Advice: Inexpensive mower JD vs Cub

[doc_cottom]

My history says stay away from the Briggs engine. I had a mower with the briggs engine that blew while under warranty, When I took it back to the dealer he had the Briggs service rep look at it and I was told that a mouse nest was built under the cover so the engine overheated and it was my fault.

The interesting part was it was the first time I'd mowed in the spring and the engine was running for less than 10 minutes when it blew no way it could have overheated in 10 minutes. In addition I marked all the bolt heads before I took it in and every one of them was in the EXACT same spot when I picked up the mower. I'll never buy another product with a Briggs engine.

I was given an actually brand new MTD with a 14HP Briggs that had run about 10 minutes before it chucked a rod through the side of the block. A medical doctor had bought it in the fall, put it in his shed. Come spring, his wife got it out and started to mow. There was no oil in engine.
They were to embarrassed to take it back to the dealer, so gave it away and went to another store and bought another brand.
I bought a complete 12 HP Briggs and replaced the motor for about $400, ($150 cheaper than a new 14HP) and sold the tractor the next day for $900.

 

[doc_cottom]

I've done a lot of reading on the inexpensive "box store" mowers. I'm planning to purchase one to mow about 3/4 of a flat acre. All this mower will be used for is mowing and picking up leaves.

So I'm comparing the JD LA115 with a Briggs engine to the Cub LT1045 with a Kohler engine. They are both $1650.00.

I'm leaning towards the Cub, but welcome any advice or experiences with these two particular models. Especially any info on the reliability of the Hydrostatic transmissions.

THANKS!!

Three years ago I bought a new 2042 Cub from my local tractor dealer for the exact same price Lowe's was asking. By buying from the dealer the tractor was fully assembled, tested, and then delivered to my home ready to mow.
The dealer has checked on my yearly to see if I need anything, and I have assured that when I buy my next tractor it will be from him.

 

[CCinCT]

Both models will do what you want adequately. Just (like everyone else has said) get it from a dealer. Initial setup is far and away the single most important service you'll ever receive, and you may not get it at all from a box store.

 

[jm102397]

Deere's sold at the box stores need to be uncrated, inspected and run by an authorized Deere service dealer (PDI vendor). HD/Lowe's that sell them without this being done are on the hook for repairs. When we find a unit that was sold that has no dealership PDI on record, the box store is on the hook to pay for us for travel etc to their customers' home to do the PDI.

One thing to watch for at the box stores is the fact that after PDI the units are NEVER to go back into a crate again. One part of the process is leveling the deck and by putting them back in the crate (with the metal crossbeam running from side to side) there is a 99% chance the deck will be hit against that bar and need to be adjusted again. Since that is not a "warranty" issue it is also the responsibility of the store to pay for that leveling. Many times owners will get home with their new mower and find it is not cutting levelly and call to complain, then have to bring it in to get it adjusted. Not a good experience as a new JD owner. This info is in writing to the box stores in numerous places and we remind them about it before we leave after doing the PDI's. Usually the are reloading them into the crates before we pull out of the parking lot though...

 

[jm102397]

BTW-I am not aware of any other manufacturer who requires the PDI's be done by a dealership at the box stores. Many box stores by us use contractors to put together their other brand units or their own employees do them. I have actually had L&G managers "threaten" to "give the JD contract to one of their "other" contractors"....LOL.
Some of the HD stores are an absolute PITA to deal with-the Lowes stores are much more pleasant as "customers"

 

[shot_gun]

Some of the HD stores are an absolute PITA to deal with-the Lowes stores are much more pleasant as "customers"

Speak the word my brother!!LoL!

A word on the new style engine(grren decals/trim on the engine) even though it is a Briggs it is specificly built for JD. Doesn't rattle and smoke like the Kohler. As a salesman it nice to go start up a new tractor and not have it puffing white smoke and sound like the valve terrains comming apart. I have a kohler in my LT133 and my dad always asks me when it's going to give up the gohst so to speak. I have to tell him it's normal

I went back through our records for the last two years warranty. 1 engine failure from a HD customer that swears they put oil back into the engine after they changed it The aluminum from the rod was welded to the crank from all that oil.

 

[NEFirewood]

Three years ago I bought a new 2042 Cub from my local tractor dealer for the exact same price Lowe's was asking. By buying from the dealer the tractor was fully assembled, tested, and then delivered to my home ready to mow.
The dealer has checked on my yearly to see if I need anything, and I have assured that when I buy my next tractor it will be from him.

I bought my cub from a dealer and I also feel in the end it turned out to be a smart move on my part. I also decided to spring for the more expensive shaft driven garden tractor as well. I was thinking of buying a 1554 (Home Depot and TSC sell them) and it turned out the 2542 was only a few hundred dollars more. But that few hundred bought me a lot in terms of power and traction and cut. Now it's easy to get parts for it, and when I received it, it was ready to start mowing. Also I was able to get help over the phone any time I have had problems with the machine, which turned out to be pretty few and far between. In fact today is the first day I actually had it out to use for the first time this year.

 

[jm102397]

Speak the word my brother!!LoL!

A word on the new style engine(grren decals/trim on the engine) even though it is a Briggs it is specificly built for JD. Doesn't rattle and smoke like the Kohler. As a salesman it nice to go start up a new tractor and not have it puffing white smoke and sound like the valve terrains comming apart. I have a kohler in my LT133 and my dad always asks me when it's going to give up the gohst so to speak. I have to tell him it's normal

I went back through our records for the last two years warranty. 1 engine failure from a HD customer that swears they put oil back into the engine after they changed it The aluminum from the rod was welded to the crank from all that oil.

That would actually be "sister"...

We have actually had a larger # of engine failures or issues than that-most are from the box stores units and IMHO are due to the lack of salesperson knowledge which leads to a lack of knowledge to the end user. As you probably know, 90% of buyers will not even open the bag their owner's manual comes in (I remind them that they aren't like baseball cards-the value isn't going to be affected if they get handled alot ).

Had a service cust. in this week that is the perfect example of this "lack of knowledge". First tells me he "just needs a full service". I write that down. I then ask if there are ANY other issues we need to address while in the shop. He then goes on to say "Well, ever since the day I got it it has a really stong gas smell and seems to spit and sputter alot...I literally reek of gas when I am done mowing. Do you think it could have a gas leak somewhere". I said we could check it out (thinking to myself hmmmm-2 years and you never thought to have it looked at before this?). He then says "Oh, and actually it isn't starting right now either". But all it needs is a full service So we walk out to the service bay and I hop onto the unit as it is still sitting on the trailer. Look down and realize BOTH the choke and throttle are wide open sitting there. So I ask and he says "That's the way I've always run it". I explain choke, throttle, proper positioning, start up procedure and how to shut it down. "Ahhh" he replies. Turn the choke off, bring the throttle down -second try it starts right up He's amazed, no spitting, sputtering, idling nicely though a little bit rougher than I would like. After about 2 minutes of run time he suddenly exclaims "Hey, the gas smell isn't there!!" Um yeah, wide open choke will do that...LOL

And though the B&S may start up a little easier than the Kohler, nothing beats as a salesperson selling an X series while the customer is sitting on a running tractor while you are carrying on a "normal" conversation...gotta love the Kawasaki's

 

[tiger9297]

My personal preferance is toward the cub and its Kohler power plant. I have run cubs and JD's both, sold both for a big box store and just trust the cub brand more. Of coarse you could spend just a tad less and get a totaly refurbished IH built cub cadet thru one of the online cub cadet forums and have a machine that will outlive you and run and mower circles around anything a box store sells. Even the first few years under MTD were good machines as they were IH designs. I would look at the 149 as a good simple solid tractor, will handle several different mower decks, and yes you can find a nice mower deck for these still. The run a single cylinder K series Kohler that has a Cast Iron block, not just a liner like the new ones. I have seen totaly restored 149's with a good 44" mower deck sell in the 1200-1400 range. Taken care of, you would never buy another tractor in your lifetime. You dont say where you live, but if you email me off site, I can point you to several different gentlemen that sell older cub cadets. I can also point you torward several other older models that are good. Cheers Mike and Michele T cadetpwr@hotmail.com

I currently own 3 of the older cubs- 126, 1450, and a 1650. I agree that if you find one of the older cubs you will never buy another tractor. There has never been a better GARDEN tractor built (these are not lawn mowers). These tractors have the same rear end that the old Farmall Cub tractors have. "Over built" is an understatement. I paid $0, $200 and $300 respectively. Yea, they needed a little work but they all were running tractors. I am in the process of restoring two of them to "new" condition. The other advantage is that you can get plows, tillers, cultivators, dozer blades, and many other implements to use with the tractor when not mowing. Lastly, I don't think there has ever been a better small engine built than the K series Kohler. These engines have solid cast iron blocks and will be running long after small engines made today have been melted down and made into beer cans. Good luck with your purchase. Oh yea there are a number of Cub Cadet forums online. I visit them daily. Loads of helpful info.

 

[OntarioCanada]

Have you considered buying a used machine? I paid $1600 for my 1993 LX178and I feel it is a nicer machine than anything I'd pay for $1600 new. It's nice to have a warranty though I guess, but if you get a nice running one that has been well taken care of I wouldn't think you'd have too many problems.