5252

[Kahuna]

Has anyone had any problems with the Cub Cadet 5252 sub compact tractor. I have always been a Cadet person but the 5252 I had was the worst new motorized piece of equipment I ever had. My model had the 25hp Kohler which worked fine. It was the other components I didn't care for. The throttle had to be fixed two times, the locking rear wheels broke, the hydraulic lift kept going down and the deck did not cut properly. I had the 60 inch deck and besides not being able to cut tall or thick yard grass (not near enough upper deck clearance) the deck always left a strip of clipped grass on the opposite side of the discharge.

My dealer took the tractor back for some warranty work and brought out a used X-Mark as a loaner to cut my grass. I went back the next day and traded for new X-Mark zero turn mower which cuts grass at least 3 times faster.

I have always had Cub Cadet but this soured me on the brand. Most of the tractor seemed cheap and plastic with generic components. I spoke to some dealers and they said since MTD took over, the quality took a nose dive and they are step above the Wal Mart linup or Craftsman.

I am not knocking the Cub Cadet fans out there, I used to be one too. I don't know if I got a lemon or if anyone else has experienced similar problems.

I always looked on Cub Cadet as a premium brand but I think they are living off their name and not the product.

 

[Mike5252]

I haven't had any problems w/ mine. I think it is pretty much a tank.

The locking rear differential has been a tad sticky once or twice, but I've had no problems w/ the mower (it will mow anything I can throw at it) or any of the thottle/choke linkages.

I have actually just traded up to a JD 2520 and just listed mine for sale, but my reasons for trading up had nothing to do w/ the reliability of the Cub. I traded up more for the subcompact versus compact issues (increased ground clearance, etc).

I have no doubt if you're looking purely for mowing speed/quality a ZTR is a better choice. A subcompact, however, provides much more flexibility for other jobs.

 

[Kahuna]

Mike 5252:

I also bought a JD 3320 compact tractor. It is about twice the price as the 5252 but it is about 3 times the tractor. I've been completely satisfied with it. You will really like your new JD. I don't think the low end John Deere's (like you get at Home Depot) are much better that the Cadets but when you get in the higher end category like you did, there is no comparison. Merry Christmas.

 

[ducati996]

Sounds like what went wrong with your machine, is somewhat minor depending on how you look at things. I know and have seen the results of shattered differential gearing when used incorrectly. Its not designed to be engaged when the rear wheels are spining rapidly. The wheels need to be stopped fully before engaging. Yet folks engage it when the rears are spining full steam, and sometimes the sound of grenading metal happens after

Im not saying you did this at all. But who knows....as for cutting ability sounds like the deck need a cleaning or going over. Blades could have been incorrect size, and the deck not level....Throttle linkages need to be lubed regularly

Overall I hear good things about them as well as being very priced competitively.

Sorry to hear about the bad experiences - it happens with all the colors from time to time - just read the boards for yourself !! I see many unhappy BX24 owners for example.

 

[Hard]

Has anyone had any problems with the Cub Cadet 5252 sub compact tractor. I have always been a Cadet person but the 5252 I had was the worst new motorized piece of equipment I ever had. My model had the 25hp Kohler which worked fine. It was the other components I didn't care for. The throttle had to be fixed two times, the locking rear wheels broke, the hydraulic lift kept going down and the deck did not cut properly. I had the 60 inch deck and besides not being able to cut tall or thick yard grass (not near enough upper deck clearance) the deck always left a strip of clipped grass on the opposite side of the discharge.

My dealer took the tractor back for some warranty work and brought out a used X-Mark as a loaner to cut my grass. I went back the next day and traded for new X-Mark zero turn mower which cuts grass at least 3 times faster.

I have always had Cub Cadet but this soured me on the brand. Most of the tractor seemed cheap and plastic with generic components. I spoke to some dealers and they said since MTD took over, the quality took a nose dive and they are step above the Wal Mart linup or Craftsman.

I am not knocking the Cub Cadet fans out there, I used to be one too. I don't know if I got a lemon or if anyone else has experienced similar problems.

I always looked on Cub Cadet as a premium brand but I think they are living off their name and not the product.

Kahuna...I had 2 Cub 5000 Series tractors. I had the throttle linkage problem, lift cylinder problem, front axle broke, 2 trannys broke and 1 bad engine that could not be fixed. I switched brands...so far so good.