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.