my five options

[GaryS]

Don't forget carbed too. I was just saying you could get a lot of tractor for that $220 a month. You could get any Deere, NH, Kubota garden tractor for the cost of #1. While I'm sure the GR is a fine machine, I'm not sure the "U" shaped chassis is all that much of an improvement over a Craftsman chassis. To me, it just doesn't look like the GR is meant for rugged terrain. The G series looks pretty tough though.

I agree about the GR series. Two very odd things about that machine: 1) you are supposed to replace *all* hydraulic lines every two years, and 2) the rear axel clearance is about 4 inches.

I'm willing to pay (within reason) for a quality machine. The problem is, I can't find what I'm looking for for under $12k. In a perfect world, I could get a rigid frame, 4wd, and diesel engine with a 40-ish inch deck. That seems to be impossible for under $12k.

 

[GaryS]

The Cub Cadet 2500 and 3000 series machines are TOTALLY different from the rest of MTD's line. They still have cast iron rear axle housings, shaft drive, and compare well to the pre MTD Cubs. If the 2500 series will do what you want, I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it. If your budget will handle the $7600 Kubots, then I'd seriously look at the Cub 3000 series as you can get that with a front blade and/or a snowblower for about the same money. It's an excellent machine that offers a lot of capability. If the hills are your biggest problem, then you might want to consider the Simplicity Prestige with its locking rear differential for better traction, still cheaper than the Kubota. Simplicity - Prestige

I'm going to go check out the Cub Cadet line again tomorrow morning. For the money, I can get two 2542's for the price of the GR.

I'll have to check around for Simplicity dealers - I've not looked at them at all.

 

[jeffinsgf]

If you find a 455 without a deck, I have a 48" deck that I will sell you. Mine came with the 48 and I later bought a 60. It is a good, clean, straight deck. Don't give up on the 455. It is a superb machine.

 

[neverenough]

I agree about the GR series. Two very odd things about that machine: 1) you are supposed to replace *all* hydraulic lines every two years, and 2) the rear axel clearance is about 4 inches.

I'm willing to pay (within reason) for a quality machine. The problem is, I can't find what I'm looking for for under $12k. In a perfect world, I could get a rigid frame, 4wd, and diesel engine with a 40-ish inch deck. That seems to be impossible for under $12k.

Try calling around to the dealers and see if there is a carry over X595 Deere around. The dealer I got my cab from had a carry over X585 on the show room floor. It was priced at $10,500. If you could find a carry over X595, I bet you could get it for around $11,000-$11,500, easy. As a reference, I got my X585 last year, with upgraded alt, rear PTO, HDAP tires, and cat 1 3pt for $11,600. It listed for over $14,000 with the add-ons. If a 4x4 diesel Deere garden tractor is what you want, just go in and hammer out a deal and see if it works. Try the Kubota dealer too, and the CC dealer, maybe a NH dealer if you have one. See if they will compete for the sale. Being a customer for 35 years helps to get killer deals on stuff, but you should still be able to knock a good 10% off the tractor price, at least. Nothing wrong with going used either. I did for quite a few years until I figured out exactly what I wanted/needed in a garden tractor. I have no plans to replace my 585 until it's dead. Good luck.

10% off an X748 with 48 inch deck would put you right at 12k. I bet Kubota list prices are a little lower
on the Gr's, spend tomorrow hammering out deals.

 

[Fordlords]

For really difficult terrain to mow and in wanting an affordable GT, you might want to look at a Cub Cadet 3000 series. (Rough terrain, walk behind mower, beer... not a good combo The CC 3000's will give you an additional shaft drive down to the mower deck along with the shaft drive iron hydro, along with power steering, the best of Kohler's engines, at a price looking at your considerations you will like. If all the heavy MTD built Cub Cadet GT's are junk, than anyone answer me why do they fetch such good resale prices??

Maybe because they are not junk to those who know, they use the best components available today, the dealer network is great, the parts are readily available and are affordable, and the machines are easy to service. That all on top of their noted great performance. MTD/CCC has well supported parts availability for my 25+ year old IH built Cub Cadet along with many models much older than it- they are confident in the Cub Cadet product line, and want to make it the best available at a price your average homeowner can afford. I know JD and Kubota are great tractors, but at $8-11K for what I consider to be a heavy duty garden tractor today is borderline ludicrous. No wait, it's just plain morbid!

-Fordlords-

 

[neverenough]

For really difficult terrain to mow and in wanting an affordable GT, you might want to look at a Cub Cadet 3000 series. (Rough terrain, walk behind mower, beer... not a good combo The CC 3000's will give you an additional shaft drive down to the mower deck along with the shaft drive iron hydro, along with power steering, the best of Kohler's engines, at a price looking at your considerations you will like. If all the heavy MTD built Cub Cadet GT's are junk, than anyone answer me why do they fetch such good resale prices??

Maybe because they are not junk to those who know, they use the best components available today, the dealer network is great, the parts are readily available and are affordable, and the machines are easy to service. That all on top of their noted great performance. MTD/CCC has well supported parts availability for my 25+ year old IH built Cub Cadet along with many models much older than it- they are confident in the Cub Cadet product line, and want to make it the best available at a price your average homeowner can afford. I know JD and Kubota are great tractors, but at $8-11K for what I consider to be a heavy duty garden tractor today is borderline ludicrous. No wait, it's just plain morbid!

-Fordlords-

I know the local Gehl dealer sells CC, and they sure look pretty. Not exactly a "box store" clone.

I had a lot easier time justifying a large garden tractor with a 25 hp motor and MFWD, than buying a bigger compact with the same hp for the same price, but the attachments were twice as much.

The CC equal to the DeereX595 or Kubota GR is $9300. So I would say CC is not all that far off. I would have to say that the 5234D with the 44 inch deck does look like it fit's exactly what he's looking for in a tractor.

 

[GaryS]

I gotta find another CC dealer. I drove to my local dealer only to be greeted by the following sign: "Closed Sept 2nd - Sept 14th". Honestly, I could see them closing for the whole month of November, but the first two weeks of September?

 

[neverenough]

Wow, that's a long time to be closed at one time. That would be some mighty tall grass if you went to mow today and something broke and had to leave it for 2 weeks.

 

[locknut]

I need to make a decision in the next week and as you see, I'm all over the map. I had talked myself into the CC but now lean towards trying to find a way to make a deal on the Kubota. $8k to cut grass just hurts.

Any thoughts or comments?

Unless you absolutely just have to have a diesel model tractor,you should be able to buy a GR2000 gas model for under 6K.I paid $5950 for one,and others around the country have also.Looks can be deceiving.It's a well engineered,strongly built piece of equipment that's a pleasure to use.I intentionally put the tractor in an awkward compound angle in one of the draws,lifting one front wheel a foot off the ground to check frame strength and it seemed solid as a rock.I mow a very rough piece of property with hillside slopes up to 30° and the tractor handles it with ease with no tire slippage.Two-wheel drive tractors I've used rip up the turf when trying to make uphill turns(5-15°),dig holes going uphill(>20°),or sliding downhill(very dangerous situation) as rear tires alone will not hold on slopes over 25°.

You need to do some actual measurements to find out if you really need a 4WD tractor.All you need is a plastic protractor,1ft torpedo level and a 4ft straight 2x4.If all your slopes are 20° or less,you probably don't need one.

 

[MikeD74T]

I don't know enough about your lawn to advise on what to purchase, but if you go with a walk-behind try a Toro with the T-bar steering/speed control. They are smooth & comfortable to operate.