Cub Cadet 5254

RBP · Nov 10, 2006

My husband and I are considering purchasing a Cub Cadet 5254 tractor from a local farm store. The tractor has the liquid cooled Kawasaki gasoline engine. It is a new 2004 model with a 2005 60" mowing deck, a 2006 loader, a new front mounted snowblower and factory soft cab (not sure who makes these for Cub). The total price is $11,800. Is this a good price? I know that there were some problems with the 2004 models. The transmission safety issue has been fixed. Weren't there some problems with the front axles and are there any other problems that we should be concerned about. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Mike5252 · Nov 10, 2006

As far as price goes, that sounds like a pretty good deal for a "new" tractor with the accessories you listed. Is the tractor new w/ full warranty, or does it seem to be a "return" problem tractor?

Comments on the 5000 series are across the board. A lot of people are completely happy (I am one of these), but in fairness there are a few people on this board that have had quite a few problems w/ the tractors - especially the 2004 models......More problems than seem to be reported for some of the other tractors on this board.

That being said, Cub Cadet seems to really stand behind the machines if there are problems. Hard probably had the worst luck of anyone I've heard of w/ these tractors, and as I recall he ended up w/ Cub Cadet actually buying the tractor back from him at his original purchase price.

I've also heard discussions of Cub Cadet throwing in an extra year's warranty on the tractors. See if you can get them to do that.

If it is actually a new tractor as opposed to an identified problem tracor, they threw in an extra year's warranty, and the price was right (which it sounds like it is), I personally would make the leap.

Good luck, and certainly keep us posted.

Hard · Nov 10, 2006

RBP said:
My husband and I are considering purchasing a Cub Cadet 5254 tractor from a local farm store. The tractor has the liquid cooled Kawasaki gasoline engine. It is a new 2004 model with a 2005 60" mowing deck, a 2006 loader, a new front mounted snowblower and factory soft cab (not sure who makes these for Cub). The total price is $11,800. Is this a good price? I know that there were some problems with the 2004 models. The transmission safety issue has been fixed. Weren't there some problems with the front axles and are there any other problems that we should be concerned about. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I owned 2, 5234D tractors. A 2004 model and a 2006 model. The 2004 had major transmission troubles. Mine was rapaired then replaced and it still broke. Some of these transmissions may have carried over into some 05 tractors. Also, the front axle locked up on my 04 and instead of replacing it they gave me a 2006 tractor. The 06 had a "bad" engine. MTD and the dealer did everything they could do and were very pleasant and cooperative during the 2 years I owned these tractors.

On the upside, the 60" MMM is excellent and when the tractors worked I really liked them. I used a 6' rear blade to plow snow, a tiller, a PHD and a box scrapper. Again, great tractor when they worked right.

I would definately suggest asking in a very strong manner for the dealer/MTD to give you, at no charge, at least one more year on the standard warranty. Don't let the dealer tell you it can't be done. I know that it can and all it took was a phone call to MTD/Cub Cadet.

If you can find a 05 model or better yet a 06 model I would pay a little more and pass on the 04 model.

Good luck

RBP · Nov 10, 2006

Thanks for the info guys! The tractor is brand new and has been at the farm store since 2004. They also had a 6284 but sold it about a year ago. We purchased a Cub Cadet 4x4 RUV at this store in the Spring and absolutely love it. The employees are really great and will go the extra mile to please the customer. After shopping around, we have decided to make the purchase. The closest tractor in price is the subcompact Kubota, and when similarly equipped, it is over $5000 more in price, and this is with an aftermarket cab from Original Cab Company (the Kubota Cab would increase the price about $2000). The Cub cab is very nice and seems to be well made. After using a Husqvarna Garden Tractor for the last several years, this should be a big improvement. The loader and snow blower must be ordered but should arrive in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, the snow will wait until then!

Hard · Nov 11, 2006

RBP said:
Thanks for the info guys! The tractor is brand new and has been at the farm store since 2004. They also had a 6284 but sold it about a year ago. We purchased a Cub Cadet 4x4 RUV at this store in the Spring and absolutely love it. The employees are really great and will go the extra mile to please the customer. After shopping around, we have decided to make the purchase. The closest tractor in price is the subcompact Kubota, and when similarly equipped, it is over $5000 more in price, and this is with an aftermarket cab from Original Cab Company (the Kubota Cab would increase the price about $2000). The Cub cab is very nice and seems to be well made. After using a Husqvarna Garden Tractor for the last several years, this should be a big improvement. The loader and snow blower must be ordered but should arrive in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, the snow will wait until then!

Good luck with the tractor....Get the extra year of warranty. I'm glad you have a great dealer but once the warranty is up, it's up. The dealer is not going to pay to replace the tranny or the front axle when one or both breaks once the warranty is up I don't care how friendly and wonderful they are now. The warranty is what gave me my protection.

Since that tractor has been sitting there for 2 years or more the dealer should be more than happy to get the extra warranty for you to complete the sale and get the tractor off the lot. You may be saving a lot now but if you have to replace the trans after the warranty you will not have saved anything and you'll have a repaired tractor, out of warranty with a terrible resale value compared to the Kubota that you would have paid more for now.

Mike5252 · Nov 11, 2006

Congrats on the purchase RBP.

One thing you should check out before you take delivery is the routing of the main hydraulic line from the hydraulic filter to the transmission. When I took delivery of my tractor, the hydraulic line was routed below a brace in the frame that made it interfere w/ the drive shaft going to the mower deck.

This wore a hole in the hydraulic line the first time out and took a service call to get it fixed.

Definitely not a big deal, but I've heard where this happened other times. So, if it looks like the line will interfere w/ the deck drive shaft have them fix it before you take delivery - save yourself a service call next spring when you put the deck on.

You may also want to check to make sure the parking brake is adjusted. Mine was very stiff when I first took delivery.

LBrown59 · Nov 14, 2006

RBP said:
My husband and I are considering purchasing a Cub Cadet 5254 tractor from a local farm store. The tractor has the liquid cooled Kawasaki gasoline engine. It is a new 2004 model with a 2005 60" mowing deck, a 2006 loader, a new front mounted snowblower and factory soft cab (not sure who makes these for Cub). The total price is $11,800. Is this a good price? I know that there were some problems with the 2004 models. The transmission safety issue has been fixed. Weren't there some problems with the front axles and are there any other problems that we should be concerned about. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I saw a 5254 yesterday when I was at my cub dealer to pick up a new front blade for my CC GT2554.
Nice looking tractor but I already have a Kubota BX23 with FEL BH and 60'' MMM.
The Soft cab and a blower would be nice on my BX23 however.

LBrown59 · Nov 14, 2006

RBP said:
1* The closest tractor in price is the subcompact Kubota, and when similarly equipped, it is over $5000 more in price, and this is with an aftermarket cab from Original Cab Company
2* After using a Husqvarna Garden Tractor for the last several years, this should be a big improvement.
3* Hopefully, the snow will wait until then!
>>> >>>

>>> >>>>
1* If you could add a BH to the CC5254 for $3700 it would make the CC 5254 cost the same $15500.oo as I paid for my Kubota BX23.
2* You can't imagine in your wildest dreams.
3* Where does the snow have to wait? Your location isn't stated in your profile.

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Our First Car
1960 Chevy Impala Convertible, Classic Car Pictures

RBP · Nov 14, 2006

We live in Northern Minnesota where it sometimes dips to 50 below, so I know that my husband will really appreciate the enclosed cab! The tractor comes with a two year warranty, but I have the salesperson checking with Cub Cadet about the possibility of extending the warranty an extra year or two. Does anyone know if cruise control is available on the 5000 series tractors?

LBrown59 · Nov 14, 2006

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/cub-cadet/614-compact-cubs-vs-kubota-new-post.html
Lots of info on the Cub in this thread.

RBP said:
We live in Northern Minnesota where it sometimes dips to 50 below, so I know that my husband will really appreciate the enclosed cab! The tractor comes with a two year warranty, but I have the salesperson checking with Cub Cadet about the possibility of extending the warranty an extra year or two. Does anyone know if cruise control is available on the 5000 series tractors?