Buying Advice Cub 3208 - Advice??

[GMO750]

Right now I'm looking at a used 3208 w/ about 150 hours. The unit has a 60" deck, and a liquid cooled 20hp Kaw in it. The current owner claims the tractor runs great for about 15 minutes or so, then the engine winds up and down - he hasn't taken it to the dealer yet for diagnosis so he is selling it cheap - $3200 - any advice? Any guesses to the engine malfunction? Carburation? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I'm also considering buying a new 2500 series, but am really attracted to the shaft drive to the deck. I really don't want to invest more than $3500 - imput???

THANKS!!!

 

[JTKub]

I'm not overly familiar with the 3K series, but any idea how old this machine is? It probably went for $5-6K new? The kawi liquid cooled twins are geat, but like any 'premium' engine, are costly to fix. If it's got good compression and no coolant leaks, the surging has got to be fuel or electrically related. I know in my case, 150hrs is about 4yrs+ of service. I'd be suspicious as to why the guy is selling it, but if it is REALLY clean, I'm thinking $3K would be better.
G/luck
Joel

 

[Rhoderman]

Put a new fuel filter on it and check the gas cap vent. When it starts to fluctuate, try removing the gas cap and see if it makes a difference.

 

[GMO750]

I believe it's a 2000 model - it was actually a trade in at a non-Cub tractor dealer who is now selling it "as is" - they recently sold this tractor to someone who returned it due to the engine fluctuation - ..........it is now for sale again.

 

[GMO750]

To be honest I was thinking of gambling and buying it, then bringing it in to my local cub dealer for service / hoping to come out with a great machine for about or less than $3500.

??

 

[MrWiggles2]

I would buy it. The Kawasaki's are the premier engine of landscapers because they run long between teardowns and are less expensive to repair. Kawasaki's parts for the most part are cheaper than Kohler, or have been in the past.

I would strongly consider. Sounds like a carb or governor adjustment. They are great tractors, power steering too. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[JTKub]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... Kawasaki's parts for the most part are cheaper than Kohler, or have been in the past...)</font>

Prices can be close for the air cooled engines, but not so for the liquid cooled. Last I knew, the little dinky radiators on the kawi LC were a couple hundred bucks alone. An important thing to check for on these engines is coolant leaks. IIRC- the water pump is a bear (and $$$) to changeout, but may be easier on the CC due to the horiz shaft layout.
G/luck
Joel

 

[DmansPadge]

Sounds like a good deal to me. That machine with the deck probably costed over $6000 new and with the low hours.. it's still like new. That engine will run a long time. The surging problem is probably not a big deal and will not cost a bunch to fix. I would buy it.

 

[vdisalvo]

I have a 3205, a 1999 model. It is very similar to the 3208 except I believe the 3208 has a cast iron transaxle while mine is aluminum. I would prefer the cast iron. But otherwise the tractor has been great. The Kawasaki engine runs fine and I have had no problems with it, given routine maintenance. I also have the 60" deck and it makes short work of mowing my yard. I have noticed that with the deck lowered I sometimes have difficulties going up a hill due to the drag and weight of the deck and tractor, the tires will burn the lawn. I just have to be careful with that. As for 150 hours, I don't think that's much at all, mine has over 400 and still feels young. I also have a 54" blade, and front end hydraulics, and plowing snow is a breeze with it. As others have said, the surging engine doesn't sound too sinister. I'd say go for it.

 

[GMO750]

Thanks for the help everyone, I have thought about it more and am deciding to refrain for now even though I believe this is a tough deal to pass up. I'm thinking something a little smaller may be better for my yard anyway, also I'll be able to buy new within my price range and avoid inheriting somebody else's problem.

I have my sights on a new 2550

Any con's to buying this model?