New (used) cub cadet.

[EricB]

This was an opportunistic purchase last month. It's a 2015 model with only 68 hours. I already own a little poulan since 2011, and it's never given me trouble, at least none that I caused. Found the cub cadet at a yard sale for less than I spent rebuilding the poulan, and the seller delivered it. Seems like I made a good deal.

The 42 inch deck is removed for cleaning and refurb.

Prior to purchase I was only familar with the name and the color, and that it's a lawn mower, so I turned to the internet for guidance on what I've done. After finding you should never buy a lawn mower at a yard sale, it seems that the engine is the source of many horror stories.

Again, I had no idea Kohler made anything other than faucets. I guess I'll find out if any of the stories are true.

The other issue seems to be the inferior deck, so I pulled it off to have a look. It had several years of clippings (about two gallons) stuck under it and a bit of surface rust but nothing major. The only wear I could find is on the spindle brake pads. Here it is after a few days work.



New belt installed since I was in there anyway, and I'm waiting on the mulch kit to arrive.

Looking forward to spring!

 

[matthewsx]

Nice, the old Cub guys will probably be disappointed with the newer model year but it looks like you got a solid machine. Kohler makes decent engines, just have to maintain them like any other small engine.

John

 

[mmcmdl]

That's a newer Cub . Most mowers now are made off sure these days . Looks to be in good shape and has the Kohler . MTD made these most likely before selling out to B&D Stanley . I'll buy any older CC or IH I can find but they're becoming rare these days . The older models have horizontal engines and are drive shaft driven , they last a lifetime + .

 

[mmcmdl]

Nice, the old Cub guys will probably be disappointed with the newer model year but it looks like you got a solid machine.

It's not old ................................but still a Cubbie . Forgot to mention .....................tear anything off not needed on top of the deck . IE , Pulley guards ! Drill a few holes in the lowest portions of the deck for water drainage and keep the deck clean . Wet grass stuck in places will eat the deck out pronto .

Another issue is with the front mounted muffler . They need to keep free of grass and leaves , they'll light up and burn the tractor to the ground . You can google this or check out only cub cadets website .

 

[EricB]

Lawnmower maintenace is in full swing now. The mulching kit arrived and is installed. The instructions say to tilt up the discharge chute to install the plug but that didn't work. I had to remove the chute to get clearance to install the plug.


While putting the deck back on I found it was installed wrong when I got it. The front bracket is used on different size decks and has mounting holes marked for each deck it's used with. When I put the front hanger rod in place it was much too long for the 42 inch deck hole, so it had to have been in the wrong hole to start. It's better now but still needs the back rods adjusted.

I guess these mowers come partially assembled and the seller or owner has to install the seat, dash top,steering wheel, and top hood panel. Well whoever it was never fully tightened the bolt for the steering wheel. They ran it down to the locktite but not enough to keep the wheel from flopping around. They also missed one of the catches that holds the top of the hood in place, and had to deform the hood to get it locked down. Because it had been in place for so long It took a few days to relax the plastic and get it back together correctly. It's the little things like that that make me wonder about people.

...tear anything off not needed on top of the deck . IE , Pulley guards !

I'll be leaving the pulley guards in place because they keep the belt in place. I know they can catch debris but that not eally a big issue to me. These guards are open on the ends so they look pretty easy to keep cleaned out.

I think I'll like the hydrostatic drive.

 

[mmcmdl]

They are put together at the dealer who sells them . ( and usually half assed )

Now you have to join the Only Cub Cadets website ! A couple of us on here are members . Any info you would ever need , they have it . Friendly group also as we are . Enjoy that Cubbie !

 

[EricB]

This is the machine that's being replaced. It's not in bad condition (now) for it's age. It's been a love/hate relationship over the years, but the engine is so clean I almost hate to part with it.









I actually got this one in 2011 from a friend of a friend. It had suffered some major trauma, unbeknown to me at the time, and needed a lot of repairs. In all it needed the front axle beam, both spindles, and one of the drag links replaced, and the deck was deformed such that the blades could not turn. Let's just say I was not happy when I tried to use it the first time.

I'll make sure the next owner has no reason to complain.

Eric

 

[matthewsx]

Big difference between that and a hydrostatic drive.

 

[mmcmdl]

Big difference between that and a hydrostatic drive.

Hydros reduce cutting time by 50 % at the least . Zero turns even more .

 

[EricB]

Kohler's obligatory oil leak.


It's all happy now, and I adjusted the valves while I was in there.