Cub 580 debate

[Tater305]

So just recently got back into cubs with a 580 after searching for 9 YEARS to find this model so my question is if this is a unwanted unpopular model WERE ARE THEY AT? why are they so cheap if there hard to find. Sure they have the unpopular junk belt drive system but it works ok. I just dont understand why people treat these things like the new plastic junk that is sold in big box stores today. Sure it might not do as good with pulling a disk or plow as others but mowing and plowing snow it holds its own, the manual lift might be a turn off for some older users but i deal with the plow unassisted just fine. Thoughts and opinions? be nice ive searched far and wide for this model well not the exact one i wanted i was looking for the 582 special but besides the paint its all the same.

[J-Mech]

I think you pretty much nailed why it's an unwanted, unpopular model. The new "cheap junk" is belt drive and no good for heavy pulling or ground engaging work.....yep it's good for mowing. So are the new ones.... Most of us want the durability of a shaft drive. I'm happy you found what you wanted... but it's a tractor group most aren't interested in for the reasons you mention.

[olds45512]

If i ever come across one for cheap i would pick it up but i would switch the rearend for one out of a gt, i have a few laying around.

[john hall]

Around here, all the Cadets are lawn mowers. I did pick up a tow behind sprayer for one last year. We just don't need them to do heavy work, so a belt drive model would be fine for us. Lord knows the 110 Deere dad bought in 66 is ready to go tonight. Having said all that, I think most of the folks on the forum use them for something besides mowing grass, so they need the more durable driveline and rear end. Concerning the general public, hardly anybody mows grass with an old Cadet any more--they are too old, unreliable, and too slow. That's painful to say but its true---it applies to any brand of 30+ year old lawnmower--if you don't go through it from end to end fixing what needs fixing, your yard will become a hayfield. Face it, practically everyone here turns their own wrenches. If we didn't, we couldn't financially afford to run 30-50 year lawn mowers. I'm so deep in Deere country its pathetic. Honest truth, the 3 houses to the south of me all bought big, high end Deere's from a farm tractor dealership in the same week--none of them cut over an acre of grass.
We run Cadets because anybody can "follow the herd". I can go buy a $10K Deere tomorrow, but I don't want to be that boring--I'd rather have a whole fleet of classic machines.

Regarding your "oddball", hey I like it. I kind of want a 582 Special myself, just because they are unusual. Not looking for one but should one show up and the price is right with cash burning a hole in my wallet.......

[Tater305]

I dont think people give them credit cause there belt drive but id would like to be able to try it out. Ive seen first hand one pull a pulling sled and it did just fine and even was in the top 5. When it came down to it the gear drive commands beat it but it still kept up with them. You have to do things to them to get the belt to hold but it wasnt much, the guy said he had to replace all the stock pulleys cause he split all them in half, use the stock spring but stretch it to the draw bar and still use the correct belt and it all held together.

[rocker582special]

I'll be honest I have a 582 special. I love it, is it perfect. By no means, I mowed with it when I started my landscaping business. I still use it for garden work and it does just fine. I also plow snow with it some in the winter.

[darkminion_17]

If you are happy with your 580 that is alright with me.

[Tater305]

I like it so far, it has some minor things i hope to fix in the summer but its holding together for now. The clutch arm is wore and wobbles, needs a good cleaning, needs a lower grill insert, the hood is bent but i got it close enough that it shuts but isnt good enough for me yet. It had a blown motor when i got it but luckly i had extras. Before you bash briggs you should know it was the previous owner who neglected to tighten the rod bolts to spec, ive taken dozens of these apart and could tell they were loose which sucks cause they just put new rings in it but ruined that when they left it sit out side uncovered with the heads off.

[Oak]

Here is a nice looking one in Taylorsville, NC for ya.

http://hickory.craigslist.org/grd/5961912787.html

And another in Lynchburg, VA.

http://lynchburg.craigslist.org/grd/5940770050.html

[olds45512]

This shall be known for the rest of eternity as "The great 580 debate of 2017" people will be telling they're grand children about this for generations to come.