Cub Cadet or Deere?

[oc92]

I am looking at riding mowers for a large yard with some hills. I am not looking at big box disposable types but mid level dealer models. We have a Cub Cadet place down the street with XT2 42" deck and a Kohler 22hp 2 cylinder. https://www.cubcadet.com/en_US/xt2-lx42inch/13BPA1CS010.html


The other shop is John Deere and they have a somewhat comparable S240.
https://www.deere.com/en/mowers/lawn-tractors/s240-lawn-tractor-48-in/

Both have a k46 hydrostatic transmission upgrade, both have front wheel bearings, both have front and rear anti-scalp wheels and both have larger double cylinder engines. All things I think are important. Both are also right around the same price I am shooting for.

Regarding reliability and warranties, anyone have some first hand input? I have read reviews, lawn forums, consumer reports, etc but thought I would ask samba as well. Thanks!
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" ... he walked the pavement of the city- a beggar and a king. Has it been otherwise with any man?" WOLFE

72 bus
70 bug
96 mx5

[skills@eurocarsplus]

I bought a JD LX280 with a v twin 18 hp Kawasaki brand new in 03. I have done nothing to that machine....nothing. other than oil changes and maintenance (blades, fluids, spark plugs) in fact I just replaced all of the original belts on it this year and found 2 or 3 idler bearings worn out. 16 years is a pretty good run.

it's stored inside and used year round as I have a snow thrower attachment for it. other than the seat showing some wear I have had 700+ trouble free hours on that machine. fwiw, i'm only on my second battery too.

that was a dealer purchased machine, which is different than the box stores...very little is available from them in terms of belts etc. JD is very very proud of their belts...pretty expensive and odd proprietary sizes but seeing they lasted 16 years the first time, I expect no issues moving forward. I only replaced them because the main drive belt was looking a bit haggard and with my luck it would have broken 7 acres away from the shop so I replaced it.

and I still have the original tires on it too. if my memory serves me, it was about 8k out the door. it was considered a 'garden tractor' so it's size meant that it didn't come with a deck. I got the deck, bagger and snow thrower for that price.

I think mine has the K62. don't buy into the 'lifetime fluid' b/s....it's serviceable. check with tuff torque on the procedure. they are nice folks and have all the info on their site.
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[Second Air Force]

We own two John Deere garden tractors, a 1969 112 and a 1998 425. Both are still in great shape and are used regularly, and I don't intend to replace them--ever. The 112 has no hourmeter but the 425 has 1800 hours.

Parts for Deere equipment are expensive, but we don't need repairs very often. Belts are the main thing.

35 years ago I worked in the parts department at an International Harvester dealership that sold Cub Cadets, and they were also excellent machines. Belts and an odd bearing or two were the most popular Cub parts we sold.

Either way, I recommend going to a dealership for either brand, it makes service when under warranty much simpler. Good luck!
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1956 Standard Sedan

[cbeck]

Make sure the blade spindles have grease fittings. My jd L110 w/42" deck did not.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[oc92]

Thanks for the input.

The issue with Cub is that it is now owned by MTD and they make most of the big box lines. The Cub line is their "Cadillac" but having swapped out many parts on past MTD mowers, my trust is not 100%. Anyone have a XT2? Anyone turn wrenches on these machines at a shop or sell parts?

The S240 has been out for a few years and just isn't like those classic model lines of the past. It is though, above the 100 series that they sell at the big box guys. Thanks for the tip about fittings. The 240 seems to have many of these extras. Any S240 owners with feedback about quality?

John Deere and Cub honoring their warranty issues?
_________________
" ... he walked the pavement of the city- a beggar and a king. Has it been otherwise with any man?" WOLFE

72 bus
70 bug
96 mx5

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[calvinater]

Look for an old JD 318 , cant go wrong.
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"Albatross"!

[oc92]

Not so much afraid, just don't want to buy something I could have avoided if I had asked some questions...

Yes, I am definitely patronizing the dealer on this one. And avoiding entry level.

I talked to the Deere guy last week. I will go to Cub this week.

I would love to hear if someone has these specific models.
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" ... he walked the pavement of the city- a beggar and a king. Has it been otherwise with any man?" WOLFE

72 bus
70 bug
96 mx5

[Zundfolge1432]

Cub is owned by MTD you might as well go to Walmart and get A Murray it’s same company. I had good luck with commercial grade Deere. Dealer network stands behind them I’m driving a hustler now.

[Zundfolge1432]

[Mr. Unpopular]

I've never owned either, but I'd say the Cub Cadet with the Kohler engine would be my choice. I've only heard great things about them.
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"In any racing engine, the nearer you are to it disintegrating, the better it's performance will be"
-Keith Duckworth, creator of the Ford/Cosworth DFV

[cbeck]

I bought my jd for the kohler engine. Done with b@s.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[pondoras box]

I know Cub Cadet used to have a warrantee that covered commercial use when a lot of other brands wouldn't. Not sure they still offer that or if JD does or not. I have owned a few CC products now and have had no problems with them. Just do a little preventive maintenance at the end of season, oil changes and that's it.

Just like most other companies have learned from consumers these days, people don't want quality they want cheap disposable items. Cub Cadet may have two lines of products now. Home Depot quality for your big box shopper and a line of dealership quality, might be something to consider asking the dealer when talking to them. Phrase your question carefully, like ask why you can get Cub Cadet cheaper at Home Depot.
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Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.

1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda)
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk

[Enkiel]

We used to have a Kubota at my parent's house... that thing survived 15+ years (probably closer to 25+).

not sure what the quality is nowadays, but its definately a company i'd look into if i was to buy a riding mower.
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1964 Turkis Flipseat

[mellowslow]

Between the two choices that you posted, I would choose the JD with the Hydro/automatic drive over the Cub Cadet with the 'heavy duty belt' engine to transmission drive system. Just an opinion from a 20+ year golf course superintendent...there is a small equipment mechanic that works here with me.


If the yard and slopes are big enough:

https://www.ventrac.com/industries/estate

+unmatched versatility
+2 year commercial warranty.

-None of the dreaded Tier IV Diesel disadvantages but very thirsty and can't do an 8 hour shift on a full tank of gasoline.

But you could probably buy 2 each Cub Cadet and John Deere for the price of the Ventrac.
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'87 WBWE FAS Gen V

[windfish]

[mellowslow]

[JDMbeetle]

I have a john deere LA145, it was one of Deeres cheaper models from 2009. even though the spindles have stared to go on the front wheels, it's yet to fail me.

The Cub Cadet my stepdad had burst into flames after he pulled it back into the garage, the fire happened because the PLASTIC gas tank sat above the hot engine, A crack formed which lead to it pouring gas on the engine after it shut off. this resulted in months of my family living in a hotel.

(note the Cub Cadet was the same age as the john Deere)

so yeah...I like john deere
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71 Super Beetle
74 Standerd Beetle

[oc92]

Burst into flames huh? That's a pretty convincing argument!

Does John Deere use the same Chinese bearings for pulleys like the other guys?
Do the Deere ones go through steering gears somewhat often?
Deere decks rust through after a while in humid conditions like the others too?

My three main gripes....
_________________
" ... he walked the pavement of the city- a beggar and a king. Has it been otherwise with any man?" WOLFE

72 bus
70 bug
96 mx5

[JDMbeetle]