XT3 Transaxle and Plowing Soil Chat with MTD

[mkedzierski]

I just had an online chat with an MTD rep asking if the cast iron transaxle on a new XT3 would handle plowing soil with a single point plow (brinly). I got a generic response of "we can only recommend the attachments listed for sale". So with that was waste of my time as I suspected. Now, to anyone who owns an XT3 or even a GT3200, have you turned soil with it? What is your general opinion on the toughness of the unit? Anyone seen the inside of it or knows who makes the transaxle?

[J-Mech]

A member here who goes by the name "Oak" is the resident expert on the 3000 series. He'll be along a little later I'm sure.

[olds45512]

To bad Cub doesn't offer a weekend test drive or something like that, I would go pick one up Friday and take it to PA plow day this weekend and then return it Monday.

[mkedzierski]

If they(MTD) would show off their equipment at an event such as this would be an impressive marketing tool for the Cub Line.

[mkedzierski]

Great, thanks for the heads up.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by mkedzierski

If they(MTD) would show off there equipment at an event such as this would be an impressive marketing tool for the Cub Line.

Maybe I could use my massive YouTube following to convince them to give me an xt3 to test.

[StudioDTK5]

I have the GTX2100, same model basically. Just the previous version.

The transaxle on it is a Hydro-Gear BDU10. I had contacted them about the transaxle and if they would recommend ground engaged implements. They took the stance you have to contact the tractor manufacturer because they only supply the one item. So they wouldn’t answer directly either.

I did see this video on YouTube of a guy plowing with the XT3:

https://youtu.be/3qJ5oF53eJE

The tractor makes it look easy.

[DeltaCub]

Originally Posted by StudioDTK5

I have the GTX2100, same model basically. Just the previous version.

The transaxle on it is a Hydro-Gear BDU10. I had contacted them about the transaxle and if they would recommend ground engaged implements. They took the stance you have to contact the tractor manufacturer because they only supply the one item. So they wouldn’t answer directly either.

I did see this video on YouTube of a guy plowing with the XT3:

https://youtu.be/3qJ5oF53eJE

The tractor makes it look easy.

Thanks for posting the YouTube link. I have been curious as to the viability of that model doing such work. My observations; 1) The garden soil looks incredibly smooth and fine...no clay...no major rocks and the soil is quite dry. 2) The tractor needs ballast...wheel weights, filled tires would help considerably with traction. Now that being said, if the soil was wet or crappy clay hard and rock filled soil it may prove too much work for that tractor. 3)The guy makes nice straight lines. 4) For me....I will use my time tested 1970s stuff. Old school stuff is fun to drive and not difficult to operate especially stuff with hydraulics.

[Sam Mac]

Love it, buy our stuff but if you bust it it's all on you.

[TNTs CC]

I'll stick with my 3240. It has the BDU-21 instead of the light duty BDU-10. I know the 3240's can handle a plow and do way more, there is an ex farmer who bought one new for mowing and snow removal after he retired. About three years after that he snatched up a couple of acres of farmland next to his new place and has been plowing it ever since for a vegetable cart he opened up. It has almost 2000 hours on it and is still going strong. Last year he bought a low hour GT3200 as a back up that he mows with now. He figures when the 3240 needs to be rebuilt and gone over the GT3200 will take it's place in the field and the 3240 will do the mowing and snow removal after that.

IMO the XT3 models replaced the Cubs that were one step below the 3000 series models.