[AT] Cub Cadet values

[Steve W.]

Roy Morgan wrote:
> Steve,
> 
> Thanks for the additional information.  I'm new to tractors in general  
> and Cub Cadets in particular, having just bought the Cub Cadet that  
> had lived at our new house.  The thing is a Model 2084, has plastic  
> hood parts, and apparently was made by MTD.  The folks at the local  
> Cub dealer decry some of the things MTD did in design and execution,  
> and have been good enough to warn me about the weak points of the one  
> I have (especially the engine to drive unit shaft).

Roy,
  Don't believe everything you hear from a dealer. My 1641,1864 use the 
same unit and they are STRONG. As for the real differences. Your 2084 is 
built on the same IH designed chassis that the earlier models used. MTD 
actually upgraded some of it though. For instance tilt steering, and the 
true CV joints on the drive shaft are BIG changes. The reason the talk 
about that drive shaft is if you have the optional rear 3 point/PTO 
unit. The PTO tiller and the brush hog can beat the crap out of that 
shaft if you abuse them.

> 
> 
>> The tractors in question are the compact diesels (25-40 HP) Those  
>> are the
>> Mahindra types.
> 
> I gathered that they are diesels.  The owner of the Cub place sells  
> Simplicity machines, too, and feels that for real work, you don't get  
> a Cadet, you get a Simplicity.

Bet they are not a high volume dealer. The 3000 series will eat a 
comparable simplicity for lunch. I beat the 1641 to death on a regular 
basis. Take a Simplicity and see how far it will mow through weeds and 
grass and sumac over your head. Mine is considered a self propelled 
brush cutter.

> 
> 
>> Oh and FYI, if you have the earlier IH made Cub cadets you can get  
>> parts
>> for them at the Case IH dealer if they are any good. That covers all  
>> the
>> tractors made up to the plastic hooded "Cyclops" series.
> 
> My Cadet is the later type.  Maybe better it was older!  Perhaps  
> eventually, I'll evolve out of the plastic-hooded cadet and get a real  
> IH Cub.  It seems that they were true tractors, even though small.
> 
> In the meantime, I'll run the Cub Cadet around the lawn, and carefully  
> to cut grown up pasture weeds, and learn more about the IHC McCormick  
> W-4 we also have.

The ONLY drawback to the plastic hood is that you can break them, while 
the steel hoods dented. One weak spot on the hoods is the hinge. If 
yours starts sticking when you open it (will POP!) pull the hinge and 
clean and lube the bar.

> 
> Thanks for the info and advice.  (I wonder how far it is from Ithaca  
> to Cooperstown.)
> Roy

2 3/4 hours. I drove all over the state with the lottery and Ithaca was 
in my area.

If you get bored and want to talk to folks who own and love Cub Cadets 
drop over to http://ihregistry.com and join the group. Any question you 
have about them will be covered there. Also service manuals, owners 
manuals and other help can be found on the forum.

-- 
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York