Carburetor needed for 1811

SalGrey · #1 08-18-2016, 07:43 AM

Just joined. I have been watching since I bought a 1989 1811 in late July and am impressed by how much you guys know about these old tractors. I am new to garden tractors of any make and model so am in a steep learning curve.

First, a little humor: I call him Cubby. Cubby has a " Puppy" to follow him, always obediently carting around whatever materials need moving. Cubby also has "Doug" the dozier blade, who just loves to push along ahead of Cubby, and of course, Cubby has a mower under his belly.

In mid July, I bought 14 acres of undisturbed Woodland in Taylor County, near Butler, Ga. My plan for Wildwood is land and wildlife preservation (I have been a state licensed wildlife rehabilitator for 26 years.). I will be building a tiny cottage soon, about 320 sq feet, need elec, a well, and to cut a narrow driveway from highway to homestead. These are potentially land disturbing projects but I am trying to keep it to a minimum. I bought Cubby for work at Wildwood.

Cubby was sitting in a shed for 5 years, then cut grass for the previous owner. He is in generally good body condition, even the seat looks original. Does have a few rusty spots, which I intend on repairing myself. The engine is in good shape, according to the mechanic to whom I took Cubby for a checkup and maintenance.

The mechanic says the carburetor needs work, is useable but runs rough. he may be able to rebuild the carb, but maybe not. In case he cannot rebuild it, I am searching for a replacement - part # is: Kohler 52-853-04.

I checked at Partstree but it was not available, nor was the one noted as 'can use instead', part # 52-853-30.

Also need an oil filler cap: 52-173-01.

Any suggestions as to where I might find these parts, especially the carburetor?

Thank you! SalGrey

J-Mech · #2 08-18-2016, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalGrey

J
The mechanic says the carburetor needs work, is useable but runs rough. he may be able to rebuild the carb, but maybe not. In case he cannot rebuild it, I am searching for a replacement - part # is: Kohler 52-853-04.

If mechanic can't fix "Cubby's" carburetor, find a new mechanic.

At any rate, a Kohler #26 carb will work for the main body. You would have to switch the throttle and choke shafts. Otherwise ebay and wherever else you want to look.

If you do replace the carb, mail me the old one. People replace them all the time when they aren't bad, or their mechanic sucks.

ACecil · #3 08-18-2016, 11:00 AM

Welcome to OCC! The sponsors at the top of each page should have what you need.

SGragg · #4 08-18-2016, 11:19 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Do you have the Owner's Manual for the 1811? If not, it's in the Technical section, page 3, located here:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=11199

First find out what engine you have. Engine model and serial numbers are on top of the engine (if you can read them), near the fuel pump. Find the corresponding Manuals in the Technical section.

Next, double check your carb, but if factory, it's probably a Walbro fixed jet. Use the Service Manual to step you through removing the carb and locating the serial number. Once you know the manufacturer and serial number, you can do a Google search to find a rebuild kit. Not that difficult to do; doesn't take a mechanic.

Use the Restoration Tips section on how to clean carbs:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/f...splay.php?f=20

Again, welcome to the forum and congrats on your land purchase.

SalGrey · #5 08-19-2016, 12:37 PM

Thank you J-Mech, ACecil, SGragg for your replies.

J-Mech, will send you the carb if the mechanic doesn't rebuild it! Please know that I don't have much choice in mechanics for such an old machine in my area of Ga, so I made the best choice I could. If you know of anyone who works on old cadets, or even other brands, near Columbus, Ga, PLEASE send me contact info.

ACecil, I will check the sponsors.

SGragg. I have both the owners' manual and the service manual and I will check the Restoration Tips.

CubDieselFan · #6 08-19-2016, 03:20 PM

The carbs are not that complicated, you can rebuild it yourself. Look at the parts that come in the kit and you will see that there is just not that much to them. If yours does run then it probably just needs a good cleaning. Also I would not trust your "mechanic" or he may just not want to work on it and is just a part swapper.

aagitch · #7 08-20-2016, 07:32 PM

I had a cub dealer do that to me when I didn't know anything about them. He put a brand new carb on my 1811 about 6 years ago and since then I realized he could have just rebuilt the old one. I just rebuilt one 52-053-02 from a wheel horse (kt17) that I got off ebay. I swapped it with the one that was on my 1872 that didn't have an idle speed screw which was annoying.

CubDieselFan · #8 08-22-2016, 10:10 PM

Did you ever get a Carb?

SalGrey · #9 08-24-2016, 03:43 PM

cubdieselfan, thank you for asking. Life interfered with my search so, no, haven't found one. I tend to think like others here have commented, that the mechanic should be able to rebuild it. I am going to revisit that with him.

Do you have further info for me? A location for the carb if it is actually necessary? I haven't had time to explore the parts suppliers at the top of the page, but will do that today.

john hall · #10 08-24-2016, 09:55 PM

Let me just toss this out about the carb. A buddy of mine worked for a Deere and Stihl lawn and garden dealer. The shop rates were so high that they seldom rebuilt a carb. It was cheaper to replace than to rebuild. Assuming you have to deal with plugged passages and worn shafts, the repair cost will outpace that of a new carburetor. Just something to consider. You should see how much Stihl equipment he brought home out of the junkpile, wasn't worth the shop rate to fix it, they would just sell the customer new. Anyway some food for thought.