Why not
 

I’ve rebuilt some, restored some, modified some, but never got the red one I wanted. I wanted a Super for sure. Wasn’t looking forward to pouring fuel into a 982, I am, after all, officially, a senior citizen now. I could add power steering to anything. But a cyclops has everything I wanted, except for, the color! SO. Build what Cub Cadet didn’t. Again.

Working
 

I took it completely apart. The plastic was in fair shape. I drill and tap the broken side panel posts for 5/16 stainless studs. They are lock tighted in. The grills I repair/strengthen by riveting aluminum strips inside. Then lay a couple layers of fiberglass cloth and resin. It also got heat reflective material as the side panels did.
P. S. I use a product called “Pig Putty” to build up and strengthen the area to be drilled/tapped. It is a 2 part epoxy putty they you knead together and form it as needed. SUPER strong!

Wow, very nice. You did a good job of making what Cub Cadet did not.

:IH Trusted Hand::IH Trusted Hand:

It looks amazing! Super impressive...then again, all your work is terrific.

Wow, the cyclops looks great in red. Nice job.

Thank you for the kind words. I forgot to add this picture of one of the repaired posts.

Finished
 

The 54” deck and hanger has been restored and put in place. With the tractor finished now, I’m quite happy with how it turned out. Problem is though, I don’t want to get it dirty! The engine/tractor only has 728 hrs on it, LOTS of service life left in the machine. Time to start thinking about something else to tinker with.

I don't usually comment on peoples "projects" but that is one plum purdy project!!!!!!!!!
I do think cub should have offered the option in red, just like that.
I feel it would have sold well!
Outstanding!

Luv it , looks great
Oz

I was always a big fan of the yellow and white cyclops. But your pictures have forced me to reevaluate my thinking on this. The Red cyclops is beautiful.
Did you use any special additive to the paint for the plastic parts?
Thanks for sharing.