I just done a little research on my own deck - the 42C. It's made of
12-guage metal. I can't imagine why anyone would need anything thicker than
that for a yard, it's pretty thick. Not something you would put a dent in
without considerable force. Let us know what you end up going with.

Casey
"Jeff" wrote in message
...
According to the Cub guy, the deck's aren't interchangeable. I doubt that
degree will matter much, but it does make me stop and think. Just my
over-analytical mind in over-drive causing me more angst than necessary!


"CNB" wrote in message
...
I noticed this when I bought my LX266. The deck is considered a seperate
item than the tractor, and so for whatever reason the 50 inch deck is
made
with 12 guage metal. The thickness of the metal used for the different
decks
do not always go up or down proportionally with the size of the tractor
they
are mated with. You have to remember that some decks can be used on
several
different tractors. Its sort of like a computer. The most expensive may
actually have a less expensive part in it compared to the others, but
the
total package is what your getting. I wonder if you can buy the tractor
and
deck seperately? I've never heard of this but it seems like you should
be
able to.


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Right now I'm looking at the 2500 series with the shaft drive, probably
the
2544. The more I look at the brochure, the more little, subtle
differences
I see that make my head spin. For example, the 2544 has an 11 gauge 44
inch
deck, the 2550 has a 12 gauge 50 inch deck, and the 2554 has an 11
gauge
54
inch deck. Unless it's a typo, I can't figure out why the deck on the
50
inch would be thinner gauge.

Like you I was at one time considering the purchase of a Cub Cadet vs. John
Deere. Originally, I was intrigued by the shaft drive system in the Cub
Cadet. I live on 3 acres of rough, rocky ground with roots of large trees
protruding out of the surface in certain areas. A friend mentioned that I
might warp or bend a blade if I happened to hit any of this "immovable"
stuff while mowing; whereas a belt would slip. It kinda made sense to me. I
ended up buying the LX280. I've been please with it. I dropped the deck and
bagger off the mower over the winter and used a trailer to haul wood, bags
of dirt, rocks, etc.

Good luck with whatever you purchase.

John


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Right now I'm looking at the 2500 series with the shaft drive, probably
the 2544. The more I look at the brochure, the more little, subtle
differences I see that make my head spin. For example, the 2544 has an 11
gauge 44 inch deck, the 2550 has a 12 gauge 50 inch deck, and the 2554 has
an 11 gauge 54 inch deck. Unless it's a typo, I can't figure out why the
deck on the 50 inch would be thinner gauge.

Do you think the 3000 series is comparable to the Deere LX280, which is
probably my choice if I go with Deere. (I just don't think I need a
shaft-drive deck which costs plenty extra, right?)

By the way, I agree with your comment about synthetic oil. I do it on my
Ariens snow blower as well and my current rider, a little Honda 11 hp.




"Ron B" wrote in message
...
On 3/31/05 10:42 PM, in article ,
"Jeff"
wrote:3/31/05 10:42 PM

Hi, I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying that the Cub and Deere
models
sold at Home Depot are the bottom feeders?




"op4_camper" wrote in message
...
Deere is available at Home
Depot, the Cub at Lowes. I'm primarily interested in durability and
reliability.

Sorry they don't go together.... for that you have to try a different
store. They are the bottom feeders of there equipment line



IMHO, as for a Cub, you need to look at 3000 series machines for truly
durable machines. I would also recommend using synthetic oils after the
break in of about 10 hours of initial use.

I also use MotorKote in my Cub 3235, but this is just a suggestion that
you
may take for what it is worth.

Many others will say that synthetic oils are only marketing, but research
it
and decide for yourself if a few dollars more are worth protecting your
investment.

"CNB" wrote in message
...
I just done a little research on my own deck - the 42C. It's made of
12-guage metal. I can't imagine why anyone would need anything thicker
than
that for a yard, it's pretty thick. Not something you would put a dent in
without considerable force. Let us know what you end up going with.


Its not so that it dents. Its so that It wont flex or rust out as fast.
You want a manufactured deck not a stamped deck.
I believe john deere good deck is called the 7 iron Or something like that.

"JB" wrote in message
ink.net...
Like you I was at one time considering the purchase of a Cub Cadet vs.
John
Deere. Originally, I was intrigued by the shaft drive system in the Cub
Cadet. I live on 3 acres of rough, rocky ground with roots of large trees
protruding out of the surface in certain areas. A friend mentioned that I
might warp or bend a blade if I happened to hit any of this "immovable"
stuff while mowing; whereas a belt would slip.

Careful who you listen to - the mower deck is belt driven from a clutch
pulley - only the rear end is shaft driven.


It kinda made sense to me. I
ended up buying the LX280. I've been please with it. I dropped the deck
and
bagger off the mower over the winter and used a trailer to haul wood, bags
of dirt, rocks, etc.

Good luck with whatever you purchase.

John


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Right now I'm looking at the 2500 series with the shaft drive, probably
the 2544. The more I look at the brochure, the more little, subtle
differences I see that make my head spin. For example, the 2544 has an
11
gauge 44 inch deck, the 2550 has a 12 gauge 50 inch deck, and the 2554
has
an 11 gauge 54 inch deck. Unless it's a typo, I can't figure out why
the
deck on the 50 inch would be thinner gauge.

Do you think the 3000 series is comparable to the Deere LX280, which is
probably my choice if I go with Deere. (I just don't think I need a
shaft-drive deck which costs plenty extra, right?)

By the way, I agree with your comment about synthetic oil. I do it on
my
Ariens snow blower as well and my current rider, a little Honda 11 hp.




"Ron B" wrote in message
...
On 3/31/05 10:42 PM, in article ,
"Jeff"
wrote:3/31/05 10:42 PM

Hi, I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying that the Cub and Deere
models
sold at Home Depot are the bottom feeders?




"op4_camper" wrote in message
...
Deere is available at Home
Depot, the Cub at Lowes. I'm primarily interested in durability and
reliability.

Sorry they don't go together.... for that you have to try a different
store. They are the bottom feeders of there equipment line



IMHO, as for a Cub, you need to look at 3000 series machines for truly
durable machines. I would also recommend using synthetic oils after
the
break in of about 10 hours of initial use.

I also use MotorKote in my Cub 3235, but this is just a suggestion that
you
may take for what it is worth.

Many others will say that synthetic oils are only marketing, but
research
it
and decide for yourself if a few dollars more are worth protecting your
investment.

Hi all, well I finally made a decision and went with the Cub 2550. Shaft
drive, cast iron hydro transmission, 50" deck. And the three bag collector
was about $450, roughly half of what it would have cost for the bagger on
the Deere LX280.

I appreciate all the feedback and input. Dealer will be delivering it next
Saturday morning. Of course I'm now starting to shop around for some
accessories (trailer, de-thatcher, aerator), but at least the big decision
is over with!!






"CNB" wrote in message
...
I just done a little research on my own deck - the 42C. It's made of
12-guage metal. I can't imagine why anyone would need anything thicker
than
that for a yard, it's pretty thick. Not something you would put a dent in
without considerable force. Let us know what you end up going with.

Casey
"Jeff" wrote in message
...
According to the Cub guy, the deck's aren't interchangeable. I doubt
that
degree will matter much, but it does make me stop and think. Just my
over-analytical mind in over-drive causing me more angst than necessary!


"CNB" wrote in message
...
I noticed this when I bought my LX266. The deck is considered a seperate
item than the tractor, and so for whatever reason the 50 inch deck is
made
with 12 guage metal. The thickness of the metal used for the different
decks
do not always go up or down proportionally with the size of the tractor
they
are mated with. You have to remember that some decks can be used on
several
different tractors. Its sort of like a computer. The most expensive may
actually have a less expensive part in it compared to the others, but
the
total package is what your getting. I wonder if you can buy the tractor
and
deck seperately? I've never heard of this but it seems like you should
be
able to.


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Right now I'm looking at the 2500 series with the shaft drive,
probably
the
2544. The more I look at the brochure, the more little, subtle
differences
I see that make my head spin. For example, the 2544 has an 11 gauge
44
inch
deck, the 2550 has a 12 gauge 50 inch deck, and the 2554 has an 11
gauge
54
inch deck. Unless it's a typo, I can't figure out why the deck on the
50
inch would be thinner gauge.

Congratulations on the big purchase. I think you made a good decision.

Casey
"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Hi all, well I finally made a decision and went with the Cub 2550. Shaft
drive, cast iron hydro transmission, 50" deck. And the three bag
collector
was about $450, roughly half of what it would have cost for the bagger on
the Deere LX280.

I appreciate all the feedback and input. Dealer will be delivering it
next
Saturday morning. Of course I'm now starting to shop around for some
accessories (trailer, de-thatcher, aerator), but at least the big decision
is over with!!






"CNB" wrote in message
...
I just done a little research on my own deck - the 42C. It's made of
12-guage metal. I can't imagine why anyone would need anything thicker
than
that for a yard, it's pretty thick. Not something you would put a dent
in
without considerable force. Let us know what you end up going with.

Casey
"Jeff" wrote in message
...
According to the Cub guy, the deck's aren't interchangeable. I doubt
that
degree will matter much, but it does make me stop and think. Just my
over-analytical mind in over-drive causing me more angst than
necessary!


"CNB" wrote in message
...
I noticed this when I bought my LX266. The deck is considered a
seperate
item than the tractor, and so for whatever reason the 50 inch deck is
made
with 12 guage metal. The thickness of the metal used for the
different
decks
do not always go up or down proportionally with the size of the
tractor
they
are mated with. You have to remember that some decks can be used on
several
different tractors. Its sort of like a computer. The most expensive
may
actually have a less expensive part in it compared to the others, but
the
total package is what your getting. I wonder if you can buy the
tractor
and
deck seperately? I've never heard of this but it seems like you
should
be
able to.


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Right now I'm looking at the 2500 series with the shaft drive,
probably
the
2544. The more I look at the brochure, the more little, subtle
differences
I see that make my head spin. For example, the 2544 has an 11 gauge
44
inch
deck, the 2550 has a 12 gauge 50 inch deck, and the 2554 has an 11
gauge
54
inch deck. Unless it's a typo, I can't figure out why the deck on
the
50
inch would be thinner gauge.

I have owned a G110 for a little over a year and have been disappointed with it. I did buy it at a JD Dealer (for service and transport to/from my home) but the service has been spotty. The biggest flaw of the G110 is the light weight over the drive wheels. I have a hilly lawn with steep slopes and need to use chains to climb and descend, but even so the rear wheels can lose traction and dig up the turf. That's especially bad descending as the brakes are completely ineffective so it's like riding downhill on a roller coaster out of control! Tha biggest danger of the G110 is its tendency to tip sideways on a side hill and this is because of the light weight in the rear. It has nearly tipped over several times with me and this is truly scary!

My neighbor owns a JD GX335 with traction control and only 18 hp (the G110 has 25) but his GX335 is safer and climbs and descends MUCH better than mine. The extra horsepower of the G110 is no advantage at all.