7532 Review?

asdf · Jul 28, 2004

I tried posting this before, but it disappeared so if it shows up somewhere please forgive the double post.

I'm really looking for advise. I've never owned or even used a compact tractor before. I'm retired and looking for something I can use to load a two yard sander, skid trees out of my 60 acre woodlot and mow my yard. I was looking at a Kubota 1500, but it seemed underpowered for the skidding and it didn't reach quite high enough with the bucket. Today I talked with a Cub Cadet dealer and am pretty well sold on the 7532. I looked all through the Discussion and Review sections here, but can't find anything specific to that model. Has anyone ever owned one or can give me any advise? I have decided on a couple of requirements; it needs to be 4wd and I'd prefer a pto mower over a MMM. It wouldn't be used every day and I'm not going to try to make a living with it; but maybe hire out for a few small jobs to help pay for it. My idea is that I should be able to rent most attachments, like a backhoe, since I just wouldn't use them enough to justify the purchase price.

I do believe "you get what you pay for" and I'm not afraid to spend money, but there is such a thing as overkill. I'd rather buy a little more than I'll need rather than wish I'd gotten something bigger. It seems like that's where the 7532 fits.

Thanks, and any advise or observations are appreciated.

rozett · Jul 29, 2004

First, Welcome to TBN. I haven't seen or tried a 7532, but I'm sure it is more than capable for both the sander and a finish mower. But I would be very leery of skidding with that machine. Since you haven't filled out your profile yet, I'm not sure what kind of terrain your woodlot is like, but you want as much weight in the tractor as you can get to do the skidding.... and 2300 pounds is not a lot. I have a Cub 7360 which has a little more HP and another 900 pounds.... plus I have loaded tires. There's a good reason that a log skidder weighs as much as it does.

Bird · Jul 29, 2004

While some of our members do have Cub Cadets, there just aren't as many of them as several of the other brands. No matter what you decide to buy, try it out first. Personally, I think the Cubs are nice tractors; haven't heard anything bad about them. But when I was considering one in 1995, I climbed on and found that it just was not comfortable for me. I'm less than an inch under 6' and it seemed everything was laid out for someone much shorter. But that's a purely personal feeling; it might fit you just fine. The Kubota dealer I bought my Kubotas from used to also sell Cub Cadet, but eventually dropped the line. He said the Cubs cost more new, but depreciated faster, so they weren't worth as much used. I didn't ask for details and don't know whether that's true elsewhere or not.

At any rate, I think they're fine machines and if it feels right to you, go for it.

Ledgemere Farm · Jul 29, 2004

I USED A FARMI WINCH TO CLEAR MY HOUSE LOT. I HAVE ENOUGH POWER WITH MY 7260 TO PULL OUT TWO OR THREE TREE LENGTH LOGS OF 12" + DIAMETER. HOWEVER, I AGREE THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE TRACTOR IS A HUGE FACTOR. I HAD TO "PROP"THE BLADE OF THE WINCH AGAINST A BOULDER TO KEEP THE WINCH FROM HAULING THE TRACTOR BACKWARD. ALSO, WITH THREE TREES ON THE WINCH, THE FRONT END WAS OFF THE GROUND ABOUT 1 FOOT EVEN WITH THE LOADER. I STEERED WITH THE BRAKES. USE EXTREME CAUTION!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

asdf · Jul 29, 2004

Thanks for the welcome. I finally figured out how to fill in the profile. As you can see, I'm from Maine too. I've got a pretty typical woodlot with several old overgrown skidder trails and a couple I've kept passable with a pickup.

asdf · Jul 30, 2004

Thanks for all the advise. I don't think that Cub would be heavy enough. Today, I got quotes and trying to decide between the JD 4310 and the Kubota L3130 w/723 FEL. From the brochures, they seem very comparable. The Kubota dealer had one that I drove around the lot and tried out. That probably had a lot to do with it, but I'm really leaning that way. About $800 less and just seems like it would be easier on the operator.

Ledgemere Farm · Jul 31, 2004

Have you seen the bigger Cubs? They have a 45 and 50 HP one now. I saw one at Waterman's in Sabattus. It looked like a DK 45, but white...

asdf · Jul 31, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Have you seen the bigger Cubs? They have a 45 and 50 HP one now. I saw one at Waterman's in Sabattus. It looked like a DK 45, but white... )</font>

Got any idea of a ball park figure with a loader and finish mower?

Ledgemere Farm · Aug 1, 2004

I didn't ask. You could call them and ask. They are cheaper than Hazelton's and ALLOT cheaper than FM Abbott.

MajMac392 · Aug 3, 2004

ASDF,

More comments from a Mainer. I have had a 7234, 23HP, 4WD, about 3300# with the loader for several years and love it. Very capable machine but whole heartedly agree with Rozett. My property is not very flat and you get the Cub on uneven terrain or on a hill and the center of gravity is seriously effected. On flat it will pull an move a lot of weight but it can get downright dangerous with that size machine. I have moved/skidded 50-60 foot, 18-20” trees but I’m very careful doing it. There has been many times doing work that I only have 3 wheels on the ground. I’ve often thought if the wheels were independent suspension the tractor would be much safer and easier to use but I suppose the price would be real high. Get something heavier and a little bigger footprint than one of the smaller CUTs. Enough said probably. Like about everyone else I plow snow, move dirt, rocks etc and it is the best ‘motorized’ wheelbarrow I’ve ever had. There are a lot of very capable tractors out there but I would seriously look at either the Kioti or the Mahindra. The Kubota L or Grand L series aren’t to shabby either. Sit on the tractor you want and try the fit, I too feel the Cub is sometimes a little tight fit but it is the only tractor I know!

My 2 cents.