Only Cub Cadets - Farmall Cub VS Cub Cadet

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- - Farmall Cub VS Cub Cadet (https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40974)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oak (Post 346647)

The 982 was the biggest IH built but the largest deck available was a 50" cut. MTD used better engines and decks than IH did. The 1872/2072 is an improved 982 with a larger deck available, power steering, more standard options and a better driveline. The Cyclops SGT's are an improved 1872/2072.

I thought 60" decks were an option on 982 machines. Mine has a very early 60", its actually badged as an IH deck. Pretty much same as the later Haban other than the serial tag is in a different spot and no front gauge wheels. I actually have an IH parts book for the deck--not a CCC or MTD publication. The dealer dad worked for only sold one 982, I thought it had a 60" deck, but I'm going off a 30 year old memory.

I'm going off of memory too John. I was thinking a 50 was the biggest. :bigthink: 982's are still one of my favorite machines.:beerchug:

I have supers and have owned 5 or 6 Farmall cubs and still have one. If you want to do any Garden work plowing, discing, cultivating, planting, fertilizing ect you can't beat a cub I grew up doing all the above. My dad used to raise 90,000 tomato plants every year. The cub even though it does not have a live PTO it was very popular in the 50s and 60s for cutting grass. I would not recommend for finish lawn work but they are great for cutting down field grass. I spent many hours cutting acres upon acres of two foot high field grass. The super is a far superior finish mower with a hydro, power steering and is much more nimble. I would take a 1572 or 1772 over a 982 in a heartbeat. Nothing wrong with the cyclops but I prefer metal over plastic. The field these tractors are sitting in were all tomatoes when I was a kid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by john hall (Post 346615)

I don't know how many of you guys have ever mowed with a Cub tractor, but in my opinion they are a complete joke for mowing. You better hope the grass isn't growing fast or you can't even wait a week between mowings. I grew up around quite a few of them since my dad worked for an IH dealer and I helped there part time. I got to test quite a few after the mechanics were done with them by mowing the back lot. There's just not enough power there to pull a 60" deck. The 48" or whatever the single blade decks are were better on power but you could hardly mow as wide as the wheel track. Dad's Cub has a 3 blade Woods deck and a rebuilt engine, I'll blow past him with either of my Supers. Any decent 12hp Cadet is a better mower than a Cub. I will say the IH decks that had the built in ratcheting center pulley were nice so you could shift gears without having to wait for the deck to stop. The 154-185 Lo-boys did seem to have a little more power, must have been different gearing in the PTO. Cubs are great for running a sickle mower or cultivating, other than that they are just pretty much obsoleted---too much work to mount tillage tools unless they are fast hitch. If you really want a tractor to mow with, upgrade to a Super A, 100, 130 or 140 and then you will have something decent. You can get the mowers belly mount or rear mount.

Cub only has 8 HP, that's why I've had less than enthusiasm for them.

I really considered a Cub but decided it was simply too big for my land, a cadet is the perfect size.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drglinski (Post 346753)

Cub only has 8 HP, that's why I've had less than enthusiasm for them.

Don't be deceived by the number an 8hp cub would out work an 18hp super all the way around. The cub was an amazing machine in its time. A super is a far better mower and has much better mobility.

Ditto to that, I really enjoy mowing with my father's 154 (mine doesn't have a pto yet, too many irons in the fire) at about 1/3 throttle and almost silently. The 60" deck is still lifting enough to have a decent cut and you can hear your kid running around in time to stop. Not a bad thing!

We use our old 1956 f-cub a lot cutting the food plots in the woods, and it cuts some pretty thick tall clovers and alfalfa. We use to have one on the farm back in the 60's and 70's that I cut the pastures with and the ditch along the hwy.
Both are/were the 60" belly mowers and they performed their jobs well.
I can guarantee my 1872 isn't going to work all that well in the same situations. As the f-cub isn't going to do well where the 1872 shines mowing the lawn around the home stead either.
So rather than comparing the two, just have both to cover the chores that need to be done...:biggrin2:

Man yalls stories are amazing! Thats really cool. I have a new respect for the MTD made cubs. Like some of yall i prefer the Metal over the plastic. Ill also expand my search of Supers up to '89 and include the 1872, 2072, 1772 as well as the 982. I really cant say how much i learn from this site everyday! Ill probably invest in a F.Cub later on down the road, but for now, i can definately say my cub fever is getting worse!

Matt

I've had my FA Cub for several years now... I can honestly say that "10hp" on a FA Cub isn't the same "10 hp" that you expect from a small engine such as a Kohler, Kawa, Briggs, whatever.... My FA Cub can work side by side with my 30hp Kubota B tractor, only it's a lot more clunky to use (gotta love hydrostatic and power steering).

Like everyone has said they are two TOTALLY different animals. Heck, the old FA M's were only rated back in the day at something like 30ish HP. If you ever have a chance to really check out the engine in a FA Cub take a good look at the size of the pistons and everything else. I'm amazed at how much "work" those little tractors are capable of. Then to realize that the same transmission that's in the FA Cub is in the IH Cub Cadets.... WOW! Talk about over engineering!!!