[AT] OT(?) Cub Cadet 1812 Hydro question

[John Wilkens]

Steve, after using our zero-turn Cub Cadet for several years my wife 
and I wouldn't consider anything but a zero-turn machine--even if 
they are a little more expensive!  We have to mow around a lot of 
trees and other obstructions and this mower is effortless to steer 
(two fingers) and about as fast as you'd ever want to go.  Still, I 
wish we had purchased a Toro in stead of the MTD-made Cub 
Cadet.  Look 'em over real close.  The concept is great but the 
engineers that designed the overall Cub Cadet machine must have been 
in a big hurry.  The Cub has a Briggs engine  :(  that has given 
several fixable problems (fuel pump, magneto and carb adjustment that 
I just can't seem to get right).  The Toro I saw has a Kohler 
engine  :) .  The Cub tilt up seat won't stay up because it hits the 
engine.  Three of the tires have gone flat because of poor rim 
sealing (had to add sealer).  Not sure but I think the Toro has 
bigger rear tires.  You have to take the vacuum fuel pump loose to 
get the battery out.     .......but 
zero-turn.....great!             John W.      My mower is a Cub Cadet RZT 17.



At 06:42 AM 06/04/2009, you wrote:
>Hi John:
>
>What model is your Cub Cadet Zero-Turn?  Reason I ask is because I'm
>thinking about one right now, specifically, a CC Enforcer 44.   One of
>my reasons for starting this thread originally was because I was
>needing to fix up my old CC garden tractor to decide if it cuts fast
>enough to keep, or if I need to let it go and spend some bucks on the
>ZTR.  Now I'm a bit wary of the hydro...
>
>Steve O.
>
>On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM, John Wilkens <jwilkens at eoni.com> wrote:
> > I got in on this string late but thought i'd throw in a little tidbit
> > on hydrostatic drives.  My cub cadet has dual hydro motors on each
> > rear wheel for the zero-radius turning (really like it!), but I have
> > experienced one problem.  I got to working it pretty hard last week
> > and experienced an increasingly loud growl (not the blades).  It got
> > worse and finally just wouldn't go.  The motors are sealed.  The
> > problem was the hydraulic oil in the sealed units got so hat it
> > started cavitating--fomed up).  I let it sit for a day to cool off
> > and it was fine.  The mechanics had never experienced it before.  I
> > like the concept of zero-turn but if I had it to do over I'd by a
> > Toro zero mower.   JOhn W.
> >
>
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                    In the wide-open spaces of NE Oregon