New gt3100...first thoughts

ducati996 · May 31, 2006

( Just took delivery of a new gt3100, and mowed about 2 acres today. I knew of MTDs failings in the QC department, but I have to say my feelings about it now border on disgust....
The hood will not close squarely. Apparently a mechanic at the dealer discovered (or caused) this, and attempted to use some type of tool to shim the hood up under the dash plastic squarely. Both edges of the hood under the dash are scratched, and most of the leading edge of the paint is missing. The deck stop control will not turn in either direction, and the decal on the left side of the hood is already peeling off about an inch. The decal peeling I was prepared for....the other things are inexcusable on a $6k mower.

I realized that these things could perhaps be a result of poor setup, rather than being exclusively the fault of MTD, but I'm suffering a HUGE case of buyer's remorse. I'm certain the dealer will remedy the problems, but I hate the fact that it has already come to that. I'm in agriculture - it's farming season - and the dealer is 25 miles away. I didn't pay for top quality, I know. But I feel I DID pay for something.... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif )

I do agree with you on most of the fit and finish aspect on the 3000 series machines. I would like to see improvements on them as well. But there are many enhancements that far surpass the performance of the IH cubs of yester year. You have cutting decks that out perform anything of old. Quick attach set ups and shaft drive connections that the old unit never had, standard power steering and lifts, and a strong frame. The front mount hitch for the blower and blade is like no prior offering in the older IH line....just a few things to help you realize what you do have. Try and compare price and features with what Green offers or Orange....it still dosent help when things break on a new machine. I hear you on that and we are all in the same boat.....I dont see the boat as that bad however /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ducati996 · May 31, 2006

( Just took delivery of a new gt3100, and mowed about 2 acres today. I knew of MTDs failings in the QC department, but I have to say my feelings about it now border on disgust....
The hood will not close squarely. Apparently a mechanic at the dealer discovered (or caused) this, and attempted to use some type of tool to shim the hood up under the dash plastic squarely. Both edges of the hood under the dash are scratched, and most of the leading edge of the paint is missing. The deck stop control will not turn in either direction, and the decal on the left side of the hood is already peeling off about an inch. The decal peeling I was prepared for....the other things are inexcusable on a $6k mower.

I realized that these things could perhaps be a result of poor setup, rather than being exclusively the fault of MTD, but I'm suffering a HUGE case of buyer's remorse. I'm certain the dealer will remedy the problems, but I hate the fact that it has already come to that. I'm in agriculture - it's farming season - and the dealer is 25 miles away. I didn't pay for top quality, I know. But I feel I DID pay for something.... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif )

I do agree with you on most of the fit and finish aspect on the 3000 series machines. I would like to see improvements on them as well. But there are many enhancements that far surpass the performance of the IH cubs of yester year. You have cutting decks that out perform anything of old. Quick attach set ups and shaft drive connections that the old unit never had, standard power steering and lifts, and a strong frame. The front mount hitch for the blower and blade is like no prior offering in the older IH line....just a few things to help you realize what you do have. Try and compare price and features with what Green offers or Orange....it still dosent help when things break on a new machine. I hear you on that and we are all in the same boat.....I dont see the boat as that bad however /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Fordlords · May 31, 2006

I said it before, I'll say it again, the problem with MTD and the CC line is simple- they need to get more and better qualified people in their quality assurance department. Apparently it's the same people inspecting the machines and components on the high end CC's as MTD uses for their cheap Yard-Man and Yard Machines lines, their thinking that the average Joe just isn't going to care any more about details on a $3k machine than he will on a $1k cheapo tractor- how WRONG they are!

Like in any big corporation, it starts with the people at the top. Imagine the money MTD would save if they hired a quality assurance director who knew what he was doing (Whomever they have now IMHO has got to be a complete MORON). That $60-70k annual salary paid to a competent individual would possibly save MTD millions every year in warranty repairs, returns, and complaints.

I think MTD with the CC line engineers some very good tractors, but they just are not getting out of the factories with anywhere near the quality of names like JD or Kubota. I know this from my inspections of CC machines just at places like HD and TSC where I see obvious physical defects that should have never left the factory. It's the sort of garbage that would have never been tolerated when CC was under International Harvester ownership 25 years ago, and with improvements in production techniques and materials definitely should not be tolerated today.

I am fortunate to have the mechanical skills to keep my old quality made CC running, but I know most just want a reliable machine to mow their yard that they can count on to work every time without any hassles. They also want an expensive machine such as a CC 2500 or 3000 to have great fit and finish and to not only work great but look great for many years. These things I don't feel are too much for the consumer of a new tractor to ask for, and are things I know MTD is capable of producing- the improvements need to start at the top though.

-Fordlords-

Fordlords · May 31, 2006

I said it before, I'll say it again, the problem with MTD and the CC line is simple- they need to get more and better qualified people in their quality assurance department. Apparently it's the same people inspecting the machines and components on the high end CC's as MTD uses for their cheap Yard-Man and Yard Machines lines, their thinking that the average Joe just isn't going to care any more about details on a $3k machine than he will on a $1k cheapo tractor- how WRONG they are!

Like in any big corporation, it starts with the people at the top. Imagine the money MTD would save if they hired a quality assurance director who knew what he was doing (Whomever they have now IMHO has got to be a complete MORON). That $60-70k annual salary paid to a competent individual would possibly save MTD millions every year in warranty repairs, returns, and complaints.

I think MTD with the CC line engineers some very good tractors, but they just are not getting out of the factories with anywhere near the quality of names like JD or Kubota. I know this from my inspections of CC machines just at places like HD and TSC where I see obvious physical defects that should have never left the factory. It's the sort of garbage that would have never been tolerated when CC was under International Harvester ownership 25 years ago, and with improvements in production techniques and materials definitely should not be tolerated today.

I am fortunate to have the mechanical skills to keep my old quality made CC running, but I know most just want a reliable machine to mow their yard that they can count on to work every time without any hassles. They also want an expensive machine such as a CC 2500 or 3000 to have great fit and finish and to not only work great but look great for many years. These things I don't feel are too much for the consumer of a new tractor to ask for, and are things I know MTD is capable of producing- the improvements need to start at the top though.

-Fordlords-

Grasswhacker · May 31, 2006

( The value of the dollar means something different for everyone I realize, but for me...$5 -$6 thousand dollars is still a lot of money for a little tractor for mowing the yard.
)

Couldn't agree more. But I do agree with Ducati996 (great bike, BTW.) - that the value is there with CC versus the other big brands. It's the very reason I ended up with a 3100...just couldn't find a GT that had as many features per dollar. And I agreed with Fordlords the first time he said it; MTD flat overlooks quality control. I knew that going in, and STILL wrote the check. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

As I suspected, a little more seat time DID make a difference. 6 hours and one oil change (a task apparently never undertaken by MTD's engineers /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) later, I'm really enjoying the tractor. As the owner of several CCs over the years, however, I'm trying very hard to stay loyal to the brand. IF I could justify the cost, though, I'm not so sure the little quirks that MTD continues to overlook won't cause me to look at other colors next time. Feeling like you got what you paid for may just be worth something more than what I already felt was a premium price....

Grasswhacker · May 31, 2006

( The value of the dollar means something different for everyone I realize, but for me...$5 -$6 thousand dollars is still a lot of money for a little tractor for mowing the yard.
)

Couldn't agree more. But I do agree with Ducati996 (great bike, BTW.) - that the value is there with CC versus the other big brands. It's the very reason I ended up with a 3100...just couldn't find a GT that had as many features per dollar. And I agreed with Fordlords the first time he said it; MTD flat overlooks quality control. I knew that going in, and STILL wrote the check. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

As I suspected, a little more seat time DID make a difference. 6 hours and one oil change (a task apparently never undertaken by MTD's engineers /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) later, I'm really enjoying the tractor. As the owner of several CCs over the years, however, I'm trying very hard to stay loyal to the brand. IF I could justify the cost, though, I'm not so sure the little quirks that MTD continues to overlook won't cause me to look at other colors next time. Feeling like you got what you paid for may just be worth something more than what I already felt was a premium price....