cc 2550 or jd x324

[Petertucky]

I am new here. Live in SW IN, & mow 2 1/2 acres. I am going to buy either the cc 2550 or jd x324. As I decide, I have questions and comments.

How hard is the deck on the cc to remove and attach? I think I will have to remove the deck to get it on the trailer home and for future maintenance. The belt from the engine to the deck looked like it might have some twists in it. I think the JD 48 inch deck will fit on my 54" trailer with the Chute up, but the 50 inch cc deck (actually 54 inches wide with chute up) mower won't fit on the trailer.

Does the blade on the non-discharge side of the cc deck come close to the edge of the deck to aid in tight turning mowing arount trees, etc.? The Jd blade appears to come very close to the edge of the deck. If I buy the cc I will be giving up the 4ws, and I don't want to regret giving that up. JD calls their deck edge extra, but I hope that the cc deck has blades near the edge of the deck too.

My heart is actually with the Cub, as evidenced by this request on this thread and not on the JD thread.

Finally, is the cc reliable and durable? I want 10-15 years out of it, rather than the 5-7 out of my yard machine of years past, or my current Troy bilt.

Thanks

 

[jay25rs]

I am new here. Live in SW IN, & mow 2 1/2 acres. I am going to buy either the cc 2550 or jd x324. As I decide, I have questions and comments.

How hard is the deck on the cc to remove and attach? I think I will have to remove the deck to get it on the trailer home and for future maintenance. The belt from the engine to the deck looked like it might have some twists in it. I think the JD 48 inch deck will fit on my 54" trailer with the Chute up, but the 50 inch cc deck (actually 54 inches wide with chute up) mower won't fit on the trailer.

Hello, I just bought a CC 2544 and had it delivered 3/28. I have used it a few times for spring clean up and so far, I think it is a great machine. The deck took me about literally, under 90 seconds to get it off. Lower the deck all the way down, release the belt tension lever, pop the hood, remove the belt from the electric PTO pulley, pull 2 spring loaded deck support pins to disengage the deck from the lift (one on each side), slide the deck forward slightly, remove the front deck support rod assembly, raise attachment lift mechanism, slide deck out from side of tractor.

Does the blade on the non-discharge side of the cc deck come close to the edge of the deck to aid in tight turning mowing arount trees, etc.? The Jd blade appears to come very close to the edge of the deck. If I buy the cc I will be giving up the 4ws, and I don't want to regret giving that up. JD calls their deck edge extra, but I hope that the cc deck has blades near the edge of the deck too.

I haven’t cut the lawn yet (it’s not growing yet!) but looking under my deck, the blade seems to come close to the edge of the deck. Your 2550 model will be better than mine for leaving a smaller circle of uncut grass because the deck is 6” wider.

Finally, is the cc reliable and durable? I want 10-15 years out of it, rather than the 5-7 out of my yard machine of years past, or my current Troy bilt.
Thanks

I like my CC very much. I was in a similar position to yours and was shopping JD and CC as well as looking at Simplicity and Kubota. I decided on the Cub Cadet 2500 series because they have tremendous value for the dollar, shaft drive cast iron transmissions and I feel will give me the longest useful service life under harsh conditions; I plan on using it to plow in the winter and I currently am using it to pull forsynthias out of the ground. (Check out my same user name at http://www.mytractorforum.com for a detailed post). I think that my CC is easy to work on, I already changed out the dreaded plastic oil drain valve and replaced it with a forged brass Fumoto ball valve. I am 23 years old and I think that with regular maintenance, my CC will last into my retirement. (Although the temptation to trade up later on for a 3000 series is there!)

-Jason

 

[Petertucky]

Thanks Jason.

I think I did see your pictures on that other forum a few days ago. I found your comments over there quite helpful. It made me realize that a Garden tractor does have a pretty tough transmission. I think I recall you had chains on your wheels to help with the pulling too.

When you put the deck back on, does the belt have a certain twist that it must have? If yes, is it complicated? I have been around machines with rear pto's that require the belt to turn 1/4 between this point and that point, and then 3/4 here to there etc. I don't know that I want to get into that.

 

[turbojerk]

If you're mowing 2.5 acres, you may want to consider stepping up to the GT2554 instead, unless you have got time to burn. I mow 2.5 acres myself and it takes pretty much 2 hours easily with my GT2554.

I did have a few issues with my Cub at first, but the dealer had no problem taking care of the problems with out asking a question...

T

 

[Petertucky]

I would have considered the 2554, but I have a small shed to keep the tractor out of the weather, and its door opening is only 56 inches wide. Quite frankly, I may be a fool for even trying to fit the 50 inch deck in there, because with the chute up, I think I will only have an inch on each side.

Right now I mow with a 46 inch troy bilt, so I will be moving up.

Thanks though.

 

[jay25rs]

Thanks Jason.

I think I did see your pictures on that other forum a few days ago. I found your comments over there quite helpful. It made me realize that a Garden tractor does have a pretty tough transmission. I think I recall you had chains on your wheels to help with the pulling too.

Yup, I used my winter tire chains to gain some more traction. I don't have a weight bracket yet or AG tires but hopefully in the future I will. From my research, the JD transmission wasn't too much more spectacular than that on Craftsman models. (not knocking on Craftsman, maybe a testament to their strength) but they are not fully serviceable and I am pretty sure that they lack a transmission oil filter. CC's has a large spin on filter like you'd find for oil on an engine.

When you put the deck back on, does the belt have a certain twist that it must have? If yes, is it complicated? I have been around machines with rear pto's that require the belt to turn 1/4 between this point and that point, and then 3/4 here to there etc. I don't know that I want to get into that.

The belt twists 1/4 turn from the electric PTO clutch to the mule drive. Super simple then kinda works its way back to want to be normal to the double pulley on the deck.

 

[JTKub]

Peter, having owned several makes/models, etc.. I think you'll find JD's tend to be a *little* bit better in regards fit/finish and operator comfort (ergonomics). A CC 2500 series is the most GT for the money. If money wasn't an issue, I'd get a Kubota, higher end JD or an Ingersoll.

Joel

 

[CCinCT]

First off, you should actually measure a deck in person to verify you can get it through your shed door. Assuming you can fit the JD 48" and Cub 50" decks in your shed, then you really need to decide what you're going to need out of a tractor.

The X324 will be a superior lawn mowing machine. I prefer it's cut to the Cub 44" and 54" decks. I also like how you can set the deck height once so that every time you lower it, it will be at the same cutting height. And the Kawasaki engine is smoother and quieter than the Kohler. But I wouldn't haul more than a couple houndred pounds with that tractor, and I sure wouldn't put a plow on it. And the fact the JD doesn't offer a sleeve hitch pretty much sums up it's ground engaging career.

However, if you're like me and want one machine to rule them all... I mean, do everything, then the Cub is the way to go. The Kohler Command, though louder than the Kawa, is just as durable if not more so. The frame is well designed and meant to deal with the stresses of ground engaging equipment. The transmission seems to be bullet-proof. The shaft drive means one less belt to worry about (and you won't get stranded somewhere with a broken drive belt).

Then there's cost: the JD X324 lists for $4500, and the Cub 2550 lists for $3800. For $700 you give up ground engaging abilities and get 4WS.

This really comes down to what you want this tractor to do. I chose a 2544 over a X320 last year because I knew that I didn't know everything I was going to want to use it for. I wanted equipment that would have room to grow as my needs increased.

 

[ChipSmith]

I just bought a GT2550 last week. And my shed door was the tightest place I need to squeeze through. My shed door is only 55" wide and I can assure you that the GT2550 will fit. Yes, it is tight. But having the bigger deck makes cutting that much easier.

If you look at John Deere's website, they have every specification you can think of, except one -- weight. I guess they must be embarrassed about how light their tractors are. Cub lists the weight of all their tractors and you can see how the weight jumps up dramatically going from the LT series to the GT series. If you have any hills or rough terrain, the weight will definitely be a bonus.

I was talking to my Cub Dealer yesterday. He told me that the same day that he delivered mine, he also delivered another GT2550 to another customer who had just bought a JD x320. When we got there the JD dealer was there picking up the x320. Apparently the JD couldn't make it up the customer's hills (it would just spin tires). The JD dealer was embarrassed, especially when the GT2550 climbed the hills with no problems.

 

[Petertucky]

Wow chip. I think I measured the 2550 deck to be 54 inches. If your shed door is 55, that is tough. I was dreading the 56 inch opening on my shed. Thanks for letting me know it can be done.

Overall, I think the John Deere would be adequate for what I will do. Haul some firewood in winter, mow the grass, light duty stuff. No real plans for snowblower (in Southern Indiana we don't get big snows that last long), or tiller attachment. I like the uncut radius of the 4ws too.

I really appreciate all the help. Tomorrow is when I buy, and I still haven't made up my mind.

One last question for thought. Which will last longer? My kids will be entering college in a few years. This new mower must last at least 12 years. My first, basic, bottom feeder MTD Yard machine lasted 7 years with me. (Actually, my brother still mows with it and it is a 94.) I bought a Troy Bilt in 2002 for about $1800, and frankly it is not close to being double the machine. The twin intek is smoother, but that is about it. It has been disappointing, but now my brother will get it.

So here I am. Probably willing to buy either machine. Which will be more durable and more trouble free?

This ought to open up a can of worms.