Upgrade or Not?
 

I have a local friend who has probably 15-20 old cubs. He is a great guy who has given me free parts, advice and even free labor to get my 1976, 1250 to be a good running machine. Now that I have the fever, I recently asked him if he had anything that I could upgrade to. Something a little nicer, maybe with lights and a little more power. He said that he had a 682 he would be willing to get rid of. I checked it out and I absolutely fell in love. What a sharp looking unit! It's red and it's a series 3. He said the series 3 had an oil pump AND an oil filter. It doesn't have a deck or any other add-ons. I will though, keep my plow and use it on the 682, since both Tractors are WF's. He told me to give him $200 for the 682, and he will take my 1250 to the next show and get a few hundred bucks for it, and we will call it even. Does this sound like an upgrade? Sorry, I don't have a pic of the 682, but it is in nice shape.Thanks!

Keep both!

:biggrin2:

I like both tractors! But because I don't have any first-hand experience with the 82 Series IH Cub Cadets, I can mention that my 1250 has the cast iron transmission, and the Kohler single cylinder engine, which in most cases are budget-friendly to maintain. Just a little F.Y.I . I think you're leaning on that nice 682, and I'll say go for it !

The group will chime in to help you with a better decision.

Good points, thanks for the input! I wish I could keep both!

I'd go with the 682. It has the nice and smooth twin engine. Kohler didn't make a series 3 engine. I wonder if it has the Mag 18 in it? The 682 is definitely an upgrade over the 1250, IMHO.

I was wondering about the series 3 thing, as I couldn't find any information on it. Thanks!

It could also have a KT 17 Series 2 with the oil filter.

I agree with Allen, the 682 is a nice tractor, i love mine.:beerchug:

They did not make a Series III engine for the 682, however they did make a series II with an oil filter so that's what I'd say it is. How many hours? If I were u I'd go for it!:beerchug:

That's what it is. Thanks!

Anytime! Always glad to help. :beerchug:

I'l have to check on the hours. Thanks!

Is storage space a problem? A couple hundred bucks isn't what it used to be. I would say keep them both if you can. Will be hard to find another 1450 for that low a cost. I'm guessing it runs ok.

I'm a little late to the party but I am not a fan of KT's They are EXPENSIVE to maintain or fix. But do as you see fit. :beerchug:

I do have limited storage. I also have another tractor for mowing. Thanks!


QUOTE=OldAndInTheWay;238836]Is storage space a problem? A couple hundred bucks isn't
what it used to be. I would say keep them both if you can. Will be hard to find another 1450 for that low a cost. I'm guessing it runs ok.[/QUOTE]

You aren't too late. Lol. I'm not going to make any rush decisions. I need to weigh of the pros and cons. I appreciate your knowledge !

As Sam wisely mentioned, they are more expensive to maintain, so I would check with him to see if he has additional parts that may wear out or need replaced. You had to see him for parts for your tractor now and if the parts aren't readily available, then you could face future problems of locating parts and the worst expense....shipping the parts! If possible, then I would have both so that one is set up for one task (plowing) and another is set up for another task (mowing....or whatever task you may need it dedicated for). You are smart for weighing your options....good move.

One thing Sam didn't mention, "I hates that varmit!":BB&YS::biggrin2:

Cub Cadet 123

Ever since dad brought home his 782 I haven't been completely won over by the red ones...maybe because it's something to do with it red and not yellow/white...

when they run good they work good. When they need help, they can be a PITA to fix IMO.

I would much rather use a 682 than the 1250, I don't disagree with sam mac much but this is one area we have different opinions on the KT 17 series II the twin cylinder engines are so much smoother you will soon be spoiled by the smooth quite engine !! They may be more expensive to rebuild, an option on the 682 is to upgrade engine if you have major mechanical problems the 82 series frame will accommodate many engines Magnum 18, another kt 7 of course and B&S vanguard. The only things that fall short on the 682 is the rear end is aluminum which is no big deal if the rear end ever gave problems you could replace with cast iron. The 682 will serve you well, be n upgrade to your 1250, and you can look around to find a good deck, and mule drive... if you put a 46 GT deck on it you have a really nice outfit.

If $200 will not break your piggy bank keep the 1250 as it looks like a nice tractor in the pictures, and you will miss it also years from now especially if it's your first cub you will regret getting rid of it for $200.

Clint

You and I are actually in complete agreement. The KT series 2 and the Mag's are very good. I would want to know how many hours it has on it. If it's under 500 I'd do it in a NY minute. Up around 1000 I'd think about going inside and replacing the rods and gov gear before it fails then you have something that you know. Aluminum rears are not an issue, just stick a set of rear-end braces from Xtreme on them and forget about it. If you want to re-power it keep your eye out for any of the following Cub 2160, 2164, 2165, 2185 they make great organ donors. Hope this is of some help. :beerchug:

I totally agree on this. I know the KT and Mag's are expensive motors to fix, but I just never saw that the "V" engines made the torque the H-opposed did. When I ran dad's 1864 right next to the 1811 the V would drop RPM where mine wouldn't. I dunno, maybe it was a bad test. His engine didn't have the hours mine does, but maybe needed tuning. Just my :TwoCents: I just really wish they still offered a H-opposed engine, regardless of make. IMHO, they are just a better motor. Not a big fan of the OHV V motors.

Anyway, to the OP: Where are you in Illinois? I'm assuming near Chicago..... seems like Spudder and I are the only "southern" Illinois members. Can't go wrong with a 82 series. 782 with the hydraulic lift is better, but the 6 is a good tractor. Pretty comparable to the 1250, just more HP and a little smoother running. Other than that, pretty similar. Aluminum rear isn't a issue.

:beerchug:

Thanks, bud!

Great info, thanks, Clint! Maybe I didn't explain it right. I'm basically giving back the 1250 and a couple hundred bucks in exchange for the 682. So outright, I could buy the 682 for $500. The money isn't really the issue, it's the space. I'm not fond of keeping anything outside in the elements. I already got rid of my boat so the 1250 could have it's own spot in the man cave.

Great advice. I'll work on getting the hours. Quick question. Did the series II with oil filter come stock on the 82's? Just wondering if the hour meter would be any indication of the actual engine hours. The owner seems to think that the current engine is a replacement. :bigthink:

I'm in Sterling. It's about 30 miles East of the Iowa/Illinois border. Where are you located down south? My wife is from Mt Vernon and my family is from Greenup/Casey.

No, an 82 series never came with a series II.

I am from Oblong. Spudder is from Casey.

I like your headlights on the 1st. photo you posted.

Nik,

Sam I was hitting more on the maintenance side of the kt 17,and magnum 18 carb, plugs, ignition coil etc.. you have more experience inside the engine than I do. Also I find my experience mirrors J-Mech vanguard will not hold up to a magnum 18 in tall grass (way to tall and wet at that) my son also noticed this. The OP does need to check engine hours that was a good thing to hit on regardless of engine type.... also to the OP you have gotten a lot of great info on this thread I hope to see pics of a 682 right beside of your 1250 :biggrin2:

I didn't mean to come off as saying aluminum rear was an issue just not as good as the cast on your 1250. We are running 2 aluminum rears 1541, 1440 with zero issues.

I wondered if anyone would notice. Hahaha! I do get a little crap from my friends.

I really do appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge, and I hope to pay some of it back. It might have to be with beer or guitar lessons though. hahaha! :beerchug:

I haven't decided anything yet, but here are a couple pictures. I'm still waiting on details of engine hours. I honestly think that they don't have any idea. Notice the rear fender is a little caved in.

Here's another view.

Here's the last one.

The 682 looks pretty good. Looks like it will clean up nicely!
I did notice the remote filter looks like it is attached to the frame.:bigthink:

Not a bad looking 682! It's pretty common for the rear fender to be dented in.

Wait...you're in Sterling? So am I! I should have kept up with this thread earlier! How's it going, neighbor? :beerchug:

Note that there looks to be an oil filter mounted by the footrest in this pic. If that's what it is, then it's for sure a Series II (or Mag?) but I think that's already been established.

I'd grab it. Looks to be in overall great shape with an upgraded engine and that red paint doesn't look to be faded with original footrest. That cub seems to have been taken care of and the small dent in the fender is an easy fix.

If you don't get it, then jimbob200521 will.:biggrin2:

Cub Cadet 123

A m-18 will not have a visable ignition coil attached to the plug wires, it is under the cooling tins and of course no breaker points.
If you see a coil, it is a series 2