Need strong transmission. 2000 series or 2500?

mitchedo · Nov 20, 2005

These tractors seem to have the exact same transmission. I have a 6-year-old Murray, 42" 18 hp, that has worked well until I killed the hydro transaxle this year towing my Cyclone Rake up the hill in my yard. The Murray met my needs well, plenty of power, etc. I'm just looking for something with a strong transaxle.

I prefer the 2-blade 42" deck over the larger 3-blade decks. I would choose the 2544 or the 2042. ...leaning more toward the 2042, depending on what the dealer has in stock. I hafta get something NOW and get my leaves sucked up before it snows.

I was going to buy a Deer GT235 to get the strong transmission, but $5300 is a lotta cash!

I have a half acre with a fairly steep hill, maybe about 30 degrees. maybe choose the 2544 for the bigger tires?

Thanks for suggestions. I've been reading here until my eyeballs are sore.
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

junfan1 · Nov 20, 2005

I was in the exact same boat. I needed a tractor NOW for fall clean-up, etc. I bought a 2550 because of the shaft drive. After 5 hours the PTO belt blew. The second belt is worn and about to blow after 6 hours. So much for shaft-drive solving the belt problems! Buy the John Deere!

mitchedo · Nov 20, 2005

( I was in the exact same boat. I needed a tractor NOW for fall clean-up, etc. I bought a 2550 because of the shaft drive. After 5 hours the PTO belt blew. The second belt is worn and about to blow after 6 hours. So much for shaft-drive solving the belt problems! Buy the John Deere! )

Wow, that blows! After your comment, I did some more Googling. I found a lot of reviews at Epinions.com on Cub Cadet and John Deere. The reviews on the Deere, especially the GT235 I'm looking at are 100% glowingly positive. The reviews on the Cubs are a mixed bag, with a lot of folks griping about blowing belts every 6 hours or so, parts falling off, parts breaking, poor dealer service.

Well, I'll be visiting the John Deere dealer as well. I can get a $400 discount and 9 month no pay/no interest financing from Deere. My finances are in the dumper now, but will be MUCH better starting next month.

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't ruled out Cub yet, but I'm close. The Deere Dealer is closer too.

ducati996 · Nov 20, 2005

You can pay more for Deere but it dosent always translate into getting more. Specifically the GT235, in fact you get less

They have more belts - especially for the hydro....The 2500 series is a good machine and is proven....I would investigate as to why the PTO belt is getting ruined. The standard seized pully, object rub, etc create havoc on belts for any brand

There are more happy owners than unhappy with the 2500 series...

P.S for $5300 you can get yourself a GT3100 which is considerably more machine by a very large margin over the GT235...its not even a fair comparision but the price does that

Duc

ronT · Nov 20, 2005

I have a CC3204 that I'm very satisfied with now that I got the bugs out of it. Better tires, fluid in tires, wheelweights and last but not least reverse switch disconnect.

I to had to replace pto belts a short time after I purchased it. My problem was I noticed that the snapring on the shaft wasn't set in the groove so the pulley had freeplay which caused the belts to rub. No problem since.

Have a good one,
Ron

JTKub · Nov 20, 2005

Mitch- you can buy two brand new 2042's for the price of one GT235. JD's are fine machines. I've owned 2 over the years. They are not without their problems. You are not going to find many people on epinions or the likes that have spent $5000+ on a JD GT or less and are going to complain! You will find most will eat their pride under these circumstances /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. The guy with the 2550 and blown PTO belts? Something is NOT right with your belt and/or pulley layout, or how the machine is being used. When being used to cut grass, the PTO belt on the CC 2500 series should last ~100hrs. It takes all of 30sec to remove/replace & is ~$20. If you've got $5300 to spend for 0.5acres, get a deere, a kubota, simplicity, or ingersoll.
G/luck
Joel

aaabelha · Nov 20, 2005

Get the Cub and use the money saved for a snow blower attachment, bagger and a vacation somewhere warm.

Cub gives you a lot more for your money!

Note: The blown belt guy's issue is usually related to a minor pulley problem and can be easily resolved by the dealer - Can happen to ANY brand.

junfan1 · Nov 20, 2005

( Can happen to ANY brand. )
I suppose it can happen to any brand, but it happens to Cub Cadet far too often!

aaabelha · Nov 20, 2005

Stop whining about it and get it fixed.

That's what your warranty is for.

ducati996 · Nov 21, 2005

( ( Can happen to ANY brand. )
I suppose it can happen to any brand, but it happens to Cub Cadet far too often! )

I really dont see the need for you to interject with anti-cub rhetoric, especially in threads unrelated to your plight...

Duc