Which one to buy

[Moark Willy]

Well, maybe I can shed some light.
I bought my first Cub Cadet in spring of 2006. It is a LT 1050. I cut approx. 3 to 3.5 acres of rough, uneven and hilly ground. (we call it "yard" here in Missouri)
I take good care of it with maintenance, and keep it clean as possible even during the dust bowl months we have had.
Since I have had it, I have:
Replaced the front tires.
Replaced tie rod ends.
Repalced the drive belt.
Replaced the deck belt (3 or 4 times)
Replaced deck spindle bearings.
Welded a cracked deck (at the anti-scalp wheel)
Replaced the anti-scalp wheels.
I've pulled a garden dump cart filled with firewood and often rocks. I threw together a screen / grading rake to smooth out the driveway.
I have around 350 hours on it, usually with at least 3-4 hours at a time.
Now, hind sight being 20-20, I would have gotten something with ground engaging ability...and I will probably do that when I replace it. But after 7 years, going on 8 it is still in perfect condition and in a month or so it will be back cutting my "yard"
Hope that helps.

[kostendorf]

Welcome to OCC from another Missourian...

[Hunter2]

My yard is .33 acres, small by most rural yards. Pretty big for the city. Flat and would only put 25-30 hrs a year on it. None of the new cc would last 10 -15 years at that light use?

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by Hunter2

My yard is .33 acres, small by most rural yards. Pretty big for the city. Flat and would only put 25-30 hrs a year on it. None of the new cc would last 10 -15 years at that light use?

OK with that size lot and being flat your probably good with what your looking at but I suggest that if you buy one that you buy it from a dealer and not the box store.

Edit: I'd probably get the one with the Kawi engine.

[Hunter2]

It seems like on all the forums the general opinion is, every residential riding mower is no good or junk. It doesn't make any difference if you buy Craftsman or Cub Cadet or John Deere they all are the same. Is that really true? I know the older models of CC and JD are better than the big box ones they sell now but are there any that are better than the other? I am talking for a under 1/2 acre lot on flat ground. I thought the CC was better but in a search it seems its a toss up. What are your thoughts on the under $1800.00 models? Thanks

[kostendorf]

Bottom line is you will have to do your own research on what you need it for and how long you need this mower to last. All the older tractors are built with cast iron engines not aluminum, heavier gage steel by far frames, thicker blades that don't bend when you hit something, heavy duty steering and axles not stamped soft steel and tubing with bushings instead of bearings and on and on... If you buy a new mower it may give you 10--15 years service. But don't expect to push snow or dirt or any garden work with it. My tractor was built in 1977 and I expect another 30 years service out of it. Buy one to put in your will or buy one to put in the trash. Your choice.

[Hunter2]

I think that's the most unbiased post I have read. I really only want to mow grass and it to be good for that time frame. But are there any that are a touch better than the other?

[gcbailey]

One thing that a lot of people don't keep in mind is a garden tractor vs. a lawn tractor. They look similar, but are designed to do two totally different things, almost like comparing a 1/2 ton pickup to a 1 ton. In my opinion what gets a lot of bad from from the "big box" mowers (Lowe's/HD) is everyone is trying to put out the cheapest, best looking thing possible. Where 30 years ago you were buying a name brand (Cub, Deere, etc...) and the quality behind it, now days all you are buying is a brand.

I've got an '07 Cub LT1045 that came from HD and it's been a great little machine, but I know what it was designed to do, cut grass, not much more. Honestly, I'd buy something from a dedicated dealer if possible.

I do commercial mowing for a living. My idea of a "decent" mower is a $10k ZTR. I just laugh at these "wanna be" zero turns you see in the stores. Talk to a dealer, get their input on what their techs see the least and if they do have to work on something, what they prefer to work on.

[gsomersjr]

There's all the talk about how the older stuff is better than the new but we're usually comparing older garden tractors to newer lawn mowers. It's not a fair comparison. How many older belt driven Cub Cadet are still out there mowing grass? Not many.

[Sam Mac]

If you have a small level yard and all you want to do is cut grass the cheap Cubs are OK. If you need to plow snow, plow your garden not so much. You get what you pay for. I'm done now.