The Cub Cadet SLT 1554 offers the most deck (54 inches) that you can buy for under $3,000, as well as a powerful engine and a hydrostatic transmission; unfortunately, however, the tractor is slow for its size and buyers will pay the price for its power at the gas pump.

From a functional standpoint, the SLT 1554 is an efficient workhorse that will cut thick, high, damp growth with the same stamina with which it cuts short, dry grass. We are impressed by its powerful engine, which will cut through anything without slowing, even on steep hills. With the exception of its consumer zero turn mowers, Cub Cadet uses only large Kohler Courage V-Twin overhead valve engines, and the SLT 1554's engine is enormous but inefficient; this machine's top speed is only 5.2 mph, which seems awfully low for a tractor with a 27-hp engine.

Those with large, complex yards will appreciate the ability to mow in reverse, but we find this model's reverse mowing feature to be inefficient on bumps and hills. The mower deck has a tendency to cut out in reverse and does not restart when you move forward until you disengage and reengage the electric power take-off (PTO) knob.

Before you even ride the SLT 1554, the first thing you'll likely notice is that while it is commanding, the seat position is unnecessarily high. We also find that the design of the foot pedal tends to leave the foot unsupported and result in an instant reverse wheel spin. The SLT 1554's person-sensor is in the seat pivot rather than in the seat bottom, and the pivot is protected by two powerful springs that can tip the driver forward and shut the engine down. When you head downhill, hitting a bump can pull you forward enough to tip the seat a bit, and then everything shuts off.

The SLT 1554's deck has a lip around the edge to reinforce it by catching grass clippings and water, and we recommend following the manual and blowing out the grass with compressed air at the end of every mow. We are not impressed with the DeckWash system -- while clumps of grass came out, there were still plenty left.

Though it will get the job done for level areas, the SLT 1554's combination of low uphill speed, moderate level speed and operational issues make it a fairly poor choice for yards that slope beyond 15 degrees.


Pros: Big deck, powerful engine, important features, good warranty
Cons: Gas hog, slow, poor ergonomics, inefficient at mowing in reverse

Warranty
3 years or 120 hours (residential); 5 years or 500 hours, limited (commercial)