New to me 1641
 

Well, I now own a cyclops!. I picked it up today. Seller had it listed on Facebook market as a non running tractor. He said the dealer told him it needed a new head. From what he described I didnt really believe that it needed a head. So, I took a chance on it. Its pretty clean and didnt see much cobbling other than a hitch add on and some custom stripes that peel off easily.

I got it to the shop... Located the bent push rod, replaced it and one other that looked suspect. Cranked it over long enough to pump some fuel up and it fired off.. Seems to run quite well. I do here a very slight tapping from one of the valves so I will adjust it before trying to cut grass with it. I don't think its charging so I will look into that as well. I am ordering a new decal kit for it. The plastics are in decent shape for a 1996 unit. No rust really present anywhere. The lift works and the pto engaged and ran the deck. Deck sounds like some grease would go a long way. The hydraulic lift functioned well as did the hydro. Drove very smoothly and steering is nice and tight.

Anyway, Just thought I would share. I think I got it for a Lew price considering the engine is fine. 400$ with a bagger.

AH! Spring is here. Time to shop for Cubs! Love it :biggrin2:

Looks good from here.:ThumbsUp:

You did good Coop. Nice tractor.

Thanks guys.. Hey, anyone know if we have chassis and operators manuals in OCC? I looked in tech section but didnt see it or am I going blind?

Join Cub Cadet Cyclops on FB, the Cyclops service manual is in the files section and I'll send you the op's manual.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/666265203510023/

Thank you Sam. Thats a big help!

Looks like a nice tractor.

Next time you have the valve cover off, see if the valve guide on on the bent pushrod side has pulled up.

Congrats on the cyclops. Looks good!

Nice. Congrats on the cyclops!

Thanks all. Can't wait to cut some grass with it. The steering radius is so much better than anu of my other cubs. COME ON! GROW GRASS GROWWWWW LOL

Congrats Coop on the Cyclops. Yep, the newer machines are nicer to operate than the older stuff. Now you need to look for an early 3k tractor with a 48" or 54" deck.:beerchug:

Thanks Oak,

I really do like my older Cubs. I just could not pass on this deal. Ill use it to cut some grass or maybe let the wife use. Don't think Ill be going much newer tho.

Welcome to the one eyed wonder club Coop, You did well on the price, but it is not a true myself price.
If you come across a 3k series, power steering, foot control hydro, cup holder, you will sell that 1641 right away.

Well, Ill keep that in mind. Of course now that you said that they will probably start popping up.

Ok. If I buy this. I blame you Lew:BB&YS::biggrin2:

*update*
 

Adjusted rockers today. All 4 were out of spec enough to cause some tapping "assuming that's why the PO bent a push rod to begin with" Engine sounds really really nice now. Took off all the goofy looking vinyl strips and ordered a new decal kit. Also waiting on the new VR that should be here tomorrow!

Don't ya just love Stupid People...???:biggrin2:

YES.. Especially when shopping for Cubs!:biggrin2:

So are you gonna buy it?

Thinking about it.. suppose to have only 86 hours on it

I found the ad, looks like it sat in the mud for a while, prolly a flipper for him.

Question on my new 1641 for you cyclops guys. It seems to run really well. Throttles up to about 3550 or so. It runs the pto fine with plenty of power. When i got home today i drove my 1211 and felt a big difference in driving. If i throttle up the 1211 and quickly move the hydro lever it easily spins the tires on grass and pulls hard. The cyclops not so much. Its got power and its very smooth but feels like it doesn't have the same torque as the 1211. Reverse also feels a bit slow to me. I checked linkages and everything looks tight and nothing bent. I did not verify it being in adjustment however. Still trying to get a manual. So, any ideas?

Thanks guys

EDIT... just wanted to add. It really felt ok up until I drove the 1211 and noticed a big differnce.

I have a half dozen 1641's. All the hydros act differently to some extent. Some of them are really strong in forward, some not so much.

Linkage adjustment, dirty hydro filter and the hydraulic release lever sticking a little open on the hydro (at the end of the by-pass rod) have all been contributing factors.

All of them are 25 or so years old. Who knows what ails the lesser ones? They still work okay.

I have a 1641 and a 1863. They acts the same as yours. I have used the 1863 since new, it was my Dads. It has always operated as you describe. It is the way the Hydro gear transmission operates. They act nothing like the older ones.

I got the feeling it was something like that. If there is something wrong I would like to fix it but like I said, It doesn't feel bad, just different. It pulls ok, I can hear and feel the governor working etc. At top speed I think it would be too fast for cutting. Ill have to spend a little more time in the seat to see if I like it.

Congrats on the 1641 with bagger!

Thanks Steve..
So when I got to the shop today I double checked full throttle. 3580 RPM. I then used my phone with GPS speed app. I got a really consistent 6.2 MPH forward and 2.9 MPH in reverse. Ill check it against the 1211 tonight but I think the speed I am getting is close to what the 1641 is suppose to be.

Update to my 1641. Okay so I figured out why it felt sluggish. The relief valve lever was stuck and not going down all the way. Got that down and felt much more powerful!

I started to run it a bit and cut some grass. All seemed fine until I started to hear a valve tapping. I idled it down and shut it off. Opened the hood and knew right away from the heat off it something was not right. I decided to pull the engine and have a look. Most of the members here will all know what happened as soon as you see pics. For the less experienced guys I will continue because this is really important maintenance if you dont want to have a big issue one day.

The previous owner let the grease, mouse house, nest, and whatever else was in here packed the cooling fins to the point that the engine overheated. The overheating caused the valve guide "bushing" to slip. I had put a new pushrod in and adjusted it but when I started cutting grass the first time it got hot again and dropped. The head gasket was bad in a spot as well surprisingly it ran pretty well anyway.

I decided to go with new heads. Only one side was really bad but I am doing both. Also a bunch of new gaskets, a new starter " starter works but my luck it would stop half way through summer and as you guys know, its way easier to change now" also installing new coils, and stator for same reason.

So, the moral is. CLEAN UNDER YOUR TINS! or spend a lot of money later....

Congrats on the cyclops, Coop!

Thanks man, as you can see its been tons of fun so far lol