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Cub Cadet's 2500 Series Tractors could be considered the flagship series but most undersold in Cub Cadet's tractor lineup. This series was first brought to market in 1993 as the 2000 series. It was the first lawn tractor produced since the 1970's to have the more reliable (and expensive) shaft-driven transmission. The drive shaft ensures 100% power transfer from the engine to the transmission in all conditions with no belts to slip, stretch or break. The drive shaft also eliminates wear items such as idler pulleys adding to the reliability of the system.
Not only had Cub Cadet revolutionized engine to transmission power transfer in the lawn tractor market but they also designed in some other industry leading features. First, every Cub Cadet 2000 series tractor started off with a fully welded (NO bolts), dual C-channel frame. Fastened to the front is the beefiest cast-iron front axle in the industry to take the beating thrown out by larger, rougher yards. With this front axle comes heavier, dual-draglink steering linkage and greasable ball bearings on the wheels.
Kohler's premium Command series engines are the power plant of choice. These horizontal crankshaft engines feature the longest service life rating, hydraulic valve lifters (so your valves never need adjusting), and V-Twin design.
To the rear is Cub Cadet's cast-aluminum hydrostatic transmission. Unlike competitive machines, this transmission is serviceable with a spin-on oil filter, dip stick and drain plug just like the transmissions on the big 400 hp tractors that we sell. The internal components are tough enough to handle garden tractor tasks such as tilling, dozing, and pulling heavy loads even on steep hills.
Over the years Cub Cadet has continually improved the 2000 series tractor. In 2007, this series underwent a major change both cosmetically and in structural componentry. The three piece hood & side panel engine enclosure was replaced with a single piece tilting hood. Controls were ergonomically redesigned and relocated. Cub Cadet made a change from a cast-aluminum to a cast-iron transmission housing and increased the axle diameter to better stand up to the growing horse powers that were being put into these tractors. The heavier transmission case and axles now allowed for larger wheels and tires as well as the increased torque load put on the transmission. Steering effort was significantly reduced as well as engine and exhaust noise.
With these significant changes, Cub Cadet's 2000 series tractor needed moved in the marketplace. It out ran, out weighed and out performed every other lawn tractor on the market. The 2000 series lawn tractor became the 2500 series garden tractor. Four models make up Cub Cadet's current 2500 series: the GT2542, GT2544, GT2550 and GT2554.
All tractors in the series feature a hydrostatic transmission with cruise control meaning the harder you press the ?Go Forward? pedal the faster you go, just like your car. And to go backwards, simply let you foot off the ?Go Forward? pedal and press on the ?Go Backwards? pedal. No shifting from forward to reverse! Have a long stretch of lawn and don't want to hold a pedal down? No problem. Engage the mechanical cruise control and relax.
Engaging the mower deck is as simple as pulling a knob. And with Cub Cadet's RevTEK system, you can simply press a button to disable a safety system allowing the mower deck to run with the tractor moving both forward or in reverse. Competitive brands don't accomplish this as easily or simply as the RevTEK system.
Cub Cadet's 2500 series tractors come in four cutting deck widths: 42-, 44-, 50- and 54-inch. These decks are made from thicker steel with heavier spindles, pulleys, wheels and blades than Cub's 1000 or 1500 series. All sizes have greasable spindles accessed from the top of the deck and are supported by a much more robust lift system. Deck height adjustment is a breeze with the left-rear-fender mounted lever and spring assist lift.
Cleaning your mower deck has never been easier due to Cub Cadet's deck wash system. Simply attach the included fitting to your garden hose, plug the hose fitting into the deck fitting, turn on the water and engage your mower deck. The water is directed towards the center of the deck and the spinning blades fling air and water to help loosen any attached grass. This system works pretty well if you do it right after you mow but not at all if the grass has dried.
Need to do a more thorough cleaning or remove your blades? Just release the belt tensioning lever (only available on the 2500 series) for easy drive belt removal and pull two spring-loaded pins and your mower deck is free from the tractor. Removal is literally a 20 second job and only 60 seconds to reinstall.
Maintenance is a snap on Cub's 2500 series tractors. The engine air filter, fuel filter and oil filter are easily accessed when the tilt-up hood is raised. Draining the engine oil requires no tools as all Cub Cadets are equipped with an EZ-Drain fitting. Simply flip open the dirt cover, attach the included drain hose, push in then twist the fitting and oil will begin to drain right into your bucket! No tools, no mess.
All four models are identical tractors with the exceptions of different horsepower and widths of cut. The smaller GT2542 also has narrower wheels and tires to allow for easier trimming. The GT2550 and GT2554 have been our best sellers in the lineup due to their deeper deck design that helps them better handle the thick, lush grass encountered in spring mowing.
These tractors have been bulletproof workhorses for our customers. They have features and durability that John Deere, Toro, Simplicity and the others don't come close on until you get into a tractor in the $6,000 price range. Other things to consider that we can only show you when you come in for a test drive is the comfortable ride, quiet engine, smooth drive system and the overall feeling of "heft" that you get when you run a Cub Cadet 2500 series. These really are a BIG step above lesser models. If youre looking for a simple, reliable tractor to have for over 10 years spend a little extra money and buy a 2500 series.
MODEL NUMBER |
DECK SIZE |
ENGINE |
MSRP |
OUR PRICE |
GT 2542
|
42" DECK |
20 HP KOHLER COMMAND V-TWIN
|
$3,849 |
$3,499 |
GT 2544
|
44" DECK
|
22 HP KOHLER COMMAND V-TWIN
|
$4,049 |
$3,799 |
GT 2550
|
50" DECK |
22 HP KOHLER COMMAND V-TWIN
|
$4,349 |
$3,999 |
GT 2554
|
54" DECK |
23 HP KOHLER COMMAND V-TWIN
|
$4,749 |
$4,399 |
We almost always have these attachments in stock and will ship nationwide! Submit a quote request to our sales department and provide us with your zip code and if you have a business address with a loading dock that we can ship to as this reduces shipping costs.
It attaches in only a few minutes by sliding into the front frame rails then attaches to the deck lift mechanism. For optimal performance, we recommend adding a set of tire chains and rear counter weight bracket and suitcase weights.
Make no mistake, this is one tough blade. Don't be afraid to use it for small dirt or stone grading projects!
It attaches in about a half our by sliding the mounting arms into the front frame rails then attaching to the deck lift mechanism and power belt. For optimal performance, we recommend adding a set of tire chains and rear counter weight bracket and suitcase weights.
Bagger kits are model specific and come with everything you need to install on your tractor. Some kits come with one or multiple mower blades specifically designed to improve bagging performance. Contact us for details on a bagger for your mower. Some machines do a better job than others collecting grass and we'll be happy to recommend the right mower for your application!
If you're looking to get the most out of your Cub Cadet 2500 series tractor, purchase Cub Cadets 38-Inch Hydraulic Tiller. This tiller attachment is unique because of how it's powered. Competitive tractors use a belt to directly drive the tiller. Cub's tiller is hydraulicly driven by a belly-mounted hydraulic pump (included). The bennefit to this style of drive system is the elemitation of a six-foot belt plus the tiller's tines can be set to run forward or in reverse with the throw of a hydraulic valve. Reverse rotating operation is recommended for tackling tough sod or hard ground while forward rotation is great for softer conditoins and leaves a more level surface. The hydraulic system is self-contained meaning the tiller has it's own oil reservoir and filter so there's no oily connections to make when attaching or detaching. Also included is a full-width finishing basket. This adjustable basket has spring loaded down pressure forcing it to further level the soil leaving a seedbed ready to plant.
It attachess to the rear of your tractor similar to how Cub Cadet's snow blower attaches to the front - simply by sliding the mounting arms into the tractor's frame rails. It raises & lowers electrically from a switch mounted on the dashboard. For counterbalance a front counter weight bracket and suitcase weight set (same as the rear weight bracket - it works on the front or the rear!!) is required and we highly recommend exchanging the standard turf tires for a bar tread tire for increased traction.
Because of the features and heft of this tiller it's not cheaply priced but nothing else on the market gives you the dual-direction flexibility or performance.
