Busted my 2544's steering...

[OldMachinist]

Try Carter Gruenewald they are a authorized Cub Cadet dealer and I've found their pricing and delivery is better than the local dealer and I don't have to drive 20 miles to order and back again to pick up. They ship UPS right to my door.
http://www.cngcoinc.com/home.asp

 

[atxdb]

So much for mail-order parts. No explanation other than this;

"Dear Joel,

Credit has been issue for your cancelled order. We are unable to order the parts you requested.

Sincerely,
Jacks Small Engines
Jacks Small Engines
(877) 737-2787"

Back to the dealer. Oh joy!

*EDIT* I just called Jack's to see what was up with this. Apparently they are not even "authorized" to sell these parts. You have to go through Cub Cadet! The call center girl had no idea why you were able to look these parts up & order on their site. Live and learn.

Joel - I sent you a PM about Jack's Small Engines earlier in the week ... I ordered an "In-Stock" Briggs engine from them them almost a week ago now, and it still hasn't shipped yet. I called them today, and the lady on the phone confirmed it was in stock (and not being drop shipped from Briggs) but it still is waiting to be shipped. I am totally unimpressed with Jack's so far. Worst buying experience I've ever had on the web. If it's in stock, SHIP IT!

Doug

 

[JTKub]

Thanks Doug. I didn't catch your PM in time. It took them 3+ days to confirm to me that they didn't/couldn't even sell me genuine CC parts. They sure were quick about charging my VISA card though! They were decent to deal with on the phone, which is good these days. Good news is, I just bought a used 2500 series steering assy. from eBay for $25 shipped. That beats the $100+ for the new Cub parts. Money is real tight at the moment and the grass is getting looooong. Hopefully these eBay parts come through!

Joel

 

[Fordlords]

I deal just about exclusively with Carter and Gruenewald for my Cub Cadet parts online. Never a problem with them, excellent to deal with. Those guys know Cub Cadets both new and old.

-Fordlords-

 

[bobofish]

"Out of curiosity, since you have the exact model as me, how does yours mow tall weeds and grasses like dandelions and bahaya? Mine won't cut them good for crap, I've tried going slow, raising the deck, gator blades... It cuts normal grass pretty well, but that stuff won't cut 100% even running over twice with the deck in 3 or 4. I often wonder if the larger decks cut better."

That's my only complaint with my 2005 2544. Anything with a stem it will refuse to cut. I have a 1965 cub 100 that will cut anything in it's path but shur doesn't have the ride that my 2544 has! I talked to my dealer about it and they just gave me the blank stair I do have the gater blades on and it does cut grass great but when you look back at what you just mowed you see just about every stem of a weed still standing. I was thinking of taking my angle grinder and cutting about two inches off the front leading edge of the deck off to expose the blades. If you look at the front of the cub 100 the front of the deck is cut that way and the blade cuts the weed before the deck can bend the weed over. I think if I do that then I'll have more grass blow over the top of the deck and everywhere else but my be worth the sacrifice. Bob

 

[Morkai]

bobofish, I'm glad I'm not alone then. It's very annoying, esp since I have a lot of bahaya grass here. I wonder if the 2550 and 2554 has the same problem? I thought about getting a 50 or 54 inch deck and putting on mine. That's my maine regret, not getting the bigger one to start with.

 

[micman32]

JT, so sorry to learn about your tractor. I had one of the tie rod ends brake on my 2518 a couple of summers ago. I was going just fine then the left wheel went inwards! The part where the ball joints connect went bad.
And of course I was no where near the garage but I did manage to drive it back the garage. Then made a call to the dealer. It was still under warranty so they had a service guy come to my house and fix it. Haven't had any problems since.
Luckily I had just finished mowing so I was good for the week it took them to get it fixed.
BTW, My 2518 is gassed and ready to go!!

Michael

 

[micman32]

Bobofish and Morkai, I used to have that problem with the Original 3 in 1 blade that came with my 2518. I got a set of the High Lift Blades last year and the cut quality seems alot better. As far as High Grass goes It takes a few passes the get everything knocked down.
One thing I have learned since I have had my Cub is to clean the deck often. I usually ramp mine up and knock out the build up the acumulates around the center blade and the discharge chute. After a couple weeks I remove the deck and clean it really good.It's a real pain but it works for me.
I would imagine the larger decks would be better because the discharge chute is larger not a small hole like on the 44 in deck.

My gripe is all the clippings that build up on top. I wish the decks didn't have those holes above the blades.

Michael

 

[JTKub]

Whelp.. Still waiting for my eBay steering parts. Like a knuckle-head, I bid two auctions and wound-up winning them both! I should have two complete setups for ~$40 when it's all said and done. In the mean time my in-laws lent me a ~8yr/old Craftsman GT 3000 tractor to use. It's got a 23hp Kohler Command pro, 50" deck and gear drive. The HD, between the knees shift, dual range trans. Wow is it hard to go back to clutching/gearing after you get accustomed to the speed and ease of a hydrostatic drive! The Sears machine is a beast. Physically larger than my 2544. Very smooth and quiet to run, which REALLY surprised me. Smoother and quieter than my 2544. Only 2 gauge wheels on the back of that big deck, so it does plow dirt on rough stuff. I'd actually like to use that Sears GT if it was a foot pedal hydro. I would NOT like to try to work on the drive system belts or remove/replace the deck however. They look needlessly complicated. This is where the Cub 2K series shine IMO. Other than that, this Sears GT isn't bad to mow with at all. This one has a ton of hours on it to boot. No hour meter. Just a goofy volt meter.

Joel

 

[micman32]

Joel, Have you fixed your Cub yet?