Converting a 782 to gear drive
 

Is it worth the time and effort to convert a 782 IH cub to gear drive? I hate the hydro for plowing and tilling and that is all I do with it. It is just so jerky to operate that I think a gear drive would be much nicer.

If its worth the time what rear would i use?

Why not just look for a Gear Drive Cub Cadet..??? Cub Cadet did make an 1806 which was a 18HP Gear Drive tractor.

You will lose the hydraulic pump so you'll have to put an external pump on it if you want to keep the hydraulics. I'm with Roland, I'd go buy an older gear drive and be done with it. You could sell the 782 and buy a gear drive and probably have some money to spare.

I asked that very same question not more than two days ago to a friend of mine. Like the previous post says though, you'd be better off just getting a different tractor. By the time you try to find all the parts, the price would be pretty high, unless you found a donor tractor anyway. Also to till with a gear drive, your going to want a creeper gear. That alone will probably cost 200$+. It's your machine and your money, but my opinon would be look for another cub.

I guess i never even thought of loosing the hydraulics, that completely slipped my mind. I will have to just grin and bear it with the 782. I really like the tractor and its built like a tank but about the only thing the hydro would be good for is mowing.

It sounds like there are others that don't really care for the hydro for plowing and such. Is there anyway to tighten up the hydro engagement under load? It seems to not go until the hydro lever is almost wide open then when it takes of it about throws you out of the seat. It does not do this when you are just driving around. The tiller will also push the tractor when tilling so you have to almost put it into reverse to keep it from going too fast. Are these all common problems or is my hydro out of adjustment?

I know somewhere on this site this has probably been covered but i can't figure out the words to search for to get any good search results.:BangPC:

Pull the tunnel cover off and check the reunion, its probably worn out and needs repaired. If you download the service manual it will have the procedure for adjusting the linkage.

I feel your pain, in my opinion tilling with a hydro is a lot of work, but tilling without a hydraulic lift can be a killer.

There are a lot of options to weigh but I built a dedicated tiller tractor a couple of years ago and I've never looked back.

12hp, gear drive, creeper and hydraulic lift, it's like tilling garden while setting in an easy chair.

Just my 2 cents but I prefer tilling my quarry with a hydro. I keep one hand on the control so when I hit rocks (notice I didn't say a rock) I can stop faster. I guess if you have decent soil to work with a gear drive is probably better.

Same here, Sam.

First of course is to confirm working right as Olds suggested. But yes it is possible to "tighten up" the hydro - in a way. If you increase spring pressure or for exteme exampe, disable the spring system (read solid) the hydro will get VERY positive. I don't like excessive speed change on hills. So I do tweak mine a bit. Down side is you learn to respect that handle! Way to easy to get into trouble with yanking it back and forth from a oh sh!@#t moment. But with a little "tuning of the springs it can be tweaked to suite your desires. I suggest starting with a new set of springs as yours might just be tired.