Cub Cadet, John Deere, or Troy Bilt?

[Runt1122]

Need to get a new mower. Budget is $1500 or less. Three mowers I am considering are the Cub Cadet XT1, John Deere D105, or a Troy Built Broncho or XP Horse.

Anyone have experience with any of these?

 

[long coat]

Troy Bilt and Cub are both owned by MTD. I think the cheaper Deeres are made by MTD.

That's not a bad thing, because the parts are all the same.

You could pick up a used ZTR for that prices also.

 

[mrjarrell]

I've got a Deere and have been very pleased with it. Easy to maintain and runs well. Better than the Craftsman it replaced.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Troy Bilt and Cub are both owned by MTD. I think the cheaper Deeres are made by MTD.

That's not a bad thing, because the parts are all the same.

You could pick up a used ZTR for that prices also.

My google-fu indicates you are correct about Troy and Cub but not so much about the JD. I know when I was shopping for a mower years ago, I asked the JD dealer if their low-end riders were made by someone else and he said 'no', JD makes them. Now, that was 12 years ago so it's entirely possible things have changed since then, so...

 

[Bennettjh]

We've had a John Deere for several years. Runs like a top.

That'd be my vote.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I just bought a used JD and I love it. It's an X485, has a Kawi engine and all wheel steer which is a god-send around all my trees.

 

[1911ly]

I have had zero issues with my Troybilt. I used it to replace a Craftsman I ran for 14 years. My yard beats the crap out of mowers. Before the Craftsman we had a Honda. It was gutless and hard to find parts for.

 

[stony]

I had a Craftsman rider and it was a hunk of crap, with that said I have a Craftsman push mower that is about 13 years old and it runs like a champ. Probably going to a toss up between them. The last riding mower I purchased was a Toro ztr and it has been fantastic!

 

[oldpink]

All three have excellent reputations, but (at least it seems that way), the JD will tend to cost a bit more.

 

[johntheplinker]

We've had a CC LTX1045 (earlier version of the XT1) for about 6 or 7 years. Cuts real good and so far has been reliable. Our yard is not easy on mowers, lots of bumps, ruts, trees, large rocks etc. to go around and over, not to mention there are a few sections that are borderline unsafe steep. Other than the usual maintenance type stuff the only thing that has been replaced on it was the stater solenoid, and that was this year. My only complaint about it is that the engine is really noisey.

 

[jd4320t]

I wouldn't buy any of those. If $1500 is your budget I'd buy used and get something better and that was built to work and last.

 

[bacon#1]

I wouldn't buy any of those. If $1500 is your budget I'd buy used and get something better and that was built to work and last.

Agreed, or you could use that as a good down payment on one.

 

[Libertarian01]

I have been absolutely thrilled with my Bad Boy ZTR mower! Mine is commercial grade and much more than what you are wanting, but they have residential models starting new for about double what you are wanting. You may be able to find a good used mower for your price range.

No matter what your lawn size if it needs a riding mower I would strongly recommend looking at a ZTR! The difference on the seven (7) acres I mow between a lawn tractor and a ZTR is astounding. I think you will find in the long run more time for fun and less for lawn work with a ZTR.

Regards,

Doug

 

[Brandon]

To little info given but I think all the choices listed in the OP would be good.
I'd stay away from Craftsman and I've had bad luck with the Husqavarnas.

 

[tmschuller]

Same advice. Have a 1500.00 John Deere and son has the same L120 OK mower. Most in price range are all about the same. What / how much you mow and how it's taken care of will be a big factor. Who doesn't want a big nice mower.. I would buy another some day. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[The Keymaster]

John Deere is fine, UNTIL YOU NEED PARTS! They are the biggest ripoff in the industry when it comes to parts. Many of their parts are made especially for them, and cannot be replaced with off the shelf parts. $600.00 foe a hydraulic cylinder for the loader for my John Deere 2210 tractor. It was cheaper for me to by off the shelf cylinders cylinders and customize them. Never another John Deere product for me.

 

[red_zr24x4]

I wouldn't buy any of those. If $1500 is your budget I'd buy used and get something better and that was built to work and last.

Im using a 1968 Bolens tube frame. 12 hp, pto driven.
I got the tractor, 38" deck, rototiller, snow blower, blade and the frame for a roller for about 1/3 of your buget.
Shop around and find something used that was built to last, not these new stamped frame junk

 

[woodsie57]

I've been using a Cub HD 2500,23hp kohler, for 10 yrs on 5 rough acres- no issues. Found it as a used 2 yr old for $1500 ish, money well spent

 

[bulletsmith]

Beware of any of those brands that are sitting in a Lowes/Home Depot/etc. They are often manufactured under license and are not authentic. In the case of the "Deere" products, our local John Deere dealer will not even service the ones sold by Lowes.

 

[24Carat]

I just bought a used JD and I love it. It's an X485, has a Kawi engine and all wheel steer which is a god-send around all my trees.

Yours came from a JD dealership, no comparison can be made to the green weenies sold in box stores.