All would do the job you want varing only in small degrees. The real test of which one you really want should be decided by the driving and operating test.

Take some time doing this and I'm thinking after you do there will be one that you will prefer, That you will think I wouldn't mind getting on this tractor and mowing my yard. That's the one you should get.

There is no advantage at all in the shaft drive on the Cub. It is not more efficient than a good belt drive.

I would also consider deck size IMO for less than a acre anything over 42" two blades is over kill (three blades have more parts to maintain and of course the extra blade to keep sharp ect.... Also maneuverability become a factor also, not to mention a 42" will go through gate.

4 Wheel steer my be intersting and neat to have but 5 or 10 years down the road maybe a headache and very expensive to maintain or repair. IMO the CUB GT is way over kill for yard size you are doing.

I also agree test drive the crap out of anything your considering and get what you like.

Another thing to consider the larger the engine the gas consumption goes way up. A nice peddle drive hydro with a 15 to 17 hp engine will do what you want for the size yard you have and will be easy to maneuver around the yard and won't suck gas like a SUV.

"There is no advantage at all in the shaft drive on the Cub. It is not more efficient than a good belt drive".

Sorry to disagree... power delivery is smoother and a shaft drive is more reliable and better at climbing hills than a belt drive.

With shaft drive the engine will have a horizontal crankshaft like a car. That engine configuration is easier to work on. The electric PTO will be on the front and the air filter, carb, and valve covers on top.

Shaft drive GTs usually have heavier duty transaxles with external filters than even the best LTs like the Deere X3xx and those don't have changeable filters.

Having owned both I'll buy the shaft drive... belts are for mower decks UNLESS you have a shaft drive mower deck and snowthrower.

The dealer is very important with a purchase this large. Check around the area to find out how the dealers treat their customers AFTER they sign the check.

So they stock parts?

Are their parts and accessories fairly priced? Not retail PLUS!

Is their service department competent?

Do they pickup and deliver?

What is the length of the warranty and what is covered?

The dealer with the best local reputation is a factor that should be considered.

I forgot to mention that I was looking at 42" decks, dont want /need anything larger. I do want a twin in the 17-20hp range (like the X300 & GT2542) as I think it will last longer and provide extra torque for mowing/pulling on my hills or mowing when the grass is tall (My back yard grows very rapidly if it rains and I cant get out every week).

A pedal hydro is a must since thats what Im used to on my (probably) 15 year old Bolens. But I want to make sure what I get is durable enough to to a cart, use attachments mentioned above or tow the jetski trailers around the yard for years to come. And I want an electric PTO.

The Cub dealer is very close, they are helpful and I have dealt with them for service on the mulcher on my Bolens and my Honda push mower and was satisfied. The Deere dealer is about 35 miles, they seem good but I have no experience (they have been in business for 55 years).

I did test drive the GT2542 and liked it, it was quiet, had a tight turning radius and ran smoothly. I guess I need to go back to the Deere dealer and test drive the X300, I dont think you can test drive Craftsman?

How does the X300 compare to the GT2542? If not directly, what Deere does the 2542 compare to?

This might help... click here for CC2542 vs JD X300 comparison

One problem here is you are not comparing apples and apples, except in price. The Cub GT2542 is sold as a Garden Tractor (capable of using ground engauging tools) and the John Deere X304 is not. It's sold as a Deluxe, 4 wheel steer, Lawn Tractor, and yet - it costs more than the Cub. Isn't that strange? To get a John Deere Garden Tractor (even the cheapest one) you are going to have to move up to better than $5000.00.

So you can think of it like this: $3100 will get me a fairly cheap Garden Tractor, and $3400 will get me one the best lawn tractors on the market. Now which one do I really need?

Which one should last 15 years with proper care?

So do one of the 1500 series "big box" store tractors more equivalent to the X300?

"Which one should last 15 years with proper care"?

IMO, either one.

"So do one of the 1500 series "big box" store tractors more equivalent to the X300"?

In application, yes BUT in quality no.

The JD X3xx series is a premium lawn tractor with top line fit and finish. It is a lawn tractor and does that job very well.

The CC2542 is a garden tractor and I'd think does lawn tractor duty as well as the JD X3xx but is more flexible in it's capabilities.

You may never need the capability of a garden tractor and with the JD X3xx you'll never have it. The CC 2542 will do garden tractor duty if needed. I'd rather have that capability and rarely, or not, use it than not have the capability.

For me, the CC's shaft drive and serviceable transaxle makes the difference and the dealer is close by.

Justalurk's assessment is spot on. The X300 series is a premium lawn machine. It's the luxury car of the lawn tractor world. The CC2542 is a bottom of the line garden tractor. It's a no-frills pick-up truck designed to get jobs done. Period.

From the sounds of it, I doubt you'll need a GT. I have the luxury of a rental shop nearby, which made passing on the GT easier for me. Something to chew on...

Oh, and one other thing. He has the best intentions, but I'd stay away from the comparison tool Justalurker provided. That goes for any tool programmed by the brand that's selling the equipment. You need to go through those things with a fine-tooth comb to figure out all the little misrepresentations, poor comparisons, missing information, and PR language. If you're going to do that much research, you might as well start from a clean sheet instead of one that's skewed.

Good luck!

You might also keep in mind that if you subscribe to Consumer Reports and/or consider them as a valid source of info, in the recent past their polling on owners of Cub Cadet lawn tractors has revealed a high percentage of reliability problems/repair issues. Don't know why this is, or what specifically the problems relate to. I would guess they were most likely electrical system or body parts/fasteners since the major components like engine and transmission are common to most other brands.

Here is my experience with LT/GT, I have never owned a CC, only Sears and Deeres. I have only owned 2 Sears and 1 JD, I presently own 1 of each, a 2002 Craftsman DLT2000 LT and a 1996 John Deere GT275. I previously owned a 1973 Sears ST10 GT from 1973 till 2002. Have no complaints on any so far - The John Deere was the most expensive to buy and has been the most expensive to maintain. But it has the WOW factor that neither of the sears had/has. I compare it to the Lincoln Continental I owned vs the T'Bird I owned. Which one was the best vs which one was the most expensive. They both were good, but the Lincoln cost alot more, but then I got alot of WOW's with the Continental.

Went to a large dealer yesterday and after test driving the X300, LA165 and the GT2542 I took home an X300. To me it just felt the best, was the smoothest running/operating, had the best fit/finish and had the best ergonomics. I think for what I will be using it for the X300 should be all Ill ever need. Now if the rain would stop I really want to get out and give it a try!

I think you made a good informed decision. Congratulations! Did they give you a cap? Happy mowing!

Finally got to use my X300 and I love it! Its so smooth and quiet and it takes down tall wet grass like it wasnt even there. The traction is excellent and I had no problems mowing up even the steepest part of my hill in back. So far Im very happy!