As you shop for a garden tractor you will see many units of the Cub Cadet GT 1554 for sale, especially at the big-box stores. The suggested retail price for this model is less than $3000, and it has many features that meet the needs of both lawn mowing and large garden work.

The GT 1554 is built around the venerable 27-hp Kohler Courage V-Twin overhead valve engine that's found in many medium-priced garden tractors. It has the power to do more than cut grass. It can pull ground-engaging attachments to cultivate a garden. However, Cub Cadet doesn't sell its own cultivator so make sure that whichever one you buy can be attached and pulled by the GT 1554.

The hydrostatic (automatic) transmission can move the mower at up to 5.2 mph forward or 2.3 mph in reverse, which is adequate for most large lawns. If you need faster speeds than this consider a zero-turn riding mower. The GT 1554 has a cruise control to make the job easier. The tires are 23 inches high in back and 16 inches high in front with turf-protecting treads.

Like other garden tractors, the GT 1554 cuts a wide swath of grass. The deck has three blades that are all controlled by a Kevlar belt to cut 54 inches of lawn at a time. Discharge is through the right side. An optional chute to rear bagger is available, as is an optional mulching kit that shreds the grass under the deck before depositing it back on the lawn.

Cutting height is standard 1-1/2 to 4 inches, and is adjusted by a lever on the right fender that can be easily reached from the relatively comfortable seat (with armrests!). Turning radius on this long garden tractor is 21 inches, 3 inches more than many other tractor mowers. That means you'll spend a little more time turning this model around.

The fuel tank, at 3-1/2 gallons, is smaller than some but more than adequate for most lawn jobs. You will probably run out of grass before you run out of gas. Unfortunately, you will have to stop the tractor and go behind it to visually check the level of fuel in the tank, which, of course, is not convenient.

The frame is a little thinner than higher-priced models; it's made of 12-gauge steel. The mowing deck is made of average 11-gauge steel. The deck has anti-scalping wheels in the front and a rear roller to keep the blades level to the ground. There's a front bumper to protect the plastic engine cover, which swings open from the front.

The Cub Cadet GT 1554 is a good compromise for the price. It has an automatic transmission with cruise control. It also has many of the features of more expensive models, but cuts back on some things, such as steel gauge, that are not as critical as some of the other features. And it has a solid, proven engine that should mow for more than a decade -- with proper service. Also, it has a 3-year warranty that is 50 percent longer than that of many other brands in this price range, and a 5-year warranty on the frame, chassis and front axle. On the down side, most Cub Cadets are sold through big-box stores that don't offer much service after the sale. Make sure you know what service is required to keep the warranty in effect.

The Cub Cadet GT 1554 is a value-priced garden tractor that may fit your lawn mowing and garden cultivating needs for many years.


Pros: Solid engine, automatic transmission for the price of manual, better warranty
Cons: Not quite as solid but adequate, make sure you can get service when needed