How reliable and durable are Cub Cadet lawn tractors?

[Ford tractor]

Mine is a 1999 (maybe 1998?) 2185. Engine blew a head gasket and was using a quart of oil every mowing. Replaced the gaskets on both sides and has been happy this season. Of course, now I have to actually change the oil and not simply add a qt every week...

 

[KBEAT]

I've got 2 of the 2000 series tractors. One is an LT2180 and the other is a 2185 (I know I have issues) I replaced a 1000 series just to get the shaft drive servicable hydro unit. I have the 2185 taken down to the frame right now to clean/inspect it and it is in great shape. I have been impressed with the 2000 series units so far, much heavier duty than the 1000 I had. I plan on keeping the, for the long haul.

 

[Deerherd]

I just received information that Club Cadet offers two new lawn tractors which are dealer only versions which are models LTX 1042 KW(18hp,42",$1799 on website) and LTX 1046 KW (21.5hp,46",$1999 on website). Both of these models have Kawasaki V-Twin engines and Club Cadet has a 3yr/120hr and 5yr/500hr limited warranty on these models. On the surface, this sounds like it might be a good deal. Does anyone have any experience with either of these models and can relate to their reliability/durability? How do you think they would compare to a comparable Simplicity Regent tractor? Thanks

I just picked up the LTX KW 1050 with the 23hp Kawasaki engine for $2199. As you say they are new models so it may be hard to find anyone with a lot of experience but for the little I have ran mine, I like it a lot. I shopped other tractors with that engine and it was a good buy.

 

[micman32]

My 2518 runs great and has been very reliable. She has over 600 hours and works perfectly. Got her in 2003 and have been totally satisfied.

Michael

 

[Hill Billy Bob]

I will be buying a new lawn tractor to replace my 8hp Snapper RER which is 28 years old and just went bad on me. I guess I should not complain . My price range is $1500-$2000. My lawn is 3/4 acre and basically flat. Up to this point, I have not considered the Cub Cadet because I always thought of them as a low end product from Home Depot or Lowes. However, I could be wrong.Could you guys talk about the reliability and durability of these products? What suggestions/input can anyone give me on this matter? Has anyone experienced any reliability/durability problems with this brand as a whole? How has anyone found Cub Cadet manufacturer/retail support in the event of a problem? Does anyone know anything about Columbia lawn tractors? Thanks for your help!

We purchased a Cub Cadet LT1050, (like Timber's) and also in 2005. These came with the Kohler Command Engines. We mow about 4 acres of not so flat land with it...wife says it's the best mower we've ever had. The hour meter now reads 780.4, it still has the original battery, the engine never uses an oil, get about 200 hours out of the belts before they're shot.....Mower is no where near worn out yet....couldn't want much more from a sub $2000 mower...Bob

 

[tracter]

Had a HDS2155 for 14 years upgraded to a GT2550 and I am still a happy little black duck

 

[xmitterengineer]

I bought an LT1045 at a big box store in 2006.
The 20HP courage single has knocked since 2009 if I remember correctly.

This mower is the reason I bought a wire welder!
Things kept breaking and falling off of the mower deck.

The version I had was revised a year or two later to include a stiffening bracket on the mower deck idler pulley support bolt.
I later retrofitted this bracket on to mine which solved a lot of the belt throwing problems.

There were several instances of fasteners coming loose in various locations on the machine.

My main concern however was the knocking engine.
I suspected the knock was coming from the counter-balancer.
The knock grew worse with each passing year.

This year with a little over 9 years and 300 hours I traded it in.

My takeaway on this particular mower is that it required a lot of maintenance to keep it running.

I guess Cub has improved their entry level machines since 2006.

Good luck.

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

I don't know about the big box store 1000 series tractors. I've read that they are designed for a 5 year lifespan. My first one was a 1978 1450 single cylinder Kohler engine. It was made by International Harvester and lasted 1400 hours and 26 years. My second (current one) one is a 2004 3235, built by MTD, and has 539 hours with the original battery yet. It has a 25 HP Kohler Command twin engine which blew a head gasket a few years ago. The head bolts were not tight enough. I had a leaking hydraulic lift valve which cost $600 for the dealer to repair. The right cylinder is burning oil and I have to add oil occasionally and clean the spark plug once or twice a year. Other than that it's run well the past 11 years. It's built much heavier than the 1000 series and weighs about 1200 lbs. The 54 inch deck weighs 260 lbs and is a chore to remove and clean annually.

Bob B.

 

[sensabmc]

I have a 1995 2284 with 900 hours on it. Kohler command ch23 engine in it. It has had no issues. Just normal maintanance. Even at 20 years old it's still solid and will kick the crap out of the big box mowers any day. They just don't build them like this anymore. I have the 60" fabricated haban deck on it and it makes the lawn look like a golf course but is just as happy bush hogging through the woods. Nothing stops it. Only problem now is getting replacement parts as things do wear out or get damaged.

 

[koshari]

Recently did a bit of work to the cutting deck and changed the engine oil and filter on out 700hr 2000 series 2166. very happy with the machine, fires up first start.
nice condition for a 20 year old machine.

one of the cutter spindles grease nipples was broken off. seems they are a press fit so i tapped it out M6 (we are in metric country here) and placed a threaded nipple in situ. also hit all the crusty areas with a wire wheel and sealed with some kill rust enamel. Love that the spindles have replaceable tapered roller bearings.

the crappy headlight lense is long gone and i decided to make a custom one up with some Makrolon sheet. rather than affix it to the fragile tabs i used some bumper clips to attach it in the middle of the lense. will take a pretty big branch to bust it of now.

got some LED BA15s globes coming to give a bit more light without extra heat and power consumption.

only gripe is i wish the 16hp single cylinder kohler commander was a little bit quiter.

 

[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.