Why do you hate MTD?

[Spiffy]

I'm probably just adding fuel to a fire but...

First, the average consumer's drive to buy something based on aesthetics, brand name, or whatever other than "the right tool for the job" is gut-wrenching, but you really can't blame MTD or anyone else for catering to the demand even if it does sicken us further that many good names get "watered down."

That being said, I'd say MTD is no more and - if you look at dealers instead of home stores - probably much less guilty of deception than the rest (I'm sure there's bad apples out there too, but again this is every brand). I was given even further proof of this when gamble77 on this site gave me a very honest opinion of a competative line that falls right between two lines he sells (looks like good advice on this thread too). In the case of CubCadet by MTD and many other premium brands, the machines aren't even built in the same factory as "cousin" products, but they still have their "levels of quality" to meet the consumer's demands.

Now what does this mean? Do the research, and if a higher quality unit is what you need.....thank all the very light users (who bought the right tool) and the morons (who just bought a name regardless of use) for providing your favorite brand the the volumes to stay competative in this crazy world.

Clear as grass clippings!!

Chad

 

[GerardC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blueclass">( A $10000 car will get you there the same as an $80,000 one!

This is very true. The only difference is the level of creature comfort. )


HUMMMMM INTERESTING.

No difference in Safety ratings, Quality, longevity Or performance?

If this were the case everyone would be fighting over old Chevettes.)</font>

<font color="black"> Regardless, you'll still make it from point A to point B. </font>

 

[GerardC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Going to go out looking for a nice Pinto tomorrow.

Only difference is creature comforts right.

The Pintos had a five star crash rating right?

Don't need those cushy side curtain air bags.

I will not feel a thing when the Gas tank blows.)</font>

One has nothing to do with the other. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue"> I don't hate MTD products I just will not own or recommend them. </font>

That's fine, but nobody has asked you to.

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue"> Are you really trying to convince guys who own higher end mowers that Walmart mowers are every bit as good. </font>

Not at all. Just a simple question. Read all my posts.

 

[slowrev]

spiffy,
"In the case of CubCadet by MTD and many other premium brands, the machines aren't even built in the same factory as "cousin" products, but they still have their "levels of quality" to meet the consumer's demands."

Good reply.

This long been the song of JD fans about Japanese and other foreign built JD ractors. "but they are made to JD specs".
Just because a company ie Cub is owned by MTD, don't equate the cubs to a bottom line MTD.

Or does it work the other way around, because JD is selling low end mowers then all JD stuff is on the same quality level ? I don't really think so.

Ben

 

[LBrown59]

1*Using the Cub and Troy lines is well within their right to use as marketing tools as they own the names.
2*If your not happy with the cheap products buy the better ones.
3*All this arguing makes me think that some people want a top of the line mower for a bottom of the pack price
4*If MTD kept selling the original Cub's and Troy models and dropped there own cheaper line who was going to fill the cheap line that the biggest majority of people want? Probably the competition and they were not willing to lose that market share.
Steve_Miller
*****************
1*True
However the way they are going about it is deceptive or at least misleading.
2*MTDs method of using the lines confuses the consumer and dupes them into thinking one of the known badges is the better one.
3* That's not what I'm talking about.
4*MTD already was filling this line but when they obtained the well known badges of Cub Troy Built Bolens Huskey etc. they did not ever sell the original models of these badges instead they simply stuck these badges on their own cheep line which they were already producing to make them sell better.

 

[GerardC]

LBrown59:

This Cub and this Cub seem to have very good qualities about them. Definitely a different build than my MTD Yard Machine.

 

[BRIGUY]

Pic of a Cub Cadet Pre MTD

 

[BRIGUY]

#2

 

[BRIGUY]

#3

 

[BRIGUY]

#4

 

[BRIGUY]

#5

 

[GerardC]

Brian:

Not for nothin', but all you've mentioned or shown is past history. Times change and so do the designs, styles and materials (of everything), not to mention the global economic factor.
You'll NEVER get the quality/longevity of your grandparents refrigerator today, period.

 

[GerardC]

I forgot to mention companies too!

 

[BRIGUY]

Many good names like Cub, Bolens, and Troybuilt are gone forever. But some have survived Here is a machine almost unchanged for 30 years.

http://www.toro.com/home/tractors/classic300/3158.html

wheelhorse was sold to AMC in the 70's then bought by Toro and has some how survived.

I always chuckle a little when I see Cub Cadet. The Cub Cadet used to be a model in the International tractor line, as was the Cub (larger).

I know they are at the top of the MTD food chain but I can't help but wonder if the new Cubs will still be going 30 or 40 years from now.

The reason that I showed those old machines is to prove the point that others have described above. That the average buyer will equate the MTD built unit with the same name and colors on it, as being the same quality much sturdier origional.

I'm sure the reason many dislike MTD is that they are cashing in on these old quality names. That is not saying that there products don't provide a good value for the buck. The machines shown above probably cost more back then than a new MTD now. I would respect them more if they marketed all of there products under their own name.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The reason that I showed those old machines is to prove the point that others have described above.
1*That the average buyer will equate the MTD built unit with the same name and colors on it, as being the same quality much sturdier origional.
2*I'm sure the reason many dislike MTD is that they are cashing in on these old quality names.
3*The machines shown above probably cost more back then than a new MTD now.
4*I would respect them more if they marketed all of there products under their own name.
BRIGUY
============================
)</font>
~~~~~~~~~~~
1*This practice is deceptive or at least misleading to consumers.
2*By using badges which imply that their product is something it's not.
3*I found it to be just the opposite of that.
My MTD Wards PowerCraft with mower deck cost $1300.
My Real Bolens (before MTD got a hold of them and trashed them) cost $728 including the mower deck; and was ten times the tractor that the PowerCraft is.
4*The proper thing for MTD to have done was to continue production of the tractors wearing the badges; but they chose to drop production of them and used the badges to stick on their lesser quality products in order to sell more of them easier and faster.

 

[LBrown59]

1*The mechanics that worked on your briggs were not good small engine mechanics, or they would have identified the problem and corrected it.
2*The only other possibility is that something you were doing was causing the engine problems. i.e. bad gas, water in gas, low oil, etc..
******************
1*Some design flaws and lemons can't be corrected I believe my MTD falls under this.
2*When you take in to the shop and they clean the fuel system and fill the tank with new fresh gas and you bring it back unload it and mow for an hour or so and it goes right back to doing the same thing how could it be a bad gas or a water in gas issue?
I did not do any maintenance of a poorer quality on the MTD than I do on any of my other equipment and they never give me such problems as the MTD does.
As far as the low oil issue you can't run it low as it keeps increasing the level on the dipstick.
The tractor has always bellowed blue smoke from the exhaust when first starting.
It has done this from the day I got it and first started it.

skinderflirt

 

[slowrev]

1*Some design flaws and lemons can't be corrected I believe my MTD falls under this.
//
A good small engine mechanic would have found this. There is a cause for everything, no mystical lemons that cause unfindable problems. Engines can be replaced.

Ben

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( no mystical lemons that cause unfindable problems )</font>
You must have never owned a Fiat... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif