GT2542 Cub, is this a good tractor

[LBrown59]

Joe thanks for the reply, I have done some Goggle searches but just have not seen a lot of information on the GT2542 model.

PearlManZ

That's because they don't have the info.
The info you want is on this board so do a dearch here.

 

[LBrown59]

There are a lot of posts on the 25xx series. Do some searches. You will see that they are a bargain compared to the JD series. Most who have one will tell you how much they like them.


Joe

Yep use this forums search feature.

 

[LBrown59]

They are all made by MTD, it is Cub Cadet's parent company. But the 2500's and 3000's are their flagships and are sturdy, well built machines. The 2500 series weigh in at nearly 800 lbs with their decks, which shows they still contain a lot of that magical stuff we used to know as metal.

I can only think of one 2542 owner who posts on here regularly, who wishes he opted for the 2544- the 44" deck is really outstanding compared to the 42", that's why it's so highly recommended. But I have not seen any real complaints about the 2542, so if you like it I wouldn't hesitate to get it. Short of a 1 HP rating difference on the engines, (and the decks) the 2542 and 2544 tractors themselves are totally identical, so just about all the stuff you can read here about the 2544 pertains to all the 2500 series Cub tractors.

-Fordlords-

Here are the results I got from doing a search on the board for
Cub Cadet 2500.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=540339

 

[pearlmanz]

LTBrown, it has nothing to do with deck size as far as me having to do more trimming as the GT2542 is an inch larger than the Snapper it just replaced.

It has to do with the tractor being bigger in size, turn radius, and those useless side hand rails which were hitting and catching everything in site.

So with no offense, you and I will disagree to disagree on that subject and case closed as I have the GT2542 and it cut great this past Saturday and really impressed me with it power and smooth operation and cut quality. I have already made the plunge.

Go Hokies, We will Prevail, The PMZ

 

[LBrown59]

One again perlmanz, there are reams of info on the 2500 series machines on this forum and others. All the 2500's are the SAME TRACTOR aside from deck sizes and slight HP differences. The 2542 does have smaller front tires than the 2544+, but that's neglegible. If you read through some posts, you will see lots of specific information on the 42" deck. It is a decent bagging and side discharging deck. Not so great at muching. It's a shallow deck design that cloggs and clumps more easily than the rest. The 42" and 44" BARELY clear the sides of the 2500 series machines making close-trimming a tad more challenging. If you need to do lots of edgework, a wider deck that sticks out beyond the tractor's tires makes the job easier. Is that specific? Hope I didn't offend you.

Joel

I had a powerKraft with a 46''mower. Replaced it with a CC GT2554 54'' cut.
Looking now for a CC GT2554 without a deck to put my 54'' deck on.

 

[LBrown59]

They fixed the oil drain issue in 2006. The model that I have has the fix (they piped the oil drain from the side to the front with a 90 degree fitting).

Joe

( Wonder if you could get this part or parts for a 2006 from a dealer and install them on a 2005? )

 

[oceanjoe]

1) Did you get the GT2542 and if so how do you like it?

2)question; can you attach a hydraulic tiller to the GT2542? does it need an adapter and a shift lever installed where one of the fender cup holders is in oder to do this? Anyone????

 

[Fordlords]

( Wonder if you could get this part or parts for a 2006 from a dealer and install them on a 2005? )

Yes, you can. Order for your tractor using the parts listing "KO15 and after" at the dealer or online, but the parts are honestly just your standard hardware store items. It's a 3/8 NPT x 2.0 straight pipe (737-0199) and a 90 degree elbow (737-0272). At the opposite end of the elbow the others are using a much better metal valve than the plastic one supplied by Cub, which is a good idea, but your old plastic one will work.

-Fordlords-

 

[LBrown59]

The 2500 and 3000 are the premium products (higher end engines; better construction; etc.). Compared to the comparable JD models, they are about a $1000 less.

Joe

I looked at a 1998 JD x345 with mower front blade and tire chains for $3900.
Wound up getting a new CC GT2554 with 54'' mower front blade weights lug rear tires and a rear tiller for $5050.
A new JD would have cost me about 10000 for all this.

 

[weedwhacker]

I bought a John Deere X300 and once I got it home I quickly discovered I wasn't going to be happy with it.....especially after seeing the CC 2542.
The JD went back and I purchased the CC 2542 and have been happy since.
After all that rain we had the grass was over six inches high and the CC never once whimpered and what a nice job it did.
The CC 2542 to me beautiful and wouldn't go back to that JD if they gave it to me.....
That is my input on this subject.......