$4000 to spend on lawn/light duty garden tractor
- Thread starter oakford4
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LBrown59
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- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
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- 16,831
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
2-28-7: How was the test ride ???oakford4 said:
The Conquest was impressive, but after learning more about it, I'm not sure that floating deck is for me. Seemed pretty lightweight, and in light of 1/2 my property being pretty rough, I'm not sure. On paper, I really like the Automatic Traction Control and Differential Lock, but there was no way for me to test it and get the feel of it...The Briggs Vanguard I would personally put ahead of the Kohler Command (seemed quieter and less vibration), but not quite as smooth as the Kawa (IMO). Very nice tight turning radius, and I like the infinite deck height adjustment (which the Cub GT2554 did not have). Also, out of that large list, this had the heaviest gauge of steel for the frame (10-guage)...nothing wrong with that.
So, it comes down to whether I should be paying "extra" for that floating deck if I am not a good fit for it (manicured lawns, etc.)...Only about 1/2 my acreage is manicured.
This is painful for me, but I'll get through this decision making!
So, it comes down to whether I should be paying "extra" for that floating deck if I am not a good fit for it (manicured lawns, etc.)...Only about 1/2 my acreage is manicured.
This is painful for me, but I'll get through this decision making!
Robert_in_NY
Super Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2001
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- 8,552
- Location
- Silver Creek, NY
- Tractor
- Case-IH Farmall 45A, Kubota M8540 Narrow, New Holland TN 65, Bobcat 331, Ford 1920, 1952 John Deere M, Allis Chalmers B, Bombardier Traxter XT, Massey Harris 81RC and a John Deere 3300 combine, Cub Cadet GT1554
We bought the Cub Cadet GT1554 last year and have one year of use on it. It does a great job of mowing and overall I have been happy. Our ground has some steep slope along the road and the 54" deck is kind of big for that area but on the rest of the flat area it does a great job. We replaced a 42" mower and between the extra 1' of cutting deck and the stronger motor to allow faster mowing it cut our mowing time in half. The reverse mowing feature is good also but can be annoying until you get use to it. It does turn rather sharp and I have been happy with that.
The only con I have about this mower is that it has to warm up for a bit before you can engage the mower deck. If you try to start it up and rush it out the door you will stall the motor when you try to engage the deck. Other then that I have been happy with it. I have no experience with any of the other models but thought I would add my thoughts on the GT1554.
The only con I have about this mower is that it has to warm up for a bit before you can engage the mower deck. If you try to start it up and rush it out the door you will stall the motor when you try to engage the deck. Other then that I have been happy with it. I have no experience with any of the other models but thought I would add my thoughts on the GT1554.
Baucom
Gold Member
Robert_in_NY said:
My dealer advised me that pulling the choke just slightly, just until you notice a change in the exhaust note, would prevent stalling the engine when you engage the blades. I've only engaged the blades a few times, but I've never let the mower warm up first, and using this method it has also never stalled. YMMV.
Robert_in_NY
Super Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2001
- Messages
- 8,552
- Location
- Silver Creek, NY
- Tractor
- Case-IH Farmall 45A, Kubota M8540 Narrow, New Holland TN 65, Bobcat 331, Ford 1920, 1952 John Deere M, Allis Chalmers B, Bombardier Traxter XT, Massey Harris 81RC and a John Deere 3300 combine, Cub Cadet GT1554
Thanks for the tip. Hopefully I will remember it when I have to actually use the mower come this spring. It does seem strange you have to work with the mower just to start the blades but other then that it is a good machine.
On my way home from work last night, I stopped by the Toro dealer and test rode the Toro GT2300, now made by MTD. They call this a garden tractor and, for the money, seems like an incredible buy. I haven't seen any threads on this anywhere to know about it's reliability. I contacted Toro, and they said that while MTD does manufacturer it for them, it's under the strict Toro specs (I guess what else would they say?). Anyway, alot (ALOT) of machine for the $$ ($2700 on winter sale). Here's what it's got:
-26 HP Kohler Courage
-260 ft-lb continuous torque on transaxle (almost as much as the Simplicity Conquest)
-fastest ground speed (max. 6.4 MPH) of any tractor I've ridden
-pretty stout 675 # with 54" deck
-11 gauge frame (not sure on deck).
-cast iron front axle
-decent sized tires (23X9.5 rears; 16X6.5 fronts)
For the money, this seems like a real buy. Seat was comfortable (and adjustable), and has (similar to Cub) a Rev-Tek type of reverse cutting arrangement. Only major difference I see from others is that they use a Hydro-Gear (3000 series) hydrostatic transaxle, and not Tuff-Torq. Anyone know the pros/cons of Hydro-Gear vs. Tuff Torq?
Yes, LBrown before you mention it, I think I've come to realize that this level of power is probably all I need....Still, I may go with the other 3 I mentioned, but this was quite a surprise.
-26 HP Kohler Courage
-260 ft-lb continuous torque on transaxle (almost as much as the Simplicity Conquest)
-fastest ground speed (max. 6.4 MPH) of any tractor I've ridden
-pretty stout 675 # with 54" deck
-11 gauge frame (not sure on deck).
-cast iron front axle
-decent sized tires (23X9.5 rears; 16X6.5 fronts)
For the money, this seems like a real buy. Seat was comfortable (and adjustable), and has (similar to Cub) a Rev-Tek type of reverse cutting arrangement. Only major difference I see from others is that they use a Hydro-Gear (3000 series) hydrostatic transaxle, and not Tuff-Torq. Anyone know the pros/cons of Hydro-Gear vs. Tuff Torq?
Yes, LBrown before you mention it, I think I've come to realize that this level of power is probably all I need....Still, I may go with the other 3 I mentioned, but this was quite a surprise.
The Toro is still built by MTD though...right? Compare the Toro (MTD) to a Huskee (MTD) at TSC or a White Outdoors (MTD) or to a Yard Machines (MTD) or to a Bolens (MTD) or to many (not all) of the Cub Cadet (MTD) models and you'll see they are very, very similar. The significant differences are in the grill and headlight assemblies and body panel paint color. Mechanically they are essentially the same. This allows MTD to lower their manufacturing costs and pass those savings on to their value minded customers. The Cub 2000 and 3000 series tractors have managed, for now, to avoid many of the cost saving measures that are put in place when MTD acquires a once well known and highly thought of brand name.