Comparison: model 1872 to GT2554

[diesel_nut]

Just bought a new GT2554 to replace my 20 year old model 1872. Some comparisons.

- 1872 is clearly much more heavy-duty and was built to be. They may not be in the same level of tractors but they are relatively close. The 1872 may be one level up from the 2500 series.
- 2554 is much smoother as you'd expect from 20 years of abuse to the 1872. But the engine is balanced better and everything right now is 'true'.
-Cutting. It seems the 5 extra hp on the 2554 gives it an edge although our thick, southern Bermuda grass has yet to grow in and won't for another month or so.
-Seating comfort is close. I'll call it a tie.
-the 1872 had power steering but the sterring on the 2554 is pretty light. Slight edge to the old model. Steering radius goes to the new comer by a clear margin.
-lifting the deck goes to the hydraulic deck on the 1872....but how often do you really lift and lower the deck? It was a little hard to swallow the pride and lift the deck by hand
-transmission. Hand control on the 1872 beats the foot control on the 2554 all day long although the foot control wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Reverse is a minor pain on the 2554. Seems easier the "heel" the forward pedal back than push down on the reverse pedal.
-I was surprised to see all the grease fittings on the 2554. I wasn't expecting that many. Thank God it has them!

-cup holders. Uh what cup holders on the 1872 Not even a thought of it back then.

Maintenence. Looks like the new one will be easier to get to things than the old one was although I really never had to get to much on the 1872. It's a tank and it lasted like one.

While the new tractor feels great I seriously doubt it will last the 20 years the 1872 did.....and it's still going pretty strong. Probably has another few years left in the engine and then it could be rebuilt and ready for more. That transmission in the 1872 is truly unbelievable. It has taken abuse it shouldn't have and come out like a champ.

More to come as I use the new tractor. It's use will be mainly grass-cutting and a little trailer towing for yard jobs on my measly one-acre of grass.

Let's hope the 2554 fairs as well as the incredible workhorse 1872.

 

[scoutcub]

I had a 1782 for several years and still wonder if I should have sold it. I replaced it with a 2000 series, then 3000 series. The older cubs were called super garden tractors for a reason....much heavier, and heavier duty. I was spoiled with the hydro lift, and PS....especially losing both to the 2165. I liked the 3200 I had, even though they shared the same snowblower, they are 2 different machines. Definitely more conveniences as you've stated, but for ruggedness and durability, the SGT's were hard to beat. I've ended up with a Cub sub-compact, just to do a little more and the 4wd.
I've heard many great things about the 2500 series, so best of luck and wishing you 20 years of satisfaction!

 

[Fordlords]

Feature wise, my 1980 CC 682 would compare very favorably to a new 2544. But, the 682 is considerably stouter in just about every respect. Yet there is a logical reason why. A new 2544 is around $4k. A 682 even back in 1980 was about $5k- factored for inflation would put it at about $10k of today's dollars. The CC garden tractors of the 60's, 70's and 80's were VERY expensive for their day. Now relatively speaking, they are much more affordable but of course not built like they were.

-Fordlords-

 

[magicalj]

Fordlords, in 1981, a 682 with no options MSRP'ed for $3295. The 482 was $2465, the 582 was $2880, the 782 was $3760 and the 982 was $4885. And of course that's without any options. Just a bit of trivia.

AJ

 

[LBrown59]

Sure would like to see some good pictures of the 1872.

 

[art]

Fordlords, in 1981, a 682 with no options MSRP'ed for $3295. The 482 was $2465, the 582 was $2880, the 782 was $3760 and the 982 was $4885. And of course that's without any options. Just a bit of trivia.

AJ

For the most part add about 50 to 100 depending on the deck and you had the outright selling price!

 

[scoutcub]

A 682 even back in 1980 was about $5k- factored for inflation would put it at about $10k of today's dollars. The CC garden tractors of the 60's, 70's and 80's were VERY expensive for their day. Now relatively speaking, they are much more affordable but of course not built like they were.

-Fordlords-

The 90's as well. As an example, the 1782 was introduced in 1990 and listed for $ 8047. The price went up every year, with the highest at 1995, a staggering $9908 for just the tractor! Interestingly enough, 1996 was the last production year and the price dropped back to $8599.....
deck prices were inflated as well....a 60" mower deck retailing for $1689 in 1996??? Ouch. Perhaps part of their undoing....

 

[LBrown59]

The 90's as well. As an example, the 1782 was introduced in 1990 and listed for $ 8047. ..

Wonder what year the 1872 was introduced?

 

[scoutcub]

1988. Retailed for $5399.

 

[scoutcub]

There's a real nice example of a late model (either 96 or 97) Super Garden tractor on Ebay with a bunch of pics. Item # 270361331481. The older ones were very similar.

 

[OhioGuy]

Here's my 1872 on the day I bought it in 2004
It had 700 or so hours on it.
The 60" deck they made for the SGT was among their finest moments. Indestructable.

Curt

 

[magicalj]

Too bad CCC didn't make the 60" deck. It was made for them by Haban.

 

[JTKub]

.......-transmission. Hand control on the 1872 beats the foot control on the 2554 all day long although the foot control wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Reverse is a minor pain on the 2554. Seems easier the "heel" the forward pedal back than push down on the reverse pedal..

A fine write-up indeed, but I'd have to disagree with that particular statement. Hand hydro control beating foot control for garden tractor/mower service?!? I don't see how that could be?

Joel

 

[Dave01]

That tractor on Ebay looks great, 332 hours and so far only up to $1,600. I don't know how the liquid cooled Kawasaki compares to the 20 HP Kohler Command in my 2084.

Like a few people said, not a fair comparison. The 1872 should be compared to a 3000 series, and the heft and features of them would be pretty comparable.

 

[Dave01]

A fine write-up indeed, but I'd have to disagree with that particular statement. Hand hydro control beating foot control for garden tractor/mower service?!? I don't see how that could be?

Joel

I agree with dieselnut. Even after many hours on the 3204 with foot controls I still prefer the hand control of my other tractors. Just hard to break old habits I guess!

 

[JTKub]

I agree with dieselnut. Even after many hours on the 3204 with foot controls I still prefer the hand control of my other tractors. Just hard to break old habits I guess!

You guys must not have a lot of maneuvering to do when mowing. I'd agree it doesn't matter what configuration you've got when mowing big open areas, but there's nothing worse than having to tight maneuver w/out both hands on the wheel. I spent a big portion of my life on an old JD 110, between the knees gear shift. No way in heck I'd go back to that (for mowing lawn).

Joel

 

[VinceSMTA]

I enjoy the foot control on my 2542 for going under my trees when I have no hands on the wheel.

 

[savageactor7]

Just chiming in to say I hate the foot control on the GT2550...the hand control was so nice and way less hassle.

What the heck was MTD thinking of? ...

 

[Dave01]

Joel, I have quite a bit of stuff to maneuver around. With the power steering its pretty easy to steer with one hand, and I'm just used to the hand control. I find I jolt back and forth a bit using the foot control on the 3204 when I'm not careful on the pedal, the hand control on my 1864 is smoother to operate. Keep in mind I grew up using the hand control on a 129, then 1211, so its just what I got used to.

 

[diesel_nut]

You guys must not have a lot of maneuvering to do when mowing. I'd agree it doesn't matter what configuration you've got when mowing big open areas, but there's nothing worse than having to tight maneuver w/out both hands on the wheel. I spent a big portion of my life on an old JD 110, between the knees gear shift. No way in heck I'd go back to that (for mowing lawn).

Joel

I think you guys missed one little factor. The 1872 had power steering. You only need one hand on the wheel and one hand on the hydro. Never needed to EVER touch the brakes. Your feet were free to do....................NOTHING