GT 2550 Review / Oil Change Valve

[GRB]

Good Evening Gents, Just wanted to post a note about my Cub. Bought it new from an independent dealer in May 2006 so thought I would give my thoughts about it after two full seasons of use. The tractor frame and drive train are built like a tank. I mow about 2.75 acres of grass with some pretty severe hills. It handles the task without ever breaking a sweat. The hydro tranny makes it easy to keep the rear tires grabbing even on wet grass and steep grades. Great cut and stable as can be on the slopes. I just finished using it to pull a 17 cu ft cart around our property to spread 20 yards of mulch. Handles and gets in and out of places that make the job almost a pain free experience. Maintenance has been done far more often than the recommended intervals in the owner's manual and I have never had any issues with the mower.

My only complaints:
1) The press in zerks are pretty cheesy for a tractor at this price point. Had to tap and replace a couple. There are also a couple of them that are almost ridiculously hidden and darned hard to get to.

2) The smartjet deck wash system is a joke. It does not work worth a ****.

3) The headlight assembly is pretty shabby as well. Light bulbs vibrate loose and the front lens cover has fallen off once.

4) The oil drain valve has been a source of aggravation since the first oil change. I would love to meet the engineer that thought that thing was a good design. Every oil change I would try my darndest to keep from making a mess, and every time I end up with oil all over the frame and dripping in a puddle under the tractor.

I finally had enough and after reading some old posts I purchased a Drainzit oil drain from equipment2U.com. The valve along with a 3" brass 3/8" nipple and brass 3/8" elbow have fixed that issue forever. It was a two hour project that was worth every minute. About $24 all-in. Some tight spots for wrenches to fit, but after all was said and done, not too bad. Oil changes are now a pleasure.

Overall, I would give the tractor a 9 out of 10. Some minor issues, but I would definitely buy the same unit again. I would just replace the oil drain at the first oil change.

 

[Northstar]

GRB,
I'm glad to hear your pleased with your 2550. I bought a 2544 about 6 weeks ago and have have the same "little" problems as everyone else . Being that this is the first tractor I have spent any real money on ,I was starting to have second thoughts. It's good to hear from someone who has had a couple of years on one and has good things to say about it. I guess the +'s outweigh the -'s in the end.

 

[JSharp]

GRB -

You have pretty much the same list of complaints everyone else has about these tractors. I've had my 2554 a year and had to deal with all of the same issues.

1. I thought the press in zerks where cheesy too and I've had to replace a number of them. But, my farmer friends tell me they've used on lots of equipment now, some of costing upward of $100K. So I guess we're not alone.

2. I was also complaining about the deck wash system. But after using it every time I notice quite a bit of grass where I run the tractor when I use it. And, when I remove the deck and look there has been no real buildup in 50+ hours of use. One thing I did discover that helps - Make sure you blow the fittings out with compressed air after mowing but before you try to use the system.

3. My light bulbs and lenses have stayed put but the reflectors have bowed down at the top near the center giving the tractor a "I'm pissed off with scrunched eyebrows look." I'll take the lenses off and fix them with some adhesive at some point.

4. The oil drain valve isn't the best. My tractor came with a short piece of clear tubing to direct the oil flow downward but to do so I had to bend it down and hold it. I added an elbow to it and now it points about 2 inches back then straight down. I works much better that way.

Overall though, I still think these tractors are by far the best value for the amount of money we spent. Potential JD customers must think so too. I notice Cub raised the prices of 2500 series units for 2007 while JD has had to lower the prices on a number of their 300 series mowers. Those units are comparable in cost to the 2500 series Cubs so my guess is they weren't moving as fast as they wanted them to...

 

[GRB]

JSharp, I'm with ya. I looked at tractors for maybe six months and I was really thinking I wanted a JD. For the money, I don't think the Cub shaft drive / cast iron drive trains can be beat. Too much plastic, too much aluminum and too much money for the comparable Deere. I also went to one Kubota dealer and about soiled myself when I saw the sticker prices! My dad has an older Kubota and I know they are great tractors, but I couldn't pull the trigger for the dough. I would have been sleeping in my shop with it had I done it anyway. My wife was a little miffed at the money I spent at the time. However, she understands now that my neighbor who bought (box store variety) a JD at the same time, has had it in the shop twice for mechanical problems.

 

[Dascro]

I have had my 2550 for about month and so far I am happy with it and how it mows. Already had to replace a press-in zerk on the mower deck though. But I am happy to read positive comments on the tractor after a years use!

I gave up using the deck wash after two uses, but maybe I'll give it another chance or so based on some input here.

I also believe that the 2500 series Cub Cadets offer the best value on the market today.

One other thing, does anyone else find the dipstick on the engine hard to read?

Dave

 

[GRB]

I am laughing my a** off. My 21 year old son was giving me a hard time when he helped me replace the oil drain valve. I can't read it well either.

 

[JTKub]

Hehee.. glad to see CC is on the ball! Most of us 2005 owners have listed the same complaints as GRB, verbatim 1-4! They are a sweet machine for the $ though. I enjoy mowing with mine.

Joel

 

[ducati996]

If it helps you all some of your complaints are also found on the 3000 series.
I for one would like to see a better headlight design (reflector and housing and not 1156 bulbs). a little better design on the hood and use some rubber gromets to reduce metal vibration from the hood ( I eliminated that myself with rubber stops). A few other areas of detail would be nice, but overall the machine performs as expected, and is reliable.

 

[JSharp]

If it helps you all some of your complaints are also found on the 3000 series.
I for one would like to see a better headlight design (reflector and housing and not 1156 bulbs). a little better design on the hood and use some rubber gromets to reduce metal vibration from the hood ( I eliminated that myself with rubber stops). A few other areas of detail would be nice, but overall the machine performs as expected, and is reliable.

I'm not sure why they don't use the 2500 series hood setup on the 3000 series. I heard a lot of complaints about it before I got my 2554 but I've had zero problems with mine. To me, it looks superior in every way to the mickey mouse multi piece setup on the 3000's.

The headlight arraignment on the 2500 series is still crap though...

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

If it helps you all some of your complaints are also found on the 3000 series.
I for one would like to see a better headlight design (reflector and housing and not 1156 bulbs). a little better design on the hood and use some rubber gromets to reduce metal vibration from the hood ( I eliminated that myself with rubber stops). A few other areas of detail would be nice, but overall the machine performs as expected, and is reliable.

Yes, the headlight bezel on my 3-year-old 3235 is now held in place with filament tape. It came off last year and broke one of the mounting tabs. I haven't priced a new one but could hazard a guess.

Bob B.