tillboy2001
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2004
- Messages
- 429
Someone in this forum asked me to post my impressions of this machine once I used it. I mowed the grass for the first time yesterday - about 1.5 hours of use. Grass was a little damp.
The machine is a Cub Cadet model SLT 1550. Has a 25 HP Kohler engine and 50" deck.
Positives:
- Cuts great. Nice and smooth/even clean cut.
- Grass is distributed evenly and far enough out so it doesn't clump.
- Engine and deck at full throttle are very quiet.
- Operator's position is comfortable.
- Tight turning radius - does what I need it to around shrubs, etc.
- Looks good
- Nice to finally have an automatic. Makes mowing quicker.
- Love the front opening hood automotive-style shocks to hold it open.
- Looks to have a fairly solid build.
Negatives?
- When going up hills/inclines (not even really steep), I lose at least half of my speed, maybe more than half. I assume this is normal with a Hydro? I don't expect it to be as strong as my old manual, but I did think it would pull a little harder/faster than it does. Going sideways on hills or on flat ground, it's nice and fast and quiet. Hills/inclines are the only issue. Makes me wonder how durable these types of trannys are if they must labor so hard to climb. Any information on this would be appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Other than that one 'negative', I can't think of anything else. I'm happy witht the mower. It's replacing my old Craftsman 20 HP (Briggs engine) mower with 46" deck that will be on ebay soon!
I was able to move over my Carlisle Super Lug rear tires to the Cub. They JUST did clear the deck. Perfect fit! Also, my Craftsman 55lb wheel weights fit too. Either there's an industry standard on mounting positions for wheel weights or I just lucked out.
Question. The engine doesn't run as fast in the full throttle position than other mowers I've used. It seems to get the job done, but I hear the governor kick up the engine when I get in thick grass and it seems like the engine at that point labors just slightly. Should I check into opening her up a little or do you think this is how it should be. Using my in-law's 2 year old Troy-Bilt (also in the MTD family and somewhat similar to my Cub) with 23HP Kohler engine and my old Craftsman, both of those seem to run faster than my Cub in full throttle. No biggie...just curious.
Oh...observation on the deck wash system. I'm not sure it's all that useful. Maybe a little, but it doesn't seem to clean it out all the way. I might start with that if I mow in damp grass and then finish off with spraying the underneath with the hose manually.
Here are the photos. Pardon the messy basement. Some of that stuff is garbage waiting to go.
The machine is a Cub Cadet model SLT 1550. Has a 25 HP Kohler engine and 50" deck.
Positives:
- Cuts great. Nice and smooth/even clean cut.
- Grass is distributed evenly and far enough out so it doesn't clump.
- Engine and deck at full throttle are very quiet.
- Operator's position is comfortable.
- Tight turning radius - does what I need it to around shrubs, etc.
- Looks good
- Nice to finally have an automatic. Makes mowing quicker.
- Love the front opening hood automotive-style shocks to hold it open.
- Looks to have a fairly solid build.
Negatives?
- When going up hills/inclines (not even really steep), I lose at least half of my speed, maybe more than half. I assume this is normal with a Hydro? I don't expect it to be as strong as my old manual, but I did think it would pull a little harder/faster than it does. Going sideways on hills or on flat ground, it's nice and fast and quiet. Hills/inclines are the only issue. Makes me wonder how durable these types of trannys are if they must labor so hard to climb. Any information on this would be appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Other than that one 'negative', I can't think of anything else. I'm happy witht the mower. It's replacing my old Craftsman 20 HP (Briggs engine) mower with 46" deck that will be on ebay soon!
I was able to move over my Carlisle Super Lug rear tires to the Cub. They JUST did clear the deck. Perfect fit! Also, my Craftsman 55lb wheel weights fit too. Either there's an industry standard on mounting positions for wheel weights or I just lucked out.
Question. The engine doesn't run as fast in the full throttle position than other mowers I've used. It seems to get the job done, but I hear the governor kick up the engine when I get in thick grass and it seems like the engine at that point labors just slightly. Should I check into opening her up a little or do you think this is how it should be. Using my in-law's 2 year old Troy-Bilt (also in the MTD family and somewhat similar to my Cub) with 23HP Kohler engine and my old Craftsman, both of those seem to run faster than my Cub in full throttle. No biggie...just curious.
Oh...observation on the deck wash system. I'm not sure it's all that useful. Maybe a little, but it doesn't seem to clean it out all the way. I might start with that if I mow in damp grass and then finish off with spraying the underneath with the hose manually.
Here are the photos. Pardon the messy basement. Some of that stuff is garbage waiting to go.



