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Zero Turn, down to two. Would appreciate the help (Cub vs JD)

#1

S

skiflyer

Looking for some guidance on purchase. After filtering for reputable dealer near me, availability, budget, I'm left with 2 mowers to choose between and I just can't pick.

#1) John Deere 365r with the 48" deck
#2) Cub Cadet ZT2 with the 54" deck

I'm replacing a 42" deck John Deere riding mower that we bought when we had very different property.

The property is about an acre, big chunks wide open with nothing there, but we have about a dozen saplings we planted in the last year to steer around.

After putting on the accessories we use, accounting for the slight difference in trade in from the different dealers, the Cub is about $1200 more than the Deere.

If I could buy the 375R with the 54" deck, I'd be done, but there aren't any in stock until fall... but I can't. So these are my two choices. I'm seriously torn. I want the Deere, but I think the bigger deck and stepping up to the ZT2 I think makes the Cub worth it. Any one have some help in deciding, or questions I should be asking myself to help decide?


#2

B

bertsmobile1

Go to the cub section and see all of the people with cub problems then go the the JD section and see all of the problems people have with their Deers
Then go to your friendly JD dealer confident that you are getting better mower hands down.


#3

bkeller500

bkeller500

This is just my opinion but I would be hesitant to purchase a Cub ZT2 machine. Looking at them at my local HD and at a Farm Ag store nearby, I see some good and some Bad. The Bad is what is going to hurt you down the road. By Bad, I am referring to the cheap construction and short cuts and plastic. And the Cub deck seems to be on the weak side. The frame and engines and drive train are pretty solid but after that it gets a(n) from me. The John Deere 365r is probably in the mid range for JD with some short cuts taken to keep the price down, but it will likely last you longer. I would have more confidence in JD. But if you can't wait for a 375r and like the build and those features, you might have time to take a look at other options. Ferris, Scag, ExMark,Toro Simplicity, Kubota and others all have some pretty competitive models for the homeowner. This purchase will probably be a 5-10 year purchase. You will be driving it weekly and there is nothing worse than owning and driving a mower you hate. Regrets last a long time. I went thru this process last year for my 1-acre property and settled on a Simplicity Courier XT . It is a mid range unit built off a Ferris/Simplicity design. Take another look at your local options and if possible ask for a test ride. Compare them again. Most important to me is the deck and the finished look of the lawn. If that Cub meets all of your requirements then grab it and enjoy the mow.


#4

S

skiflyer

bkeller500 said:
This is just my opinion but I would be hesitant to purchase a Cub ZT2 machine. Looking at them at my local HD and at a Farm Ag store nearby, I see some good and some Bad. The Bad is what is going to hurt you down the road. By Bad, I am referring to the cheap construction and short cuts and plastic. And the Cub deck seems to be on the weak side. The frame and engines and drive train are pretty solid but after that it gets a(n) from me. The John Deere 365r is probably in the mid range for JD with some short cuts taken to keep the price down, but it will likely last you longer. I would have more confidence in JD. But if you can't wait for a 375r and like the build and those features, you might have time to take a look at other options. Ferris, Scag, ExMark,Toro Simplicity, Kubota and others all have some pretty competitive models for the homeowner. This purchase will probably be a 5-10 year purchase. You will be driving it weekly and there is nothing worse than owning and driving a mower you hate. Regrets last a long time. I went thru this process last year for my 1-acre property and settled on a Simplicity Courier XT . It is a mid range unit built off a Ferris/Simplicity design. Take another look at your local options and if possible ask for a test ride. Compare them again. Most important to me is the deck and the finished look of the lawn. If that Cub meets all of your requirements then grab it and enjoy the mow.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply bkeller500... the Cub does meet my requirements on paper, but like you, I'm hesitant regarding quality, whereas I trust the JD and trust the dealer to make it right if I'm wrong. The scag and kubota are the only other options I have with good local dealer support, and they're not in the budget for me.

Leaves me with buying the ZT2 and taking delivery in a week, or hoping the JD dealer gets a 375R this fall... patience is probably the right answer, but not my strong suite with a season of mowing ahead.


#5

S

skiflyer

bertsmobile1 said:
Go to the cub section and see all of the people with cub problems then go the the JD section and see all of the problems people have with their Deers
Then go to your friendly JD dealer confident that you are getting better mower hands down.
Click to expand...
If the JD dealer had a 54" deck in stock I'd be done... but I take your point.


#6

M

MParr

The Cub is built stouter than the JD. It has serviceable transmissions and the JD doesn’t. I think you will be fine with the Cub. Maintain it well and it should serve you for a long time.


#7

S

skiflyer

The plot thickens, the local home depot has the 54" JD in stock (4 in fact)... that's just frustrating since the dealer said he won't have any until fall.


#8

S

skiflyer

MParr said:
The Cub is built stouter than the JD. It has serviceable transmissions and the JD doesn’t. I think you will be fine with the Cub. Maintain it well and it should serve you for a long time.
Click to expand...
And you're probably right since I'm stepping up into the ZT2 for the cub instead of the Z300 line for JD which is probably more directly comparable to the ZT1.


#9

R

RayMcD

Neither, look at somethng better than a Big Box brand.. r


#10

S

skiflyer

RayMcD said:
Neither, look at somethng better than a Big Box brand.. r
Click to expand...
I'm all ears. But with my requirements I haven't found anything.

Zero Turn
<$5,000
Local dealer for service
52" or greater deck size (I'd consider 50" if there was something amazing I'm not seeing)


#11

M

MParr

Hustler Raptor XD http://www.mossbluffmowersales.com/51-web-pages/web-pages/117-hustler-pricing
Scag Liberty Z https://www.stjoetractor.com/siteart/badboyspecs/Scag 2021 Pricing CUSTOMER.pdf
Ariens Icon XD https://www.taylorsonsinc.com/Showr...duleGuid=63ba3bed-626e-4b48-84c0-9ed5c2825333


#12

S

skiflyer

MParr said:
Hustler Raptor XD http://www.mossbluffmowersales.com/51-web-pages/web-pages/117-hustler-pricing
Scag Liberty Z https://www.stjoetractor.com/siteart/badboyspecs/Scag 2021 Pricing CUSTOMER.pdf
Ariens Icon XD https://www.taylorsonsinc.com/Showr...duleGuid=63ba3bed-626e-4b48-84c0-9ed5c2825333
Click to expand...
I mean, I actually looked at and liked that scagg a lot. But with a 52 inch deck it's more than $1000 over budget, and my dealer only has the 61" which is even more... Was still tempted though that's for sure, just doesn't make sense for me. And no local dealers for the other two (though a quick search looks over budget for at least the hustler).

Anyway, just decided on the Cub. I know it's mixed reviews, hopefully it goes well, and if it doesn't I feel like I have a good dealer behind me. We shall see. I appreciate everyone's input.


#13

bkeller500

bkeller500

good luck with your new Cub......I mean that in a nice way.


#14

M

MParr

You will probably be okay with the Cub, for your property.


#15

7394

7394

How comparable are the warranties ?


#16

R

RayMcD

Hustler, Bad Boy, Toro, all I'm indicating is don't let your Google search limit your search for a machine. there are many fine ZTRs on the market that don't show up quickly when you do a Google search. When you search for Best ZTR you get crap for results !! (I don't think anyone on the forum will argue this point),. Cheers, Ray


#17

P

pilotbuddy

Most of the box store mowers, Cub cadet, JD, even Toro are MTD mowers. Junk. Go to a small engine dealer and get a good brand. Like Ferris, Scag, Grasshopper.


#18

B

BTBO

skiflyer said:
Looking for some guidance on purchase. After filtering for reputable dealer near me, availability, budget, I'm left with 2 mowers to choose between and I just can't pick.

#1) John Deere 365r with the 48" deck
#2) Cub Cadet ZT2 with the 54" deck

I'm replacing a 42" deck John Deere riding mower that we bought when we had very different property.

The property is about an acre, big chunks wide open with nothing there, but we have about a dozen saplings we planted in the last year to steer around.

After putting on the accessories we use, accounting for the slight difference in trade in from the different dealers, the Cub is about $1200 more than the Deere.

If I could buy the 375R with the 54" deck, I'd be done, but there aren't any in stock until fall... but I can't. So these are my two choices. I'm seriously torn. I want the Deere, but I think the bigger deck and stepping up to the ZT2 I think makes the Cub worth it. Any one have some help in deciding, or questions I should be asking myself to help decide?
Click to expand...
Which ever one you decide on, DON'T buy from a big box store. They don't offer the service or parts possibly needed in the future.


#19

eldowdy

eldowdy

I've had my Z445 for eleven years now.


#20

F

Fox12

If you can find a dealer, I'd go with a Hustler Raptor SD. I owned one for six years before moving to a small city lot and had absolutely no issues with it. I had the best looking turf grass in the neighborhood because of it.


#21

Mower Frank

Mower Frank

Have you looked at Gravley? They have a line of zero turns for commercial use and a residential line of zt's.
Bith carry heavy duty decks and good warranty. You should be able to get into the residential line within your price and they also own Cab Cadet.


#22

M

MParr

Another option with serviceable transmissions.

2022 BigDog Mowers Alpha MP 54" Briggs & Stratton PXi

Inventory Unit Detail Newnan Newnan, GA (678) 423-3263
www.georgialawnequipment.com www.georgialawnequipment.com


#23

O

oneoldsap

skiflyer said:
Looking for some guidance on purchase. After filtering for reputable dealer near me, availability, budget, I'm left with 2 mowers to choose between and I just can't pick.

#1) John Deere 365r with the 48" deck
#2) Cub Cadet ZT2 with the 54" deck

I'm replacing a 42" deck John Deere riding mower that we bought when we had very different property.

The property is about an acre, big chunks wide open with nothing there, but we have about a dozen saplings we planted in the last year to steer around.

After putting on the accessories we use, accounting for the slight difference in trade in from the different dealers, the Cub is about $1200 more than the Deere.

If I could buy the 375R with the 54" deck, I'd be done, but there aren't any in stock until fall... but I can't. So these are my two choices. I'm seriously torn. I want the Deere, but I think the bigger deck and stepping up to the ZT2 I think makes the Cub worth it. Any one have some help in deciding, or questions I should be asking myself to help decide?
Click to expand...


#24

O

oneoldsap

That would be an absolute "no brainer" for me . You couldn't even give me a Cub Cadet , for free. Now that being said , I have used John Deere ZTurns and Tractors for many years . Not so sure that will be the case in the future . Here in Vermont , every John Deere dealership is owned by one company . They accomplished this with the assistance of JD Corporate ! Some good people , mostly the senior people , were ushered out the door , never to return . It's quite the topic of conversation here , among us Green users .


#25

F

fixit1ddh

oneoldsap said:
That would be an absolute "no brainer" for me . You couldn't even give me a Cub Cadet , for free. Now that being said , I have used John Deere ZTurns and Tractors for many years . Not so sure that will be the case in the future . Here in Vermont , every John Deere dealership is owned by one company .hey accomplished this with the assistance of JD Corporate ! Some good people , mostly the senior people , were ushered out the door , never to return . It's quite the topic of conversation here , among us Green users .
Click to expand...
And like Me, You could not Give Me a John Deere. I would not touch one with a a 10 foot pole. Last good JD that they built was a 2 cylinder in 1959. Working on mowers in the 70's everytime a jd mower came in it was so hard to work on compared to other units. Parts are also $$$ and way to many electronics that seam pretty crap. Lots of Farmer's not happy with JD'S ethics!


#26

VRR.DYNDNS>BIZ

VRR.DYNDNS>BIZ

bkeller500 said:
This is just my opinion but I would be hesitant to purchase a Cub ZT2 machine. Looking at them at my local HD and at a Farm Ag store nearby, I see some good and some Bad. The Bad is what is going to hurt you down the road. By Bad, I am referring to the cheap construction and short cuts and plastic. And the Cub deck seems to be on the weak side. The frame and engines and drive train are pretty solid but after that it gets a(n) from me. The John Deere 365r is probably in the mid range for JD with some short cuts taken to keep the price down, but it will likely last you longer. I would have more confidence in JD. But if you can't wait for a 375r and like the build and those features, you might have time to take a look at other options. Ferris, Scag, ExMark,Toro Simplicity, Kubota and others all have some pretty competitive models for the homeowner. This purchase will probably be a 5-10 year purchase. You will be driving it weekly and there is nothing worse than owning and driving a mower you hate. Regrets last a long time. I went thru this process last year for my 1-acre property and settled on a Simplicity Courier XT . It is a mid range unit built off a Ferris/Simplicity design. Take another look at your local options and if possible ask for a test ride. Compare them again. Most important to me is the deck and the finished look of the lawn. If that Cub meets all of your requirements then grab it and enjoy the mow.
Click to expand...
Check out the Bad boy at Tractor supply. The difference will amaze you! As for Cub, traction issues on nearly all cubs which I attribute to the compound in the rubber of the tires, but I confess, that I have no feed back on current models as to this traction issue, let alone the specific model. I can attest to the Bad Boy as a great machine. We are an authorized service center, and defects do not exist after the electric lift option was addressed and most are manual lift with no issues at all.


#27

7394

7394

My Cousin has a Hustler Raptor that has the lift deck feature,, Pretty helpful. But Hustler makes good machines.


#28

C

Cornfield

Most JD dealers will gladly work on Home Depot sold mowers. They understand that HD has inventory. The dealer makes $ on warranty and service work.
I wouldn’t buy at item from HD that the dealer wouldn’t normally carry if they could get them.


#29

R

RayMcD

Toro, Hustler, Bad Boy for a start


#30

B

bertsmobile1

Cornfield said:
Most JD dealers will gladly work on Home Depot sold mowers. They understand that HD has inventory. The dealer makes $ on warranty and service work.
I wouldn’t buy at item from HD that the dealer wouldn’t normally carry if they could get them.
Click to expand...
You need to have a long talk to the dealers if you think they make a profit on doing warranty work.
Labour times are paid according the schedules service times and these would only be accurate if the mower was brand spanking new, you had a factory service stand for the mower and every factory service toll was there within arms reach .
The mechanics would have to be working so fast they were sweatting & gasping for breath .
Unless the manufacturers are a lot more generous over there than the franchise agents are down here no workshop paying technicians proper rate wages could make a living out of doing warranty work.
Customers who come in with with big box store / online purchases will not buy anything from the dealers if it is possible to get it cheaper elsewhere and are billigerant at best but usually aggressive and never thankful that the dealer has fixed the problem that would have been sorted during a predelivery check at a dealership .

So down here just about all brand name dealers use warranty work as loss reducers so warranty jobs will sit there & only get done when the techs have nothing else to do .
I get theses people storming through my front gat breathing fire because their tool has been at the dealers for over a week & not been fixed yet .
They I cop an ear bashing about the thieving dealers overcharging & price gouging then refusing to do the warranty work trying to make them pay .
Not if they seem to have 2 functioning brain cells I fire up the computer, show them my wholesale cost price then the Big Box retail price which in many cases is lower
Then I pull out one of the scheduled service fee books and show them how little the labour rate would be
After that is a warranty claim form that takes 1/2 a day to fill in because each & every steps has to be accounted form ( apart from scratching your bum ) .
And of course finally they see that most franchise agents do not actually pay the dealer cash money, what they get is purchase credits which are of little use if they don't sell that brand of wholegoods because even when the credits are applied to parts, the big box stores still get them cheaper so they can sell them cheaper .

If they are still here & not stormed out of the gate they get a quote which is usually about twice the purchase credits that a dealer would get for the job .
About 1/2 abuse me & storm off to the other independent shop up the road where they get slugged $ 75 before he will even fill in a job card .
The remaining group split fairly evenly in thirds for small tools , give it to me, take it back to the dealer , take it back to the shop for refund .


#31

7394

7394

Cornfield said:
Most JD dealers will gladly work on Home Depot sold mowers. They understand that HD has inventory. The dealer makes $ on warranty and service work.
I wouldn’t buy at item from HD that the dealer wouldn’t normally carry if they could get them.
Click to expand...
But if you buy from Dealer, & you need warranty work & so does the guy who bought from HD, who do ya think takes priority... that's why I buy from Dealers..


#32

H

hlw49

We have people bring us a push mower they bought at big box store in to work on and get upset when we don't jump right on it and get it fixed for them. When I have a customer who bought a 10K commercial mower from us and brought it in for repair who do think gets theirs fixed first. We take care of our customers first. One thing we do not work on is pressure washers that have no pressure. If it is engine not running we will fix it. No pressure pumps usually have one of two problems. It either froze and busted or they left water in it and the cholerine oxidized the aluminum parts of the pump and it is toast. You waste time looking at it and give them an estimate and they say they don't won't to spend that much money on it and you are stuck with the pump and no pay for the wasted time.


#33

R

RayMcD

skiflyer said:
I'm all ears. But with my requirements I haven't found anything.

Zero Turn
<$5,000
Local dealer for service
52" or greater deck size (I'd consider 50" if there was something amazing I'm not seeing)
Click to expand...
BadBoy, Toro, Hustler are few I would consider, with alittle searching you might find BobCat or SCAG that you would consider. Cheers, Ray


#34

H

hlw49

Dixie Chopper Z2 is an awesome mower they also make it in an HP model. Comes in 42-48-54 inch cut. We have guys that are using them in light commercial mowing and are holding up well.


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