Bought My 2nd Cub

[Cannon51]

I got the PTO on yesterday. I found a short engine oil filter at Tractor Supply, also got 2 gal of hyd fluid while I was there. I had ordered a hydro filter with some other stuff. Today I got the engine and hydro oil changed, both were black as coal. Picture is hydro oil.
I fooled with the charging system some. With the + VOM lead on the regulator output it would start at 9 and go up to 14 but with the regulator connected to the wiring harness the battery would not get above 12.5. I tried running another line from the regulator output to the battery side of the solenoid but that made no difference. I thought the butchering on the harness might have been the problem. I ordered this regulator. http://www.ebay.com/itm/121379777165...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I bought a cheap one on ebay last year for another mower and it is still working.
I did a little math this morning and I have spent a little over $150 on it since I got it making it about $425 in all so far.
Cannon

[Cannon51]

The Cheap voltage regulator arrived yesterday. I installed it and let it run 2 or 3 minuets until battery voltage got up to 14v then engaged the PTO. The Alternator light came on, the disconnect PTO light was on dimly and battery gradually went back down to 13v. I turned of the PTO but the alt and PTO light would still come on intermittently. I unplugged the PTO but that made no difference. I think today I will try to disconnect the PTO circuit and see if I still get the Alt light. I dread starting on this wiring, it's pretty cobbled up and I am not very good at finding wiring problems. The Briggs manual has a "typical 16 volt regulated wiring diagram", I am tempted to wire it up like that and add a PTO circuit since all the safeties have been cut out anyway.
While waiting on the regulator I played with the plastic some. I saw a video of a guy fixing some plastic on a motorcycle with a soldering iron so with nothing to lose I started on the grill. After going over the cracks I covered the repair with plastic epoxy. After it got dry I sprayed it with some appliance enamel I had.I looks like crap but it will do for now.

[kostendorf]

Looks like a pretty good repair weld job.

[Cannon51]

I put the Plastic on this morning and took the 1641 out and dragged a few saplings to a brush pile. It still has some wiring problems but it cranks , runs and charges. i need to take a break from it and get some other things done. I hit Bambi last night on US 11 not far from home, need to get the truck in the garage and see if I can straighten up the bumper. I appreciate everyone who commented, advised and read the thread.
Cannon

[Cannon51]

I though I would update this thread. I haven't used it to mow for a few years but use it to pull trailers and drag brush. I haven't had much trouble with it the last few years other than the grill finally broke in two. Up to 975 hours and the Vanguard still cranks and runs good. Two weeks ago we had some high winds in North GA. I had some trees blow down and lost a few shingles off the house. I've been working a few hours a day on clean up and roof repair, that's about as much as I'm good for at a time any more. The wife is fussing at me, says I don't have any business on the roof any more. I read through the thread before posting, saw several names I haven't seen in a while. I need to do a better job keeping this thing clean. On the way to the brush pile.
Cannon

[Farmall450]

The internet always amazes me - a 9 year update. Glad to hear you and the cub are still doing alright.

[Ozcub]

Just be careful getting up on the roof because the Ambulance drivers always say "old men fall off ladders"
Oz

[ironman]

Originally Posted by Ozcubowner

Just be careful getting up on the roof because the Ambulance drivers always say "old men fall off ladders"
Oz

That's why you should ask the wife to clean the gutters.

[Cannon51]

I pressure washed the 1641 today, all the trailer pulling and dragging brush this winter had it in a mess. I changed the oil and filter, 982 hours. Greased all the fittings and washed out the foam pre filter. Before I could check the hydro fluid I had to take the seat brackets apart and get them freed up. I think whoever designed the Cyclops seat brackets had a streak of meanness in them. I took the tunnel cover off to grease the rear CV joint and sprayed garage door lubricant on every joint I could see but I still have a squeak in the brake linkage. This thing sure is handy.
Cannon

[Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Cannon51

I pressure washed the 1641 today, all the trailer pulling and dragging brush this winter had it in a mess. I changed the oil and filter, 982 hours. Greased all the fittings and washed out the foam pre filter. Before I could check the hydro fluid I had to take the seat brackets apart and get them freed up. I think whoever designed the Cyclops seat brackets had a streak of meanness in them. I took the tunnel cover off to grease the rear CV joint and sprayed garage door lubricant on every joint I could see but I still have a squeak in the brake linkage. This thing sure is handy.
Cannon

I agree that some of the engineers were a Little crazy with their designs to access things. I think Ariens and Simplicity Must have had the best-thinking engineers for servicing a Garden tractor, as they made it, so the fender deck would lift up to access the Transmission on several of their Tractors.