Need help with purchase

keltonkrew · Aug 31, 2005

New to the forum. I've done some searches but really couldn't answer my questions.

I'm in the market to buy a new mower. My yard-man (POS) bit the dust. I still have a cheapy Craftsman 4000 with 42" deck. Kohler engine runs good, but mower doesn't cut well, uneven (probably the bent frame) - it's a dog but a spare.

Started looking at JD. I know the ones sold at HD are rated 60% life of the premium models. The only one that I've looked at is the L130. Kohler 23 v-twin.

I've also been researching cub cadet. Initially was leaning toward the 1042. After reading a little, decided that the 2042 would be better, although more $$$.

At this price range, I can get into a JD premium model (LT150), however this has a B&S engine. A couple of hundred $$ more, the LT160 with the Kohler, but it's a single piston. I really like the v-twin (I think).

I have about 3 acres total. about 1.5 I mow with my Bolens (Iseki) diesel 4x4 with 48 finish mower (lake lot). The rest is around my house where I use my lawn mower. I want one to last a bit.

so, with that said any advice would be appreciated.

L130 from HD
1042
2042
L150 from John Deere
L160 from John Deere.

gamble77 · Aug 31, 2005

The first thing you need to do is mark anything off that you are planning on purchasins from a "big box store."

Secondly I think for your needs you will be happier with the 2042. Plust those Kohler V-twins are worth the extra $.

DmansPadge · Aug 31, 2005

I agree with Gamble77! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cyberkrazze · Sep 1, 2005

To be honest, i haven't seen any "premium" models sold of any brand at a department store. Check your local dealers, so they can give you info on why they are priced the way they are. Also, if anything ever goes wrong, or you need to get warranty work done, you will probably have to bring it to a dealer, not a HD store. We are in a small town and we had a customer purchase a unit at a department store in the next town over. It was priced higher than our normal price and he brought it in to us to get setup correctly because it didn't work, because it wasn't put together correctly.

keltonkrew · Sep 1, 2005

Thanks for the replies. The "premium" JD mowers I was talking about was at a John Deere dealer. He carried the 2 models that HD carries too. I haven't actually been to HD to look at the mowers. He said the L118 and L130 are the models HD carries and are rated at 60% life of the premium models.

JohnNH · Sep 1, 2005

Back in late 04 and into early 05, I went through the same process. I looked at JD, MF and CC as well as a few cheapo's.
I ended up buying a CC 2042 with a twin bagger and 17cuft trailer. I cut just about 1 1/2 acres and like most, there are endless landscape projects that keep me putting the 2042 through the paces.

My 2042 was perfect from the day of delivery. It does a great job cutting, mulching, bagging and can easily out pull a belt drive tractor. The manufacturing of the 2042 provides easy access for maintenance and my dealer is always there for service.
Note: The people on this site have endless experience with the cub cadet products and will always offer you reliable support.

Did I mention that I love my cc 2042 = go buy one - you will never be sorry and it will last for many years to come.

JohnNH

JTKub · Sep 1, 2005

Keltonkrew- the JD LT series use the same tufftorq transaxles and as far as I know, the same chassis as the "L" series sold at big box. You really need to step up to a JD "LX" or above for a premium deere. I'm not against buying the lower end stuff from big box stores, it just complicates things should you need warranty work. The CC 2042's are fine machines. Not as cozy as a kubota, simplicity or deere, but heavier built than most & WAAY less $.
G/luck
Joel

keltonkrew · Sep 5, 2005

Well...I went and bought a 2042 on Saturday. This is one nice machine. My wife mows with it as I cut our other lot with my Bolens (Iseki) tractor and finish mower. The yard didn't need cutting but she had to cut anyways. Her first comment about it was.....ALRIGHT...IT'S GOT A DRINK HOLDER!.

Much tighter turning radius and this thing is just plain smooth.

Thanks to those for talking me into buying this /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tonybada · Sep 6, 2005

I am in the same boat and I think I am going to go with the CC 2042. Hopefully you still feel the same way about yours.

keltonkrew · Sep 7, 2005

I just bought mine last weekend. I'm impressed with the build quality and how sturdy it looks. I was shocked when I opened the hood.....oil dipstick like on a car, air filter on top like a car, easy to get to. I removed the deck just to see if I could and put it back on. This is going to make maintenance very simple!

ducati996 · Sep 7, 2005

I read your post and see you mentioned you have 3 acres to mow. I say thats a lot to mow, and I feel you might want to look at a larger machine, lets say like a 3100 series...why?
Speed, comfort, larger decks, P/S just to name a few things

Duc

keltonkrew · Sep 7, 2005

I do have a total of about 3 acres. A little over 1/2 of that is my waterfront lot that I mow with my Iseki diesel with a 48" finish mower. My wife mows the grass around the house with the smaller mower. There are trees, some flower beds, etc. My lake lot if pretty wide open, but I wouldn't call it "yard" quality, that's why I use my bigger tractor for it. Plus the Iseki cuts more with the 48" mower, power steering, etc.

Here's the lakelot that I mow with my Iseki

and this is my house yard BEFORE I cleaned it up. It's not as rough now, but don't have any current pics

jmt1271 · Sep 7, 2005

i bought a 3200 about a month ago, got the 54 inch deck. i admit it is overkill for my 2 acres(although i have a nasty hill across the front of the property,love that diff lock) but it is an awesome machine. not trying to bash anybody, but my buddy just got a john deere. i cannot remember the model(it was just under 5 grand before tax) but it does not hang when comparing features. his does have a kawi 19 horse, i concede to him when comparing to my 25 horse kohler. i have a 54 inch deck, his is a lighter looking 48". his has a plastic parts(hood,etc.) mine is all steel. the cub has shaft driven tranny and deck, JD is all belt. cub has power steering and tilt wheel, JD does not. cub has bigger wheels and tires and diff lock. in looking at them i feel the cub is much heavier. i paid about $600 more than he did but think i went the right route.

keltonkrew · Sep 7, 2005

Here's what I mow my water lot with. These aren't the best pictures. They are of my oldest daughter driving the tractor. These pics have the brush hog on and not the finish mower (and the PTO isn't engaged...she just likes to drive the tractor)

keltonkrew · Sep 15, 2005

Well I did buy the 2042 as stated above and love it.

just for grins today at lunch (didn't have anything to do) I went to Northern tool and looked at the Husquavarnas (sp)

All I can say is that I looked at the one that was 2699.00 with the kohler v-twin 20hp (I believe). IMO, there is no comparison. the CC is much better built, plus the shaft drive, and just items of construction seem so much better on the 2042. I'm glad I made that decision. (plus, the 2042 was cheaper)

JTKub · Sep 15, 2005

Yep. Those husqvarna GT's have their purpose (BIG mowing decks), but the 2042 is tougher machine. You'd be CRAZY to pay $2700+ for a husqvarna when you can get a 2042 for less, or a 2544 for a few hundred more!
G/luck
Joel

LBrown59 · Sep 23, 2005

I read your post and see you mentioned you have 3 acres to mow.
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What you didn't see is he mows half of the 3 Acres with another tractor so in that case he doesn't need bigger.

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MrWiggles2 · Sep 24, 2005

Great tractor. I love that Bolens, nice diesel very sweet. I have the 2180 which is last years 2042. I saw you were looking at a 1042, you would have been disappointed. I bought a 1500 series three years ago, had it two years and sold it last year. My 2180 can pull all day long, is so serviceable, deck maintenance is a piece of cake and that V-twin sounds like a Harley. Love it.