I was always under the impression that IH Cub Cadet also had the superior transmissions which came from Cub tooling, and remained the better of the two garden tractors. I have never noticed what JD had that was a good gear drive garden tractor, and have read that the JD Peerless transmission was weaker than the IH's by far. JD had to go where IH didn't, and that was to hydraulic operated equipment, some say the 140H2 was better than the 318 because the 318 had the same engine problems as the Cubs. I'd say the Simplicity 7117 would be a 318's Nightmare.

I have a 84 red Cub Cadet 782, it's my Workhorse, it have a 50 Inch Deck, 10 Inch Brinly Plow, 117cm Self made Snow Blade and a 110cm Front Sweeper.
I also own a John Deere 15 Trailer for it.

It have the powerfull KTS2 Engine, new overhault, and is a good Machine.

I have a restored 61 "O" also, but it's for playing,

mfg Georg

1864 w/54" mower and front bumper (to protect the plastic) is best, hands down if you want to cut grass and push snow by a wide margin. End of story!

If you're a collector, that's not the one you want. I've collected too much junk over the years and that's why the 1864 makes me happy.

:biggrin2:

318 has a Onan engine early 317 has KT 17 series I that your probably referring to. As far as simplicity 7117 ( I'm not familiar) being 318's nightmare the 318 will hold it's on to any similar sized garden tractor. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who prefers cubs

Gravely 816, John Deere 120, Cub Cadet 1250! Beats the 127 I have with that $60 "RUSTY STAR" junk clutch kit they want to sell you! POORLY designed clutches on them older Cubs so I traded 123 for 1250 and LOVE the 1250! Nothing wrong with a BRONZE MEDAL!

Some of what makes for the best is what floats your boat. I like to tinker with old iron tractors, but just am spare time challenged.

The best tractor for me is:

Easy to operate
Simple to work-on
Heavy duty
Common parts/implements

Sooooooo - for me it's a 128 for a gear drive and a 149 for hydro.

Bill

I'm not an expert by any means, but I've had a 782, 882, a John Deere, few generic MTD tractors, and a couple of Kubota diesels, and the 782 Cub is the toughest built little tractor I have ever used.

My personal preference was always the 140h3 but after owning the 318 I have to say the 318 is indeed the best IMO. Beat the snot out of my 782 and 2072 I used to have. I didn't care for the Onan engine though just because of the fact that parts are so expensive. I prefer the kohler that was in the 2072 or the 782. So both had ups and downs

OK guys, this post by the OP was what is the best CUB not JD so that said I am doing the following. This thread is going to the general section and keep it Cub only. Yeah I know JD made some good stuff and I own one but this is Only Cub Cadets. If you want to talk Deere go to Weekend Freedom Machines. Rant off. Carry on.

Well said, Sam! Glad you moved the thread!