New Tractor replaces 2166

Sergeant, MTD (owner of Cub Cadet ) has a LOVE affair with Lowes Hardware and they'll do anything to please them. Yes, I said anything. However they are adding a lot of new models this coming year and we'll have more better built Cub tractors at better prices. The new LT 1000 series is being built to compete with JD. The 1000 series tractors have the same frame, electric clutch,deck and Timken taper roller bearings in the deck.However it will have a new molded hood instead of the steel ones we've been using. The places they cut costs are using B&S ELS series engines and using a Transmission with less pistons in the pump otherwise the same trans. They cut almost all the dealer margin out to cut prices. However the Dealer will have a lot of new models that Lowes and Tractor Supply won't have and also at lower prices than what the discount stores sold them for this year. All in All the retail customer will be getting a lot of tractor for a lot less money. I think the stores like Sears will start to feel more pressure from the Cub as well as JD brand tractors going after their bussiness.

Jody, Yep they are going but the LT1000 series will share almost the same parts except the hood, engine and trans. The big loss is the Kawasaki engine. According to the polls they did, they told us customers wanted three things when purchasing a new mower, Big horsepower, large decks and lower prices. Now Cub is reacting to what the market is asking for. They want to go after the market and give JD competition. I personally like the better quality tractors even though they cost a little more, though most customers want the best value. The problem lies with these box stores selling equipment and not knowing enough about the difference in the higher quality mowers to sell them, so the manufacturers are making it easy for these stores to sell more. I agree with Sergeant about the problems that come from lower price equipment, for one I hope the retail customers don't get the impression that they are getting the best tractors that money can buy. We all know that in the real world you get what you pay for, and we don't expect a $1600.00 tractor to compete with a $4600.00 tractor. We'll have to wait and see.

Fact: John Deere sold more John Deere branded tractors at the BOX STORE this year than Cub Cadet branded tractors that were sold though Box Stores. I remember JD quoteing that in the 21 century they probably wouldn't need a dealer. I think HD can get anything they want for Deere if they ask. Everyone thinks this relationship with Box Stores is fine but time will tell.
Fact: John Deere dealers get $35.00 a tractor for asembly and making sure they are ready to sell at HD. Then he gets $35.00 a tractor when he gets the warranty card from HD and calls customer and sends card to JD.
Fact: HD sells 500 tractors at the local store and dealer puts every one together and checks, he gets $35,000 from this venture. His expenses are another full time employee, another truck for this employee to go to the HD store and put together tractors, Tools , Fuel for the truck, Insurance on the truck, He is liable for lawsuits if his employee does something wrong when assembling the tractor. His phone will ring with many questions about warranty related issues and most of these sales will result in the homeowner serviceing their own tractor. I can't see how the JD dealer will continue to be profitable unless he gets the other (LX and larger tractor sales).Time will tell. As for the way I use a calculator it looks like the numbers end up in the RED.:grapevine

Sergeant: I don't stock the Husqvarna Garden Tractor's but I'll check and get back to you.