Give me some opinions Cub fans!

DmansPadge · Nov 21, 2004

As I have mentioned in previous posts I will soon buy a LT/GT. It will be used mostly for mowing, however, I want a TRACTOR! It will probably be this spring when I buy one unless I run across a deal I can't refuse between now and then so I assume I will be buying an '05. I want a good mower that will last a LONG time. I also want one that I can tow with, maintain a rock driveway, and spread a little sand or dirt from time to time. I don't want to overbuy nor do I want to underbuy. I have looked at the Cub 2000 and 2500 series. I would also like to get the dozer blade. Do you think what I'm looking at would get the job done? Like I say... 95% will be simply mowing an acre and a half. Also, how good of a cut do the Cub's give? I have looked at other brands that have full floating decks and it seems that would do a better job. My land is basically flat but there is always bumps here and there. One last thing... how about tires? I see that Cubmaster has ag tires on the rear. I would imagine traction is great but I don't want to tear up my lawn. But it sure seems they would help alot with using a blade or other attachments. I guess I should also mention that about $3500 is my limit on the tractor. I'll probably buy everything at once... but if I don't, attachments can come later. Ok, I'll shut up for now! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I ask these questions because the info from TBN users is awesome! You can't beat first hand info!

Gamble77, Cubmaster, Ducati, Rainbow6 and all other Cub owners please feel free to ramble on and give any info/advice you have.

One last thing and I swear I'll stop! Some of you new guys need to update your profile so we have a little more knowledge about you. It helps to know where people live and what they do.

Have a great day and a happy Thanksgiving everyone!

MBDiagMan · Nov 22, 2004

Fellow Texan,

I have a 2145 that I've run for 13 years with great success. I have no hands on experience with the 2500 series, but I do have a little knowledge that might help.

In looking at the CC website and reading your parameters, it seems to me that the 2521-48 would be a good choice. You can get several hundred dollars off the list price from your dealer, so it falls in your price range.

I favor this one for several reasons. The heavier frame, as compared to a 2000 series, will be an asset when using a blade. The 48" width will be an asset in open field mowing. I personally am partial to the B&S Vanguard engine. The Vanguard is built for more rugged service than any of the other B&S engines and is PROVEN. I have read about a number of Kohlers that have a smoking problem.

I have a new Z-Force with B&S Intek engine and wish that it had a Vanguard instead. I think the Intek will last okay for my purposes, but I lean toward things that are more ruggedly built.

Keep up your research including as much reading on the different engines as you can find. The other CC components and layout you will find to be very good. The decks are very easy to remove without tools. The hydrostatic drives are great as long as you follow the maintenance schedule. And the overall construction of the shaft drive CC is tough to beat for the price.

Good luck with your decision and enjoy,
Doc

Bob_Skurka · Nov 22, 2004

I have a 12(?) year old Cub 1862 and pretty much love it. It has performed flawlessly. The only time it needed repairs where when the lovely Mrs_Bob hit the house with the deck, damaging the undercarriage, or when she hit a tree with the hood, breaking some fiberglass . . . both of those qualify as user abuse!!! I used it for 8+ years to mow about 4 acres at my home, which is bumpy, rough and has a couple very steep slopes. The quality of cut was very good. The tractor is now at my 6+ acre office property which has about an acre(?) of lawn that we mow. On the flat lawn it does an excellent job. The engine is a Kohler and other than a spark plug & oil change every other year, it has never been worked on.

DmansPadge · Nov 22, 2004

Thanks for the reply MBDiagMan. I am partial to the Vangaurd engines also. However, I have heard that the 2000 and above series will be all Kohler in 2005. I got an over the phone round about price on a 2521 from a local dealer and he told me around $3400. Something along that line is what I really want, I like the idea of the heavy transmission on the 2500 series.

As for your Z-Force.... I have looked at those as well and was suprised to see they don't have the Vangaurd engines in them. But I'm sure the Intek will serve you well.

Have a good day.

DmansPadge · Nov 22, 2004

Hey Bob, if you can keep your wife off of that tractor it should last forever! I hope the one I decide to buy gives me years of trouble free service like yours has. Thanks for the info.

Bob_Skurka · Nov 22, 2004

<font color="red">
Hey Bob, if you can keep your wife off of that tractor it should last forever! </font>

Well here at the office one of my foremen backed a large truck into it and busted a tail light! It was caught on video tape and while he did try to hide his mistake from me, he went to his boss and told him what he did. He volunteered to buy the parts and do the repair. So I'm not sure if the Cub is any safer here at work or not! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

However, the lovely Mrs_Bob now has a Ventrac for use at home. It mows much faster than the Cub but it was purchased primarily for its ability to handle the steep slopes with much greater ease than a conventional tractor. She is also teaching the small Jr-Miss_Bob (my 9 year old daughter) to mow with the Ventrac . . . but only on one area where there is about 2/3rds of an acre of open space. So far the Ventrac is still in one piece!

MBDiagMan · Nov 22, 2004

dmanspadge,

Maybe the all Kohler for '05 is just a rumor. I hope so, because I saw the Vanguard as a really strong feature of that particular mower.

I went back and read about the smoking Kohler and it was a 25HP twin that was the culprit. I don't know if the smaller twins have the same affliction.

If your choice is only a Kohler, I would think that you will want to do lots of research on the Kohler before making the purchase if it does indeed turn out that this is your only choice. For me research before making a machinery purchase is half the fun.

Enjoy,
Doc

gamble77 · Nov 22, 2004

The Kohler thing is not a mith, pure fact. All Cub's from 1000-3000 series will sport Kohlers. I personnaly am more of a fan of Kohler than Briggs. This was not a last minute decesion on Cub's part. They really researched this, talked VERY extensively with Kohler and finally came to the conclusion to offer Kohlers on their models, a feature they will advertise as a "premium" feature.

By the way...only independent dealers will get units with Kohlers, the "big box" stores will recieve the same units but with B&S.

DmansPadge · Nov 22, 2004

Hey Gamble77... you are full of info on the Cub's as always. Your info is greatly appreciated. But tell me... am I going in the right direction as far as want I want and what I want to do with it?

Also, have you had time to see if you have the 2005 brochures yet?

Thanks

DmansPadge · Nov 22, 2004

MBDiagMan... I guess it's true about the Kohlers. I'm not turned off by that but I guess if I could choose I would take the Vangaurd. My boss, who is an expert on small engines, told me the only Kohler he has heard having some trouble is the 17.5hp. He said that the valve guides wear and it will cause the engine to smoke. Maybe thats the same problem the 25hp is having.