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Cub GTX1054 or Craftsman GT6000??????

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sail902

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hi all,
Shopping for a new GARDEN Tractor

I have 3 acres with a slope in front of the house, so need quality hydro transmission. Primarily use for mowing about every 4 or 5 days and pulling garden trailer with some dirt, rocks, brush etc. not loaded too heavy. Lawn roller would be nice, light snow plow for drive maybe, blade to scrape gravel drive level maybe.

My budget is $3000
The Cub GTX1054 ($3300) and the Craftsman GT6000 ($2900) are at local dealers here. I like the looks of the Cub, but it's over budget. I would hate to always wonder if the Cub was worth the extra $500 though, especailly if the Hursqvarna built Craftsman isn't that great after all. I don't want to be shopping for another mower in a couple years!

I know the Cub has a spin on filter on the hydro. Both Cub salesman and Craftsman salesmen told me the transmission is a sealed unit, but that can't be true of the Cub if it has a spin on filter. Both have one inch rear axles and Kohler engines and 23" rear tires!. The Craftsman has the tight turn 6" turn radius, but the Cub has power steering. I'm a little leary of the "tight turn" on the Craftsman... might be a gimmick. Looks like the first year for power steering on the Cub on this model.... is it a gimmick or well proven on other models.
The Cub is about $500 more, but is it that much better than the Husqvarna made Craftsman? Also, does anyone know what transmission is in the Craftsman GT6000? I have read Hydro Gear G7?

Sears has free delivery and will send a repairman out to the house to fix the mower under warranty or maybe just if you buy the extended warranty? Not sure what the story is on the Cub dealer delivery or repair except they said that they fix them at the dealer-- don't have to send them out anywhere.

Any other mowers I should be looking at? Been burned by JD after buying the LA145 that only lasted two seasons.
In my area, I have a Cub dealer, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears... that's about it, the JD dealer is kinda far, I know that because I had to take the LA145 there a few times via rented trailer.
Thanks for reading! What do you guys think?
 
#2 ·
IMO them 2 tractors are very comparable. I have a older gt6000 and a 3235 cub cadet. I would take my cub over the 6000 all day long,,,but not the same as what you are asking.
My GT 6000 has been a great machine,the power is amazing for pushing snow.

What are the deck sizes and options for attachments. Look at the costs if you plan on adding on later.

Is that cub all shaft drive?? And power steering is a great thing.

I also had a cub 1054 for a short time. Very nice tractor. From what I can tell,,cub cadet attachments are harder to find used and more expensive.

I'm not much help,,lol Good Luck
 
Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
Thanks Flash-- The GTX1054 Cub is not shaft drive. They both have 54 inch decks. I think you are right about the Cub attachments being harder to find, but I'm more interested in a good long lasting mower right now. I already have the garden trailer, lawn roller, spreader, so I got the attachments I really need right now.

The power steering on this particular cub is "electric power steering" and this is the first year for it on this model. I don't know anything about the power steering. Is it worth getting and is it pretty reliable?

What year is your Craftsman GT 6000? What engine and transmission? Does it have the 1 inch rear axles? Have you had to get parts or service work from Sears?
Thanks again buddy
 
#4 ·
I looked at cub cadet..and other names, types n models..
I have the 2011 GT6000 Sears #28861 made by HOP/AYP..Has the hydro-gear G730 serviceable with external spin on filter and 1" axle..I passed the extended warranty because I don't need it..Sears service is nice in my area..I read some bad reviews on sears service in different areas though..
I also got mine at Sears Outlet at $1600.00 end of the year sale..and it was a showroom model..
Some info here:
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=234068&highlight=28861
 
#5 ·
I don't really know what year 6000 I have but it's at least 10 years old. It has a 25 hp Kohler engine and a Hydro trans. I picked it up a few years ago and rebuilt the engine. And worked it hard ever since with great results.

I at a loss when it come to what the new 6000 is,,,and how it is built. I have no faith in any of the new stuff to be honest. What used to steel is now plastic,,but it is ,,,just,,,,the way it is.

I don't buy new ,,,,so can't help you with warranty work.

Either one of them machines I think are great options, But someone else may be able to help you better than me.(like someone who owns one,,lol)

I would hope any tractor you pay that much for would last at least a few years.

Good Luck
 
#6 ·
Sorry you had problems with the Deere LA145, but it was never meant to be anything more than a lawn mower and probably not for 3 acres. For $3k I think you could find a better used GT than the models that you are looking at. Good luck and hope you find what you need.
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Thanks wizzo, looks like you might have had some problems with a couple of
X300's. I only use the JD145 for mowing. Salesman told me that it would handle my yard and the sales brochure said that it was rated for hilly terrain.
My cheap Craftsman that I had for 14 years took a lot more abuse mowing a rocky, hilly, tree laiden portion of 14 acres. JD should not put their name on the budget tractors or just not make them would be better! The JD name is tarnished for a lot more people than just me who have been burned. It's my own fault for trusting the JD name alone, so I won't ever fall for that again just like many others. I would certainly never put my name on a junk mower like that.

I agree with you about buying something better used, but I have no money, just a credit card and 3 acres to mow. The goal is to find the best, longest lasting mower with the $3000 credit I have on my card. I feel that if I spend less than $3000 on a new mower, it won't last. I'm looking in the GARDEN tractor catagory because I think they have better transmissions that are at least servicable.
 
#8 ·
sail902 said:
Thanks wizzo, looks like you might have had some problems with a couple of
X300's. I only use the JD145 for mowing. Salesman told me that it would handle my yard and the sales brochure said that it was rated for hilly terrain.
My cheap Craftsman that I had for 14 years took a lot more abuse mowing a rocky, hilly, tree laiden portion of 14 acres. JD should not put their name on the budget tractors or just not make them would be better! The JD name is tarnished for a lot more people than just me who have been burned. It's my own fault for trusting the JD name alone, so I won't ever fall for that again just like many others. I would certainly never put my name on a junk mower like that.

I agree with you about buying something better used, but I have no money, just a credit card and 3 acres to mow. The goal is to find the best, longest lasting mower with the $3000 credit I have on my card. I feel that if I spend less than $3000 on a new mower, it won't last. I'm looking in the GARDEN tractor catagory because I think they have better transmissions that are at least servicable.
Click to expand...
Not to make things more complex for you, but for the money have you thought about the Husqvarna GTH27V48LS or the GTH24V52LS? They are priced $2999.95 and 3199.95 respectively. Both have good engines, with the GTH24V52LS having the 24 hp Kawasaki and The GTH27V48LS has the 27 hp B&S Endurance V-Twin. (Both engines are the same size,...but that's a whole other thread! ) Both have the higher speed, ground engaging Hydro-Gear G730 transaxel in them. Essentially the same machines, just different engines. And the deck size is different but it is the heavy duty fabricated deck for both machines,....you won't find a fabricated deck on the CUB or the Craftsman! :thThumbsU
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
Thanks Chemtek. I'll look for those machines. I remember seeing a Hursqvarna with a fab deck at a farm store a while back for $3k. It looked impressive, the next time I went back to look at it again, it was gone and they haven't had one since.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
How come the Craftsman GT6000 takes a sleeve hitch for a rear blade and the Cub GTX1054 does not? The Cub has the same transmission G7? 27hp Kohler and the 23 inch rear tires and sure looks better built than the Craftsman. And the Craftsman goes 7.8 mph and the Cub goes 5.2 mph? The Cub salesman told me that in order to get a sleeve hitch on a Cub, you have to go up to the 2000 series with shaft drive. So I gues that means no way to put on a rear blade on the GTX1054 Cub? Makes no sense to me
 
Discussion starter · #14 · (Edited)
I don't know...... if the Cub was designed for working ground implements, it would make a sleeve hitch and advtertise that the tractor is tough enough to do that like sears does. Has anyone used rear ground attachments on the Cub GTX1054? Like a blade or plow?

I saw a spec. sheet on the Cub GTX1054 that is only handles 1-2 acres, light hauling and only "uneven" terrain. That doesn't sound like they think much of the machine. The Craftsman site says that the their GT6000 will handle hilly terrain, ground attachments and heavy hauling and it's for more than an acre. Both machines have the same transmission and the cub has a slightly bigger engine...... so I don't get it. I have 3 acres with slopes, so that's worries me that the cub specs say that it won't handle my yard!:dunno:

Will the Cub GTX 1054 actually handle 3 acres with a slope?
 
#15 ·
Yes, it will handle 3 acres... There well under rated. The G730 will have no problem with a hill.

As for the hitch, Husquvarna built machines use Agrifab hitches, which is the same type of company as Bercomac.. Cub used to build there own hitches, which is probably why they do not market the aftermarkets
 
#16 ·
Both are pretty comparable- if the $500 difference will hurt you, I suggest not doing it. However, if your sold on the cub, wait a few more weeks to buy it.

You can't hate John Deere for having a LA that didn't last- the Craftsman and Cub Cadet you are looking at are in different leagues form the LA model John Deere- the LA is a lawn tractor not rated for a few acres of mowing or ground engaging attachments. It's for mowing a small plot and pulling a yard cart basically.
 
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#17 ·
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#18 ·
sail902 said:
I don't know...... if the Cub was designed for working ground implements, it would make a sleeve hitch and advtertise that the tractor is tough enough to do that like sears does. Has anyone used rear ground attachments on the Cub GTX1054? Like a blade or plow?

I saw a spec. sheet on the Cub GTX1054 that is only handles 1-2 acres, light hauling and only "uneven" terrain. That doesn't sound like they think much of the machine. The Craftsman site says that the their GT6000 will handle hilly terrain, ground attachments and heavy hauling and it's for more than an acre. Both machines have the same transmission and the cub has a slightly bigger engine...... so I don't get it. I have 3 acres with slopes, so that's worries me that the cub specs say that it won't handle my yard!:dunno:

Will the Cub GTX 1054 actually handle 3 acres with a slope?
Click to expand...
I'm sure the GTX 1054 would handle it just fine,...I think what the Cub Cadet folks are getting at is they are trying to push customers to the more expensive 2000 series tractors in order to get the sleeve hitch with their "blessing". Honestly, I think it would do everything you would ask of it (the GTX1054 I mean) Me personally I'd rather have the heavy duty fabricated deck, and the Kawasaki so hence that is why I ordered a Husqvarna GTH24V52LS,........ now if it would only get here!!!! :banghead3:banghead3:banghead3
 
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#19 ·
RAND81 said:
I have a 2012 GT6000 Sears #28861.

...

BTW, the turn tight is not a gimmick. It took me a minute to learn how to use it but once i figured it out i cant imagine not having it.
Click to expand...
This may or may not comply (sorry if it doesn't) with the OP, but what is the 'turn tight' feature?
 
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Discussion starter · #20 · (Edited)
Chemteck, I followed your recomendation and got the GTH24V52LS. It seemed like a good alternative to the Cub GTX1054 with the Kaw. engine and the Fab. deck, but it turned out to be all wrong for me. I have uneven ground and the edge of the fab deck is sharp and cuts my lawn up. The deck wheels are mounted too far inboard to do any good with the edge of the deck gouging the lawn. The seat is very uncomfortable and I have to put it all the way back which puts my spine right over the rear axle and it's a bad ride. The seat has a low back and is shaped so that you can't scoot back to get any back support. The seat also is not mounted well and is not solid and sways from side to side. The arm rests are too low to do me any good, I have to slouch down to rest my arms on them. I mowed for an hour and my back is shot. I think part of the problem is while the tire size is big, so is the wheel, so you don't have much sidewall to cushion. And yes I did put the air pressure down to the proper pressure 10psi. I noticed a lot of frame flex too. I jacked it up and looked at the frame compaired to my cheap box store JD and the JD has a better frame. When i ran out of gas and went to unscrew the gas cap, I noticed that the gas tank is not strapped down, the whole gas tank wiggles around in there. The Kawasaki engine seems to run good and smooth, but you can't hear it much under the howl of the mower deck noise. That fabricated mower deck is very beefy and the mower seems built too cheap for it. The deck looks like it belongs on a much better mower. I think it's too heavy for this mower. There is the rattle underneith that I have seen others comment on, they seem to think it's something to do with the brakes. Maybe the brake rod? The mower seems to have good power. Great speed, but I have to go slow because of how harsh the ride is. You could hear the engine slow a little in the heavy grass, but not bad. It seemd that if the deck wasn't gouging the grass with the edge of the deck, it was scalping the high spots. I did move the deck wheels down, but the middle anti scalp roller can't be adjusted. The rod in the back of the mower that you pull out so that the mower can free wheel, is very cheap (it's a wire)
and won't stay out. It says to purge the transmission first with it in free wheel mode and while I was doing that, it popped back in and the mower lunged. The steering seemed good. pretty easy to turn and pretty tight turn for the size of the machine. It does have some slop, but then most all do.
I'm just sick that I didn't get the Cub Cadet, that was my first instinct. Like you I was impressed with the Kawasaki engine and that beefy fabricated deck-- they are nice, but the rest of the mower is junk. The transmission seems very nice too, but it has a lot of ground speed that you really don't need, I would rather have the lower end torq. It whines going up the hill. My lawn looks like crap now all cut up and scalped. Now I'm stuck with a $3100 mistake. The dealer said that maybe he would exchange it with something else, but he doesn't have anything I would want. He only sells Hursqvarna, so what can I do. I am so upset I can't sleep.:banghead3
 
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