Upgrading a 782 to "super" status?

[MWShaw]

So I have a red 782 that I like. To be honest, for mowing duties, it is a little bit too big. But for snow removal it works very well. I let it get low on oil and broke one of the connecting rods, and I am in the process of fixing that. The end result will hopefully be a solid KT17II with many years of service left in it.

One of the few things I never cared for on my 782 is the steering. The effort seemed high, and the radius was large. My wife has several flower gardens that I mow around, and it can be a challenge sometimes. I decided it was one of those things I would have to live with.

Then my best friend gets a JD318. Power steering, independent rear brakes, front hydro ports, blah blah blah blah.

Now there is no shutting him up, so my quest to upgrade my 782 was re-kindled! And some gas was poured on it!

I see this thread;
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=16068

and get pumped up. I begin to shop around for parts. Next I find this 2072 on CL for $400.00. The seller comes down to $350.00



Looking back at the price breakdown on inspectorudy's build, I think I'm on to something? Buy the 2072 for $350.00, take off any parts I want to use on the 782, then sell the rest.

But now I'm looking past just power steering;

I'm looking at the front hydro ports (782 has the holes in the front frame plate, just have to knock the slugs out!)

I'm looking at independant rear brakes!

See what I'm saying? I'm looking at making a "Super" 782!

I know the first thing you are going to say; "Ditch the 782, and rebuild the 2072." I know, I know that might sound good, but refer back to my opening statements. If the 782 is almost too big, then the 2072 is certainly too big!

Next will be those who say; "Fix them both!"

I have trouble keeping all of the stuff I currently own, indoors, much less adding another tractor.

But more than that this, 2072 is rough, it has sat outside most of it's life (last 10 years anyway), it was sitting next to a house fire, seat cover melted, hood ornament looks like a banana! The PO never had the deck off of it?? I had to show him how to remove it, and he owned it 15 years! It runs and drives, but he said it will bogg down in heavy grass, the 20hp Kohler magnum needs attention. They did some "cobbleling" on it. Mostly the wiring, starting it with a screwdriver, the fuse recepticals are gone from the dash, I'm not sure what all they did there?

So for those reasons and more, the 2072 is a parts machine. My question is, what all can be switched over to the 782? The wheels and tires are larger, the frame is longer, but is the sheetmetal the same? If it is, I could do the bodywork on those pieces, get them painted red and all decaled up, without taking the 782 out of service.

If I use the front axle as part of the PS swap, do I have to use the wheels?

If I use the front axle for the PS swap. do I need to use the rear axle as part of the indepandant brake swap?

Long post I know, but I'm waiting on parts for the motor, and trying to keep my mind off of my dog passing away, so thanks for humoring me!

[CADplans]

We all hear your concerns about the size of the super, but, have you ever drove a super!!??

That long wheelbase (that is the only thing that will change) makes all the difference!!

The super will also be more valuable in the end, a guy built a Sub-Super a year or so ago, it was beautiful, he could not sell it.

[ihnick]

If you do go ahead with the build. Id put the mag 20 out of the 2072 in your 782

[Sam Mac]

MW

Just my 2 cents. Fix the Super, you'll find it will turn on a dime OK maybe a nickel. I was never on a Super till this year, I thought my 1210 with the Cyclops front axle was about as good as it gets, wrong. The Super is plenty maneuverable.

[Leadslingingdaddy]

For the price you paid for it and if the Mag is in good shape I would restore the Super....They turn on a dime and ride far better than a 318...

I know I have both and the greenie is the wifes mower....

Get a real deck for it and you are off to the races....!

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by Leadslingingdaddy

For the price you paid for it and if the Mag is in good shape I would restore the Super....They turn on a dime and ride far better than a 318...

I know I have both and the greenie is the wifes mower....

Get a real deck for it and you are off to the races....!

He already has a 60 Cub deck, just needs a little TLC.

[ol'George]

Keep both, go get yerself a "Garage in a box" @ tsc, home cheapo, or Blows
then it will be undercover, and room for more!!
By the time you get it put up, your parts will have arrived and you will have been busy and not constantly remembering the loss of your "girlfriend"!

[maddog784]

I have a 782 and a 982 with an 18 mag - so basically an 1872. I will say that while the 982 doesn't turn tiny circles, the power steering makes it a lot better. I have a few flower beds to mow around with the 782 and it can be difficult.

I will address the question about the rear end - you'll have to check and see whether or not your current rear end has internal or external brakes. The external brakes should swap pretty easy, but I don't know anything about changing an internal to an external system.

Also, if you're going to put the rear end from a 782 into the super, be aware that the reduction gear on the pinion shaft is a different size to account for the different tire size. The hydro pumps are different also, the super's pump has a smaller output gear (because of the larger reduction gear). So if you switch one out, change them both.

As far as interchangeable parts go, all of the sheet metal should work out fine. The tunnel cover is longer. The dash on the 2072 has an extra hole for an oil sentry light, but should be the same other than that. Also, I believe that the battery box under the fenders is taller on the supers due to the larger tires.

The lift is also not the same as the standard garden tractors - so if you have front attachments for the 782, there is nothing standard on the 2072 that will lift it. The mower deck implement lift is the same.

Needless to say, you've got a good start, so you can't go wrong! Let's see some pictures of that 782!

Nate

[jbrewer]

Clearly...the answer is "both"...... fix 'em both! The new Super looks fantastic.

John

[ACecil]

Originally Posted by jbrewer

Clearly...the answer is "both"...... fix 'em both! The new Super looks fantastic.

John

I'm with, John.