Cub Cadet SLT1554 4.00 star(s) (4)

Poorly Built And Poor Mowing
Model Year: 2007

In around 200 hours, all the belts have failed, the steering tie rod bent, the pulley rusted to the motor shaft and had to be cut off, the deck balls up with grass constantly, the deck hangs too low, the hood latch fell off, the seat plate broke, two tires have bad beads and require constant air after the dealer filled them with fix a flat, the bumper welds broke, and the list goes on. This is absolutely the biggest piece of junk I've ever owned.

Pros: None
Cons: Junk

Heavy Use On Small 5 Acre Farm
Model Year: 2007

We bought this out of value but got more out of it than we expected. I used to mow 3 acres a week with this for the past 8 years, and then last year we bought a small 5-acre farm that had a 3-acre field that needed bush hogged. There were weeds and thorn bushes well over my head and so thick that you could not walk through it without getting stuck by thorns. This tractor did a great job. I would have to push weeds down with the front bumper then get a run at it and mow. I did the 3-acre field this way. Other than a couple flat tires, this tractor did the job of the old man who used to bush hog with a 40-horsepower John Deere until he got too old to do so. After the punishment I put this tractor through, I'm sold on Cub tractors. Yes, they are slow and yes lights stay on all the time and yes the deck is sort of heavy to raise and lower, but this little tractor gets the job done. I bought mine from a dealer in Sevierville Tennessee. I wish I could post pics of the field I mowed with it. As you could see, I should have used a lot bigger tractor. It never had problems, and I only replace belts every once in a while and I change the oil as needed. It has had no major breakdowns. I hope this helps. The pic is the only pic on my computer. If you see in the background behind the van - that is the weeds, small trees and sticker bushes I mowed down.

Pros: Tuff and reliable
Cons: Slow speed

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Cub Cadet - Not What It's Reputation Was
Model Year: 2005

Bought tractor at Lowe's. As of 2009, they stopped carrying that brand. Parts have been expensive. Nothing major has gone wrong at least up to now. Trying to load tractor from Lowe's but had to take the 54" deck off to fit the trailer I had. Found out that the deck had been mounted wrong by Lowes staff. No damage just harder to take off than should have been. There was supposed to be a connector for the garden hose to wash under deck after mowing - but it was missing. Lowe's said they could order one - but other models had one so I said just give me one off them - they finally agreed to it after spending over $2500. I mow about 5 acres with it. In heavy grass,it tends to leave lines of partially mowed grass. Drive's slower than most. Rather loud. Parts cost more due to "name". Usually can get MTD parts to work. The spindles are way up there if you hit a rock. I tried "aftermarket" brands but they are even more flimsy and don't hold up. Something in electric circuit has my electric PTO cutting out. It has too many "safety" switches that cut out if you lean funny, back up or who knows what now. The switch was not working right after a couple years but could get it to run if using "back up" mode. Now it's not working consistently. Had to replace drive belt this year. Thanks to this website I saw that the manufacturers directions were crazy - remove engine to replace drive belt!? Had tools to cut out the belt guards that prevent you from easily replacing belt without a trip to dealer ($$$$).

Pros: Motor still running strong.
Cons: Hard to get a smooth cut. Expensive parts.

1554
Model Year: 2008

Great mower for the money. I mow 3.5 acres per week with it and it does an outstanding job. My wife loves it and I bought it because she wanted a mower with hydrostatic drive. It corners and turns easily and the deck is very well built. Changing the oil is a pain due to the short drain stem and the cap and twist valve system which usually spills on the deck. Oil filters for the Kohler engine are expensive.

Pros: excellent deck and handling
Cons: oil change system and small rear tires