cadet vs deere

[larso1]

There will always be CR bashers....those who don't like the test results because they don't agree with their brand pick. But it's a good "sounding board" of information because the surveys are from the actual owners....not self-appointed "ex-spurts" who never owned one. Oh, did I mention I own a JD?

 

[vsteel]

I do agree that sometimes CR is off the mark, but I find most of the time they are correct. The thing though to keep in mind is they are looking at lower end consumer products. For example if they are looking at grass trimmers, they are looking at the small curved shaft models, not the large clearing saw types.

Sometimes you need to weigh what they say with your own criteria. Maybe they have paint and the two criteria are smells like apples when applied and durability. In their test they might weigh them evenly but the average person would say, I don't care how it smells when applied, I just want durability. So you look at each criteria and make your own choice.

 

[Dargo]

Based on 2nd hand experience (via my dad and an in-law that I somehow adopted) I don't have anything good to say about Cub Cadet except that they used to have quality products. My dad had a early 70's Cub that I spent hundreds of hours on mowing the yard when I was a kid. That darn thing would never break even though I tried my best to break it so I wouldn't have to mow. It eventually wore out and my dad went through 2 or 3 more Cub Cadet mowers in the late 90's and early 2000's before resigning to the fact that Cub now just puts out junk and rides on their name recognition from the past. The in-law literally wore me out since he didn't have a truck or trailer. I constantly had to drag his Cub back and forth from the dealer. It seemed to constantly be in the state of needing repair. I finally had to tell him that I just wouldn't haul his junk mower anymore for him and that, no, it isn't normal for your lawnmower to be in the shop every month.

Both ended up buying a box store version of JD lawnmowers. In over five years I've never heard of a single issue with either mower and both are still mowing each and every week.

I realize that my input isn't based on actual ownership and I don't have a laundry list of parts that failed on the Cub mowers. Still, my experience seems pretty darn reflective of how actual owners have reported their experience to Consumer Reports. The part of CR that slams Cub is not their (CR's) opinion but rather the opinion of actual owners who have completed surveys about their ownership experience. So, based on my limited experience and that of thousands of people who have completed surveys, I'd have to say that I'd not be even slightly interested in spending my money buying or my time hauling a Cub Cadet anytime in the near future. It's possible that Cub may realize what they are doing to the Cub name before it is completely trashed, but I wouldn't bet on it. Cub equipment is now built by completely different companies than in the early 70's and the management of Cub is completely different with a different goal. Bottom line; I'd have to pass on a Cub mower right now.

 

[Revelation]

Most of the Club Cadet's I have seen were the 1000 series which look like a piece of garage at the Home Depot/Lowes centers. I think I would rather get a Craftsman than Cadet's from this series. However in looking at the Cadet site, the 1500 is where I would start if I could consider a Cadet at a budget level, and when you go to the 2500 series looks pretty dang good. However they still seem to fall short compared to JD. Here is a comparrison chart with JD and Cadet. http://www.deere.com/specsapp/Custo...layModelName=X320 Tractor&tM=HO&pNbr=SKU21848 Sometimes one web site will not have all the updated info on their competitor, but there are a couple of things that stick out to me.
1. Kawasaki engines have a better reputation than the Kohler
2. Turning ratio on the JD is 16 while the Cadet is 20 inch.
3. JD has 3 position seat suspension while Cadet does not.
4. Cut increments is finer on the JD.
5. JD has open back seat, while Cadet does not. Open back is suppose to last longer and creates more air so you won't get a warm.

 

[LBrown59]

Speaking as a former JD owner and now a Cub owner, I have ZERO regrets. I replaced a JD318 with a Cub 3204 a few yrs ago and the Cub has been a more reliable GT than the JD was. Money was not an issue in the decision.

I'll agree the JD is nicer looking and possible better fit and finish but where it counts, the Cub won hands down. Compared models that were as close a match to the 318 as I could find. The Cub weighed quite a bit more and it showed. I'm not a fan of vert shaft engines but that is me. Shaft drive to trans and mower, yes two small belts to drive the pto but no twists, cheap & easy to replace but never have had the need in the 4 yrs I've owned the Cub. My HD deck made the JD look wimpy. It tips the scale at 260# and that's for a 48" model. Grease fittings everywhere, got a doz on the mower itself. Even small cross shafts on the tractor have large bronze bearings. Cast iron trans/diff housing.

I could go on but won't. Like I said NO regrets on the Cub and it was lower cost the the equivalent JD.

Was th 318 Shaft or belt drive??

 

[LBrown59]

I wish i could find someone who would reliably mow it but that just doesn't seem to be possible. (I've tried).
And I've also watched many other nieghbors wreck lawn tractors every spring, so much so that we joke about it. That's why I want a garden tractor.
Looks like I'm gonna keep my eyes open for a good used JD. My reason for saying this is because I think if I bought the cc I'd always wished I had the JD. I do admit i'd like as new as possible because I do not like tinkering/fixing equiptment, I just want to turn the key and go. That said how old is ok before i have to worry about problems? and any suggestions in addition to the x500?

Is the x500 Shaft or belt drive???

 

[larso1]

Originally Posted by LBrown59:

"Was th 318 Shaft or belt drive??"
"Is the x500 Shaft or belt drive???"

Why don't you look it up on the JD web site if you don't know???

You seem to be the only one who cares if it's belt drive or shaft.

 

[LBrown59]

Most of the Club Cadet's I have seen were the 1000 series which look like a piece of garbage at the Home Depot/Lowes centers

A box store tractor is a box store tractor is a box store tractor.
No matter what label you hang on it.

 

[LBrown59]

There will always be CR bashers....those who don't like the test results because they don't agree with their brand pick. But it's a good "sounding board" of information because the surveys are from the actual owners....not self-appointed "ex-spurts" who never owned one. Oh, did I mention I own a JD?

I wasn't bashing anything just pointing out the fact they make errors .