Potential GT2186 purchase

[T-Mo]

Originally Posted by Sergeant

The 2500 series started about 2 years after the 2186 came out, and the 1st 2500 series model was the 2518, which came out in 2002. The same year, I bought a Cub 2206 for my wife
BTW T-Mo what do you need a back up for? You and I are already the same we have back-ups for back-ups

I have quite of bit of grass to mow, mine and my daughter's. I have a 2019 Exmark Radius that's my primary mower, plus my wife uses the X320 that we bought new in 2006. I do have a brush hog for my Ford tractors, but it's not very efficient for mowing yards. I also have a 2002 JD 717 that I'm letting my brother-in-law use (after giving him a late 90s Wheel Horse 314-8 that now has messed up the carb). I actually don't think I need another backup mower, but my wife thinks we do.

I just missed out on a nice JD GX255 that was priced to sell.

[T-Mo]

Then there is this 2086 that is more money, but probably a better overall machine.

[Sergeant]

Originally Posted by T-Mo

Then there is this 2086 that is more money, but probably a better overall machine.

Yeah, I missed on one of those from Houtz, which is why I ended up with a 2182.
Rob Houtz sometimes forgets to update his website when something sells, I missed it by a week. I didn't buy the deck with the 2182, though, as the 2182 is basically for 3-point work. But the 2182, thanks to some help from Bill Reugg, has a limited Cat 1 3 point hitch on it now.

[1711Cub]

Originally Posted by T-Mo

Then there is this 2086 that is more money, but probably a better overall machine.

MUCH better machine!

[Oak]

The FD620 Kawi in the 2086 is a good motor but that machine will have the plastic cam gear if it has not been updated to the steel gear. Those are know to fail at the 800-1000 hour mark.

[Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Oak

The FD620 Kawi in the 2086 is a good motor but that machine will have the plastic cam gear if it has not been updated to the steel gear. Those are know to fail at the 800-1000 hour mark.

I had a plastic cam on my used 1993 JD 425 I bought in 2000. I replaced the cam anyway, just before I traded it in on a JD X485 and in the 3 years I had that tractor, I put over 800 hours on it, and it had 500 hours plus Hrs when I bought it
The plastic cam I removed was in great condition.

To bad Kawasaki didn't stop producing the Plastic can earlier than February 1998

[Sergeant]

Originally Posted by 1711Cub

MUCH better machine!

I find that statement debatable saying it is better than a 2186 for Terry's intended use

[1711Cub]

No rational debate there whatsoever! After parting out that 2206 primarily for the engine that is in my 582, I have had zero regrets doing so! That 2206 tractor as a whole was cheaply constructed and thrown together. They are not even in the same ballpark when it comes to durability as compared to the Cyclops/82 series! They were the beginning of the throwaway machines MTD is cranking out.

[Farmall450]

Originally Posted by 1711Cub

No rational debate there whatsoever! After parting out that 2206 primarily for the engine that is in my 582, I have had zero regrets doing so! That 2206 tractor as a whole was cheaply constructed and thrown together. They are not even in the same ballpark when it comes to durability as compared to the Cyclops/82 series! They were the beginning of the throwaway machines MTD is cranking out.

I can't disagree. Plus it has those nice CC tires!

[Sergeant]

Originally Posted by 1711Cub

No rational debate there whatsoever! After parting out that 2206 primarily for the engine that is in my 582, I have had zero regrets doing so! That 2206 tractor as a whole was cheaply constructed and thrown together. They are not even in the same ballpark when it comes to durability as compared to the Cyclops/82 series! They were the beginning of the throwaway machines MTD is cranking out.

Well Your Entitled to Your Opinion about the 2206 Just as I am entitled to mine.

I never had an issue with the 2206 not that I used it much as it was my wife's tractor. It handled tilling 3 acres of Garden twice a year and other garden work along with Mowing 2.5 acres of Yard When I was working overseas as a Civilian Military advisor. Other than replacing one rear tire, It had no issues in 16 years of Ownership. If my wife hadn't wanted power steering, we would still have it. And I am not saying their quality is any better than the Cyclops series. I would say the quality level is about the same.

There were Many cost savings and corners cut in the Cyclops series. Compared to the previous MTD/Cub tractor series, it replaced. The Hydraulic system components, which was a major difference. The hydraulic valves used In the Cyclops series were more prone to leakage than previous Hydraulic valves In the 1989 and earlier Cub Cadet series. MTD continued to use those hydraulic valves and components In the Cub 3000 series, and it still tends to have the same Hydraulic fluid leakage issues. The Pre-Cyclops Cubs did not use the valves the Cyclops series used. The Pre-cyclops used a similar valve to what the rest of the lawn and garden tractor market used in their tractors hydraulic systems. I have a 1991 2182, Which is a nice basic 3-point hitch-capable garden tractor. I left the 60-inch deck with Houtz. Furthermore, I didn't want it. I find the XT3 GSX is a much better suited for running a mower Than just about any Cub Cadet Super. The Cub Supers are great tractors for winter and Garden work