This is why I recommend the Cub Cadet GT2500's. Heavy frames, shaft drive to a heavy cast iron maintainable transaxle, (go to John Deere's site, and find that you'll need to spend at least $10,000.00 for an X700 to get shaft drive on any JD LGT, sorry but I am not spending $6000-8000 on an X500 with belt driven hydro) and decent Kohler Command horizontal shaft engines. All at a price between $2999-3999 depending on the width of deck you want between 42-54". They are for those who want something better than an entry level box-department store rider/lawn tractor, but don't have the cash to cough up on a new JD X500 or 700, which will run you a heck of a lot more bucks. The CC 2500's just look to be a good deal for those who don't want or need the very best pretentious name out there, but are shooting for something in the middle, where IMHO the best price=quality=value things are most often found.
Gotorboy's $3000 minimum to be spent does have a ring of truth to it in the way if one is looking to steer clear of the lower end equipment, it looks to be where the line is drawn.
I am not bashing those who have the lesser machines that are fine for their needs, just showing the middle price range perspective, one that seems to be small among makers now where it was much bigger in the past. If JD is considering their X500 to be the their middle range LGT at a starting price of $6000, I'm just not so sure what about it makes it worth twice as much as a new CC 2542- IMHO, credential wise, it's worth half as much as the Cub 2542, it's essentially a Cub 1500 series as far as mechanicals go. Then JD does not even tell you who actually makes the engines for the X300's and 500's, calling them a, "John Deere," engine. Come ON! OK, maybe the JD name and quality is worth a bit more than MTD- but twice as much.. nonsense! And especially when we all know all of this equipment breaks down and needs repairs eventually, I'd much rather be at the CC parts counter with my wallet than at JD's in the future.
-Fordlords-
