JD LX277 vs. Cub Cadet 2186

[sdodier]

Help! I am trying to choose between the JD LX277 vs. Cub Cadet 2186 for basic mowing and yard work on about 3/4 acre lawn, 5 acre lot. I like the shaft drive of the Cub versus the belt, but the JD seems to hae a little better fit & finish. I also need the show-thrower and the JD single-stage snow-thrower makes me a little nervous. Cub's is a two-stage. Resale is also something to consider. Here in New England Cub Cadet doesn't seem to be very popular. The machines including the complete snow-thrower packages are $4600 for the JD ad $4500 for the Cub. I've always said I wanted a John Deere, but there seems to be more value in the Cub.

Any thoughts, comments, or sugestions?

 

[dummy]

Personally, I would look for a decent used (or new) compact tractor. I was a big fan of the older Cub's. Have had from the 108 up to the 1250 models plus a lowboy. Brother recently bought a 2165 and boy is it junk. Now that MTD is making them, they've scrimped on a lot. Deck wheels are cheaper, plastic housings , etc. On his, the headlight cover fell off while mowing and made some ugly sounds going into the deck. I would not buy another until they pick up the quality again. John deere in my experience are more difficult to repair than cub's, but right now they are a better machine.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

No question on which unit is better. The LX277 is leaps and bounds better than the Cub Cadet. Cub's shaft drive has always been a deceiving selling point for them. Only 15% of the engine power is transmitted to the rear end--the remainder is to the deck. So there is no need for shaft drive. Shaft drive is WAY more expensive to repair also.

Don't be concerned about the single stage blower on the Deere. It will move massive amounts of snow with little effort. Resale on the Deere also will be way better. A 5 year old Deere still averages 55% value from list price, where a Cub is lucky to be in the 30-40% range.

I hope this helps you out.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a LX255. Great machine, excellent quality. I use the 42"C deck w/mulching kit and also use the standard non-assisted bagger. Both work very well. I got the front deck blowout plate ($22) for the front of the deck and it really helps when sucking up the fall leaves. I'm very happy with this machine and would recommend it highly.

Good Luck, Bob

 

[john_bud]

sdodier,

I have the Cub 2185. Same thing only one year older. I traded in a 10 year old JD "sx38" and my out of pocket was about $2000. with tax. At the JD dealer for a similar unit, they wanted over $3000 from my tiny pocket with the trade in. I wonder about the price of the snow blowers....

In 2 1/2 years of mowing 3+ acres the only thing I have changed is filters and fluids. It has started at -28 F as well as after running hard at 100+F. Not to say the JD wouldn't.

Oh yeah, based on my purchase three of my buddies have bought cub 2186's or 2286's over the competition.

John Bud

 

[bigpete]

I'm a Deere guy, but both are fine tractors. I would't be afraid of the belts on the Deere and I wouldn't add too much to the Cub for the shaft. With 3/4 acre and generally light duty, you probably won't need to replace the $25-$50 (don't quote me on that) belt for well over five years with proper use and maintenance. I have read that, in the newer Cub models, the shaft design and/or the quality is not what it used to be. When a belt goes, you'll be aggravated for four hours, or until your Deere dealer opens on Monday. If you have shaft problems, you'll need a loaner. Please don't take my word for it, though. Just something I read on a discussion board. I have no personal experience with the Cub line.

I see both lines in production in my area and the owners of either would probably sing praises. I decided a long time ago that dealer commitment, parts, and service weigh the heaviest for me.

Happy holidays,

Pete

 

[Anonymous Poster]

sdodier,

I just re-read your posting. Go check out the JD GT225. It has a true garden tractor tranny. The 42" deck is perfect for 3/4 acre. The JD GT would be a better choice for snow blowing/plowing than the LX because of the beefy tranny and more weight. Don't get caught up in HP.....15 HP will do anything you want. The Kohler single (Kohler Command) has an enviable track record.

The GT225 and the LX277 cost about the same.

Simply put .......the GT225 is the best value in the JD line........and would seem a good fit for you.

Good Luck, Bob

 

[sdodier]

Thanks to everyone for their opinions, advice, and recommendations. A couple weeks back, after much arguing with my one of my neighbors, I made the decision to go with the Cub Cadet 2186 with two-stage snow-thrower. My neighbor went the JD route, LX 277 w/ single-stage snow-thrower. So now it is about bragging rights. I would have paid the extra $100 for the Deere if it wasn't for the single stage snow-thrower. The JD dealer is only 3 miles from my house (vs 20 for the Cub Cadet dealer) and of course they do nothing but John Deere (the CC dealer sells Ariens, Toro, and a few others as well). I also think the Deere will hold its value better, although I have no intention to sell the tractor and I shouldn't need to upgrade considering my suburban sub-division lifestyle. I couldn't get past the LD snowthrower however, and so far my concerns have proven to be valid.

We've only had one real snow storm since I got the machine with about 3-4 inches of slushy snow and I can say that my neighbor's new Deere single-stage snow-thrower works no better than any other single-stage snow-thrower which is not very well, but the Cub two-stage unit even threw the slush a good 30-40 ft. However, the Cub Cadet dealer has already replaced the snow-thrower once due to a manufacturing defect (bent frame) and taken the current unit back for adjusment because it was apparently assembled incorrectly at the factory which I pointed out to them after noticing inconsistencies with the pictures in the user manual.

So I have mixed feelings so far. Buyers remorse I suppose, and a little concern for Cub Cadet's quality. I should point out that the tractor itself seems to be of equal quality to the Deere. We've parked them side by side and tried to compare the details. We did notice that in some of the places where the Cub Cadet has bolts holding things on and together, the Deere has unusual looking fastners, presumably quick release of some kind, but they dont look very strong. I guess only time will tell, but everything else looks very similar.

I challanged my neighbor to a freindly tug-of-war to see which tractor had more pulling power, but he declined. I was betting that the Cub's shaft drive would prove to be more robust than the belt drive on the Deere and his belt would slip or break. Apparently he feared the same thing. Aside from the constant ribbing about the Cub Cadet dealer coming to my house 5 times in two weeks to deal with the snow-thrower, I seem to have the bragging rights for now. Hopefully I will have better luck with the mower deck, although luck is not exactly what I thought I would need when I decided to buy the Cub.

 

[Bob_in_Ma]

Congrats on your new machine!!!

I don't think you could have made a bad choice either way.

Good Luck, Bob

 

[john_bud]

I'm not 100% certain, but I think that the Dealer and not the factory assembles the attachments. So, don't feel bad having the dealer come out and fix it!

I've had my 2185 for 3 seasons and the only problem to date (knock on wood) has been a loose ground connection to the battery.

john bud