Cub Cadet XT3 GSX 100-Hour Review On Our Maine Farm

[@ironheadbro]

The power assist that is for the deck also raises and lowers the plow once its hooked up. Nice feature to have. This Cub can push quite a load of snow using the locking differential and having a couple of suitcase weights on the back. No regrets on my purchase. When I bought this new I upgraded to the 60 inch welded deck and a rear sleeve hitch. Very happy with this Cub.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I have been wondering about a sleeve hitch. They no longer make a powered one, but I don’t think it would be too difficult to add it. Thank you for watching

[@richsmith9063]

Harsh review....however i agree w/ 80% of your points. Mine is 6 years old & has 250 hours × 42" Deck. Uses : 1. cut grass 2. Acerage rake aka pinwheel rake 3. Spray herbicide, pesticide, fungicide

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

i’m listing it for sale tomorrow. i WANT to love it, but it feels like a disappointment . i pretty much only mow with it and fertilize or aerate and sometimes haul a trailer.

[@nawinchester]

Great video. Appreciate the candid review.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

Thanks for watching!

[@GeraldHanks-qo1qc]

U can get replacement blades for the xt3 at Tractor Supply

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I will look there next. I am guessing my 42' is pretty rare

[@davealt3401]

That seems to be a very good review. I've had older cub cadets in the past, but didn't even give them a look when I was looking for a garden tractor for my new home three years ago. I knew they didn't hold a candle to their former garden tractors. I had narrowed it to the Simplicity and John Deere. There was no Simplicity dealer close by and John Deere was less than ten miles away. I already had three compact tractors of different sorts, so I wanted an X series garden tractor. I wanted to mow my hilly yard and snowblow my 75 yard + driveway that is a hill and a curve. I got an X758 with the soft cab, rear weights, 54" blower and 54" mower. It's full time 4wd works great on the hills. It cost a lot more than that Cub Cadet, but I'm planning to have it for a few decades at least. I'm with you, you own it, so keep it. I'm glad I didn't look at one. I'm very happy with the X758 and all the options I can get if I want. Too bad the dealer screwed up on the JD price for you at the on set. Thanks for all your videos.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I really like my x530 and was hoping to add the newer version to my collection and share implements, but I have the CC and it mows well. I will keep it like I said and run it. Thank you for watching

[@George-wf2vi]

Français

[@rudedawg5087]

Your review is spot on thanks. I have the XT3 GS also with a 42" deck but it was my 2nd choice because John Deere didn't offer the X5** series with a 42" deck. The 42" Accel deck will fit under and work with the X5** series tractor but no dealer would do it for me. Like you stated my head lights flicker so I'll need to trace the grounds as well. The 42" blades appear to be proprietary as I haven't found an aftermarket blade to actually work either. I used Oregon 91-332 on my old Cub Cadet 2166 42" deck which Oregon emailed me stating they would work on my XT3, the jury is still out on that. The manual steering on my GS is a bear to steer, after 4 seasons of use it's still hard to turn the front wheels. My old arms really hurt after 3.5 hours of mowing. The saving grace is the components of the esp steering and blade lift system are very expensive to replace. Another thing I've noticed is my XT3 has more frame flex as compared to my old shaft drive 2166. I hope the constant flexing will not promote stress cracks or frame breaks like exhibited in Husqvarna units. My other rants are deck leveling and access to greasing the steering box. I think the deck leveling system and lack of easy access to the steering box grease fittings was designed by romper room kids. Like you stated Cub Cadet has discontinued their shaft drive series, which is a shame, because the Hydro-Gear BDU10 hydro unit is tried and true. Thanks again for your review.

[@Surroundedbyevil368]

If I let my tractor run for about 3 minutes at idle after I'm done mowing it does not backfire. The hottest your engine will ever be is after you're done Mowing and shut it off the engine will get hotter because there's no air flow so let it run for a few minutes try that.

[@Hungryman2962]

I throttle mine up couple times after mowing and then let it idle for 30 seconds or more and then shut it off and have had success with that method . Also just let it idle for a little as well and have had success. Shouldn't have to do that but i don't like it backfiring either so i tried something different . I also have a cub cadet 1864 and it has a Kohler as well and it will backfire to i do the same method to it and it works. Ive always like the cubs especially the older stuff made to last and having that shaft drive . I picked up a used steiner 430 and put a new liquid cooled Kawasaki engine on it its a 20 yr old machine but with the new engine and few other new parts its almost like new . Hills no problem !

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I will try that. I know if you quickly go from fast to idle it backfires, but I’ll try your way. Thank you for watching

[@tomf9928]

great review, boy you sound like me, i grew up on wheelhorse then built my own place and bought a new wheelhorse for myself i had that about 28 years, sold it bought a Deere x500 not bad but nothing like the horse that easily could do all! i have tried everything in the 39 years i lived on this 2 acres oh hilly land and i garden and plow snow ,i was disappointed in some things with my 2013 x500 so 2 years later i also bought a 1 series this Handels the garden work better and heavy snow removal the x mostly mows and does snow plow the 2/ 4 inch storms i also bought a 73 and 76 wheel horse great for many task i wish somebody would have a product line like in the 70s where if you hit the right series it could do it all i remember when a16hp wheelhorse ,Deere or Bollens was ideal miss those days

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I have owned several wheel horses, old IH CCs and the old 110,112 and 212 and 214 JD. Nothing compares to them. Thank you for watching

[@donaldperry958]

I have a 2002 shaft drive Cub Cadet 2166 with a Kohler engine, and it still runs great. Looks, not so great. Mine used to backfire also when shutting down the engine until I discovered that shutting the engine off at half power eliminated the back firing. Thanks for the video. I want to upgrade but the Cubs reviews are not so good. Time to look at John Deere.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I’ll definitely try what you said regarding the backfiring. Stanley Black and Decker owns Cub now and they’re ruining it I think. I like my John Deere X530 which is 10 years old and I’ve never once had a problem with it. Thank You for watching!

[@eightknots425]

You might want to know,I too was dealing with a poor owner salesman so I bought a junk tractor mower ,but I made him fix what found wrong. You all always have to shop around even if it is not close to you.

[@mmal253625]

Thank you for you recent review. I commented on your video that compared your JX X500 series tractor with this Cub Cadet because I too own the Cub GT2148. My older version of this XT3 is almost identical except for a few upgrades your XT3 has like the steering knuckles for example. Mine is a cheaper connection and i am in the process of fixing and upgrading right now in fact. I have a sleeve hitch with all the garden attachments and have used all them to much success! Box blade, moldboard plow, cultivator as well as my plug aerator, dethatcher and wagon. The tractor has done everything i have asked of it and more. I do think the cost value vs. Deere is another big advantage of this Cub so I do think it is a “buy again” value proposition. That being said, JD makes a darn good tractor X500 and above. Lot’s of money too. I agree that the garden tractor market is still viable for guys like me, 3 acres of hilly country with a 300 foot drive to plow. I appreciate you updates and KZbin channel. Semper fi

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

Thank You for your service! I love seeing these little tractors digging in the dirt and using their garden tractor capabilities. I’ve always wanted to try a late 90’s-early 2000s 3000 series with power steering and two hydraulic valves. They used to make a really nice hydraulic tiller for them too. This CC of mine really does now nicely and I still sometimes think about getting a sleeve hitch for it to pull my little York rake. I think even with the right pricing, an X5xx Deere is still about $3500 more money. Thank You for watching

[@mmal253625]

Ditto back to you. I know you served our country as well! Thank you.

[@jerrylwilber1217]

I have three cub 2000 series and an looking at a local XT3 so found your video. My cubs have the same engine and a Cub 2000 Facebook group adm. recommends slow down to a slightly fast idle, then speed up to half speed and immediately shut down While moving the throttle back to idle. I also have a fuel shut off valve on them and sometimes shut it and let the fuel run out when shutting down. Haven't had any more trouble with shutdown backfire doing this. I would highly recommend the fuel shutoff valve!

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I will try both of those ideas and put out a video on them. I very much appreciate your feedback. Thank You

[@jerrylwilber1217]

Heres the exact quote from that group adm. "Backfiring on the 2000 Series is caused by raw fuel being induced into the hot muffler upon shutdown. Make sure you idle down, let the engine cool for at least a minute, then throttle up and shut down. This will allow a greater volume of air to dilute the unburnt fuel and prevent backfire. The fuel shutoff solenoids are there to prevent this but it is still a good practice to get in the habit of. Something about the design of these exhaust systems makes the 2000 Series very susceptible to backfiring and blown head gaskets/mufflers".@@LedgemereHeritageFarm

[@drivetts]

My lights flickered until I noticed when I open the hood the hood pulls the headlight wires which weakens the connector. The last time I took off the hood I left the headlights disconnected for a few days and when I went to reconnect the wires the wires weren't long enough so I had to close the hood slightly to make the connection and then I turned on the tractor and the headlights worked without flickering so far. When I open the hood now I do it slowly so I don't stretch the wires. I plan to make the wires longer by splicing a little extension once I'm convinced my flickering lights problem is solved.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I’ll check that out. Thank You

[@daveerrington5166]

My 2024 gx54 gt2 is great. Love it

[@drivetts]

I believe I fixed my flickering head lights. I bought 2 lawn mower headlight sockets off eBay for $8 apiece and a pair of led headlights (1156) for $5. So far they work fine.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I’m going to give that a try once the mud is gone and I can get it out from underneath the barn and back up to the garage. Thank you for the input!

[@heartlandguy1]

A tip to make you like your Kohler engine even better , I was experiencing the same thing with the backfiring on shut down when I found out that it’s made to shut down at full throttle unbelievably No back firing at full speed shut down , enjoy Thanks for the video

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I will give that a try. It goes against conventional wisdom doesn’t it😊

[@JoshAllen17Goated]

I have the older 2500 series version of these tractors, the trick is to never shut it down at low throttle. 1/3 or above or you get a backfire that just kills your ears.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I have since started shutting down at 1/3 or 1/2 and no more backfiring.

[@mrgoodwrench6969]

Great video and info. I have a 2135 and 38" deck (2001) with shaft drive. It has 520 hours on it and it still runs great. I was looking into other options if I needed to replace mine and wanted another shaft drive, so might look into a used one. BTW my 2135 backfires just about every time when it shuts off and does sound like a shotgun going off! The dealer told me to turn down the throttle and idle it for 30 seconds and it does seem to help sometimes.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I talked to the dealer today and he said that for whatever reason, shut it off at 1/2 throttle. It’s totally against what I was taught, but I’ll try it. Thank you for watching

[@132265]

Thanks for the great information

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

Thank You for watching. I’ve got a couple recommendations for correcting the lights I’ll try come Springtime

[@FixitCam]

In the manual it actually says to shut off at half throttle and that does indeed prevent the backfire.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

It doesn’t matter at what throttle you shut it off. My brother’s does the same

[@murica1898]

Lower the better when you shut it off. Let it backfire

[@JoshAllen17Goated]

The reason they stopped making them was because of the Cast Iron case not being produced anymore. The actual hydrostatic pump is a Hydro Gear BDU10L-225 which is made in the USA. The reason it doesnt have hydraulics is because they dont have the pump ported for hydraulics. But the actual Pump inside the cast iron final drive is around 417 ftlbs of torque continuous to the ground. I think its disappointing for cub cadet to be ruined by stanley black n decker.

[@domenicmarconi2272]

This was a great review! I watched both parts and appreciate the in depth review. I’m currently in the market for a garden tractor to use mostly for mowing 1.75 acres and snow blowing a 440 foot driveway with a slight, gradual hill. This video was really helpful in evaluating the cadet. I was leaning toward cc but the more I research I’m not sure it’s gonna last for what I need, specifically the snow blowing. Any recs for a decent tractor with blower I might be able to pick up in the $10k range?

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

Try looking at simplicity or a John Deere. You might have to go slightly used to get the features you are looking for. Just be careful about buying something fairly new from a private party if they still owe on the machine. A lot of folks are getting burned because the first owner never paid off the machine and the. When the second owner brings it in for repairs, it gets confiscated. I hate to say it, but United ag and turf has been really good to me with regard to finding used equipment

[@timr31908]

I bought a new xt1 in 2023. 46 inch cut stamped deck... It's the worst cutting mower I've ever owned in my life the grass ends up on the top of the mower deck because the vacuum is so bad.. I had a Dynamart made in 1972. That I paid $250 for brand new. that will run circles around my Cub cadet.. MTD nose that they've been making garbage for years and so they ditched the company to Black & Decker... The mower has a nice paint job.. but it's a total piece of garbage at so many levels...😮

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

you are not wrong. I would not touch another CC with a 10 foot pole. thank you for watching.

[@drivetts]

I think I will replace the connector when I splice in a couple if inches of wire?

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

I’m Going to do that too.

[@johnstanton8953]

Has anyone had to raise the steering shaft on this tractor? I noticed when the nut is removed you cant just pull the wheel up like the other models?:)

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

Not that I know of

[@vafafarzaneh4815]

I feel I wasted my money on Cub Cadet LT50” just a hunk of junk

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

they are definitely not what they used to be. Stanley black and decker finished them off. thank you for watching

[@williamcarl4200]

Too many bells and whistles. A dependable belt and pulley system with gears for me.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

Belt & pulley?

[@JohnDoe-zz3hj]

garden tractors dont even mow well. Why do peeps buy them. they cant really pull much,,, no back hoe or front end loaders, it never made any sense to me. in colo we just go out to farm a buy a real tractor for $1000 or two. and why have cub tractor for $5000 when you can get a cub cc800 for $2000 and it mows nice, out mows a lawn tractor and breaks down less. the LAWN tractors with lock diff what the point , thats a lie,,, its not really a locking differential its foot brake that locks the spinning wheel just like tractors have had since the 1800s, it just make no sense to have lawn tractor, i can plow, lift tons of dirt and trees, go 20 mph, I can get a lawn deck for 1/2 the cost of worthless lawn tractor, pull massive trailers n cars, box blades and my entire set up is less than a lawn tractor, ZERO SENSE to have a lawn tractor, isnt the point to mow at least a few acres so why have a worthless piece of a lawn mower that wont do anything else , plow snow - it will break if you have a long road to clear. why buy that crap? my massy fergS 1952 & 1978- all I do is change the oil -always start in all weather and havnt charged batteries in 10yrs. go buy a real tractor and never buy another tractor for the rest of your life. if your equipment dont fit thru the gate then it to big for the property,,, D9 bulldozer is not needed to rake a 20' drive way.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

There’s no universal perfect fit. Thank you for watching

[@JohnDoe-zz3hj]

@@LedgemereHeritageFarm inherited dads property, he had 1 worn out lawn tractors and I got frustrated with the other, drove 28 miles and bought tractor to wide, after the farmer delivered it I pulled 2 fence poles with bucket loader & put rail road ties for post with bucket to fit my farm tractor in out of the property. 10 year later all Ive had to do is change oil and fix 1 flat tire and 2 jump starts.

[@hernandorourk5186]

😭 Promo_SM