The biggest Cub Cadet garden tractor?

[knolte]

Kinda sorta thinking about a new project. What was the biggest garden tractor made by CC? Something comparable to a 420/430 JD. Were they gas or diesel? I have had a CC/Yanmar for the last decade or so. Great tractor but looking for something comparable to my 420 JD to rebuild/use around the farm.

 

[-CӞ]

2284 “Cyclops” ???
https://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/001/1/3/1133-cub-cadet-2284.html

 

[knolte]

2284 “Cyclops” ???
https://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/001/1/3/1133-cub-cadet-2284.html

Well that didn't take long.
I had not thought about using that site.
I had heard/read the "cyclops" name bantered about before. Now I know what they meant. Not the most attractive headlight system I have ever seen but the rest of it looks good.
Also didn't know they were part of MTD at that time. I thought they came along later but apparently I was wrong about that. I'll get on the hunt to find one in the midwest.
Much appreciated @-CӞ

 

[Mark Miller]

Well that didn't take long.
I had not thought about using that site.
I had heard/read the "cyclops" name bantered about before. Now I know what they meant. Not the most attractive headlight system I have ever seen but the rest of it looks good.
Also didn't know they were part of MTD at that time. I thought they came along later but apparently I was wrong about that. I'll get on the hunt to find one in the midwest.
Much appreciated @-CӞ

I have found through repair and modifications all the super cubs are similar on the issue of drive train except the 2182 and the 1782 which have Kubota 3cyl engines..1782 being the diesel version and 2182 the gas...I dropped a diesel in my 2182 as I have 2, one of which is a dedicated front loader (diesel swap) and love it..Its a extremely strong little tractor and with these 2 models allows easy swapping of the Kubota diesels up to around a 722 or higher if you really want to cram something in..Just my 2 cents..

 

[Doug Rusk]

The 2072 would be 20 hp and has the older 782 style sheet metal. Same basic chassis as all the rest of the supers up thru the 2284. In fact I'm told if you use the older steering tower you can use the sheet metal from the 82 series. Something to think about of you really don't like the cyclops look. I have 2 of the 1862 cyclops and they are growing on me. Also the 22 hp v twin from a newer cub could be swapped into a 2072 or even an 1872 if you need or want more hp in a super chasis.

 

[-CӞ]

The 2072 would be 20 hp and has the older 782 style sheet metal. Same basic chassis as all the rest of the supers up thru the 2284. In fact I'm told if you use the older steering tower you can use the sheet metal from the 82 series. Something to think about of you really don't like the cyclops look. I have 2 of the 1862 cyclops and they are growing on me. Also the 22 hp v twin from a newer cub could be swapped into a 2072 or even an 1872 if you need or want more hp in a super chasis.

guy in missouri is asking $500 for this ol neglected one. hope it finds a home!

 

[spndncash]

Well that didn't take long.
I had not thought about using that site.
I had heard/read the "cyclops" name bantered about before. Now I know what they meant. Not the most attractive headlight system I have ever seen but the rest of it looks good.
Also didn't know they were part of MTD at that time. I thought they came along later but apparently I was wrong about that. I'll get on the hunt to find one in the midwest.
Much appreciated @-CӞ

no matter what Cyclops you buy I would highly suggest cleaning every electrical connector and every ground on the vehicle. They may not be as "big" being 17hp and 21hp but I prefer the Kubota powered cyclops 1782/2182 or the 982(19hp). the cyclops' plastics are the weak point. Highly optioned cyclops are difficult to find. I purchased an entire tractor to harvest the 3pt and rear PTO. I have no need for the dual front hydraulics. the 982 If I recall has a more robust hydro being steel over aluminum. I would repower the 982 with something different after the onan died. every 982 I have owned has had every option on it. maybe luck or the options were cheaper in the late 70's early 80's. 2000 rpm cat 0 implements are rare, so are power angle plows. as for the headlights, the "cyclops" lens is removable and then you have two sealed beams if you are not a fan of the look. I switched it all to LED so I can run multiple lights on the marginal charging system.

 

[Mark Miller]

Restored, converted, modified (3) 2182s and the connectors are a huge culprit..Taping them up (water tight) after a redo does the trick and also eliminating them making permanent connections means never having to deal with them again..Also don't forget the infamous lack of relay which should have been after all the safety switches which caused all those "click, click, click starts..A easy solution..Mostly I run both my 2182s with the sides off, My one with the 25hp gas is for the grass. easy to clean after with a good back pack blower. the other; the front loader is a pain to put them on anyway around all the hydraulics and the little D600 (which puts the 25hp gas to shame) runs cooler without them..I really do wish they were sheet metal though as I am all about the old school in some aspect..They do look good but...One thing about the SGT is when you sit on them they feel heavy for the size, in fact about 1100 lbs in standard form, not like the junk in the H Depot parking lot now a days selling for $4k+....

 

[brocksvold]

I have a Cub Cadet 7205 20hp tractor with a broken hydrostatic transmission. I would be willing to sell it or buy a used Hydro for it.
The tractor has a good front end loader and the engine ran when I split the tractor to remove the hydrostatic unit.
Probably needs a new battery and a cleanup.
Any offers or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dfrisk]

If you REALLY want a large garden tractor, I'd look for a 5288 or 5488 IH. Yes, they're full size tractors, all came with cabs, most had FWA, all had DT-466 Diesels, 5488 was intercooled, , Synchro-Tri-Six Transmissions with most speed changes "shift on the go" They were what IH tried to copy to make the 982.
I bought my 982 in 2000, the Onan had been completely overhauled, new tires paint & decals. AND GUESS WHAT I've had to work on the most? I got sick of the stupidly high Onan parts prices so bought a Kawasaki powered Cub Cadet zero turn. I may try to get the 982 running this summer. The 982 works great pulling my Pronovost P503 dump trailer.

 

[Mark Miller]

I love my SGTs and they are just right for the property. Ive done a incredible amount of work with them and they just exceed my expectation for their size. Do things go wrong with them? Ofcourse, but why do I have a work shop and all the tools I've collected throughout my life If I don't get to use them? A bigger tractor would be too much on my 2 acre property and destroy the lawn. I'll have to post some pics as I've really done a lot to the 2 2182s. As I've mentioned the one being fully restored has a kwikway loader on it, beefed up spindles, 3 point with suitcase weights, fluid filled tires and 100lb wheel weights. Pulled the wg600 gas and converted to diesel D600. It is really a super work horse which worked out to be a reliable package. I'm putting a small mini turbo on it as I write so we'll see how it goes..As for the other gas 2182 I hauled it out of a farmers field evicting the groundhog living in and under it totally restoring that one also for the grass., Smoothest running WG600 I've ever had...They have both been torn down completely as I never could leave anything alone without trying to make it better which is my sickness....Don't know much about the 7205 though but I did consider getting one once..If they are built on the same principal as a standard Hydro/trans setup which use a common sump maybe just swap it out for a good used hydro unit without too much else..

 

[Bret McFarland]

Kinda sorta thinking about a new project. What was the biggest garden tractor made by CC? Something comparable to a 420/430 JD. Were they gas or diesel? I have had a CC/Yanmar for the last decade or so. Great tractor but looking for something comparable to my 420 JD to rebuild/use around the farm.

Well as far as cubic inches, Onan is top dog:
Onan B48/P220 - 781cc
Kohler M20 - 769cc
Kohler CH22 - 674cc
Kubota WG600 - 599cc

The Onan is a beast and torque monster!

 

[Mark Miller]

When I first converted my 2182 WG600 25hp cub to a dedicated front loader the WG600 gas had a unbelievable 300+ hrs on it and when that Kwikway loader was all loaded up with a full bucket of dirt/gravel etc and almost 900lbs in counter weight that motor wanted to puke out when I tried to climb any type of minor grade..After I did the conversion to the little 15hp D600 (out of a G5200 I believe it came from) into it the difference in torque was night and day and the thing just sips fuel all day. I swear it was just over a idle and did more than what the gas Kubota which was a fuel glutton could not tacked up..If I ever do another conversion of need to swap a engine again it'll be a small diesel, so much less crap on them to deal with..However for those who love the gas I would by far feel comfortable with the Onan...

 

[Bret McFarland]

When I first converted my 2182 WG600 25hp cub to a dedicated front loader the WG600 gas had a unbelievable 300+ hrs on it and when that Kwikway loader was all loaded up with a full bucket of dirt/gravel etc and almost 900lbs in counter weight that motor wanted to puke out when I tried to climb any type of minor grade..After I did the conversion to the little 15hp D600 (out of a G5200 I believe it came from) into it the difference in torque was night and day and the thing just sips fuel all day. I swear it was just over a idle and did more than what the gas Kubota which was a fuel glutton could not tacked up..If I ever do another conversion of need to swap a engine again it'll be a small diesel, so much less crap on them to deal with..However for those who love the gas I would by far feel comfortable with the Onan...

Diesels have absolutely amazing low-rpm power. Yep the WG600 needs to be rev'ed for sure. And the Onans are a money pit if you have one going downhill. I managed to get lucky and find a great low-hour P220 for my 982.

If you look at the torque curve for the D600 and Onan they're both making power early.

 

[Doug Rusk]

Isn't the hydro suppose to be used with the engine wide open for the most part? Something about minimizing fluid slip and heating by running at rated rpm I thought.....

 

[1811Cub]

Isn't the hydro suppose to be used with the engine wide open for the most part? Something about minimizing fluid slip and heating by running at rated rpm I thought.....

The WOT operation is mainly for the engine cooling, and blade tip speed if mowing.

 

[Bret McFarland]

Isn't the hydro suppose to be used with the engine wide open for the most part? Something about minimizing fluid slip and heating by running at rated rpm I thought.....

I rarely run any of my tractors WOT. My M18 workhorse gets run 1/2 to 3/4 for mowing, with sharp blades there is no need. For cooling don’t think it matters, lower rpm generates less heat.

 

[Mark Miller]

Diesels have absolutely amazing low-rpm power. Yep the WG600 needs to be rev'ed for sure. And the Onans are a money pit if you have one going downhill. I managed to get lucky and find a great low-hour P220 for my 982.

If you look at the torque curve for the D600 and Onan they're both making power early.

I'm familiar with the low rpm torque made with diesels vs gas and always realized the true measure of importance is "torque" not the calculation of HP..I drove diesels since I was 18 yo on the job as I was a Teamster (retired Pgh FF now) even though never owned one as my own vehicle, spent more time in them..When the day was over it was nice to jump in my truck which was a nice quiet 8.1 gas...However, for towing, pulling and everything else except at the pump its Diesel that's king...I have been shopping around on Ebay checking out a few D662 or what have you as I'm getting the itch to swap out another WG600 for one of those..I never could leave well enough alone even though its one of the smoothest gas Kubotas I ever had...

 

[1811Cub]

I rarely run any of my tractors WOT. My M18 workhorse gets run 1/2 to 3/4 for mowing, with sharp blades there is no need. For cooling don’t think it matters, lower rpm generates less heat.

The Cub Cadet engineers along with the Kohler/Briggs engineers got paid a lot of money to test these engines and tractors when they were new, and after exhaustive testing they came up with the WOT guidance. I would follow what they recommended then, and still recommend to this day.

 

[bjames]

The operators manuals also say to mow at full throttle.