New (Used) Cub SLT1554 Owner - Right Choice?

[ashemo]

Hello, all.

I just picked up a used SLT1554 today to replace my old Craftsman garden tractor that has several issues that are getting worse. This "new" one has 230 hours on it, and the PO told me he changed the oil/filter and lubed it up twice a season. I'm not sure if it's an '04 or '05. It needs a few parts (deck wheels, hood latch, maybe a new chute), and I already fixed the parking brake/cruise control levers. It sat outside much of the time, so there's a bit of rust to deal with, (a spot or two around the foot pads, and the deck will need re-shot this winter). The paint was somewhat faded in spots and the plastic was pretty cruddy, but I worked it over tonight, and it looks a whole lot better (at least it looks like it in the dark under the floods!) Will have to get a pic or two in the daylight tomorrow.

I should mention that I paid only $650 for it, which was a driving factor in my decision.

After digging around some more, though, I'm wondering if I should go ahead and service this, try to re-sell it, and look for something a bit heavier (and with a bit smaller deck).

My current Craftsman has a full frame and a 44" deck, and a 20HP Kohler with a belt-drive 6-speed trans. 54" is really overkill for my 1+ acres, and I'd really have preferred a smaller deck. The main reason for my concern, however, is I have some rather severe hills to deal with (I installed loaded ag tires a few seasons ago to deal with them), and I'm most concerned about comments I've seen on the durability of the 1500's hydro trans.

I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but in the mean time, I'd appreciate comments and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Andy

 

[JTKub]

A new one is $2699+ now, so $650 isn't too shabby. I've barely got 1.5 acres and wish I had more than 44". The wider decks are better for close trimming and edge work. If the previous owner didn't do major hill climbing or pull attachments, it should be fine for you. I know the new ones list a 'drain plug' for the transaxle, but I don't think yours has one. Either way, I'd try to do a drain/fill of that transaxle which ever way you could (remove it, flip it, suck out and refill through expansion tank if so equipped, etc..) Those suckers are about $800 new. The Hydro-Gear sealed units typically spec 20w50 motor oil. Here's an awesome source for transaxle info, just find the p/n on the ID tag on the trans and look it up here: Hydro-Gear parts - Hydro-Gear transmission Parts, Diagrams and Serice/Repair Manuals Do you have the dual range, between the knees shift on your Craftsman? Those are bullet proof beasts, it just plane sucks mowing lawn with gear drive once you go hydro. My experience with the Craftsman GTs is; 5th gear is too slow, where 6th is way too fast! No happy medium. The Craftsman 50"+ always seem to cut like poop too.

Joel

 

[ashemo]

Thanks, Joel.

Yes, the price seemed more than fair. Thanks for the info on the drive service. I'll definitely put that on my list of "to-do's."

Here's a pic of the tractor after my clean-up job, and one of the deck, as well. As I mentioned, the deck needs a bit of TLC, but it's solid. (Although one of the deck wheels has actually worn a groove in the bracket that I'll probably have a buddy lay a bead in, just in case.)

Also below is an old pic of "old faithful." Doesn't look quite that good any more, but still not bad for it's age.

It's a Craftsman II with the 6-speed on the fender. Came with the house 5 years ago, and I added the ag tires and aux lighting. It actually looked like the PO rolled her down the hill once. Got things straightened out, and its been running ever since. Lately, though I need to pressurize the fuel tank before it will start, and it sometimes dies on hills or side slopes (frustrating problem I can't seem to solve), the deck "guide rails" (bars that have now been replaced by wheels on newer decks) are gone, and the transaxle is leaking at the right wheel (has been from my day one). The deck's been banged into one (OK, way) too may trees, fence-posts, etc, and doesn't want to keep level anymore, either. Not sure how much more time and $$ I want to sink into keeping it going.

Thanks again for your input. I look forward to others' comments, as well.

Andy

 

[JTKub]

Hey that baby cleaned up nice! No kidding about that deck. She looks 10yrs/old, not 4. The PO obviously wasn't an 'equipment' person. All else fails on it, new shells are a cpl hundred bucks, but that one should clean right up with some TLC and paint. The previous owned definitely let that deck ride on the ground. Not a good thing. Those wheels should only touch on high spots and that's it.

Joel

 

[ashemo]

Hey that baby cleaned up nice! No kidding about that deck. She looks 10yrs/old, not 4. The PO obviously wasn't an 'equipment' person. All else fails on it, new shells are a cpl hundred bucks, but that one should clean right up with some TLC and paint. The previous owned definitely let that deck ride on the ground. Not a good thing. Those wheels should only touch on high spots and that's it.

Joel

Thanks! I wish I had taken a couple of "before" shots for comparison.

I'll pull the deck off this winter, strip it down, and might take it to a buddy's to sand-blast the rust, then shoot it. Won't be "good as new" but should stop most of the rot.... and I'd really like a 48" deck anyway, so worse comes to worst, maybe I find somebody to trade me at some point.

Andy

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks! I wish I had taken a couple of "before" shots for comparison.

I'll pull the deck off this winter, strip it down, and might take it to a buddy's to sand-blast the rust, then shoot it. Won't be "good as new" but should stop most of the rot.... and I'd really like a 48" deck anyway, so worse comes to worst, maybe I find somebody to trade me at some point.

Andy

I like the 54'' deck on my CC GT2554.
Just wish my BX1500 had a 54 instead of a 48 inch deck.
I can't trim up near as close to things with the 48'' deck as i can with the 54'' deck.

 

[ashemo]

I like the 54'' deck on my CC GT2554.
Just wish my BX1500 had a 54 instead of a 48 inch deck.
I can't trim up near as close to things with the 48'' deck as i can with the 54'' deck.

I've seen another comment like this. I'm not understanding how a bigger deck allows one to trim closer to things than a smaller one (unless, of course, you're referring to ditches, etc., where the overhang makes a difference)? I'd think the smaller deck would allow me to fit in and around things better. (I have one strip of grass between the driveway and a flower bed, for instance, that will be a tight squeeze.) Also, will not a wider deck tend to scalp the top of a hill as I go over the edge more readily than a narrower one?

Asking because I really don't know. (Guess I'll find out first-hand, too, though!)

Andy

 

[LBrown59]

I've seen another comment like this. I'm not understanding how a bigger deck allows one to trim closer to things than a smaller one (unless, of course, you're referring to ditches, etc., where the overhang makes a difference)? I'd think the smaller deck would allow me to fit in and around things better. (I have one strip of grass between the driveway and a flower bed, for instance, that will be a tight squeeze.) Also, will not a wider deck tend to scalp the top of a hill as I go over the edge more readily than a narrower one?

Asking because I really don't know. (Guess I'll find out first-hand, too, though!)

Andy

The narrower deck means the tractor and you are closer to the object you're mowing along .
If you ain't careful you can more easily side swipe what you're mowing along.
I knocked a lens out of the 4 way flashers on my BX1500 that way.
Also the narrower mower makes it interesting to mow along briers and brush .
If you don't watch it Window air conditioners and crank open widows can easily jump out and snag The ROPS.
I don't have any problems with scalping with any of these MMM
48''
54''
60''
I mow at 4'' which is up enough to clear the high spots.

 

[JTKub]

Right on. It's a real pain trying to edge up to objects while mowing with my 2544. The 44" barely extends beyond the tractor tires. It takes a lot more passes around trees, etc.

Joel

 

[ashemo]

The narrower deck means the tractor and you are closer to the object you're mowing along .
If you ain't careful you can more easily side swipe what you're mowing along.
I knocked a lens out of the 4 way flashers on my BX1500 that way.
Also the narrower mower makes it interesting to mow along briers and brush .
If you don't watch it Window air conditioners and crank open widows can easily jump out and snag The ROPS.
I don't have any problems with scalping with any of these MMM
48''
54''
60''
I mow at 4'' which is up enough to clear the high spots.

Didn't think about mowing along the "brush line." I have woods on all four sides of the property with a lot of wild rose and raspberry bushes intermingled. I'm always hanging off the far side, or using my foot to keep the pricklies from getting me. The extra 5" per side won't be much, but it may help a bit.

Not worries about high spots in the lawn, just the top of one hill that's curved in both directions. (Should really be hand-mowing that area, and may start doing so.)

Andy