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Cub Cadet 3100

kingOFgEEEks

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I'm looking at a Cub Cadet PowerShaft 3100 on local Facebook. Does anybody have experience with this series of tractor? Good machine for mowing? In particular, I need something that throws grass better and has a more even cut than the crappy Husqvarna that I have now.
 

Steve

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I'm looking at a Cub Cadet PowerShaft 3100 on local Facebook. Does anybody have experience with this series of tractor? Good machine for mowing? In particular, I need something that throws grass better and has a more even cut than the crappy Husqvarna that I have now.


Do you haul a cart around or just mow grass?
 

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I think @JoeDirt has a similar unit. He may have the answer you need.
 

kingOFgEEEks

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Do you haul a cart around or just mow grass?

Mostly just mow, except for dragging around a 30" roller in the spring to smooth things up. Our yard is half hilly and half flat, so not a great candidate for a zero turn.
 

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Mostly just mow, except for dragging around a 30" roller in the spring to smooth things up. Our yard is half hilly and half flat, so not a great candidate for a zero turn.


Gotcha. When you said you needed something that will throw grass a ztr came strait to mind.
 

kingOFgEEEks

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Gotcha. When you said you needed something that will throw grass a ztr came strait to mind.
Yeah, I mean anything has to be better than the POS husky we have now (YTH24k48), but especially in spring, we have to mow every 4-5 days, and still have clumping issues.
 

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Yeah, I mean anything has to be better than the POS husky we have now (YTH24k48), but especially in spring, we have to mow every 4-5 days, and still have clumping issues.

Yup had a gt52xls. That thing sucked too!


How much slope do you have? My ztr does ok on my hills. Here is a pic with level concrete for reference.

20200706_143701_HDR.jpg
 

kingOFgEEEks

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Here's the front of the house. That's actually the milder slope.
It's steeper around back, but a shorter slope.
2016-06-24 06.59.28.jpg
 

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Judging from the picture id say you would be ok with a zero turn. How good are you in with your ope dealer(s)? Mine let me bring a few home and drive them around my yard to see which one fit my needs.

He just told me if i turn the blades on i bought it!:D
 

kingOFgEEEks

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Judging from the picture id say you would be ok with a zero turn. How good are you in with your ope dealer(s)? Mine let me bring a few home and drive them around my yard to see which one fit my needs.

He just told me if i turn the blades on i bought it!:D
LOL. I'll have to see. I was trying to low budget this one and buy used if I can.
 

JoeDirt

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The 3000 Series Cub Cadets are beastly, effin' machines. Hydraulic power steering, hydraulic deck lift, shaft drive, expandable hydraulics, 3 pt capable, Kohler Command engines (some had liquid cooled Kawasakis and low end models had B&S Vanguards). Very, very stout machine.

I cut grass with mine, and it stripes well. The cut is very even because it has a floating deck that rides on casters, its not rigidly attached to the tractor, so it won't scalp. Not a lot of suction from the deck, so it probably doesn't bag well without a leaf vac attachment. If you are just looking to mow, its probably a little overkill but for "tractor" work, they are a serious bang for buck machine.

Here's my 2000 Cub 3235.
20200618_171321.jpg
 

kingOFgEEEks

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Here's a couple pics of the tractor I'm considering. Needs a good cleaning and serviced. They're asking $750.

2020-07-06 23.13.23.png 2020-07-06 23.13.29.png 2020-07-06 23.13.33.png
 

JoeDirt

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Sorry for the delayed response. The GT3100 is a good machine. No differential lock, but its not something you use all the time anyways. Looks like it has a busted headlight, common issue, nothing to cry about. That mower has the consumer grade deck on it, which kinda blows. I think they are 46" or something, but the problem is that they are made of thinner steel and they use regular scalp wheels instead of rollers- it's not a floating deck.

My bigger concern with that machine is all the grass caked up around the deck. That grass holds moisture and it will rot out the metal underneath. Also if it is any indication of the rest of the mower, all the cooling fins are likely caked up too which can cause the engine and hydraulic pump to run hot. I wouldn't immediately shy away from it, but I would want to thoroughly inspect the entire machine- check under the deck, pull the side covers off the engine, take a look at the hydraulic system for leaks, etc. If it checks out, $750 isn't a bad price. A quick hit with a pressure washer and it might look almost new. But if I were given the choice between that tractor for $750 or a brand new tractor from Home Depot or Lowes for $1500+, I'd take that GT3100 hands down, no question. The 3000 series isn't a box store tractor. Some of them were close to $10k when they were new.
 
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