Cub Cadet vs John Deere

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • WebSnyper

    Maximum Effort
    Rating - 100%
    56   0   0
    Jul 3, 2010
    15,417
    113
    127.0.0.1
    Were you there when they went down? I was. Thought you were younger? The bottom line was the companies were not built to compete with cheap imports that this country is now addicted too. They made quality machines...
    I've been on this earth 5+ decades. Not long by some standards, but been around to see bad mgmt and inability to adjust to the market take down more than 1 company. I understand that the best product doesn't always win, but blaming customers or competitors doesn't usually go far in business.
     

    Ingomike

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    May 26, 2018
    28,146
    113
    North Central
    Last I read Toro was contracting out to them. And just why would that be? Maybe because people prefer to buy throw away crap from China sold at big boxes instead of quality.

    Show me the community enhanced with big box stores and their part time low pay jobs...
    Toro is not an MTD brand. Sorry.


    I know that I get Toro and Troy-Bilt, which IS an MTD brand, confused in my head a lot.

    Toro: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toro_(company)

    THAT said - the lower end Toro equipment sold at Home Depot does appear to be made by MTD on contract. (from the Wiki link)

    Guess that means that it all depends on if any particular Toro implement is MTD or not. But keep in mind that even if a sub contractor makes a "thing" then that thing still must meet exacting specifications.
    Maybe I was thinking of Troy-Bilt, but as you said, MTD does make the lower end Toro stuff, but as you also pointed out, under contract.

    As I said, under contract...
     

    Ingomike

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    May 26, 2018
    28,146
    113
    North Central
    Bought my Bad Boy ZTR from a dealer. I actually looked at more than 1 dealer, and researched both the brand a bit and the dealers.

    I actually would have spent more and bought a Hustler, but the only dealer in my area for those had a very bad reputation, with many people saying they experienced shady business practices. There was no way I was going to buy there.

    So I went with my second choice of manufacturer/model to go with a dealer in the area I preferred with a good reputation. (There was more than 1 dealer in the area as well as big box availability but went with the dealer who had good reviews and seemed like a great guy when we spoke). Will get it serviced there this winter and see how they do.

    Before that I had a self propelled mower I bought at a different dealer who did me well and always put purchasing customers first in line for service when needed. He just didn't have anything in the same class of manufacturer when I was looking for a ZTR.

    When spending fairly substantial money, I definitely look for a reputable dealer to stand behind the product. That said, not everyone can afford to do that, and how other folks spend there money is up to them.

    Great plan and execution...
     

    Ingomike

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    May 26, 2018
    28,146
    113
    North Central
    I've been on this earth 5+ decades. Not long by some standards, but been around to see bad mgmt and inability to adjust to the market take down more than 1 company. I understand that the best product doesn't always win, but blaming customers or competitors doesn't usually go far in business.

    Fu** the market, that is not the subject, it is quality that idiots shunned for cheap shiny junk. Our corrupt government and globalist corporations made it so cheap throw away products were the norm and put American workers out of work for the graft they could get...


    I'm pizzed I cannot buy quality products because the dumbmasses want junk...
     

    churchmouse

    I still care....Really
    Emeritus
    Rating - 100%
    187   0   0
    Dec 7, 2011
    191,809
    152
    Speedway area
    So what have we learned here?

    I learned that there are a bunch of cheapskates, that to save a buck, are happy to buy from a big box store rather than a local dealer that hires full time employees, offers service, and local parts. (Although due to the cheapskates buying online dealers now cannot afford to stock what they once did.)
    Just read any given thread.
    I want the cheapest this or that for my rifle/pistol/lawn equipment. It’s not just ingo but a way of life.
    we are all strapped with budget limits and need to stretch out dollars as far as possible. Nobody gives a rats ass about employees or service until they need it and then pitch a royal bitch when it’s not there.
    says right on the box so not return this to the store of origin. It’s up to you to get it take. Care of under any limited warr. It may have. Cheap always pays out in the end at some point.
    gun parts are a favorite of mine.
     

    Bugzilla

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 14, 2021
    3,568
    113
    DeMotte
    Seems it all started when they removed silver from the money and got off the gold standard. 1964, gas was about 20 cents. Today 2 silver dimes worth about 3 dollars, the price of a gallon of gas. Keep printing money and the buying power of the dollar goes down. Get back on the gold standard, gold would need to be around $13,000 per ounce to cover the dollar.
     

    WebSnyper

    Maximum Effort
    Rating - 100%
    56   0   0
    Jul 3, 2010
    15,417
    113
    127.0.0.1
    Fu** the market, that is not the subject, it is quality that idiots shunned for cheap shiny junk. Our corrupt government and globalist corporations made it so cheap throw away products were the norm and put American workers out of work for the graft they could get...


    I'm pizzed I cannot buy quality products because the dumbmasses want junk...
    So are you saying there is no quality out there? I'm trying to make sure i understand your point. I'll give you that there is a lot of junk out there, but there is still some quality products.

    Also, I understand there were companies who made good quality product, that went out of business. They failed to adapt to a changing market in one way or another. That said, there are companies that still make good quality product, and did adapt.

    People put their $ where they find value. For some that is a well built mower, and for others that is a higher end firearm, etc.

    There is definitely stratification in the market, but for example everyone that wants a gun can't afford a higher end, American made, firearm. There are options in the market that range from finely built custom 1911's to fully functioning plastic, fantastics out there. Is there some junk in there as well? Definitely. Do some folks buy the junk rather than either the fine quality firearm, or the lower $ mass manufactured firearm that would have served their purpose as well? Of course.

    I'm just not sure I can buy into the argument that there is no quality in the market and everything is dictated by the lower end of the spectrum.

    I will say that buyers need to research and make educated decisions, and look to buy from reputable dealers, etc where appropriate, and where it makes sense to do so.
     
    Last edited:

    Ingomike

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    May 26, 2018
    28,146
    113
    North Central
    So are you saying there is no quality out there? I'm trying to make sure i understand your point. I'll give you that there is a lot of junk out there, but there is still some quality products.

    Also, I understand there were companies who made good quality product, that went out of business. They failed to adapt to a changing market in one way or another. That said, there are companies that still make good quality product, and did adapt.

    People put their $ where they find value. For some that is a well built mower, and for others that is a higher end firearm, etc.

    There is definitely stratification in the market, but for example everyone that wants a gun can't afford a higher end, American made, firearm. There are options in the market that range from finely built custom 1911's to fully functioning plastic, fantastics out there. Is there some junk in there as well? Definitely. Do some folks buy the junk rather than either the fine quality firearm, or the lower $ mass manufactured firearm that would have served their purpose as well? Of course.

    I'm just not sure I can buy into the argument that there is no quality in the market and everything is dictated by the lower end of the spectrum.

    I will say that buyers need to research and make educated decisions, and look to buy from reputable dealers, etc where appropriate, and where it makes sense to do so.

    There really isn't much quality out there. Even the better stuff has to be drug down in quality to be competitive with the low end. That is backwards. But we have an uneducated society.

    I watch the antique tractor shows, to keep this apples to apples, they will find a 60-70 (or older) garden tractor sitting out behind and old barn and get it to restore. Most of the engines will run with rudimentary cleaning and care, gearboxes are spot on, just change the lube. Even the frames are usually good.

    None of the tractors being discussed here could work 30-40 years then sit that long and be easily restored.
     

    mbills2223

    Eternal Shooter
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Dec 16, 2011
    20,138
    113
    Indy
    I bought my Cub Cadet at TSC...got it $500 cheaper versus the same model at a dealer. Service it myself...am I a baddie?
     

    Bugzilla

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 14, 2021
    3,568
    113
    DeMotte
    I’ve been to some dealers where the part time 18 yo worker at a big box was probably more knowledgeable and careful with the equipment than a dealer. I will spend my money where I feel I get the best service and VALUE, not quality. Could spend $500 for a high end top quality chain saw sharpener or $30 from HF. Got the HF. Used it 8 times, it paid for itself, still works fine. Now I take my blades in to get sharpened for $5 because it’s a better value to me.
     

    Mark-DuCo

    Master
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Aug 1, 2012
    2,265
    113
    Ferdinand
    Well with the supply market and now the John Deere strike, I hope I can at least get my mower by next mowing season. The dealer has been waiting on it since June as a stock model, I put my name on it in September, still no idea when it will be made.

    There was talk of having some models made over seas, which would really **** me off if mine was one of them after I paid the premium for an American made mower.
     
    Top Bottom