How reliable and durable are Cub Cadet lawn tractors?

[tracter]

Thats a good looking driver you got there
The spindle rebuilds are a bit fiddly , I had a bit of trouble getting new bearings
Tracter

 

[artfull dodger]

Since this thread was brought back from the dead, here is the take from a former Cub Cadet dealership head mechanic. The older IH built cubs and the ones that came right after the sale to MTD and called the Cub Cadet Corperation at that time are the best of the bunch. But finding one that isnt all ragged out, or the mower deck rotted away is getting harder to do. They are a good machine for those willing to tackle some of the more basic maintance like greasing deck spindle bearings and such. After the plastic hoods came the line was gradually cheapened to where it was not much better than other MTD brands but they kept the Cub Cadet line as their "high end" or "top of the line" mowers. The versions sold at Home Depot and Lowes are the lowest end of the line, just as the other name brands such as JD, Hustler and such sold thru big box stores. Now fast foward to the new yellow hood line up introduced a couple years ago. MTD really stepped up the game with the redesign of the line. If you can get one with the Kawasaki engine, they are far better than the current crop of Kohler's they are using. These are worth stretching the budget a bit to buy, Kawasaki engine and the fabricated(welded plate steel vs stamped steel) mower deck. You will have to go to a dealer for these models. The CC zero turns are based of some Scag and Exmark designs merged into one. Our dealership got to run some of the preproduction prototypes of these current ZTR's before full production began. I was very impressed with these over the older Tank line up and lower end ZTR's offered under the CC badge. I prefer the run the older IH built models, nice ones both original condition and restored can be found and if taken care of, will outlast all of us here on this forum. They are not "throw away" models like you can drop $2500 or more on today. They are designed to be rebuilt, repaired and kept working for as long as you want to put money into maintaining the tractor. Keeping the mower deck from rotting away is probably the biggest challenge. Using an air hose instead of the garden hose, and scraping out the wet grass during the spring mowing season is key to the deck lasting. Mike

 

[DKCDKC]

I've got a six year old Cub sold originally at a big box store and it keeps chugging along. I bought it from a local guy for $200 a few years ago. But my primary is a 1998 Cub Cadet 3185. It's a horse. Only 18 hp in a B&S V-Twin, but has full hydraulics and weighs a half-ton with its deck. Solid as a rock. Got it free from a guy who had given up trying to fix the weird u-joint on the drive shaft. I fixed it using parts from all over the country via the Internet. Only issue at the moment is it needs a rebuilt carb and I have to take off the top of the engine to release the carb. Been putting it off all winter. Engine has cooling shields that made it difficult to do some things. But it is a horse when it runs and I've got the rough terrain to challenge it.

 

[artfull dodger]

Those 3100's are a beast when in proper tune. And yes they can be a pain in the tail to work on. We had one in the shop with loads of hyd leaks from the control valves under the fender pan along with mouse nest under the shroud. That was a major job on all sides. Mike

 

[tracter]

Hey Botamike , Thanks for your info , originally had a HDS2155 great mower should have bought the 18hp version but alas , it is still going strong , a mate now has it.
I upgraded? to at GT2550 , first mistake was all the stuff my wife planted was approx 42" apart and a 50"deck will not fit through any way oops a few things became mulch
Overall the GT 2550 is not the same quality , little corners cut here and there , but good maintenance helps it along
One question did you ever have problems with the oil filler caps on the v twin Kohlers , you know the one beside the fuel pump on the tappet cover
Regards from Australia

 

[artfull dodger]

I remember a few that were brittle, probably from getting hot. Wasnt one of Kohlers better ideas. When the new yellow hood tractors came out, we ordered mostly all Kawasaki powered tractors. Kohler has really gone down hill in recent years on their lower end engines. The Command series is ok, but the Kawasaki are better IMHO. I myself stick to the older IH built and very early CCC era Cub Cadet with Kohler K series and Magnum series engines. Once you get a good solid machine and a good solid mower deck, you are set for life if you take care of it. Mike

 

[tracter]

My problem is the cap does not now seal properly , almost like the "O"ring has shrunk
Anyway got some gasket paper and cut a seal and all is good for now , bought a genuine replacement for if and when my temporary fix fails
Regards

 

[deerefan]

I have a ltx 1040. Bought it at home depot to take advantage of their finance offer. It is 19.5 hp kohler with 42" deck. I cut an acre with it and so far it does well. I find it comfortable and it does not beat me to death like my craftsman did.

Since this thread was brought back to life, let me provide a full review of the mower I purchased above. Bluntly, after 6 months, I was done with it.
Here is a list of deficiencies, all before 2 years old:
1. Replaced 3 starters
2. Steering linkage broke 4 times until I tack welded it.
3. 2 deck spindles failed
4. Deck wheel fell off
5. Headlights stopped working
6. Bad ground reworked

This mower was well maintained and used to cut 1 acre of flat ground. After 2 years, I became so disgusted I parked it and went back to using the Craftsman. I gave the mower to my dad a couple years ago. He took the motor out and put it in his older Cub to replace a worn Briggs. Still running today. The motor was the only reliable part on this mower unfortunately. The seat was nice, it was also added to his mower. I now own a Gravely zero turn I bought second hand. In 7 years, I replaced one solenoid. Great mower.

 

[Richard001]

- Replaced 3 starters
The motor was the only reliable part on this mower unfortunately.

If you had to replace the starter every 8 months, I would not call the "reliable".

Were any of those repairs covered under warranty?

Richard

 

[deerefan]

- Replaced 3 starters
The motor was the only reliable part on this mower unfortunately.

If you had to replace the starter every 8 months, I would not call the "reliable".

Were any of those repairs covered under warranty?

Richard

The motor ran fine, used no oil and still runs fine to this day. The starters were the issue. Some repairs were under warranty, some not.