Cub Cadet or John Deere

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Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Originally Posted By: Wingman
I was ready to buy a Cub Cadet 1042 with the 18 HP V-Twin Kawasaki engine. You guys had given me pretty good recommendations on this machine. But, I had always assumed that a comparable John Deere would be much more expensive than a Cub Cadet. Not true! At the local JD dealer today, I found that I can buy a John Deere D130, with a 22 HP V-Twin Briggs and Straton engine for the same price as the Cub Cadet.

I mow two level lawns, about one acre each. I put about 50 hours per year on the mower. I do not do any pulling. I only use the machine as a mower.

So, for the same money, which mower would you guys recommend? Thanks for your advice!



Quality wise with the D series, I'd say it is about 6 on 1 and 1/2 a dozen on the other. IMO, quality on the Deere starts on the X series, with the Kawasaki.

However, of the two, I would go with the Deere because of the support and the dealer network. May want to go over to My Tractor Forum for some additional information and opinions.

I agree, I think if you want a true, quality John Deere, you have to start with the X series. My dad bought a D series from his local dealer about 7 years ago, and while he never really had any trouble with it, other than a bad blade hub in the deck, it doesn't really "feel" or look like any better quality than the Cub Cadets. However, a buddy of mine has a Cub Cadet with a Kohler twin in it about the same age and his gets used a lot harder and hasn't really given him any trouble either. In the end, I think I'd still go with the John Deere for the superior dealership experience. Cub Cadets just aren't what they used to be before IH sold them to MTD. Guy I work with has a late 70's model and its built like a tank. Had to rebuild the engine in it (Kohler oposed twin) because the plug that held the governor assembly popped out which allowed the whole works to fall down into the crankcase and allowed the engine to start running away.
 
Well, if it helps,

I constructed a front end loader bucket for my JD235 garden tractor (18HP) with hydrostatic trans.

I used electric linear actuators, and fairly crude construction. It works great! The little JD handles the stress without trouble. Been using it like this 10 years now.

3556809_large.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Originally Posted By: Wingman
I was ready to buy a Cub Cadet 1042 with the 18 HP V-Twin Kawasaki engine. You guys had given me pretty good recommendations on this machine. But, I had always assumed that a comparable John Deere would be much more expensive than a Cub Cadet. Not true! At the local JD dealer today, I found that I can buy a John Deere D130, with a 22 HP V-Twin Briggs and Straton engine for the same price as the Cub Cadet.

I mow two level lawns, about one acre each. I put about 50 hours per year on the mower. I do not do any pulling. I only use the machine as a mower.

So, for the same money, which mower would you guys recommend? Thanks for your advice!



Quality wise with the D series, I'd say it is about 6 on 1 and 1/2 a dozen on the other. IMO, quality on the Deere starts on the X series, with the Kawasaki.

However, of the two, I would go with the Deere because of the support and the dealer network. May want to go over to My Tractor Forum for some additional information and opinions.



Actually, after pondering the question some more, Unless you are in love with CC yellow or JD green, I'd suggest that you go to Sears and see what you could do on a Craftsman. The Craftsman probably would be of comparable quality of the two tractors that you have mentioned, and you might save some $$, particularly if you snag a good sale.

These days, it takes a 3K pricepoint minimum to get a decent quality tractor. I own a 2007 JD X 300 (3K new then) and consider that to be of marginal quality. It certainly isn't the quality of the 1996 JD STX 38 I traded on it.

If you truly want a quality Deere, find a nice used 318. Those things run forever.
 
I appreciate the advice to consider Sears, but their tractors in this price range are made by Husquvarna. My neighbor has had a Husquvarna for the past five years. EVERYTHING on his mower has broken. Every lever, every knob, every control. I think he has had to replace nearly everything except the engine, frame, and body. It has really been an ordeal for him. He finally just gave the mower away.

All of this, in spite of the fact that he really takes good care of his machinery, cars, etc. I am sure some people get good service from Husquvarna, but I have seen too much.
 
As much as I hate to say it, the D series is the line that the big box stores sell and really is designed to that price point. You can also go into a Deere store and buy the same tractor. Certainly, if you go that route, buy from a Deere dealer (they are the same price.) I'm not sure that it is really any better or worse than the CC or even the Craftsman. If you Google the model, you more than likely will find ample complaints about the model (and even the old LA series.) As I said previously, at least Deere has support and the dealer network.

Even years ago when I bought my X series, 3K was the price destination you had to travel to even get in the neighborhood of a quality piece.
Even at that point, you still have tradeoffs, especially in the transmission in the unit. While my X300 has not been a bad tractor, when I replace it I will probably look for either something used in the X500 series or an older Deere.

As they say, they don't make them like they used to. Best of luck.
 
Don't think I would buy either one. Have you considered buying an older unit that is built much better? Give it a thorough reconditioning and run it for 20+ years. The older Cub Cadets and John Deere's are a very well built rugged unit.
 
Just an FYI, the model GT235 JD garden tractor I pictured above is available for sale, used, for as low as $900. It's a substantial unit and I'd pick a used one over a newer, el-cheapo.
 
Originally Posted By: afoulk
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Originally Posted By: Wingman
I was ready to buy a Cub Cadet 1042 with the 18 HP V-Twin Kawasaki engine. You guys had given me pretty good recommendations on this machine. But, I had always assumed that a comparable John Deere would be much more expensive than a Cub Cadet. Not true! At the local JD dealer today, I found that I can buy a John Deere D130, with a 22 HP V-Twin Briggs and Straton engine for the same price as the Cub Cadet.

I mow two level lawns, about one acre each. I put about 50 hours per year on the mower. I do not do any pulling. I only use the machine as a mower.

So, for the same money, which mower would you guys recommend? Thanks for your advice!



Quality wise with the D series, I'd say it is about 6 on 1 and 1/2 a dozen on the other. IMO, quality on the Deere starts on the X series, with the Kawasaki.

However, of the two, I would go with the Deere because of the support and the dealer network. May want to go over to My Tractor Forum for some additional information and opinions.

I agree, I think if you want a true, quality John Deere, you have to start with the X series. My dad bought a D series from his local dealer about 7 years ago, and while he never really had any trouble with it, other than a bad blade hub in the deck, it doesn't really "feel" or look like any better quality than the Cub Cadets. However, a buddy of mine has a Cub Cadet with a Kohler twin in it about the same age and his gets used a lot harder and hasn't really given him any trouble either. In the end, I think I'd still go with the John Deere for the superior dealership experience. Cub Cadets just aren't what they used to be before IH sold them to MTD. Guy I work with has a late 70's model and its built like a tank. Had to rebuild the engine in it (Kohler oposed twin) because the plug that held the governor assembly popped out which allowed the whole works to fall down into the crankcase and allowed the engine to start running away.


I have a fair bit of experience with the Deere x595, and I must say that it is a quality tractor for sure
thumbsup2.gif
 
Another thing to consider-many Deere dealerships have program units available. These are lawn and garden tractors that have been used at the various plants for running around between buildings (like some places might use a golf cart) or as demo/loaner units at the dealership. My 325 was a program tractor, and was about 2/3 the cost of a new one and had only 50 hours on it when I purchased it. That little tractor served me well despite everything I did to punish it.

If you have a good Deere dealership, they may also have used units available. My 757 is a used commercial unit, and after my dealer went through it I had no concerns about purchasing it. It was about 1/3 the cost of a comparable new machine.

I'll also agree with the others who mentioned a zero turn. After using my 757 over the last couple years, my only complaint is that I didn't get one sooner.
 
buy JD from dealer, not the big box stores. i have a 2010 JD Z425 w/ 23hp briggs with over 100 hrs and not one problem with the machine. it was cheaper $$ at the dealer also.
 
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Just an FYI, the model GT235 JD garden tractor I pictured above is available for sale, used, for as low as $900. It's a substantial unit and I'd pick a used one over a newer, el-cheapo.


+1 Look for a used GT or LX2xx John Deere. You can pick up a nice used model for under 2k no problem. It will be much better quality and last longer than anything new you get for under 2k, no matte what brand you went with.

Look for something with drain plugs on the transmission to easily drain/refill. Lower end D series will not typically have this - you have to pull out and flip over the tranny to drain it.
 
On the lower end John Deere lawn mower they have questionable hydrostats in them, the tuff torq 40 and 44's. not meant for anything but cutting grass on level ground. Cub cadet has better hydrostat. Made by hydro gear. They have oil filters on them and can change the fluid in them easily. Most of the x300 have the tuff torq 44.

Check out the husqvarna. You can get a Kawasaki motor and either a hydro gear g730 or the tuff torq k66.

Kinda in between a John Deere x300 and x500 for the price of a x300.
 
Nothing at all wrong with the TT trans other than a bit noisy.

Removing mine took all of five minutes! Super easy to drain and refill as any Bitog-er would want to!

I shopped the heck out of this segment last year for a 54 inch mower. We bought a Craftsman. A simple 30 minute inspection on delivery has yielded a completely trouble free mower. Most of the machines under 2500 dollars all had the SAME PARTS!

Seriously, in a residential situation (I mow a few acres) you may not be able to tell the difference except by the color. Pick the one you like best and enjoy.
 
The tuff torq 40 is a cheap 44. It has a plastic cylinder block that the pistons move in. The 40 and 44 have limited life spans and are the most replaced hydrostat out there. There are even kits out there to replace them with a tuff turq 66. They are ok as long as you only cut grass on level lawns. My 40 has 100 hours on it and it is starting to get weak and it will barely back up with a little garden trailer. It was never very powerful.
Mytractorforums and lawn mower forums have some good info on them. They are serviceable hydrostat though your dealers probably will tell you otherwise. You can get the parts from tuff torq's website. You can even upgrade them to the k57 or 58 Hydrostat as its the same housing. I have never heard of a hydro gear failure although I'm sure they are out there.
 
Last edited:
^^^^^ strongly agree ^^^^^

The TT trannys in low end machines are for cutting grass on level ground only. Try anything more strenuous and you will be sorry you did.
If memory serves me correctly they have an expected life of 350 hours-cutting grass on level ground. This may be long enough for some people, but I want my next tractor to be my last, and I don't think 350 is going to cover it
 
I want to thank everyone who offered information to help me make this decision. I have decided to buy the Cub Cadet instead of the John Deere. The deciding factors for me were:

1. Kawasaki engine (unless I wanted to spend an extra $1000 for the X300)
2. Heavy duty hydrostatic drive on the Cub Cadet
3. My MDT mowers (Murray and Yard Machine) have given me good service in the past
4. Local Cub Cadet dealership that provides good customer service

The advice all of you provided was extremely valuable. It was the best I found anywhere on the web. Thank you for time and knowledge.
 
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