Welcome Cubby,
I bought a 5252 at an auction 6 weeks ago. So far I haven't used the three point at all. I have an old Ford 1220 4X4 with a loader and backhoe that gets all the three point work.
90% of the FEL work I've done with the Ford was in two wheel drive. The Ford has turf tires and even in four wheel it's pretty easy to get stuck.
In the ideal world, I'd have a set of AG tires on the Ford but they will tear up the turf.
Here are my observations on the 5252 so far.
Likes,
The most comfortable mower I've ever owned.
It mows really well, I removed the discharg shoot and it throws grass a mile!
I also have an older Cub 1872 Super Garden Tractor, this guys gets almost twice the mowing time on a tank of gas.
The turning radius is super sharp, 28 inches.
It has a switch to disengage the mow in reverse safety? feature.
It's my first tractor with a warranty, had it in once for some minor stuff, I have 15 hours on it.
Dislikes;
The three point doesn't have an adjustable stop.
This is a really nice tractor, it's not built as heavily as the 1220 but I'm looking forward to putting the three point through it's paces. So far I'm completely happy with the 5252.
Curt