Considering GT3200 w/ 54 in deck

[ASEmaster]

Comparing the GTX2154LE and the GT3200...I like the 3200 because of metal hood, bigger engine, diff lock., fatter axle shaft.

I like the seat and brush guard on the GTX2154...(the factory seat is 400 plus bucks and I think the brush guard is 200ish for parts if it bolts on the 3200, just for conversation purposes. I like the armrests- they don't come on the 3200 model.)

Also it appears theres not much difference in the 2000 series and the 50th anniversary model that costs $1500.00 more except GTX2154LE has brush guard, fancier seat and LED headlight bulbs.

Cost seems similar between GT3200 and GTX2154LE, and it appears the GTX2154 has a few glamour bells and whistles that don't equate to the almost equal cost between the two rigs in my mind.

I have a Kioti CK30HST w/ a rear finish mower but there's places on my lot I can't get in to, and my wife says she'd help mow if we had two rigs. That would cut down my mowing time at my recreational lot.
Plus I'd have another tractor!
The land is a bit rugged there and I can see where consumer grade mowers from home center and such would be beat to c*rap in short order. I like to buy quality, over-maintain it and keep it forever- as far as equipment goes.

 

[JTKub]

The 2 and 3K's are all nice machines for sure. The problem with a 3K is, if your plan is to outfit it with ground-engaging attachments, your approaching the cost of a compact utility tractor. Not only that, the second you "drive it off the lot" you get the notorious Cub massive depreciation. I've seen 3-4yr/old 3000 series machines sell for $2500 or less. Usually less!

As much as I loved my 2005 model year 2544, there's no way I'd pay what they want for one now, especially if you've got to pay extra for a cutting deck. A 44" or the likes should come standard with incremental up-charges for larger. FWIW, my 2544 cost me $2999+ tax new.

Joel

 

[MrFoPow]

Whether you go 2k series or 3k I think you'll like it.

Post pics of your new purchase when you get it.:thumbsup:

 

[scoutcub]

First of all, :welcome:!!

I'm not real familiar with the 2154, except with what I've seen just scrolling thru the Cub site. Looks like a nice machine, although as you've said the LE models are a bit overpriced, and as JT said, you'll never get that back if you trade or sell.
I have owned several 2000 and 3000 series machines, and personally prefer the 3200. I've never bought a new one, but always low hour used ones for significantly less.
For me, comparing the 2 - with the 3200 you get 2 more HP, the hydraulic lift, shaft driven deck, and the locking differential which I found to be a great asset. I've used the front blower and front blade on the 3200 with great success.
Cub does sell an armrest kit for their seats, I know cause I have one sitting in my attic. The brushgaurd does look nice, I will say.....but a bit spendy for 400? Can you weld?:laughing:

Also, with the 3200 you can opt for the 60" deck, which I preferred over the 54.
Anyways, good luck with the decision and let us know what you do!

 

[ASEmaster]

I'm keeping my eye out for a used 3200 but in Seattle area its unfortunately not the tractor capitol of the world LOL
That's good to know that theres armrests available as an add-on as opposed to having to replace the whole seat for that. The LE seat had possibly more adjustability than the standard as well as lumbar adjustment but I can live without the "Recarro" racing seat for $400+
I've heard its possible to add an oil cooler? I'd be interested if anyone knows the part numbers/ sources.
I suppose an add on smaller electric fan could be a good idea if theres room.

IS THERE ANY OTHER BRANDS OF NEW TRACTORS SIMILAR FEATURED TO THE CC 3200 I SHOULD CONSIDER??

 

[JTKub]

One thing to keep in mind with the armrests is they are snag magnets! I know I've caught mine on low branches and the darn utility pole support cable I've got on one area of my property. I've nearly torn them off. This was on my Z-Force though. My 2005 model year 2544 didn't have them.

In regards to the oil cooler, just Google "Kohler Command oil cooler kit". Kohler makes a bolt-on kit for it. There's a model or two of the Cub 3K series that used a liquid cooled Kawasaki, the rest use Kohler Command Vtwins.

Joel

 

[ASEmaster]

Is it possible?? Local dealer says NO new GT3200's available except a couple weather beaten ones at an upper midwest dealer...

 

[JTKub]

The 3200's are still listed on Cub's 2011 model year line-up, but word was this is the last year for them.

Typically they stop lawn/garden production around July, but maybe they stopped the 3K's early.

They were never a high production machine anyway. I'm sure one can be located depending on how much resources you want to put into searching.

Joel

 

[Jimt76]

I was really into the 2154 until I found no diff lock and no rear tiller option. Ended up with the x500 jd. Basically same price jd has diff lock and many attachments

 

[MrFoPow]

The 3200's are still listed on Cub's 2011 model year line-up, but word was this is the last year for them.

Typically they stop lawn/garden production around July, but maybe they stopped the 3K's early.

They were never a high production machine anyway. I'm sure one can be located depending on how much resources you want to put into searching.

Joel

Are they done with the 25xx's as well?

 

[aczlan]

We recently picked up a 3200 that had ~600 hours on it with a 60" deck, a 54" blade and a 2 stage blower for under $4k. Need to find a cab before winter (will probbaly go with the "Original Tractor Cab" as they seem to be decently priced)
We used the blade to spread some dirt and it does well. The 60" deck is nice, but the deck height control is slightly wonky. Need to dig into it one of these days.

Aaron Z

 

[scoutcub]

We recently picked up a 3200 that had ~600 hours on it with a 60" deck, a 54" blade and a 2 stage blower for under $4k. Need to find a cab before winter (will probbaly go with the "Original Tractor Cab" as they seem to be decently priced)
We used the blade to spread some dirt and it does well. The 60" deck is nice, but the deck height control is slightly wonky. Need to dig into it one of these days.

Aaron Z

Now that was a deal......!

 

[JTKub]

Are they done with the 25xx's as well?

Word was the 2100 are to replace the 2500s. There's no way they can still market both of them if a 2544 costs substantially less than a 2100 with a 44" deck.

 

[Captain Ned]

There's no way they can still market both of them if a 2544 costs substantially less than a 2100 with a 44" deck.

Word. My 2544 was $3799 3 years ago (pays off in August) and the same shop wants $6799 (I think) for a new 2154LE. Even taking off a few $$ for a 44" vs a 54", the 21xx are much more expensive.

 

[CCinCT]

Word. My 2544 was $3799 3 years ago (pays off in August) and the same shop wants $6799 (I think) for a new 2154LE. Even taking off a few $$ for a 44" vs a 54", the 21xx are much more expensive.

You can't compare the 2154LE to the 2500's. The 2154LE includes power steering as well as the power lift that the 2100's include. The 2500's have neither. The 2154LE is more a replacement for the 3000's, minus the optional diff-lock.

The GT2000 is the direct replacement for the outgoing 2500's. The regular GT2100 was originally meant to be a blinged-out 2000 with power steering and deck lift as well as a couple other minor cosmetic stuff, but supply issues with the power steering system nixed that idea. What is puzzling is that the regular 2100's haven't been reduced in price since they removed the power steering. As it stands, the 2100 costs about $1500 more than the 2000, and all you get is electric deck lift, tilt steering, and access to the optional fab'd decks.

 

[JTKub]

That's true.

Per the website, current sale price for a GT2000 is $3099, plus the cost of a deck. Of course they don't have the deck pricing available online, but I'd like to think a 44" would be around $400-600, making total cost comparable to a 2544.

I'm guessing this 'deck is extra' scheme is a way for a dealer to make a few more dollars on the sale.

 

[Jimt76]

The other thing that turned me off is that the back of the rear end has a big china stamp.

 

[CCinCT]

The other thing that turned me off is that the back of the rear end has a big china stamp.

Been there for a long long time.

 

[ASEmaster]

I'm going to look into Simplicity's at this point. The nearest Cub GT 3200 is in Montana 500 miles away

 

[diesel_nut]

Apples and oranges.