QuestionI guess I will put you on the spot. I am thinking of replacing my JD180 (needs shift keys and/or gears & engine is burning some oil). I am torn between JD 300 and a Cub 2542. You thoughts are appreciated, your choice would be too.
AnswerMy first thought is to fix the 180. The shift key problem is common. More than likely the smoking is from a blown head gasket, once a again, a common problem. If you have to pay the dealer to fix it, the cost should be about 400.00.
If you just want a new tractor, a hydrostatic would be nice, I'd go with the X300. Why would you switch brands now?
They haven't built a 180 for almost 20 years, and you can still mow with yours.
There is a reason they say "Nothing Runs Like a Deere". The reason is, because nothing does!
When you buy a Deere you don't buy green paint, you buy quality, and parts availability, and dealer support, and factory support.
A couple reasons for my choice, besides the fact I bleed green,
1. "Consumer Reports" magazine lists the X304 as it's best buy. The 304 has all wheel steer and a 42" deck.
2. Cub Cadet is owned by the makers of all things junk. MTD. Dealer support average, parts availability average, factory support none.
3. With a 2542 Cub you are spending to much money on horse power instead of the other important things, IE axle bearings, deck bearings, cut quality, hydro reliability, etc. Face it, you don't need 25 hp if a machine is put together right. You have been mowing with your current mower for 20 years. Have you "ever" had a problem with not enough horsepower. The answer is no. 25HP is not needed. A commercial zero turn mower averages about 25HP. It mows at 8 MPH and swings a 60" deck. Don't buy HORSE POWER!!! It's a sales tool. The reason the LA series of Deere have 25HP is because Deere is using HP as a sales feature to lure uninformed buyers at Lowe's and Depot. The uninformed, or just stupid, ask why should I buy a X300 with 17HP when I can buy an LA120 with 25HP or an MTD with 25HP for 1,000.00 less. DON'T BUY HORSE POWER.
4. Another feature you pay extra for in a Cub is a drive shaft. Who cares? have you ever needed, a drive shaft. No! Your deck belts never slip, your drive belt never slips, so why pay 300.00-400.00 extra for a drive shaft.
5. Wouldn't you feel a lot prouder riding a Deere instead of a Cub Cadet.
Do you have a snow blade or pull a cart. If all you do is mow, I personally would recommend the Z445 This zero turn mower will literally cut your mowing time in half. But, here I go again, it only has a 17HP Kawasaki engine. Just to help my clarity grade let me say this. DON'T BUY HORSEPOWER!
No mater what you do, fix the 180. It will be worth 1,000.00 fixed. 200 as is. Don't trade it in. Put an ad in the paper and be patient. There are a lot of savy shoppers out there who understand what a 180 is worth. The dealer can't give you 1,000.00 in trade because he has new LA120 tractors with, here we go again, 25HP for 1699.99.
Buy the Deere!
So are you fixing or buying? Thanks for the review.
