First Impression - Cub Cadet SLT 1550

[cokeman]

I think you have a problem with that machine. I have a steep hill in my back yard and my tractor goes straight up that with no problem. It won't even slow down with the blades on. Our machines are pretty similar and mine will climb serious slopes at full throttle without hesitation.

Dean

 

[dubba]

I do a lot of heavy drag things with my JD 325 17hp hydro. One of the hardest to pull is the 4' landscape rake with carriage. Even with an aggressive cut, the chains on, and 160lbs of front weight to keep the front end on the ground, It will not slow down until the tires loose traction, then it will dig holes (at full speed) until I let off the pedal. If I do manage to find traction down a little, the hydro will stall the motor.

Please note, I do not recommend that you try this with your tractor. I'm just trying to win a bet

 

[tillboy2001]

I guess I'll be taking it in then when I have time.

 

[automech]

I agree with dubba. That tractor should climb any safe hill with power to spare or dig holes trying. No groaning, grinding or rattling should be happening on a nice new tractor like you have. I climb reasonably steep hills with my hydros with no complaints. You shouldn't be able to tell the difference between a hydro and a gear garden tractor up a hill.

 

[tillboy2001]

Thanks for the input and advice. I'll be anxious to see how it comes back when I take it in. Probably won't be able to get it in for another week or so. We'll see.

 

[Fordlords]

Your 1550 has the hydro problem that has been mentioned on the CC forum, and needs to be looked at, it's exactly the symptom of the problem- grinding to a halt on inclines. Like I mentioned most of the machines have been fixed with a drive belt tensioner modification, others the problem has been with a faulty hydro transaxle itself. The tractor should be able to mow or tow things up a reasonable incline with only minimal loss of speed- grinding to a halt indicates a problem. Hopefully it's just the tensioner and you can be back up and mowing quickly on the new CC.

-Fordlords-

 

[mwood]

Doesn't sound normal at all. The tires should be spinning before you come to a complete stop and "grunt and groan".

Then again, I mainly use gear lawn tractors. If this is normal for hydros, I think I'll stick to the gears.

Just my $0.02.

 

[tillboy2001]

I was able to take it in to the nearest cub repair shop today. Unfortunately, it sounds like they're really busy and I might not have it back for close to two weeks - that's what they said anyway. If I don't hear an update by Friday, I'll call to see if they even had a chance to look at it yet.

 

[gamble77]

Thats pretty standard for this time of year, we are 1.5 weeks behind (thats 7-10 working days folks, weekends don't count). And this is also where purchasing it from a dealer in the first place would have been a good idea....

 

[ToadHill]

I have a Husky GT2548 with the Kohler 25 and Hydro drive. I mow a lot of hills and have the slowdown problem as well but if I bump the hydro lever to a little faster speed, it climes the hills fine. I think the issue is somewhere in the hydro system.