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Cub Cadet M60 Tanks/Opinions Please

21K views 61 replies 19 participants last post by  MJB  
#1 ·
I'm looking for some feedback on the tanks. I got a quote today of $7400 for a new M60 Tank with 28hp EFI Kohler and $7550 for new M60 with a 29hp DFI liquid cooled Kawasaki, they are both Wide Track models also. I'm not really in the market for a rider, but deals like that are hard to pass up. I've not had any experience with the Cubs, I've used about everything else, Exmark, Scag, Grasshopper, etc., Just wondering if they measure up to these other brands. Any of you guys who have ran them or are currently using them, I would appreciate your feedback.
 
#3 ·
Now I know you are probably going to ask which engine... right?

Frankly it don't matter I don't think.
Both are fuel injected, one is liquid cooled, the other is simple.

Now, having those thoughts and the experience I have with this mower frame, I can tell you I would probably go with the 29hp L/C DFI if they could show me the fuel consumption was close. Now here is the only reason why...

These mowers earn the name TANK. They are built very heavy duty. So the front end feels heavy when you are operating it. You'll see what I mean when you demo one. Anyways, I would be edging towards this engine choice because the extra stuff would add extra rear ballast weight to the rear end. So I'm thinking the mower might feel a bit more nimble with the heavier engine choice.

Have you seen the new CAT diesel powered units yet?
 
#5 ·
firefightergw said:
That's about what they run all the time so if you are not really in the market for one, I wouldn't buy now because your getting such a good deal.
You know, I envy you all who have great Cub dealers with great prices in your area.

I'm stuck with neither right now.
The great dealer here does not have the commercial line.
The other just sucks.
And the last one is a flat out jerk.

Starting price for the base units is about 8K here and I would have paid that to a good dealer.

But instead, I ended up going to Lesco for mine, which is working out great.
But with them I don't have all the engine options....
 
#6 ·
Envy,
I see your using the Lesco's and I know the Lesco's and the Cub's are Identical machines. How do they do as far as quality of cut, clumping and clipping dispersal in lush or wet grass conditions? These wide track models look like they have a wider wheel base than even the Scag Turf Tigers, so they gotta hold pretty well on a steep hill. The 3 year warranty sounds pretty good too.
 
#7 ·
Well, they top every other mower I have used so far in cut quality. This deck does everything well. Ordinarily I couldn't give you much info on discharging, but with this mower I acutually side discharged a while with it when I first got it. Reason being was it was one of the few that showed me up front it was able to match my standards. Turns out it's the best I have seen in that category by far. But it also does well with the mulch kit. The stripes are excellent too.

Mine is not a wide track. But I wish it was. But not for extra hilling ability. Mine is a goat for a ZTR. I can't complain there and I like the extra trim ability I have. But, the reason I would rather have the wide track is the fact the tires are farther apart.... which makes them easier on turf when turning. During a zero turn, their actual turn circle/arc is larger and with the wider stance they also have added natural leverage for turning. Does this make sense?

Everything is just flat out well done, over done, well thought out, and easy to deal with on this mower. I could talk all day about the small details I've grown to appreciate. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

In my opinion, unless some of the "new for 2006" models from other brands are drastically better, this mower is the best possible choice for me and will stay that way.

They are a better designed, better performing machine, and they cost less money.
You can't beat that.
 
#8 ·
Envy
Thanks for your feedback. I'm going to try and get a demo, hence try, alot of these dealers around here aren't crazy about giving people a mower to demo. That includes dealers in all the different brands, Exmark, Hustler, Deere etc,.and alot of them only started carrying commercial mowers 2-3 years ago.
The lawn maintenance business is really growing here, as is the area I live in, so some of them are starting to realize if they want to get commercial users to buy from them their going to have to prove what their selling is worthy of commercial use. Again, thanks for the advise.
 
#9 ·
It's the same here. I'll dig up the story about me trying to get a Cub demo here local. It was at the Jerk dealer and what was said when I asked for a demo is why they carry that name from me.

If there are any more questions about anything at all, feel free to ask and I will answer when I can. I know what it's like being in your shoes....
 
#10 ·
Oh, if you want to demo the new Hustler Super Z XR-7, we will just have to talk with Pj here on lawnsite.

I'm certain he can make that happen for you.
 
#11 ·
We have a M48 Tank and love it. They are well built machines and ours has performed well for us. Cut quality, striping and discharge all seem to be right up there with what I have seen from other machines.

I looked at a L/C M60 at a local dealer recently. Seems I remember that when comparing it with the non L/C model that the engine was a few inches higher on the L/c model. My thoughts were that that would make it less stable on hills, and for us being able to stick on a hill is very important.
 
#13 ·
For their price, you can't beat them.

But there are several things about them that, in my mind, don't measure up to say,....an eXmark. I have a good friend with one, and he really loves his. He's thinking of buying another. His @ ~1000 hrs looks beat to hell (tweaked front forks, bent deck leading edge, bent gauge wheel brackets, those types of things). While my Lazer @ 1500 hrs looks pretty good.

Like I said, for the money, you cant beat them. However, I feel your getting $1500 less of a machine.
 
#14 ·
Just because one unit is beat up and the other is not, does not necessarily indicate a bad machine. Operator use is what can make such a difference. I would be really interested to see you guys start all over and swap machines, then see what they look like 1,000 and 1,500 hours later.

Some operators just beat up equipment and no matter what you put under them they will find a way to tear it up. Other people have a good feel for machinery and can run even the most delicate of equipment and make it go the long term.

Have a great day,
Doc
 
#15 ·
Lesco has a 60 with a 25 horse kawasaki for under or close to 6K it's made by the same folks that make the tank - i'm not sure about ALL the components but deffinitly should check it out out before you buy cub - i got a cub hydro in 94 with a brigss 16 vanguard - still running strong - great mower - thats why i bought tmy Ztwo at lesco last year for 5900 - do yourself a favor and check them out
 
#16 ·
MBDiagMan said:
Just because one unit is beat up and the other is not, does not necessarily indicate a bad machine. Operator use is what can make such a difference. I would be really interested to see you guys start all over and swap machines, then see what they look like 1,000 and 1,500 hours later.

Some operators just beat up equipment and no matter what you put under them they will find a way to tear it up. Other people have a good feel for machinery and can run even the most delicate of equipment and make it go the long term.
Well, what I'm getting at is his deck leading edge is bent in in 2 places.....why? Because his Lesco deck didn't have a reinforced leading edge (they do now, but it's still not as thick as a Lazers' deck). His caster forks are tweaked because the Lesco forks are built from thinner material. His gauge wheel brackets are bent because they are made of thinner material. I also don't care for the large deck lift handle.

Don't get me wrong, they're good mowers for the money. Are Lazer's a better mower? I think so. Are they $1500 better??? Don't know. I do know that you won't see me buying a Lesco/MTD/Tank when it comes time to replace my Lazer.
 
#17 ·
ccll said:
K & M
What type of price quote did you get for the L/C M60? I think $7550 is a pretty decent price considering you would pay upwards of $9000 for that engine on a Exmark, Deere or Scag.
At the time I was just looking at what they had in the lineup in the shed. I called back over there and got a price of $7999 for the L/C 29 hp fuel injected Kawaski and a price of $7199 for the non L/C 25 hp Kawasaki. He said the Kohler engine was the same price $7199 also. All of these are 2005 models that he has in stock. From looking back at your first post it looks like his price is pretty good on the non L/C but not very good on the L/C model.

From talking with him he says the manufacturer claims something like 25-30% increase in fuel economy due to the fuel injection and at least the promise of greater longevity due to the L/C running cooler.

From our talk he also confirmed that it was a horizontal shaft motor. When I looked at it I thought it was but the memory isn't what it used to be. Since the mower needs a vertical shaft to turn everything the motor has an adapter under it. That it why the L/C motor sets higher.
 
#18 ·
TLS said:
For their price, you can't beat them.

But there are several things about them that, in my mind, don't measure up to say,....an eXmark. I have a good friend with one, and he really loves his. He's thinking of buying another. His @ ~1000 hrs looks beat to hell (tweaked front forks, bent deck leading edge, bent gauge wheel brackets, those types of things). While my Lazer @ 1500 hrs looks pretty good.

Like I said, for the money, you cant beat them. However, I feel your getting $1500 less of a machine.
Sounds like he needs to get some new employee's, might take care of the equipment better.:)
 
#19 ·
wriken said:
Sounds like he needs to get some new employee's, might take care of the equipment better.:)
He's a solo owner/operator like me. Doesn't beat his equipment.
 
#20 ·
Love mine.:usflag:
Everything Envy said and more.
 
#22 ·
TLS said:
He's a solo owner/operator like me. Doesn't beat his equipment.
Somebody must be beating them, I would say a solo operator would be more careful with his equipment, I have three cub tanks that employee's operate, with similar hours as your. There not beat up, they have the same thickness deck etc. The bent forks can be bent from falling off a curb, the anti-scrape wheel brackets would probably be bent from recklessly swinging around and clipping something. I don't think they use thinner metal, check out the weight on a M-60 tank.:)
But maybe he has a lemon, theres probably some in every brand.
 
#23 ·
davhul said:
The thing that turned me away from the tanks is the price of the blades. $22.99 a piece. And the front wheels pivet, I like a ridged front end my self. Keeps from scalping. Don't get me wrong they are a very tuff machine.
I get my blades for the 60's online for 8.20 apiece, For 18 blades shipped to me, it works out to 9.88 per blade. As far as the pivoting front axle, lock it in, I have all mine locked in, they cut better.
 
#24 ·
K&M Lawn Care said:
At the time I was just looking at what they had in the lineup in the shed. I called back over there and got a price of $7999 for the L/C 29 hp fuel injected Kawaski and a price of $7199 for the non L/C 25 hp Kawasaki. He said the Kohler engine was the same price $7199 also. All of these are 2005 models that he has in stock. From looking back at your first post it looks like his price is pretty good on the non L/C but not very good on the L/C model.
QUOTE]
I would get the kohler, I have a kaw and a kohler in the M-60 mowers and the kohler is alot better on fuel.
 
#25 ·
wriken said:
Somebody must be beating them, I would say a solo operator would be more careful with his equipment, I have three cub tanks that employee's operate, with similar hours as your. There not beat up, they have the same thickness deck etc. The bent forks can be bent from falling off a curb, the anti-scrape wheel brackets would probably be bent from recklessly swinging around and clipping something. I don't think they use thinner metal, check out the weight on a M-60 tank.:)
But maybe he has a lemon, theres probably some in every brand.
Wriken,

I'm sure they're working great for you. My friend is TOTALLY happy with his. Just when I see it sitting on his trailer in the lunch spot parking lot, and it's banged up I tend to question it.

The deck shell gauge is the same 7ga side 10ga top, but his has no reinforcing band (1/2" on the Lazers). The newer Lesco/Tanks have a band, but it isn't as thick. The Lesco/Tank gauge wheel brackets are made of thinner material. The caster forks are also thinner. His also has the thinner caster tire (13x5-6).

The weight issue....the Lesco/Tanks have two large steel weight blocks in the back....how much do they weigh?

Like I said, I'm not knocking them. They are what they are. But to me, I'd rather spend $1500-2000 more for the eXmark.
 
#26 ·
TLS,

I like you and everything man.... BUT YOU ARE FULL OF CRAP.
You forget I have both.

I take nothing away from the eXmark on build quality. It's tough enough. But there is not one thing I can think of that is not at least equal. The rest are better/thicker/stronger on the Lesco.

The forks and the deck are the last thing you want to be comparing.
The eXmarks are not going to fair well in that comparison.