Used Cub Cadet 2165

[forceten1]

I am moving to a property with 2 acres the end of april. Mostly flat and open.

So I started looking for a mower and liked the cub cadets. I was starting to look at home depot for some new ones and drove by a used 2165 today on somebodies front lawn.

I haven't stopped by to see it start up or anything yet but the sign on it said $1,000. Looked to be in pretty good shape, the seat cracked just a bit on the side and some rust surrounding the lower part of the 48" deck.

Hours was 337


Does this sound like a good price for this mower? Anything I should look out for when going to take a test drive on it?

Will the 2165 be good for 2 acres? I wanted to add a cart to it and possibly a snowblower and weights before next winter. WHat blowers work with this model?

Or should I go with a brand new model from someplace like home depot. I have seen one or two for around the $2,000 mark.

Thanks for any help, I found these boards when i started searching for mowers. Seems like a great site!

 

[cubman5]

ok first stay away from the ones at the box stores. trust me i work at a dealership for cub cadet and and the ones u get from the box stores just arnt set up correctly. and u have to look at the serviceing dealer he will be working on it so u should support them not the box store. it will be about the same price. second the 2165 is a good tractor u wanna listen for the pto clutch on it for any wierd sounds. they run the briggs vanguard engine( in my opinion one of the best engine out there) check the deck spindles for play. other then that good tractor

 

[forceten1]

I am gonna test drive it this sunday (never had a riding mower before).

So when i pop the PTO on it should be smooth?

What kinds of maintenance needs to happen after 300+ hours? Meaning what wears out and what might I be replacing /fixing at that many hours?

So if this rides good on sunday its a better deal at $1,000 then say a $1600 or $2,000 new one from home depot?



PS You in PA? I am in jersey about 40 mins from philly. Is there a cub cadet dealer close by?

 

[gamble77]

Yes it is a better deal at that price then a new one from HD or Lowes. Here are a few reasons why...

The B&S Vanguard motor in it is rated to last somewhere around 2000 hours, whereas the Kohler Courage motors in the 1000 series (found at HD) are rated to last somewhere around 750 hours.

The 2165 has a shaft driven transmission whereas the 1000 series are belt driven. The 2165 also has a "servicable" transmission, which means it has a replacable spin on filter...always a good thing.

Like Cubman said, check the spindles for play, the front end for wear, the tires, the motor to see if it has been regularly serviced, the transmission to make sure it isn't making any "funny" noises. Don't expect the deck to engage as smooth as silk, there will be a little vibration but it shouldn't be so much it rattles the whole machine to death (not after the first few seconds anyway).

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[daTeacha]

I'll second the idea to avoid a "big box" purchase of something that may need service. Aside from being really ill-mannered, buying from a discount house lessens the chance that the dealer who can service your machine will stay in business.

In addition, at least with appliances, the machines are not built to the same standards, despite having the same model numbers you might find at a regular dealer.

If Lowes orders 5000 mowers and works a cut price on them to sell them cheap, odds are that they are able to spec them out differently than the usual production materials, just like Sears has their own specs for Michelin tires.

Find a dealership and ask them about the used tractor. See what they can offer you for the same money. Then make up your mind. Just remember the dealer will also sell you a "throw away" quality tractor if you want one, and he'll be there when you wear it out in a couple of years and decide to get a better one.

 

[forceten1]

Looks like I am test driving it friday instead of sunday. So I will know how it is in the morning!

I talked to the guy tonight and he told me more about the unit. I always ask the reason somebody is selling something and he has a large property 5+ acres. He just bought a brand new john deer it seems for someplace around 9 grand (he had to buy his wife a new car in order to do it - HEH).

He said its in great shape and just had a new PTO put in for like $300? He said in the end the PTO wasn't bad and just a $20 relay it seemed but the PTO is new none the less. He has all of his paperwork which i will look over in the mourning. He also said he had an extra set of blades.

Since him and his wife are just about to go on a 1 week cruise he would love to get the deal done soon (before he goes next week) and hinted that when i come over if I like the unit he might let me have it for a better price.

So I will let you guys know what i find after friday! hope its a good unit. Then i just have to add me a snow blower and weights!


If I do buy a used unit like this one - what service or maintenance should I preform off the bat before i start mowing?

 

[forceten1]

Update:


Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I went to the guys house today at 10:30 am just like we had planned over the phone. When I get there I find a guy stopped over around 8 am, saw the mower, paid cash and bought it!!


Curses. Looked like it was gonna be a good deal for $1,000


Now gotta keep looking for one. I will stay away from lowes and home depot like you guys say, I hope to find a good used one but if push comes to shove i guess i could buy new as a last resort. I need one by the end of april.

Any Cadet dealers by me? Princeton, trenton NJ?

 

[forceten1]

What about this one? Its more then i wanted to pay overall but looks nice


http://cgi.ebay.com/Cub-Cadet-2554-Garden-Tractor-Mower-and-Snowblower_W0QQitemZ7743823768QQcategoryZ82237QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Its about an hour from me........ Still $4500 is a lot. Maybe I should look around more for a used one.

 

[gamble77]

Go to Cub Cadets web site and do a "dealer lookup" with your zip code. If memory serves me correct I believe there is a good dealer up in Trenton.

 

[clarkie]

This is a timely post.

I have a 1998 Cub Cadet 2165 with 360 hrs on it. I am looking to buy a ZTR because it takes to long to cut my grass on the 2165 (5 to 7 acres), although it has been a great machine. Can any one tell me how much I should ask for the 2165. It is a clean unit other than it is missing the light assembly. The unit includes a bagging system that mounts on the back of the tractor. I did have the PTO problem mentioned earlier, but replaced PTO with new improved PTO for unit. I am in Ontario Canada, so I will not be of any use to forceten1. Any comments would be appreciated.

clarkie