Out with the old, in with the new

[sir_lancealot]

Originally Posted by jw11432

But I think I'll put more faith in the engineers who designed these machines over the opining of a forum dweller, no offense intended.

Originally Posted by olds45512

I deal with engineers all the time. I don't trust them any further than how far I could throw one of them. The good majority of the time, those who maintain something know more about it than the engineers.

[Oak]

I see nothing wrong with buying an XT1. If you need something to mow with they probably give a better cut than our old stuff does. Will it last 10+ years, hell no, but it could if Cub would raise the price about $5k and put some high dollar parts in it. Both of my buddies at work own pos throw-away lawn mowers that they purchased 5+ years ago and they are going strong today. One is a $1200 Toro and the other is a JD140 that was less than $2k. Both were purchased at the big box store and they are happy with them. Every time I go over to their places I look at them and laugh how they are made but they are happy and that is all that matters.

Enjoy your new Cub Cadet sir and keep us posted how it works for you.

[sir_lancealot]

Originally Posted by Oak

If you need something to mow with they probably give a better cut than our old stuff does.

I had a brand new Husqvarna and I hated the way it cut compared to these old machines. Yes, I know it's not the XT1 the OP bought, but new does not mean better. There's a guy in my neighborhood who has one of the Husky "Garden Tractors" and his lawn looks like someone cut it by swinging a golf club around. The frames are also weak on the new stuff. When the tractor would go over uneven ground, I could feel it twisting. I sold it and bought 4 of my tractors with what I got out of it.

To the OP, just be sure to follow the maintenance schedule (maybe even be a little more strict), and like others have said, steer clear of the washout feature.

Originally Posted by jw11432

I like the idea of the wash out, but perhaps reinforcing it with something like POR-15 to prevent rust from ever getting in there to begin with will make the feature worthwhile. What do you think of this idea?

POR-15 will not stick to a painted surface. You'd have to blast the deck to bare metal and then coat with POR-15 if you wanted it to do any good.

[OldSkull]

Originally Posted by jw11432

But I think I'll put more faith in the engineers who designed these machines over the opining of a forum dweller, no offense intended.

Well let me ask you one simple question then.

What is exactly the recommendation of those great Chinese engineers about transmission oil change in your XT1 manual? How many hour? 50? 100? Let me guess...It's never, none, nada!

Why listening to forum "dweller" who don't sugar coat your choice and give you advise to help you extended the life of your machine? After all those "Genius" aren't the one who put that magical oil with unlimited lifespan in your cub transmission!