Cub Cadet purchasing help

JohnNH · Mar 11, 2005

My family and I live in the mountain/hill country of New Hampshire. I have been researching the Cub Cadet 2180 & new 2042 models. The reasons I have chosen these models are:
3 acres of land with 1 3/4 acres of grass, 300 foot driveway (future addition of snow blower attachement), interested in 17 cu.ft. trailer for yard clean up and hauling firewood, 42 inch deck with twin bagger. I need to stay with a smaller deck since we have several gardens and multiple stone walls to navigate around and the larger decks require the blower attachment.

It is obvious that the 2180 will not be available in 05 since the 2100 series has been discontinued. The new 05 model is on the Cub Cadet web site as the 2042 which is classified as a 2500 series.

The reason I want the 2180 or 2042 is shaft drive and ability to support attachments.

I don't want to be in the middle of a yard project and have to deal with a broken drive belt.

I also looked at the JD tractors and just can't justify the big price difference.

Does anyone have pro/con opinions on the 2180 and the new release of the 2042?

Thnks for your help,
John/NH

alanwoj · Mar 11, 2005

John, two years ago I bought a White garden tractor. Pretty much the same size and features of the tractor you are looking at, didn't have the drive shaft for the deck is about the only difference.

I live in East Tennessee on a little over one acre, all on a steep downhill grade with lots of trees and stumps. Last year I tradeded the White in for the Cub Cadet GT3204, this years 3100. It has all the features of the 2500 series, plus power stearing a power lift for the deck. The power stearing is a real godsend on the type of terrain you are talking about. The only regret I have had with the 3204 is the lack of posi-traction, available on the 3235. Sometimes I have to work on a wet or uneven surface. At almost 1000 pounds, you will not easily push this tractor out of a rut or hole.

Hope this helps a little.

Alan

tiny1 · Mar 11, 2005

John-
I am not familiar with the 2180, but the 2042 is a 2000 series tractor for '05. I know from shopping for my new GT2550 that gets delivered tomorrow, that the 2042 now has a cast iron hydro, where in the past they had aluminum housings. I could have bought a leftover '04 2186, which is a 2000 series, B&S engine and 48" deck for $300 less than my 2550, but I figured that the Kohler engine, 50" deck and heavier hydro was worth it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DmansPadge · Mar 12, 2005

The 2042 is a nice unit. However, if I was in the market I would take a hard look at the 2544. Quite a bit more tractor for not much more money. And it still has a relatively small deck at 44".

JohnNH · Mar 12, 2005

( The 2042 is a nice unit. However, if I was in the market I would take a hard look at the 2544. Quite a bit more tractor for not much more money. And it still has a relatively small deck at 44". )

When I was looking at the web site, catalog's and in discusssion with 3 dealers, I also looked at the 2544. I agree that this is more tractor for a small investment. The problem I have is that bagger. From what I have been told, I would need to upgrade to the tow behind system. This would be both expensive and more time consuming.

I spoke with my local dealer yesterday and I think he will give me a good deal on the 2042 with a twin bagger and 17 cu. ft trailer at just about $3,300 - delivered. I will probably order it within 2 weeks and he will deliver when the "SNOW" goes away.

Note: The 2042 is listed on the web site, in the catalog and according to the dealers as a 2500 series. If you compare it to the 04 versions, it's the same as a 2180 but has a cast iron transmission and reverse mowing.

I certainly appreciate everyone's assistance.

PS: We are getting another 1 to 2 feet of snow today -- anyone want some = free - you can pick it up and I will supply the shovels & hot coffee.

JohnNH

ducati996 · Mar 12, 2005

I'm not a fan of baggers that are not powered and I think the Agrifab and Cyclone rake versions are the better design. Of course they are more money. I guess what I'm saying is the Cub decks (depending on model) can be set up as an very effective mulcher. The 44" is a mulcher right out of the box, and an awesome one at that. My dealer who I have a great relationship with wanted to give me a bagger set up for my 44".
It seems the setup worked well but the expectations of the buyer were beyond the capabilities of the bagger. I passed on the free bagger, because the mulching capabilities exceeded my own expectations on the 44". The other deck's with the mulching kit are equally as good...

I also find that with proper wheel weight and better tires, the need for a differential lock is almost non-existant on the 3204 and similair machines. But if you have it, its always good to have just in case /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I havent had the need for the lock, with the correct weight and chains in winter, with all types of inclines.

Overall I would be looking at the 2500 series at the very least, with a strong interest on the 3100 as a better fit...IMO of course

Ducati

ducati996 · Mar 12, 2005

Attached is the blower setup for the 3000 series Cubs. You mentioned 200-300 ft of driveway. This will make short work of that.

[image]

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DmansPadge · Mar 12, 2005

Awesome pics Duc. Where I come from.. they call that "handlin' bidness!"

JohnNH · Mar 13, 2005

In a prior post in this chain, I said that the 2042 was listed as a 2500 series tractor. I went into the web site and found they have update the site and it is now listed as a 2000 series.

The good news is that it is still shaft drive.

Note: That snow storm left us with about 1 1/2 feet of heavy wet snow.

Spring can't come to soon,

JohnNH

cowboy2005 · Mar 14, 2005

"...The problem I have is that bagger. From what I have been told, I would need to upgrade to the tow behind system. This would be both expensive and more time consuming." JohnNH

What was the problem with the bagger unit for the 2544? I believe it is a tripple bagger unit that cub specifies. I don't have one, but am curious why the dealer said it wouldn't work for you?

JohnNH · Mar 14, 2005

Good question about the bagger systems.

I was told by 2 dealers that the 42" deck would work well with the twin bagger. In both cases, the dealers told me that if I went to a 44" deck the twin or tripple bagger wouldn't provide enough force to work well and that clogging would be an issue.

They recommended that I consider a Mow-N-Vac attachement which would force me to use the trailer when bagging. The issues I have with that include: Tight places and big costs.

Any experience and comments on this subject would be helpful.

JohnNH

cowboy2005 · Mar 14, 2005

Huh... that doesn't sound encouraging. One of the guys on the forum here recently purchased the 2544 with a bagger, but hasn't cut grass yet (probably too early yet). Maybe he could offer to cut some snow with it instead!?!

I think you can do a little better on the price. I extracted all the line items from the spec sheets the other guys uploaded last week and re-ran the numbers.

Model # [Dealer Net][MAP Price] [List Price]
LT 2042 18HP1 Kohler Command [$2,090] [$2,599] [$2,899]
Twin Bagger Series 2000 [$230] [N/A] [$359]
17 Dump Cart [$225] [N/A] [$349]

List Price Total = $3,607 (worst case)
Dealer Net Total = $2,545 (dealers cost)
Your offer from Dealer = $3,300
(this appears to be MAP price for the tractor plus list price for the accessories. This isn't a bad price, but obviously you should be able to get something off on the accessories... maybe 10 percent)

My Suggested offer = $3,236 (as suggested above)

You have bargaining power with the combo deal, take modest advantage of it. BTW: I hear the 15 cu ft dump cart (with stake kit) is nice and usually on sale this time of year at $200. I would also make sure they've included delivery to your home.

I personally ordered the GT2544. I wanted the extra "beef" as this will be my first and last tractor for as long as I am cutting grass (I hope). Although with the added cast-iron trany in the 2042 this year, they are awefully close.

Let us know how you do and don't forget to post pictures like the other guys do. Maybe we can get our wives to start a tractor scrapbooking party?!? lol

JohnNH · Apr 10, 2005

I went to my local dealer yesterday and put in my order ( included a hefty down payment) for a 2005 Cub Cadet 2042, 42 inch deck and added the optional 17cuft trailer and twin bagger.

After returning from the dealer, I spent the remainder of the day cleaning out my tool shed and organizing it so there will be plenty of room for our new toy.

I wanted to thank everyone for their advice and now that my order is in, we are ready to put the new Cadet to work.

When our new Cub get's delivered ( most likely next Friday), I will take some pictures and post them on the site.

Thanks again, you guy's are the best.

Regards,
JohnNH

JohnNH · Apr 14, 2005

My Cub Cadet 2042 was delivered yesterday and I have a question that someone might be able to help me with:

Part of my purchase was the optional twin bagger.
I read the user manual and it mentions that the twin bagger comes with extra blades. I can only assume that the standard blades come with the 42" deck. The dealer has changed the blades to the ones that come with the bagger.

Before I call the dealer, is it normal for them to keep the original blades and should I expect to get these blades from him at no cost?

Thanks,
John/NH

gamble77 · Apr 14, 2005

Ask for the blades back...he has no use for him and the cost for everything is built in...this is not uncommon and might have just been an oversight by the dealer who forgot to give them back to you. Good luck.

-Nate

JohnNH · Apr 14, 2005

I spoke with my dealer and he told me that for 2005 they don't include additional blades with the bagger.

What Cadet does is they have changed the blade closest to the discharge area to a combo blade. He said this blade does regular cut, mulch and up-lift so the bagger will operate correctly.

He also said the manual has not been updated to include corrected text about the new blade design.

If anyone disagree's with this new information, I would certainly like to know about it.

John/NH

TvSteve · Apr 22, 2005

Greetings to all! Just too delivery of a new 2042. Dealer wouldn't budge on price but did give me 10% off add-ons.
Told dealer not to install bagger (#305) and it was delivered in a sealed box. In the box were two (2) sets of blades for the 38 and 42" decks. Something to keep in mind.

Steve

Jim_Zis · Apr 24, 2005

I have a 2544 with the triple bagger suggested by Cub. It works fine with the exception that the bagger lid does not close tight on the right side against the third bag which leads to grass and dust blowing out. Minor, yet still an irratation.

Bob_Bainbridge · Apr 25, 2005

( I have a 2544 with the triple bagger suggested by Cub. It works fine with the exception that the bagger lid does not close tight on the right side against the third bag which leads to grass and dust blowing out. Minor, yet still an irratation. )

If you loosen the screws on the sides of the bag mounts you may be able to tilt the right bag up a bit to make a better seal with the cover. You might have to raise the center bag a lesser amount.

Bob B.

JohnNH · Apr 26, 2005

TvSteve,

In addition to discussing this with the dealer, I contacted Cub Cadet via email and they told me that the new 2005 Cadet model 2042 has a multi function blade on the right side of the deck. This blade is designed to provide up-lift for the twin bagger attachement. They also verified what my dealer told me = no blades are included with the new 2005 bagger option.

Your dealer may have sold you a left over 2004 bagger and this does have the other baldes you mentioned.

JohnNH