Cub Cadet 2186 and 3165

ducati996 · Nov 20, 2006

Nittany said:
Anybody interested in a new leftover 2004 GT3235 including 60" mowing deck for $5500, including new warranty??

Last week this tractor was sitting on the showroom of my mom and pop dealer in Berkeley Springs, WV (Largent Truck & Implement 304-258-1370). They are in the process of closing up shop and this is one of the last "new" tractors left along with lots of used iron . . . I hate to see it happen as I've gotten great sales and service from there.

If there was any way I could justify it, I'd already own this tractor. It's equipment package is similar to the new GT 3200 . . . give Pat or Mrs. Largent a call to see if it's still there if anybody is serious about a great tractor at a pretty fair price!

I think its got RCT's name on it

Dave01 · Nov 20, 2006

Ducati, after I read my post again it sounded more negative than I meant it to. I'm not unhappy with the 3204, its a great machine that has run trouble free since new.

I agree on the shaft drive, though not a big deal to me as I've run mule drives for so long. My deck appears to be identical to the one on the 3204 with the exception of belt drive. I haven't used the front attach so I can't comment there. I don't think the 3204 frame is heavier than the 1864. And foot vs. hand control ends up just being personal preference.

For me the used purchase made sense. I got a heavy, powerful Cub Cadet for $1500, the 800 hours on it didn't scare me a bit, and I've enjoyed it so far (except its a bit noisy, I'll check the exhaust next spring). If I have to fix something occasionally I enjoy it anyway.

For my dad, buying a new 3204 for over $5000 made sense. No problems, runs perfectly, stronger than he needs, everything hydraulic and effortless.

The good news is we both have great tractors. Do you remember senator Phil Graham saying "I have more guns than I need, but not as many as I want"? Well, I have more tractor than I need but of course not as much as I want!

RCT · Nov 22, 2006

Ducatti996, if $4400 would get me into trouble, $5500 would have me sleeping in the shed. But wait, the shed has a camp stove, a fridge, a TV and heat, and no nagging, hmmmm!

Fordlords · Nov 23, 2006

I would buy that tractor and take the well equipped shed over the nagging wife any time... ooopps ... wait... I take that back... puhlleeezzee honey

-Fordlords-

ducati996 · Nov 23, 2006

RCT said:
Ducatti996, if $4400 would get me into trouble, $5500 would have me sleeping in the shed. But wait, the shed has a camp stove, a fridge, a TV and heat, and no nagging, hmmmm!

Must I explain how it should be done, and how I get away with things? I just get what I want first and let the nagging happen- it dosent last remember and in the end you have what you want. Also I wont bring up having seperate bank accounts at this time

back to the tractor - Honestly I feel the price difference is worth it - its new and has a warranty.
The other part is I honestly dont feel 16hp is enough on the 3000 series. I have a 20HP and use 3 mowers and 1 blower. When I have the cab on and I'm chomping away at thick fertilized grass, I need every bit of HP. Nevermind in the winter when the cab and all the weights, plus the blower do to 20 HP. The HP requirement to drive both the shaft attachment and drivetrain for something that weighs 300lbs more than the other model you were looking at makes a difference. There is a reason why they upped the HP to 23HP on the 3100 series - 20 HP is enough, 23 is better, 16 HP isnt enough IMHO

Duc

RCT · Nov 23, 2006

So what would I be looking at for a 3100 with a 44" deck out the door??

JTKub · Nov 23, 2006

The 20hp gets loaded up pretty hard when in mulch mode & fast ground speed on my 2544. A 16hp might bog down a bit. Duc, per the current CC website, the estimated weight of a 2544 is 800lbs. A 3100 with a 44" deck is 950lbs. RCT, I bet you could get a new 3100 for pretty close to MSRP with the 44" deck included. $4799. FWIW- I was soooo miserable with my yard machines LT, that the 'front office' would have given the go-ahead for just about anything!! I under shot that one. Still love the 2544 anyway.

Joel

RCT · Nov 24, 2006

Well, I'll just have to wait to see how good this project bonus is. If it is enough, I will go with a new 3100, otherwise I'll get the 2186. It doesn't appear as though I should have any trouble with either. I agree that the 16hp Briggs in the 3165 may be too little. The Murray had a 17.5 hp Briggs twin, and it slowed quite a bit going up the one side of the yard. So I am thinking a considerably heavier tractor may have the same problem if not worse. Come on bonus!!

RCT · Nov 25, 2006

Not to side track too much, but if all I am going to do is cut grass, would I be better with a zero turn like a Z-Force 44"? I am thinking not because $3,500 is a good price for a tractor, but the bottom end for a zero turn.

ducati996 · Nov 25, 2006

JTKub said:
The 20hp gets loaded up pretty hard when in mulch mode & fast ground speed on my 2544. A 16hp might bog down a bit. Duc, per the current CC website, the estimated weight of a 2544 is 800lbs. A 3100 with a 44" deck is 950lbs. RCT, I bet you could get a new 3100 for pretty close to MSRP with the 44" deck included. $4799. FWIW- I was soooo miserable with my yard machines LT, that the 'front office' would have given the go-ahead for just about anything!! I under shot that one. Still love the 2544 anyway.

Joel

Im not really believing the website as accurate because I know the 44" deck for the 2544 is less than 140lbs of the 3000 series 44" which is 140lbs. That leaves you with 660 lbs for the machine. I know the prior years models of the 2500 series were about 520 lbs...I didnt think the cosmetic changes they did to the newer 2500 series added 140 lbs. I could be wrong on this -
the 2500 series has been around since the 2518, all using the cast iron tranny and used to weigh about the same - the weight of the 3000 series is 810+ pounds without deck....if you add the 44" thats 140 lbs additional, or the 54" thats at least 265 lbs....I doubt the 2500 series decks weighs as nearly as much as the 3000 series with the gear box, shaft and caster wheels, and guage thickness....so based on the website if both machines had the 54" deck, the weight difference is 232 lbs, 237 lbs for the 50" (only 5 lbs difference between decks?) 150 lbs for the 44" ....I know have more questions than answers on the actual weight of the new 2500 series without decks...