all of my cubs have had wheel on the back of the deck bolted in from the sides

 

Thanks Charles g

 

Whether you go with a Cub or anything else, the best cutting deck will always ride on wheels or rollers that are mounted to the deck. That will always create the shortest wheel base for the blades and therefore the least scalping and best ground following.

Bill

 

Thanks for the useful information Bill
I’m looking to go with a smaller deck as I don’t mow that much. I have heard that a small deck gives a better cut but sounds like I need wheels on the rear as well. Also looking at the 46”deck. I would think the smaller deck is easier to handle when removing and easier to load the tractor on a trailer.

 

Smaller decks classically do give you a better cut and two blades decks are better than three. But since going big is not your aim you will be fine.

Bill

 

Bill- Thanks again for the useful information.

 

We had the 42" stamped deck with forward wheels on our GT2542 for over 10 years and had no issues with cut quality.
You're right that it was fairly lightweight and easy to install/uninstall/handle.
I have a Troy Bilt with a 42" now.
The "only" gripe I have for a 42" is trimming close to objects can be tricky.
A wider deck would lessen that issue for me.
If I had it to do again I'd get a 48" to ease that, and a 48" is still reasonable to physically handle.
I will get a 48" on our next rider, "IF" the Troy Bilt ever quits...

Renster

 

We had the 42" stamped deck with forward wheels on our GT2542 for over 10 years and had no issues with cut quality.
You're right that it was fairly lightweight and easy to install/uninstall/handle.
I have a Troy Bilt with a 42" now.
The "only" gripe I have for a 42" is trimming close to objects can be tricky.
A wider deck would lessen that issue for me.
If I had it to do gain I'd get a 48" to ease that, and a 48" is still reasonable to physically handle.
I will get a 48" on our next rider, "IF" the Troy Bilt ever quits...

Renster

We had the 42" stamped deck with forward wheels on our GT2542 for over 10 years and had no issues with cut quality.
You're right that it was fairly lightweight and easy to install/uninstall/handle.
I have a Troy Bilt with a 42" now.
The "only" gripe I have for a 42" is trimming close to objects can be tricky.
A wider deck would lessen that issue for me.
If I had it to do gain I'd get a 48" to ease that, and a 48" is still reasonable to physically handle.
I will get a 48" on our next rider, "IF" the Troy Bilt ever quits...

Renster

Renster-
Thanks for the information on your 42” deck, glad that it performed so well for you. I’m also looking at Cub Cadets Leaf Collection System. The 42” inch deck is compatible with that system. Also, as you say, two blades are better than three. And again, I’m not mowing that much ground, about 1/2 acre.
Currently I’m looking at the Cub Cadet XT3 GSX. The 42” stamped deck is an option with this tractor.
Thanks again, Mav70

 

My old 2166 has a 42" stamped deck that has 4 anti scalp wheels, 2 front and 2 rear great cut quality. My newer XT3 GS has a 42" stamped deck with only 2 anti scalp wheels in front, no issues same great cut quality. I stayed with a 42" deck on the XT3 due to it being easier for me to service at my age and health: lighter weight than the 48", only 2 blades and spindles to keep up, easier to keep level and last but certainly not least it gives a beautiful cut. I mow 2 acres with several trees in the backyard, open front yard and a few trees in our vacant lot. The 42" deck is good getting around obstacles and the faster ground speed makes short work of the open areas.

 

Rudedawg-

Great to know! I’m looking to purchase the XT3 GSX. I have a 16% grade on a section of my 400’ driveway, the differential lock looks like an option that will help with snow removal.
How is your XT3 GS working out for you?
Thanks, Mav70

 

Rudedawg-

Great to know! I’m looking to purchase the XT3 GSX. I have a 16% grade on a section of my 400’ driveway, the differential lock looks like an option that will help with snow removal.
How is your XT3 GS working out for you?
Thanks, Mav70

It's doing really well and has cut my mowing time by at least an hour. I can mow our 2 acres in about 2.5 hrs. whereas the old slower 2166 took 3.5 - 4 hrs. Both Cubs are shaft drive and I really like the HydroGear BDU system, it's practically bullet proof at least mine have been. I do like the simplicity of manual deck lift and steering but the manual steering is a bear to turn and I could really use power steering. At the time I was not sold on the electric power steering or deck lift and did not need a locking diff to push snow here in the deep south, plus I don't garden anymore. Listening to GSX owners here at MTF the eps and deck lift seem to be holding up very well but that's hindsight for me now.

One other note if Cub had have offered the 46" twin blade deck for the XT3 like they do with the XT2 that may have been my choice only for the extra cutting width but the 42's have served me very well.