Will soon have 2.5 acres of pretty flat land without many obstacles Looking to buy new Cub Cadet (feel they're a better deal than a Deere). Was confused about differences between different series - 1000, 2000, 3000. Did some research. I had settled on a 2554 but then decided to look harder at a 3100. Having a tough time justifying jump in series. Can anyone shed some light on differences - why 3000 series is "better" (ie - worth the additional $$$) than 2000? Is a larger deck better or does cut quality suffer? Any help would be appreciated
New Cub Cadet Purchase - Help!!!
- Thread starter scobb
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I have the 2523-54 which is last years model of the 2554 and I am very happy with it. the cut Is great, very professional looking and it gets rid of those grass clippings good too. If the majority of time you are going to use this to mow then the 2500 series would do you years of reliable service. don't get me wrong the 3000 series are really nice tractors but if you don't need the hydraulic hook ups or power steering then go with the 2554 thats just my two cents /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I was concerned about the funky belt configuration - the horizontal engine and the belt running down around two pulleys to the deck. I really like the shaft drive on the 3000 series - both between the engine and transmission and engine to deck. Then again, you pay more $$$ for the shaft drive. You have (or hear of) any problems with that long belt?
No I have not had any problems with it at all, and this is my 3rd Cub. ( my yard keeps getting bigger /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) I have had a 2135, 2166 and now my 2523 and all have had the same belt running from the motor to the deck. I put 315 hrs on the 2135 and 389 on the 2166 and now have 71 on my 2523 and the belts on all models still looked new. what ever your decision you will get a good tractor with the 2500 or 3000 series. hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
ducati996
Banned
It comes down to benefits versus costs....I also dont think the price spread is all that large between the 2500 and 3000 series (3100 todays model). Lots of advantages and added features for the money. There is enough feedback on these models in this Cub forum to give you your answer....so hearing my bias is not needed /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ducati
Ducati
JTKub
Veteran Member
2554 = $3999
3100 = $4699 + the cost of the shaft driven mower deck. I'm guessing at $800-1000 for that?!?
The 3K series are larger, heavier, have power steering and aux hydraulics. This machine might offer more comfort & convenience for you with your 2.5 acres. Cut quality on the 44" and up is excellent. The 3K series are 'better' in that they offer more & can do more than the 2500's in regards to attachments. It's all up to you if that extra $2K is worth it to ya /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif! If that's all you are going to do is cut grass, the 2554 and 3100 will do it equally well for many years.
You cant go wrong either way /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
G/luck
Joel
3100 = $4699 + the cost of the shaft driven mower deck. I'm guessing at $800-1000 for that?!?
The 3K series are larger, heavier, have power steering and aux hydraulics. This machine might offer more comfort & convenience for you with your 2.5 acres. Cut quality on the 44" and up is excellent. The 3K series are 'better' in that they offer more & can do more than the 2500's in regards to attachments. It's all up to you if that extra $2K is worth it to ya /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif! If that's all you are going to do is cut grass, the 2554 and 3100 will do it equally well for many years.
You cant go wrong either way /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
G/luck
Joel
Thanks very much for the input. I'm getting 6k as a gift toward the purchase of new tractor. Want to get a quality machine that will last. Like the shaft drives, power steering and hydraulics of the 3100 series. Difficulty is getting wife to understand advantages. Argument I'm getting is "It's more tractor than what we need" and "there isn't that much of a difference between the two". Wish Cub would do a better job of differentiating between their series in their marketing materials.
ducati996
Banned
You can locate a 3100 with deck (50") for way under $5000...
Did you sit on the 3100 series yet? you already know about the spec's, you need to be up close to close the deal...
So if you are getting a gift, whats the problem then ? Looks like a 3200 is in order....
Tell her power steering, room to move her legs, and comfort are worth its weight in gold. I hate mowing and I do just under 2.5 acres of grass, twice a week......If I rode something uncomfortable for that long, tell your wife she would be the direct recipient and cause of your grumpyness /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Long story short, you never let a woman tell you what equipment you need to get the job done. Its like you telling them how to shop for clothes or other useless nit nacks...
Unless she is qualified in lawn care, tell her to sit down and be quite. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif unless she gave you the gift - DOH!!
Good luck either way
Ducati
Did you sit on the 3100 series yet? you already know about the spec's, you need to be up close to close the deal...
So if you are getting a gift, whats the problem then ? Looks like a 3200 is in order....
Tell her power steering, room to move her legs, and comfort are worth its weight in gold. I hate mowing and I do just under 2.5 acres of grass, twice a week......If I rode something uncomfortable for that long, tell your wife she would be the direct recipient and cause of your grumpyness /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Long story short, you never let a woman tell you what equipment you need to get the job done. Its like you telling them how to shop for clothes or other useless nit nacks...
Unless she is qualified in lawn care, tell her to sit down and be quite. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif unless she gave you the gift - DOH!!
Good luck either way
Ducati
JTKub
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks very much for the input. I'm getting 6k as a gift toward the purchase of new tractor....)</font>
Cha-CHING!! nice gift! That will get you a 3K series no prob.
G/luck
Joel
Cha-CHING!! nice gift! That will get you a 3K series no prob.
G/luck
Joel
I have a 682 that's suppose to be manual lift but I convince my wife if she ever had to mow with it she would want the hyd lift for convenience. She agreed and I converted it to hyd lift. If the money was a gift, I'd get the 3000 series. Good luck in convincing her!!
Thanks very much for the input. Struggled making the decision between a 2554 or a 3100. My wife got involved (she was motivated by your comments and is a better haggler than I), called multiple dealerships and did some wheeling and dealing. We got the 3100 for $4,699, the 54" deck for $500 and an Ohio Steel 17 cu ft cart for $279.99 (total of $5,807.73 with 6% sales tax). Delivery is 7/16/2005. Hope to enjoy many happy years of yard and garden work on my new Cub Cadet. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
ratherbefishing
New member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2005
- Messages
- 15
Congrats on the machine! Sounds like there is quite a bit of room to move on pricing... I picked my 2544 up for well under $2800 early in the spring. These tractors are like boats... no matter which one you buy, you will always want a bigger one some day! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
KJO
Bronze Member
Congrats on the new 3100....hope it works out for you. I just got one of the few remaining 05 3100s...with 54 inch deck this morning. Paid $4795.00 for the tractor and the deck. I think that is about the price they usually got for just the tractor. I am not real impressed with the sheet metal, but the parts that do the work...front axle, rear differential, drive shafts and mower deck with related parts all look top of the line! I compared it to the JD before buying and there is no way I would have gotten that much tractor from JD for that price. I still like my JD 112 w/electric lift, but the wife is going to be running the Cub...pwr steering a must have!
Have fun...the grass is getting ready to grow as we speak!
Have fun...the grass is getting ready to grow as we speak!
With that much yard to tend to you'll definitely apprerciate the power steering and the comfort of knowing you have a hassle free shaft driven deck. There is no such thing as, "Too much tractor," in the manly-man's manual /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sounds like you made the right move! Have fun /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
-Fordlords-
-Fordlords-
Cub32
New member
I also looked at JD, Sears and Kubota tractors. Spent a lot of time looking at the 3100's and was going to get a leftover 2004 3100( this was last spring). After meeting 4 CC dealers multiple times I wound up getting a 2005 3200.
I must say that it has been a great tractor and a lot of fun, no regrets so far.
Best of Luck with your Cubs's!!
I must say that it has been a great tractor and a lot of fun, no regrets so far.
Best of Luck with your Cubs's!!
KJO
Bronze Member
I looked at that 3200 also...the 06 model. It was selling for $5999.00. A nice looking unit also....same 54" deck, additional hydraulics, tilt steering (moves back and forth but really didn't seem to tilt). We won't be putting any additional attachments on our tractor, so decided on the 3100. It was already pushing our budget (we originally were going to get a 2554) so we will see how it works when the grass starts growing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
