cruzenmike
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2017
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I don't think that you will find a mower with BOTH a 42" deck and a truly "durable" transmission unless.
If you are limited to the 42" deck because of storage requirements or clearances, then maybe get a John Deere X370. While the K57 is barely an upgrade over the K46, you at least have a serviceable filter in the transmission and can change the fluid evey 50 hours or so which I would recommend based on the terrain which you have pictured. This might in fact be overkill, but with this mower and performing the transmission service periodically, you have less of a chance of a transmission failure. All of this assumes you are just mowing. If you ever decided to pull any attachments up that grade, such as a loaded cart, dethatcher or aerator, then all bets are off and you need something with a K62-72. I do not know where the Cub Cadet XT3 falls in comparison to the John Deere but it is shaft driven hydraulic pump mated to a gearcase of some sort in the read end. Cannot find any specs on it but supposed to be between a K58 and K66 in terms of torque. I think you might be able to fit a 42" deck on the XT3 as well since the deck for these models are sold as an accessory.
It's a shame that you cannot have a 54" deck because the Cub Cadet XT2 GX54 has a K62D with steel cut gears and manual diff lock. There is a Husqvarna out there with K66 and electronic diff lock with a 48" deck. Obviously you have to look at what fits your situation best.
If you are limited to the 42" deck because of storage requirements or clearances, then maybe get a John Deere X370. While the K57 is barely an upgrade over the K46, you at least have a serviceable filter in the transmission and can change the fluid evey 50 hours or so which I would recommend based on the terrain which you have pictured. This might in fact be overkill, but with this mower and performing the transmission service periodically, you have less of a chance of a transmission failure. All of this assumes you are just mowing. If you ever decided to pull any attachments up that grade, such as a loaded cart, dethatcher or aerator, then all bets are off and you need something with a K62-72. I do not know where the Cub Cadet XT3 falls in comparison to the John Deere but it is shaft driven hydraulic pump mated to a gearcase of some sort in the read end. Cannot find any specs on it but supposed to be between a K58 and K66 in terms of torque. I think you might be able to fit a 42" deck on the XT3 as well since the deck for these models are sold as an accessory.
It's a shame that you cannot have a 54" deck because the Cub Cadet XT2 GX54 has a K62D with steel cut gears and manual diff lock. There is a Husqvarna out there with K66 and electronic diff lock with a 48" deck. Obviously you have to look at what fits your situation best.