Early vs. Later Model QL Tractor Differences???
 

I know a few differences between the early vs late model QL tractors - such as:

Early - Cast iron Grill, Late - Aluminum grill

Early - 3/4" spindles, Late - 1" spindles

Early - external brakes, Late - internal wet brakes

Early - Steering wheel similar to 1x8/9 tractors, Late - similar to 82 series tractor.

What else is same/different?

Thanks!
Bill

Early, cast iron axle housings; Late, aluminum

I have both a early 1000 and a late 1200 and the spindles steering wheel grille and brake setup are the only real differences I know of

There are differences in the wire loom and PTO clutch wire routing between the early CI grill Cubs and the later AL grill units. Seems the early ones have the loom running along the right side of the frame then up to the engine w/the PTO wire going down the left side. The later ones w/AL grill seem to have the loom going through a grommet in the fire wall and the PTO wire included in this bunch and going across the side of the engine to the right front to the PTO.

Just a few of my observations

Ill look at mine when I get home tonight and see whatvis all different my 1200 I know is un molested the 1000 I wouldn't lay it in stone to be correct

Fuel tanks are different. Early had a small fill cap and late had a larger one

Main engine ground wires are different, early ones ground to the rear right side 3/8" nose bolt, later ones ground to the 7/16" firewall bolt. Some of the 1650-1450 hydraulic lift rigs use a roll pin for the lift handle shaft, others use a "U" shaped clamp w/a 5/16" bolt to squeeze it to the shaft.

The clutch/brake return springs were different, and hydro control linkage was different.

The early ones had a pin in the hydraulic lift lever bracket while later ones had a bracket that had a clamp with a bolt. I never did know if that was a change or a modification.

I am not sure where mine falls between early and late,
but on this cub 800 QL
the grill is cast iron lower, aluminum upper.
wet internal brakes,
cast iron rear
not sure about the spindle.

Didn't they switch the hydraulic lift actuator from the right to the left side of the dash tower? Mine are all on the right, even though a couple of mine have 1 inch front axle spindles and the wire loom through a firewall grommet with the PTO lead running up the right side. (both later changes). My 1450 project ("Frank-n-Tractor thread) has 3/4 inch front spindles and the PTO lead on the left side, so it must be an earlier version. It would be interesting to track the changes they made in chronological order over the production run of the QL tractors.

Great info - thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

The hydraulic lift handle always came from the factory on the right hand side. A lot of guys/gals have moved 'em to the left side. Makes more sense because of the F/R handle being on the right. Not too many people have two right hands. If I still had a quietline or two, I'd move my hydraulic lift levers all to the left.

Some of the aluminum oil pans were different, and some of the engines had balance gears too.

+1 on different wire looms.

+1 on the duel Flex Disc Couplers.

What models had internal wet brakes? I thought they all had external disc brakes (I'm thinking some of the NF early Cadets didn't but that's not the models being discussed). Was this something IH went to and then returned to external disc brakes on later models? I know my 982 has them, can't remember about the 2072.

My 1650 cub cadet was made June 1977

Late - Aluminum grill I changed it to cast iron.

Early - 3/4" spindles

Late - internal wet brakes

Late - similar to 82 series tractor

Early, cast iron axle housings

Late - the loom going through a grommet in the fire wall and the PTO wire included in this bunch and going across the side of the engine to the right front to the PTO

Late - has large fuel cap

early - grounds to the rear right side 3/8" nose bolt

duel Flex Disc Couplers

Aluminum oil pan. I changed to cast iron.

never had balance gears.

Like a lot of people out there I have no idea what mine came with originaly.

Jeff Baker from another forum started making this list.

I am making this list from info on the forum and found in my book.
If any are wrong please correct them..
Also add to the list if you have info

Cub cadet O
#501 thru 65457
a. mass production starts at 590
b. @ 10332 front spindle change from collars to 7/16 bolts

70/100
#65458 thru 127160
a. @ 70830 battery was changed to increase amprage capacity

71/1x2,3
#127161 thru 218009
a. first 123 is built #157490
b. ACR is introduced

72/1x4,5
#218010 thru 306085

73/1x6,7
#306086 thru 400000
a. 1st 147 is built #316816
b. yellow paint is changed @335968
c. white paint is changed @375939

86/1x8,9
#400001 thru 529999
a. hydro control handle coiled spring pin changed @428098
b. spark plug location changed @438962
c. PTO safety switch added @441194
d. Brake style PTO @482000
e. serial# 500000 is a 149
f. linkage on hydro is changed @503725
g. 1st 169 is built @506737

QL series
530000 thru 665000
a. steering tube change @530858
b. fuel tank change @560212
c. yellow paint change @562954
d. springs to screws on grill @565131
e. manual to auto relief valves 1450,1650 @590522
f. manual to auto relief valves 1250 @597245
g. muffler change @606613
h. grill screen change @613253
i. drive shaftchange @622957
j. front spindle size change @632502
k. wet brakes are introduced on GD @568544
l. wet brakes on hydros @604164
m. maintenance minder meter was changed @588841

82 series
665001 thru 700000
a.grill change @689330
b. final drive change @691605
By jeff l baker (Jbaker) on Saturday, April 06, 2013 - 10:55 pm:

All of this is great info, I'm also learning that I have to redo some things based on what I've learned, ugh. Excellent details though, thanks to all for posting