problems. I am currently building a hydro 3 pt hitch and heavy box blade for it....I will do this for about half what the local dealers want for just the blasted CC Hitch! They all stick to their list price which is $899.00....ridiculous!!!!! If a person has a cutting torch and a decent welding machine they can build their own attachmwnts for less than half and if built right the attachment will be twice as heavy and last much longer! The dealers in my locality are ripping people off!
Good Luck with the new Cub!!!!! Proud for you!