Cub Cadet 6284 - yes or no?

[jnelson]

I have been looking at purchasing a 4 x 4 diesel CUT for some time. I have come across several opportunities to purchase new or very low hour CC 6284 models at what appear to be very attractive prices. I have tried to research this model and have found some good reviews, but I am concerned by a number of reviews referring to problems with the transmission portion of the drive train (nobody has had anything bad to say about the 28 HP Perkins engine).

I know that CC has changed their models to Yanmar produced tractors and they wanted to clear out existing models, but are these 6284's priced so low because of this or because they are a pig in a poke? I'm hoping people out there can provide me with enough information that I can either feel comfortable about taking advantage of what appears to be great deals or warn me off before I make an expensive mistake. I plan to use this on our 40 acre place mostly for mowing and clearing snow, but I may eventually install a FEL and utilize 3 point implements - nothing real heavy and no commercial use.

I am a bit concerned that there seems to be no way of contacting CC (now part of MTD) to inquire about warranty and service issues. Does it make sense to purchase a product from a company not even willing to provide direct contact information to current and/or potential customers? Their website appears useless if someone has serious service or warranty questions or issues - kind of scary enough in itself to warn me off. I know that there are very good and service oriented CC dealers out there, but I wonder how well the 6284 (and other CC models) are being supported to them by the factory?

Thanks!

jnelson

 

[7254t]

What kind of deal is it? Whats with it? You will have a hard time to find a loader and mounting brackets.

 

[jnelson]

I have found several new or very low hour units. One new one without any add-ons is $7,000.00 though it was sold to the current seller at a liquidation auction so it is doubtful that there would be any warranty with it. Another new one I found with FEL (also likely without warranty) is $10,000. I have also found several used low hour units with implements such as mower, tiller, etc in the $6,500 range.

You raise a good point about the loader and I appreciate it. Sounds like if I think I will need a loader at any point in the future then it would be very wise to get it with the tractor. Any other advice?

I'm not concerned about resale value as some people like to talk about since I plan to keep and use the tractor for a very long time. I also understand that any tractor is apt to have little problems. I am handy and can service the little things. The thing I worry about is a major powertrain problem. It appears that the engine side of things (a Perkins 28 HP) is rock solid, so that narrows it down to the hydro trans and differentials.

I am kind of thinking at the prices I mentioned above for a 4x4 28 hp diesel one could do far worse with one of the Chinese models sold at farm stores. I'm probably overly cautious about this as I have never spent this type of money before. My biggest investment to date has been of the lawn tractor (Murray) variety, but I am tired of the throw-aways that keep wearing out. Again, I am very unimpressed with the MTD website and their way of supporting (or not) a (supposedly) high-line compact tractor.

Jnelson

 

[7254t]

I dont want to discourage you but I have taken apart many of those trannies and parts are very expensive. Have had some no problems but if it was me I would spend a little more on the new yanmar model.

 

[LBrown59]

*I'm not concerned about resale value as some people like to talk about since I plan to keep and use the tractor for a very long time.
Jnelson

This makes sense but how do you know something won't come up 10 to 15 years down the line that will cause you to have to sell.

 

[jnelson]

I really appreciate your input. What manufacturer makes that transmission? Is it shared with other makes and/or models? Is there a particular failure that they are prone to? I have to conclude from your reply that you consider the transmission as the weak line to this model. Are the problems you are seeing mostly related to commercial use?

I did finally locate a way to contact factory customer service and the person I spoke to was very helpful. He searched for service bulletins and recalls on this model (even narrowing it by serial number) and found two. The first involved an upgrade model fluid filter for the hydraulic system. The second was a housing and reverse filter upgrade for the transmission.

I would love to "spend a little more" but in this case that equates to $7,000 more which puts it way outside my budget. This is the first time I have found a tractor in this class in new or near new condition in this price range. There would be no warranty protection on one of these almost new tractors, so it appears the big risk here is related to potential transmission problems. Do you think that the lighter use I would be subjecting the tractor to would lessen the chances that problems might occur?

Jnelson

 

[jnelson]

This makes sense but how do you know something won't come up 10 to 15 years down the line that will cause you to have to sell.

True, but would the $7,000 difference now still be that much then? And if those 10 to 15 years consisted of good, reliable service I don't think I would complain. The bigger issue at this stage is affordability. Since I am basically looking at this tractor for mowing a very large lawn and hobby farm use I am not able to justify the same cash outlay as those that rely on their equipment for their living.

Would you agree that purchasing a tractor a little larger than I might otherwise afford (28 HP) beats purchasing a better brand in the 18 - 24 HP range? Again, I realize reliability counts, but that aside what do you think?

Jnelson

 

[LBrown59]

True, but would the $7,000 difference now still be that much then? And if those 10 to 15 years consisted of good, reliable service I don't think I would complain. The bigger issue at this stage is affordability. Since I am basically looking at this tractor for mowing a very large lawn and hobby farm use I am not able to justify the same cash outlay as those that rely on their equipment for their living.
Jnelson

Good counter point.

 

[jnelson]

Don't get me wrong - I greatly appreciate you guys giving your input. I have to remember that priorities have a strong bearing on opinions and decisions like this. Reliability is important to me, but I can't say it directly affects my livelihood.

Would you agree that if someone purchases one of these tractors priced this low and if it works reliably, then it would be a very good value in terms of the amount of tractor per dollar? If the answer is yes, then the wild card here is what are the chances that there would be a major problem? One could also say that the initial cost savings could still be more than a repair bill, but then who wants that hassle?

I guess at the end of the day it's like the guy with the big gun says, "do you feel lucky, punk?" I'll let you know what I decide. Frankly with the economy in the dumps I have to consider if I should do anything right now, but the spring weather is coming and it sure would be handy to have a shiny new CUT.

Jnelson

 

[scoutcub]

Jnelson -

I have used Cub products for the last 14 years, currently own 3 Cub CUT's, (including a 6284) , have a good friend that's a Cub dealer, and buy/sell Cub tractors and equipment as a hobby.... so I'm very familiar with the older 5000/6000/7000/8000 series cubs.
You sound very informed, and raise some good points.
The transmission issue; the 5000 series Cubs had some issues when they were first introduced, they are not as beefy as they could/should be. Unfortunately, this problem stuck with Cub and hurt their reputation....
The 6000 series trannies are much beefier, and I have not read/heard about any problems. The tractor is essentially the same size as a 5000, but with bigger tires, and heavier tranny, it weighs 600 lbs more than the 5000 series. I worked mine fairly hard a few months back moving brush/logs/dirt, and it worked great. The only downside to my 6284 thus far is it doesn't like the cold, so you have to warm it up before operating.
Loader issue; there are still loaders out there. I know of one for sale right now, brand new, at a MI dealer for around 3K. They are the same loader as the 5000 series, model 612, but higher lift capacity.
You are correct, Cub had a "fire sale" to clear inventory on all the older Cubs to make way for the new Cub-Yanmars. (By the way, I have no experience with, but hear nothing but positive things)
Warranties; If you can find a new leftover, it should have a warranty. Many of the used ones were sold at auction, thus no warranty. My new 2007 5234 series was purchased at an auction, no warranty...but I'm using it as my mower/blower/blade tractor, so far no problems at all. I use my 6000 and 7500 series for loader work.
Sorry for the long-winded response, if you want any more info let me know!

 

[jnelson]

Thank you for your input. I am coming to the conclusion that the 6284 would be a lot of tractor for the money and it sounds like it should be reliable in my application. Now I simply need to assess finances and decide if this is the right time to buy - I don't know that there will be a better deal.

I did finally get to speak to a Cub Cadet service representative by phone yesterday and he confirmed that there would not be a warranty available, but I already expected that.

Thanks again to everyone!

Jnelson

 

[jnelson]

I did it!

I took delivery of a 2007 Cub Cadet 6284 4x4 28 HP (Perkins diesel) yesterday. It has under 20 hours on it and is equipped with the factory loader. For well under $10,000 delivered I think I got a lot of tractor for my money. It appears that these tractors have been acquired at auction or purchased from distressed dealers. The person that delivered the tractor has several others available and I am going to inform a couple of my neighbors that might want to take advantage of the opportunity.

Though it has only a couple of hours on the meter, the tractor I purchased does not have a warranty because I am not the original purchaser from the dealer. However, the research I have done indicates that this should be a reliable tractor. I was concerned about the hydro trans at first, but it turns out that it was the 5000 series that had so much trouble. I did speak to a factory service rep and he researched factory bulletins on the 6284 and only found two - both involved recommending using an updated filter model for the hydraulics and the transmission.

I have less than an hour time on it at this point - I took it to the woods last night to grab a load of firewood. I will get more time on it this weekend. So far I like the tractor. The only issue I have found with it so far is that the parking brake locking mechanism does not engage well, and without the brake locked you cannot dismount the tractor with the engine running. I'll need to remedy that soon. I also noticed that the filter for the transmission is located under the tractor at the bottom front where it appears vulnerable to getting bumped, but the high clearance of the tractor probably makes that very unlikely.

I now have to get busy and find myself a 3 pt finish mower and a blade for working on the driveway.

I will post some updates as I have more opportunity to work with this tractor. Thanks to everyone for your helpful input.

Jnelson

 

[VinceSMTA]

Let me be the first to congratulate you on your purchase. It sounds like you did some good research on it. I agree with you, I think its worth a gamble on the 6000 series for the money you saved. I hope the machine serves you well.

 

[Dawgman]

Jnelson could you post the phone # that you used to finally get through to customer service. I want to check on my 2007 5000 series and see if it has any service bullitins. I just finished putting 100 hours on it and want to do any other maintenance on it now before the mowing really starts.

Thanks
Dawgman

 

[OhioGuy]

Congratulations!

I bought a new 5252 at an auction 3 years ago, I now have 130 pretty much trouble free hours, it's been a great tractor.

A loader is a wonderful thing....

How about a few pictures.

Curt

 

[jnelson]

Dawgman,

The phone number that I used to speak to a Cub factory support rep was 800-965-4282 and option # 2.

While the number was difficult to find initially, when I finally made contact the person that I spoke to was very accommodating. Frankly, if they made themselves easier to locate in the first place, and second if they are all as helpful as the person that I spoke to, I think they would have far better customer relations and a strong marketing tool.

I don't have pictures yet. I'll need to get the wife out with the camera and snap a few.

As an update I have logged a few hours on my 6284 now and have only a couple of issues so far. First, the adjustable seat was stuck in the forward position and would not slide back and forth on the tracks. I had to take the seat off and then work the tracks back and forth (at first with a hammer) while greasing the rails to free it up. It appears the type of grease used at the factory dries up(?)

The parking brake needs some adjustment. I can't set the park brake since the lock does not enter the detent. Not a big issue, but needs to be done.

Last, whoever last put the wheels on this tractor (they are sometimes swapped R4 to Turf to Ag by dealers) really rammed them on with a strong impact wrench. I can't bust the lugs loose with a 1/2" breaker or my 1/2" impact wrench. I'll need to get a larger breaker bar or a stronger impact to get them loose, grease them, and then torque them correctly. Again, not a big thing - more of an annoyance.

Aside from the above items I am totally happy. The couple of inconveniences so far are small compared to the thousands I saved over purchasing new. My only work with the tractor so far has been hauling fire wood. I plan on doing more heavy work soon. I am also currently looking for a finish mower as mowing our 2.5 acres will be on of it's main duties.

Jnelson