1882 Hydro issues

[picassomcp]

I have a new to me 1882. I have 2 other Cubs that I love, so I figured whats wrong with another right?!! I really like this machine but the hydro is driving me nuts. When mowing lawn, I'll set it at a ground speed that I like, when I turn the wheel, the ground speed increases, if I turn the wheel all the way one direction, it really speeds up. It seems like I am constantly slowing the speed down. This really happens alot and is making me kinda hate using this machine. I have recently changed the hydro filter and the fluid level is full.

Any ideas on what to check would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[J-Mech]

You need to adjust the tension on the hydrostat lever. If I am incorrect, someone please correct me. There is a bolt that is just below the dash behind the side panels. It runs perpendicular through the dash. Tighten it a little. Doesn't take much to make a big difference. Check in the "technical" section. There you can download a chassis service manual for your machine. It will walk you through it if you have questions. Oh, and

[R Bedell]

Does this 1882 have Power Steering on it...??

[rweaver]

whats happening on the tractors with power steering it seems that if you turn tight it puts more pressure in the system and drives the tractor faster that happens to all of the power steering tractors but if the hydro lever just keeps moving forward on its own then on the left side of the tractor on the hydro lever shaft is a nut that has a friction washer under it tighten that a little and the lever will stay where you want it

[Grampie]

Hi and welcome to OCC! What you have is a HYDRO driven tractor. NOT to be confused with an automatic transmission with cruise control like in your car or truck. I've had over 10 different Hydro tractors and every one acted different. Let me ask you this, if you had a foot controled tractor, Would you mind if your foot wiggled a little to control your speed? I think not. I've always had to keep a hand on the speed control of any tractor I've owned and yes, when you do somthing to change fluid pressure in the drive it will change your speed. So will using a hydraulic lift or power angle snow plow while driving. Kind of like being in the shower up stairs in a two story house and somone down stairs flushes the toilet at the same time. Big change in water pressure! (I live in an 150 year old farm house with a well) You have to DRIVE your tractor! I haven't found one yet with AUTO-PILOT. I also think this is why all the new tractors went to the FOOT Controled system to free up your hand to use the cup holder! DRIVE your hydro! I like mine!!!

[Sam Mac]

This seems to be more noticeable in some tractors that others. My guess is as they get a little more wear in the pumps it shows up more. The 1882 I had did it more than the 2284 I just sold but every Super I've owned did the same thing to some extent.

[cubs-n-bxrs]

My 1572 does it and I was told that the hydro pump is in need of a rebuild. Not so sure about that but I just learned to deal with it. Mine does it really bad when running one of the hydraulic levers and the end of travel is reached it speeds up pretty good. Almost acts as if the releif valve isn't unloading when it should be and the extra pressure is going to whatever function the hydro is using. Hence speeding up.

[R Bedell]

DITTO what Grampie said

[picassomcp]

This 1882 does have power steering. I also own an 1811 that does not have power steering, that also changes speed when I move the hydraulic deck up and down. It doesn't change in speed as much as the 1882 and is completely tolerable. The 1882 is quite excessive, I'm gonna have to do something with it. The most dangerous situation is near trees, just when you really need to be paying attention to the tree and getting as close as you can too it, the darn thing speeds up and you nearly plow right into the tree. I don't trust my wife or father in law on this machine due to this exact scenario. I wanna keep it looking as good as it does, that's not gonna happen if they crash it. I think I'm gonna go look for a friction screw near the ground speed hydro lever. Thanks for the help and the welcome to the site.

[Oak]

I don't think that is where your problem is. It sounds like you have a pressure problem in the hydro. When the steering cylinder reaches the end of its stroke it builds pressure and surges forward.