Cub Cadet Yanmar EX450-0 4.80 star(s) (5)

Cub /Yanmar
Model Year: 2009

Great tractor so far. Have had 0 problems.

Pros: Great value over green or orange.
Cons: Wish it had extendable hitch arms.

Replacing Ford 8N with Yanmar EX450
Model Year: 2009

Waiting delivery. Lots of work waiting. Mowing, snow removal, box blade work,gardening and a lot of huge trees to cut down and remove. I will review when I get some experience with it.

Pros: So far the dealership.
Cons: None yet.

Real Value
Model Year: 2011

This tractor exceeded my expectations mowing on side slopes. It maintains its power from the 4 cylinder engine compared to similar models with a 3 cylinder engine. Its steering is run off of the hydraulic pump rather than a belt driven power steering pump and it turns and handles easily, even in tight situations on slope. My main concern was handling slopes since I have a farm in eastern Kentucky and central Kentucky. I have cleared much property with my dozer and can honestly say that I feel comfortable and confident with the tractor on side slope and using heavy mowers/bushhogs on slopes of 50% or greater. The negative is that the steps could be made of thicker steel and the lift arm controls could also be thicker. But Yanmar makes a quality engine and drive train and have not taken any short cuts where it counts. The money was saved only on issues that I mentioned above and the operator with normal use should not encounter problems later on. I was concerned about what I was buying and like many had to buy what I could afford. So, I opted not to buy Case or John Deere. I am now convinced and would purchase a larger Yanmar/Cub Cadet in the future if they make one. Overall it is a great value. It performs at least on par with my neighbors same size Kubota for lots less.

Pros: 4 cylinder engine has lots of torque does not bog down.
Cons: Seat, steps, lift arm control a little flimsy.

Great Tractor
Model Year: 2011

I have 8 acres of wooded 3 foot thick. Pines have used the EX450 to lift and move 8-10 foot sections of trees and the tractor also powers a PTO driven wood chipper and the front loader to excavate and build greenhouses and dig Hugel Kultur garden beds. This tractor has performed flawlessly and is also used pulling a 7 foot heavy duty box scraper for a nearly mile long dirt road for access to our home. There are no Cons except for the bad mouths out there who have cult followings of the orange and green variety. I have nothing bad to say about the green and orange paint cult people because they have more money than I do to buy a tractor that does have good quality just like the Cub Cadet/Yanmar. The only difference I can find in any of them is that they cost more in initial price and maintenance items, but they don't out-perform the yellow and black bumblebee called CC/Yanmar. I know because I have used and owned both of the others pound for pound the price makes a significant difference also don't forget the 5 year warranty that comes with the EX450. Now as far as power and smooth operation it has no hiccups there and four wheel is the only way to go for any tractor that you may buy regardless of paint color.

Pros: Power performance reliability ease of operation etc.
Cons: None.

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Happy with Tractor
Model Year: 2010

I'm happy with the tractor and its performance, but when I purchased it new in 2010, the unit didn't include a hydro-static transmission and it's cumbersome to use when having to shift between forward and reverse, especially when spreading gravel in shed and mowing. I would purchase another Yanmar Cub Cadet, but it would have to have the automatic shift and I wouldn't buy it from the dealer I purchased from originally. The dealer is only interested in the original sale, no follow-up.

Pros: Easy to use except for the shifting of the transmission, just the right size for transporting between home and the farm property (40 miles).
Cons: No hydro-static transmission, no 3-pt. extendable arms, would like to have belly mower so that attachment don't have to be exchanged often just to mow.