Mowing 5000 series mowing decks

viking65 · Aug 25, 2004

Does anyone have a 5000 series with a 60" MMM? If so, how is the cut? Does it handle damp grass without clogging up? How does it handle long grass? I am very interested in purchasing the 5254 or 5234D with a 60" MMM. I presently have a 22hp, 6-speed garden tractor with a 46" deck that cannot handle damp of long grass without clogging and bogging down the engine and makes my lawn look terrible. I want to save time cutting grass and still have a decent looking lawn. I cut just under 3 acres of sloping lawn of varying degrees.

I did try out a 25hp Grasshopper zero turn with a 61" deck on long damp grass and it did a great job, no clogging or bogging down and the lawn looks great. My problem with the zero turn is that it only cuts grass and slips on slopes. Which I did and it really makes you pucker up because once it starts to slide you can't stop it. I slid going down a when I slowed to make a turn to come back up the hill.

So, I think a 4 wheel drive sub-compact with a 60" MMM might be the best choice for me as long as it can handle grass that always seems to be damp without clogging and bogging down. The Cub dealer said it won't be a problem, but I don't know the dealer well enough to know if he will say anything to make a sale.

I know Cub is owned by MTD, but who actually builds the 5000 series. I think Mitsubishi and Kiti build there larger tractors.

Any thoughts...

ducati996 · Aug 25, 2004

I have heard nothing but good things about them, and that includes pricing (very cost effective) ....

I dont have one but I'm sure the mower is well made. If its aything like what they make for their garden tractor series (3000) the 44" in that series can be problematic because its a mulch deck with a small opening....its not an issue on the 48" and larger which are heavy duty decks...They share similar components and build overall. You will have plenty of power, and the discharge opening is much bigger...

Duc

Bob_Bainbridge · Aug 25, 2004

I don't have a 5000 series but I had a 1450 with 44 inch deck that used to clog up due to grass buildup underneath quite often. I started hosing the deck off underneath after each mowing but the deck rusted out after 9 years. The original deck lasted 17 years. I bought a 3235 with 54 inch deck and bagger in June. The dealer told me that the 54 wouldn't clog up with wet grass and he was right. I have been mowing almost 3 months with this setup and have not cleaned the deck yet. When the grass is long and wet the bagger chute plugs up occasionally and has to be removed and emptied but the deck remains clear. I believe that the 60 is built similar to the 54 and is much more open than the 44 or 48 decks.

Bob B.

DNB · Aug 25, 2004

I have a 5254 with a 60" mower deck. It does a great job in wet tall grass. I have the deck adjusted all the way up ~4" cut. Part of my lawn is always wet so most times I use FWD in that area. My old tractor, 20 HP Sears with a 42" deck is no match for the Cub. Even if I let the lawn grow to long it still does a good job cutting the grass.

ducati996 · Aug 25, 2004

Thanks DNB for the owners feedback !! Tell us more overall how is the machine? what attachments do you have? got any pictures??

Thanks again

Duc

viking65 · Aug 26, 2004

Thank you all for your replies to my post. I am going to ask the dealer if he will let me try out the Cub on my property. Hopefully he will. I am either going to buy the Cub or a zero turn from him, either way he gets a sale.

Cub5k · Aug 27, 2004

Viking,
I have a 5252 with a 60" deck and have nothing but praises for its cutting ability and durability. The 5252's pricing can't be beat. Got mine for $7300 with mower deck. The mid mount mower does have to be removed to use any 3 pt hitch implements because there is no separate lift. Not a big deal unless you are going to use the 3pt implements quite a bit. If so, you could always go to the 5254 with 4wheel drive and then get a 3pt finish mower which would be MUCH easier to take on and off. The 60" deck has no height setting mechanism other than the lift itself and the height adjustable guide wheels on the deck itself. Again I have not found this to be a problem as I set the guide wheels at the highest setting and the grass looks great. I doubt that you will find a better all around piece of lawn equipment than the Cub 5000.