Is there anyone happy with their 1000 series?

xmitterengineer · Jan 22, 2009

Now at 112 hours there is a knock in the 20 Hp Courage engine that I was so satisfied with earlier.

And I believe that it is just out of warranty....I will have to locate my receipt.
The knock is quite apparent in cold weather and subsides when the engine is hot.

Noteworthy is the modification made to the balance weight locator linkage on later model Courage single engines.This sliding bearing was a curiosity from the first time that I saw the service manual and to me appeared to be a weak link.....I know I am only an Engineer, what do I know.

(large file)

http://www.kohlerengines.com/common/resources/tp_2548_a.pdf

Note pages 8.14 and 8.15

To me this in run modification indicates a design deficiency and I suspect that this may be the source of my knock.

Some would point to piston slap and I would counter this with the fact that there is no detectable oil consumption or blowby.

A rod knock would get worse as the engine warms up.

A loose wrist pin makes a double knock.

I'm not happy with this and am looking forward to a recall in light of the in run modification done by Kohler.

I will be talking with my local Cub people and if there is no satisfaction found with this issue I will be through with Cub and Kohler. It's not so much a matter of money as a matter of integrity.

I want to support American business....if I am hosed often enough however it gets tough to carry on in that manner.

Edit: I will add that the knock is independent of load and is worse with increasing RPM. No glitter in drained oil.

Rickey.

Dupa · Jan 22, 2009

I Firmly believe the time is right to have a young agressive person start to build a great tractor again. I read all the time that they use to be this...

they use to be that... I know money is really bad right now but there seems to me a audience for a really good tractor again right?

My old cub, my old John deere, etc. No one seems to be praising this stuff anymore.

I know it is a place where people tend to complain...... but I think something is missing here. Where is the quality?

Dupa

JTKub · Jan 23, 2009

xmitterengineer said:
Some would point to piston slap and I would counter this with the fact that there is no detectable oil consumption or blowby.

Rickey, I would have to disagree with that statement. I've owned several GM 4.3 and 3.X series slappers and none ever had measurable oil consumption or any blowby. Your Kohler issue is frustrating though. I'd call a local dealer to see what they suggest for a course of action.

Joel

lexus114 · Jan 23, 2009

I have a L/T-1045 SE V-twin 20hp with around 70hrs on it.I use it for snow removal as well,and it does a very good job.I also pulled a tree limb out of our yard.I wasn`t sure it would do it at first,the drive belt slipped a little.Then grabbed and pulled it quite well.(that was a little abusive though)

EmerichSales · Feb 17, 2009

Dupa said:
I Firmly believe the time is right to have a young agressive person start to build a great tractor again. I read all the time that they use to be this... they use to be that... I know money is really bad right now but there seems to me a audience for a really good tractor again right?

My old cub, my old John deere, etc. No one seems to be praising this stuff anymore.

I know it is a place where people tend to complain...... but I think something is missing here. Where is the quality?

Dupa

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They still build great tractors but less people want to spend the money. 20 Years ago a Lawn Tractor sold for about $2500.00 and Now 20 years lator with higher steel cost's, higher labor cost's,higher insurance cost's,higher marketing cost's and just plain higher cost's , They sell for $1000.00 less. You still have the option to spend more on a tractor to get the better quality but people don't. Cub Cadet has the 1000,1500,2500 and 3000 series. From lesser quality to High Quality. They Now have the SC2400 and EX3200 Cub Cadet Yanmar models for even higher quality.
I think we are back to you get what you pay for.

VinceSMTA · Feb 17, 2009

Maybe I am a little old fashioned, however, I believe that part of the problem (whether actual or not) is that people tend to post problems on sites like this before they go and talk to their dealer first. I realize this is a great site for information and the occasional venting, however, if it were me I would talk to my dealer first to find out what options I may have. I speak from experience as I was once an owner of a 5000 series tractor. Even when out of warranty my dealer took care of some issues I had...thats why I trusted him when he thought I would be better off with the Sc2400 (I joke him today that he was just stating the obvious). Anyway, back to the topic...there are a lot of 1000series tractors around here and I know few people that just love them. But as Emerich says, you pay for what you get.

EmerichSales · Feb 17, 2009

The Cub Cadet Series 1000 is a nice tractor as long as it's used as intended. Don't buy a 1000 series for 2 acres of mowing. Buy the 2000 series for more than 2 acres. Buy your tractor from a dealer that can recommend the correct tractor for the job and give you the proper after the sale support.

EmerichSales · Feb 17, 2009

I am not saying that they don't ever have a problem. Thats why they have a warranty and you have a dealer to back it.

lexus114 · Feb 18, 2009

EmerichSales said:
The Cub Cadet Series 1000 is a nice tractor as long as it's used as intended. Don't buy a 1000 series for 2 acres of mowing. Buy the 2000 series for more than 2 acres. Buy your tractor from a dealer that can recommend the correct tractor for the job and give you the proper after the sale support.

I have to respectfully disagree with that comment re; 2 acres or more of mowing,the 1000 series is quite capable of that. It may just take a little longer to do thats all. Also,I recommend synthetic oil,since the courage engine is not rated for as many hours as the command.So if I have engine failure even with my servicing,the replacement motor will be a command engine.

EmerichSales · Feb 19, 2009

It may do 200 acres but it may only do it once..In my opinion I would never recommend a 1000 series for 2 Acres of Mowing. I always recommend a tractor that you will get a long life without a ton of repairs. Many factors come in to deciding which tractor to buy, Lawn size?, Smooth or rough terrain?,Hilly or flat?,How long does the customer feel it should last? Open or tight area's?, Any attachments needed? Dethatcher?, Mulcher?, Bagger? Cart? snowblow? and many more, etc. Then of course What price range?
If the customers says they have 5 acres of hilly terrain but only wants to spend $1500.00. I would rather loose the sale then sell him the wrong product. Sometimes we sell him a Used garden tractor instead of a New lawn tractor.
We have been in business for over 40 years and We try very hard to sell the right piece of equipment for the right job.
I still have customers that don't take our advice and buy what they feel will do the job. Sometimes it works for them but normally they tell us we were right.
We also have some customers that don't really care because they trade it back in every 3 or 4 years
Everybody has their own opinion on what's right for them.