GT2542 Cub, is this a good tractor

[pearlmanz]

I have a 14 year old Snapper that the tranny is getting ready to go south and I need to replace it.

I have about an acre and some slope in my back yard that will tax any mower. I was going to buy another Snapper but the dealer I purchased my last one from, said they are junk now and he no longer carries them. He only does 6000.00 and up commercial duty mowers. He told me I had two choices, either buy 1200.00-1900.00 and they might last 4-5 years or spend 3000.00 and up and get something like a CC that will last for a while.

I mentioned CC as my brother and law purchased a CC with the shaft drive and 42" deck a couple of years ago and loves his and he has over 2 acres plus he mows some other yards of property he owns.

I saw some reviews about CC and it did not fair well with Consumer Reports. But it looks like most of those are the 1000 and 1500 series. I am looking at a GT2542. The dealer is close buy and will sell to me for 3000.00 plus 24 months no interest. and deliver at N/C.

Please guys, my brother and law loves his, but it this a good buy. I was told if I take care and maintain this model, it should be the last tractor I buy at 53years of age??? I need you guys feedback and input before I make the plunge.

I would really appreciate it. God bless, PearlManZ

 

[JTKub]

Any of the 2500 series GT's are a great machine for the money. The 42" twin blade deck on the 2542 cannot take as big a bite as the larger 3-blade decks so you'll have to adjust your mowing accordingly. I personally would go 44" or larger.

Joel

 

[pearlmanz]

Thanks for the reply, I did not want a three blade mower and with my lot being no bigger than an acre, I don't feel it is needed with no offense intended.

I am more interested in feedback for the GT2542 and how reliable it is as CC has not received very good reviews from Consumer reports. It has a very poor reliablity rating. Thank you for taking the time to reply, PearlManZ

 

[pearlmanz]

By the way, why was my post moved and to what forum?? Thank you, PearlManZ

 

[JMorgan]

I have 1/2 a with large hills,I wanted driveshaft drive and a strong trans. For a few dollars more you get larger wheels, motor and thicker mower deck with the GT 2544 plus if you are not bagging the three blade set up ,does a great finsh job no clumps or bumps I purchased mine in Dec just before the price increased and had to look at it until mid march before I got to use it . I had a sears units over the past 15 years and was about this close on buying a x300 4 wheel steer green machine ,until I saw the drivetrain on the GT 2500. In my case the selling dealer made the difference. The CC line is his lower line, but you would think, the way he work with me,that he was selling his largest and most costly tractor on his lot. No its not built like the old Cubs,but it is built as good or better than whats on the market new today. $ for $ the GT 2500 is a great deal, and thats my 2cents worth

 

[Fordlords]

All I can say is I wouldn't put 100% trust in Consumer Reports. Some of their information has validity. But if it were all everyone trusted, everyone would be driving only Hondas and Toyotas. In most of their reviews of lawn and garden equipment, I think their reports belong right here: http://bestsmileys.com/toliot/7.gif

The Cub Cadet GT2500's are one of the best buys out there, and you get a 3 year warranty which as can be witnessed on this forum they do honor their warranty well. Trust your own friends, relatives, and neighbors, and don;t worry about Consumer Reports so much.

-Fordlords-

 

[VA_Joe]

There are a lot of posts on the 25xx series. Do some searches. You will see that they are a bargain compared to the JD series. Most who have one will tell you how much they like them.


Joe

 

[pearlmanz]

Well as I had mentioned, I said the reports were on the lower priced 1000 and 1500 series but mostly the 1000 series which showed a high repair rate compared to other brands. I saw no mention of the GT 2500 series as they were only rating the cheaper series made by MTD. The dealer told me the 2500 and 3000 series where not made by MTD but still in Cleveland Ohio?? So I just mentioned Consumer reports based on what I had read. They were very partial to JD equipment as the best models out there but again, not the same series as the 2000 and 3000 series

I was hoping to get responses from folks who own GT2542's instead of everyone telling me I should buy the 2544. Where I live the price is 500.00 more and to me with the same motor, a deck is not worth 500.00 for an extra 2" of cut or I would try and buy the 44" deck with no offense intended.

I hope some folks on here will read my request for feedback on the GT2542 as that is the tractor I want to buy and since I have not been able to find a lot of review feedback on this model, hopefuly I will get some from users of this model. I am not interested in a 44,46,48 etc etc deck guys. I am looking for feedback about the GT2542. Thank you to those who reponded though.

I don't understand why there is not more feedback and review on the 2542 model though for the way it is built which looks pretty solid to me?? Thanks again guys, PearlManZ

 

[pearlmanz]

Joe thanks for the reply, I have done some Goggle searches but just have not seen a lot of information on the GT2542 model.

I will agree though after pricing some JD models, they are higher and not built as well in my opinion as the CC and I hear parts start becoming hard to come by a lot faster than some other brands as the years roll on. The frame and drive system to me are a lot better on the CC than the JD and other models.

I just don't want to drop 3000.00 for a tractor if is not going to be reliable and I think most of the negative feedback is about the cheaper MTD made 1000 and 1500 series. I have until Monday to make a decision so I want to get all the feedback I can before going in to debt for 24 months....grin. Thank you Joe, PearlManZ

 

[Fordlords]

They are all made by MTD, it is Cub Cadet's parent company. But the 2500's and 3000's are their flagships and are sturdy, well built machines. The 2500 series weigh in at nearly 800 lbs with their decks, which shows they still contain a lot of that magical stuff we used to know as metal.

I can only think of one 2542 owner who posts on here regularly, who wishes he opted for the 2544- the 44" deck is really outstanding compared to the 42", that's why it's so highly recommended. But I have not seen any real complaints about the 2542, so if you like it I wouldn't hesitate to get it. Short of a 1 HP rating difference on the engines, (and the decks) the 2542 and 2544 tractors themselves are totally identical, so just about all the stuff you can read here about the 2544 pertains to all the 2500 series Cub tractors.

-Fordlords-