Advice - Cub versus Deere purchase

16 years ago

Hi all. I am new to the site and have thus far enjoyed the valuable insight you all have shared. I am hoping that you can share some more of your brain power with me as I am deciding on whether to purchase a John Deere or a Cub Cadet. I have an acre of land that is flat except for a ditch with a few obstacles (trees, beds, etc.) I am considering a lawn tractor so that I will be able to pull attachments, but I am torn between a Cub or a JD. I would love to have a JD 304 All wheel steer, but am not quite ready to shell out $3600, so I am considering the 300x or a Cub Cadet iSeries with a 46 inch deck. While I do not have a lot of trees, more will be added in the near future. Storage is also an issue so I have all but ruled out a standard zero turn machine, but am anxiuos to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much.

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Comments (8)

slkpk
16 years ago
With that size of tractor I would go with the one that makes you smile the most and what dealer you trust the most. slkpk
metal
16 years ago
I personally don't usually jump on a bandwagon. The i-series is a new design (to Cub) and I would wait to see if any bugs need worked out. The JD is a basic design and can easily handle your lawn. Actually, the 300 series may be a little overkill for what you stated your needs are.
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johndeere
16 years ago
I had that problem so I bought one of each back in 2003 a Cub Cadet then a John Deere.But the Cub Cadet i-series I just do not think there built like the other Cub Cadets?Im not much of an ALL Wheel Steer fan either.I spent a lot of time on a John Deere 445 All Wheel Steer several years ago at work.We always felt it was more of a sales gimick then anything.A foot operated hydro was more valuable then All Wheel Steer to us.

I would put the money toward a notch larger tractor then putting in into All Wheel Steer but thats just my opinion.You can get a John Deere X320 for about the same price if you twist there arm a little maybe $100.00 more.With a 48'' deck you can go right around a tree with its tight turning radius.What you gain is a heavier hydro for the money.

If you really need manuvarability then a Z turn is the way to go.I do not own a Z turn but do they really take up anymore storage space?
cubcadeere
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks to all. I actually went to a local dealer today and he showed me a zero turn that was quite interesting, although I must say it would have never been in my short list prior to the visit. The machine was a Lawn Boy Z340 HLX. Anyone know anything about this machine. It has 42 inch deck and a Honda engine and looked well built. It also drove well and was quiet. Cost was $3200. Thoughts?
cpman
16 years ago
Dont know what the warranty on the Cub is but the Deere now has a 4 year or 300 hour warranty on that machine. financing is also an option the estimated monthly payment would be in the 70 dollar range.
den69rs96
16 years ago
I would check out a few more dealers. Spring is coming and they want to move some of their older stuff that didn't sell last season. When I moved to MA a few years back, I called around checking prices and I ended up getting a new Cub GT3235. I was looking at the 2500 series tractors with a 50 or 54 inch deck, but the deal on the GT3235 was just to good to pass up. It was left over and the dealer also sold kubota's so it was hard to sell. Paid around $5400 altogether including tax with a 48inch deck with casters. The tractor itself cost $5799 and the deck around another $1000. Check around for some good deals.
bushleague
16 years ago
Check around on Craigslist. I just picked up a mint 2001 LX255 for w/ 42" Snow thrower and 42" wheeled deck and bagger system for $100. Yep that's one-hundred, the guy just wanted to get rid of it. Nice machine, I like the foot operated hydro and electric pto.
kidranger56
16 years ago
I agree- check with craigslist first- y can find alot of good deals there. I would buy an older JD or Cub- new ones wont hold thier value- plus the old ones are built alot better. I have a 4 wheel steer tractor- a free MTD- has an 18.5hp briggs twin that runs too- it steers pretty sharp.

Advice - Cub versus Deere purchase

Comments (8)

slkpk

metal

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Advice - Cub versus Deere purchase

Comments (8)

slkpk

metal

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