New to cubs, which one to buy question

Bushman · #1 02-15-2012, 08:31 PM

Hello, I am in the market to buy my 1st Cub Cadet tractor and have a couple that I found locally. Running a snow blower is going to be my most demanding job.

I have found a 1864 with a 451 blower that has a Kohler Command that uses oil with a 48" deck, $800.00 and a 3185 with 385 hours on it with no blower and a 54" mower deck, $1000.00. The 1864 does not have an hour meter but from what I have read about Commands is that they are known for head gasket trouble and a fix kit is available. I have always had good luck with Vanguards.

This winter I got tired of a Case 446 and just became interested in the newer Cubs from reading and looking at them. I would usually go for older iron and did find a nice 1450 down the road from me but after too much wrenching this winter on the Onan B43M, am looking to get into something less needy.

Can a 3185 run a 451 blower? I found one of those laying around and it would almost be a no brainer to buy the 3185 and run a 451 on it, if it was doable. Any advice is appreciated.

4SPEED · #2 02-15-2012, 08:46 PM

Welcome to OCC..

Im sure the other guys will be along any time now to help you out. I dont know enough yet about what your looking for.

jbollis · #3 02-15-2012, 08:58 PM

The 451 blower will not fit on the 3185.

The 1864 is by far a better machine then the 3185 in my opinion.

You could pick up the 1864 with blower and deck and pick up the other 451 blower sell one of the blowers and make half your money back on the whole deal.

Methos · #4 02-16-2012, 12:23 AM

The 1864 has tilt and power steering. Here's the one I'm buying from my wife's uncle. She wasn't to happy about driving it.

JohnK · #5 02-17-2012, 05:06 PM

I would definitely go with an 1864. I love mine. Don't know if I would go with one that smokes though. At least not for $800. Maybe half that. They are great machines. Heavy duty, power steering, hydraulic lift (which is great for a snowblower). Kohler Command v-twins are good engines in my opinion. Probably one of the best non-super Cubs ever made.

Bushman · #6 02-18-2012, 09:43 AM

I have read about Kohler Commands having a head gasket failure and crankcase breather blowing oil into the carb as possible causes of oil use beyond normal wear . Not any kind words towards the 3185. I have been looking for a blower to fit a 3185 and so is another guy in Michigan.

Dave01 · #7 02-18-2012, 09:58 AM

I'm going to vote 1864 as well, I love mine. I'm looking for a 451 blower, they generally go for $500 plus used. I would buy that tractor with blower and deck for $800 if there was no engine at all in it! Of course if it looks like an abused machine that would be a different story, but if it looks decently maintained its a good buy.

If you are lucky it's just the breather. If not could be a gasket or an engine in need of a rebuild. You could do a compression test before you buy.

Bushman · #8 02-18-2012, 06:02 PM

Well, now that I found out how much it costs just to put a blower on an 3185 the choice is clear the 1864 will be in my garage soon. Just locating a blower for the 3185 is tricky. Thanks for the info.

JohnK · #9 02-18-2012, 07:56 PM

In my reply I had forgotten that the price for the 1864 included the snowblower. $800 isn't bad if the tractor and blower are in nice shape. I know all the 451's I have seen for sale go for at least $500. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what a 451 or 551 blower would have sold for brand new?

One of the big problems with head gaskets on Command engines is caused by improper shutdown procedures, ie: shutting the engine off at idle instead of at least half throttle like the manual states. Shutting down at idle causes backfires, which are hard on head gaskets. A compression and leak down test would help diagnose this.

Dave01 · #10 02-18-2012, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

One of the big problems with head gaskets on Command engines is caused by improper shutdown procedures, ie: shutting the engine off at idle instead of at least half throttle like the manual states. Shutting down at idle causes backfires, which are hard on head gaskets. A compression and leak down test would help diagnose this.

John, I didn't think there was a major problem with head gaskets on Commands. I run 3 of them right now, have been around a lot more, and have never had that problem. I may be wrong, just haven't run into it.

I'm one of those shut down at idle people! I don't mean to start that whole discussion, but the way I shut down I don't get backfires. I find them to be very solid, reliable engines.