Cub Cadet-Yanmar : New Models

I had to run to the pharmacy to pick up some medications for my daughter and noticed the local tractor dealer had the brand new Cub Cadet/Yanmars on display on his lot. As my daughter was not in urgent need of medications, I decided to stop off to inspect the new tractors. I was impressed with some of the features, underwhelmed with some others, and I have no idea what the specifications are for the tractors because, being Sunday, the dealership was closed. So I only got to sit in the seat and make pretend diesel sounds and only got to pretend to work the loader.

Still, I was able to get a feel for some of the features and make some judgements. I'm not sure that I like the BLACK over YELLOW paint, seems that the black might get very hot out in the sun? But it is a good look.

The tractor, which appears to be a 32hp unit, was sitting next to a Kubota L3400. The length overall of the Cub was noticably shorter, the height of the unit was also noticably higher. It appears the Cub has a higher center of gravity by several inches. The Cub has a curved arm loader design, as well as a curved & sloped hood similar to the New Holland tractors but the forward view of the bucket is completely obscured. I belive the overall height of the tractor blocks the view forward?

On the right side the loader control hoses are easy access, but also obstruct the ability to ingress/egress on that side. The left side has a step to assist in climbing up to the operators station. The loader control valve is fender mounted. The dash is easy to read with analog gauges.

The bucket was what I classify as a medium duty variety. The lower edge is reinforced, the sides are reinforced only about 2/3rds of the way up, the top edge is a folded edge, without a support tube, but the design has multiple folds and would be suitable for mounting grab hooks without too much fear of the collapse of the top edge.

A thoughtful feature is a big rubber catch basin around the fuel filler cap, its good becasue the fuel filler cap is located very high off the ground and you have to reach over loader arms.

Hood release is simple, just a lever at the front of the tractor under the hood. There is a bracket on the front for front weights???

The engine seems to be tucked well back and I found it hard to get to parts of it. The hood lifts well out of the way, but also requires 2 side panels to be removed to access the sides of the engine. Even with all of that opened up, the engine seemed to be set reward so far that the cowling for the dash obstructed the access to much of the engine. Not sure I'd want to work on the tractor, but then again, with a Yanmar engine, it may not need much work.

The rear of the tractor had a nice set up for both filling and checking oil, both were easy to reach. The PTO shield was the best I've ever seen. The top was spring loaded and lifted up slightly. Both sides were rigid, but also incorporated lower flexible rubber areas.

They have plans for 12 models from 25 HP to 45 HP. The 25 is next out. List price for a EX3200 hydro is $15,400 without the MMM drive option. Local dealer has sold 2 with loader for $16,500. See the thread at NTT!