Free GT2186

[deezdrama]

Hello, first post here.

I am closing on a new home next week which has about a half acre yard and an acre of woods, so far previously I've always lived in houses in town with a normal/small lot and pushmowers were all that was needed.
I've been trying to decide on a lawn tractor, garden tractor, or zero turn for the new property.
I'd like to be able to plow snow in the winter and also be able to pull a cart into the woods when I get around to building a small cabin/campsite back there.

I have been looking for an old jd 316 but recently when I went out of town to purchase a utility trailer I noticed the seller had this old cub sitting there in the driveway with no deck on it. I also noticed the "gt" badge and with my limited tractor knowledge I assumed it meant garden tractor and knew it was built better than lawn tractor mowers and so asked about it....
The seller said the gt2186 was just running this spring but started giving him issues and he said I could have it if I wanted it. I asked what the problem was and he said he thought it was the carb. Sadly no deck was included but I figured if I could get it going it could be my campsite cart hauler and winter snow plower.

Now im completely new to small engines but have worked on all my own vehicles for 20+ yrs, having rebuilt my share of motors and replacing head gaskets a dozen times or more so im not scared to dig in if i must, just hoping I could get some guidance from you knowledgeable guys here.

The air cleaner cover states its a kohler command 20hp vtwin. Ive read these are good engines but head gaskets can be a problem and also the hydraulic lifters can cause valve issues if the wrong weight oil is used.

So here she sits, waiting on me to get started. No battery, i assume any 12v lawn and garden battery with the tab lug terminals will suffice?

Should I just get a battery and test her out or should I flush the tank, hoses, and clean the carb first?

Should I just order a new carb to have on hand?

Theres 800hrs on the ticker before someone unplugged the ground to the counter ? so not sure how many hours it really has. All tires but one rear tire are holding air.

What do you guys think? Worth the effort? Was it worth grabbing for free?

Is this a decent engine to work on?

Any tips,thoughts,suggestions?

Thanks!

[3Kseries4ever]

Definitely worth picking up and getting working well. It also freed you up to pick the mower style you like best. The Kohler is a solid engine and should serve you well, the hydrostatic trans is strong. According to Tractordata it should be a 2004 - enjoy your new toy. Welcome to the forum.

Bill

[1711Cub]

Best part of that machine is the CH20 engine. They are great to swap in older Cubs.

[Sergeant]

I had a Cub Cadet 2206, basically the 20 HP version of the 2186. From 2002 until 2018, I replaced it with a Cub Cadet XT3 GSX. The 2186 is a decent garden tractor. I had a 30-inch hydraulic tiller and an electric lift sleeve hitch for the 2206. They are a great medium garden tractors. But a JD 316 is a night and day difference. A much more versatile tractor with available attachments such as a Cat 0 3 point hitch. And even a loader (not that I recommend a loader on a manual-steer garden tractor). But if you picked both up, use the JD 316 for any heavy jobs and use the 2186 for mowing. Our site supporter, RF Houtz, has some used deck for the 2000 series tractors. He is a retired Cub Cadet dealer. But he has a big Cub Cadet Bone Yard.

[Farmall450]

Originally Posted by 1711Cub

Best part of that machine is the CH20 engine. They are great to swap in older Cubs.

Exactly what I did with my 1711

[finsruskw]

Check your PM's