Now I have a little red 382?
 

I was just out looking a hoard of tractors, lots of make/models but one that caught my attention was a little red Cadet 382 with a deck, looks to be complete but rough, no idea when it last ran. So just curious if anyone has, or had one in the past and how you liked it.

I going back tomorrow with a trailer and an offer to clean him out, probably over a dozen tractors in various condition, mostly smaller machines, a mix of 70s, 80s and 90s, mostly its just a collection of parts machines and since I repair and sell 10-12 tractors every year as well as parts I think there may be a little profit here, and maybe a nice little Cadet.... just because Im down to one these days and thats a Loboy.

I have a 111 I painted for my son that's basically the same tractor but gear drive and it's a neat little toy, the worst part is its a little light in the front and stopping and starting on a hill can be a bit of a thrill.

They were a rather popular machine here and quite durable. Even though they were "cheaper" in design they were built way better than the comparable sized crap you see today at the big box stores. If you are tall, the seat may be a little low. We put some spacers under the seat springs on the one my dad has. Look for damage to the hood where it hinges, I think they were prone to breaking. I've seen on here where the hydros started to go, that caused a lot of them to get parked I feel. I want to say a couple guys here were putting heavier oil in them and it helped. I seem to remember the deck spindles didn't hold up quite as well as on the larger Cadets. The dealer dad worked for only sold the 382, 582, 682, 782 and 982. He didn't mess with any of the other 82 series (well there was the one 582 special). Get it cheap and bring it home, post some pics!

This one isnt a hydro, I think its a pre CCC model although I cant be sure without checking the serial, and I didnt want to show too much interest in any particular tractors because I want the package deal. The 382 caught my attention just because I dont see many red Cubs around here, and its mostly complete. I'll post some pics and probably have more questions.

He sounded quite negotiable and we're real close to a deal so Im going with two trailers tomorrow and would still need to make a second trip, fortunately its close to home.

We had the Yeller and white model 76 when I was a young-un and it did very well for it's size. It had a pull start briggs with a three speed trans. As was mentioned, pretty cramped up for leg room, and the hoods attachment point was a weak link... I believe the deck was 32".

Finally managed to get this little 382 home, its part of a package deal and probably will be a few weeks before I get it in the shop.

Nice! Looks like it may still have the original engine.

Real Nice, That's the first one I have seen other than in literature. Good luck with it.

I agree, looks really good.

Originally I thought it was a gearbox until I saw it again yesterday, motor turns by hand but the carb bowl was off so I wont know much more for a week or two, I have a few other quick and easier projects on the go trying to get mowers for sale before the grass starts going green, older ones like this I like to take a little time with.

Looks like a nice project. hopefully you don't have to take the rear wheels off because there a bit of a pain, I had 3 hours in getting one of the rear wheels off my son's tractor.:angry:

Hood needs some fiberglass repair, seat is bad, but the motor has compression and the mower blades turn. Diff release lever is broken so its a bit of a pita to move around. Seems to be all original and complete, probably the best tractor in the package, theres a little AC that looks promising also.

Theres still a few more to pick up so Ive cut a couple 9' doorways in an old grainary for a place to put some of them but until thats finished Im just lining them up in the front yard like an auto wrecker.

Holy Moly ------ it's the neighbor I always wanted, but have never had!!!! :bigeyes:

Maybe it's a good thing we aren't neighbors, LOL. I'd never get anything done from drooling over the herd.

Oh thats not the herd... thats just some of the recent arrivals, most of which will just be parts tractors because they are too rough or missing decks. I wont usually fix up a tractor unless I have at least one attachment for it. I started fixing and reselling yard equipment about 5 years ago and now alot of stuff comes free or as trade ins. Im not brand loyal but I have had a few nice CCs, this 382 is my first red one, and still have a 154 Loboy that I quite like although it now needs clutch work, I can order the parts from the US but our canadian dollar sucks right now.

If you ever need any pictures of an unmolested 382 let me know, my dad still has one that he brought home when they first came into his store. If I recall I think the mower deck is still brand new, its been sitting in our pallet racking for many years.

The guy I bought my tiller from has one for sale in Southern Missouri; he appears to be selling off his collection. It wasn't for sale when we were there, but I do remember stopping to have a look at it along with a push mower (that he's recently listed and apparently sold too) and a couple of other interesting tractors. Neat little machine. He mentioned that he planned to fix it up for one of his grandkids. They're kind of small so it would be perfect for a kid.

http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/grd/5489785890.html

I had a couple guys with their eye on it today but I would really like to fix it up before selling it, and they were looking for $50-$100 machines so I sold them a couple old craftsman and a little JD111, all of which were parts tractors IMO, but they wanted a price on the 382 so I said $300, its not worth that in its current state but it will clean up nice and sell for alot more Im sure.

Can't blame you for holding on to it for a while. We'd love to sell dad's to a collector but it ain't worth much given it has a replacement motor and some slight hood damage. Worth more of a conversation piece to me than selling it dirt cheap.

Ive been busy converting an old grainary into a GT parkade so the only thing thats happened with this 382 so far was getting into covered storage today, had to put it on a large floor creeper to move it around because the hydro release isnt working, well actually the release works but the lever that operates it is broken. Next project will be to get doors in the big open holes Ive cut in the side of the building, it about 30' wide by 10' deep and divided into 3 sections, I cut two doorways one in each end of the long side so it now has two 10x10 GT parking areas and a 10x10 center room for walkbehind equipment. The 382 is hiding behind a little Sears in the parking area closest to the main shop

Finally climbed over a few tractors and got the serial # of the little red 382....