#324 GT54 Deck on a 1914 Super Cub Cadet | 44C Deck on a Cyclops
 

I figured I'd set this up as a separate thread in the event someone else wants to put a Cyclops-era GT deck (specifically 54" or 48") on a Super Cub Cadet.

There's a couple of reasons I'm doing this

• I came across a cheap cyclops with a GT 54 deck
• I would prefer that deck be on my 1914
• The 1914 has a 44C deck that is pretty comical on a SCC
• The 44C deck is fine for a normal garden tractor

I know I've seen guys hang these on 782-size tractors for the ultimate mower, but there are 2 main issues:

• Limited clearance - front tires hit the deck turning
• Limited lift, as the newer decks are "deeper"

I figure, why mess with all of that (although my 1811 would be an awesome mower w/ the GT 54 deck) when I have a super that's both taller and longer than a typical 82 series.

Comparing the 2 decks and mule drives there are some immediate differences:

• The lift linkage is in a more rearward hole on the 1914
• The forward, lower lift linkage hole the cyclops used doesn't exist on the super's mule drive
• The cyclops lift links are longer, and both are adjustable
• The cyclops has a large PTO/the super has a small PTO
• The 44C deck has a smaller drive pulley/the 54 GT deck has a larger drive pulley

Let's get the decks ready first.


Luckily, with a drill, a few minutes, and some swapping I think a guy can solve all of that.

I pulled the double pulley off the 54 GT deck (#324). Came off pretty hard and is somewhat tweaked. This is because I need the smaller OD double pulley for the deck drive, as the 1914 has a smaller PTO vs the larger PTO on newer GTs that a 54 GT deck would have came on (in my case an 1862).

I went to the CC parts site and pulled the deck drive/double pulley P/N for both. No shaft size listed, but I confirmed the use the same nut and ID TRBs, so that's no concern. (FYI, the jackshafts are the same minus 1/2" of length)

I believe the pulley needed to put a newer (large PTO) deck on an older tractor is 756-3007 from the 782 #359 50C deck parts diagram.

The pulley to do the opposite would be 756-3047 (to put an old deck on a newer large PTO tractor) from the #324 54 GT deck parts diagram.

https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...1&d=1772304233

https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...1&d=1772304237


Now, the mule drive was easy. The SGT/82 style mule drive needs an extra hole drilled right at the intersection of the exising linkage hole and the existing forward holes (forgot to grab a picture) to shorten it for use on a cyclops.

The cyclops/54GT mule drive already had both holes, so you just need to move the lift link back to the rear hole (will add a picture describing this) to lengthen it for a SGT/82 series type tractor.

I was able to get both mule drives/lift linkages swapped after doing the above. I might need to swap lift links too, the 1914 one looks to be the correct height to grab the 54 GT deck, but the 1862 one looks high (might be within adjustment still). I confirmed the complete 1914 mule drive and lift link will work on the cyclops with the 44C deck, but the lower end of deck height is limited (scalp wheels are about 1/2" above the ground still/blades are maybe 2-1/2" min [which is honestly not a bad idea for your average homeowner...]).

The super belt works on the (large PTO) cyclops w/out any deck pulley change to the 44C deck, but it seems a touch loose to me.

Starting Belts

Super belt: 754-3006 (5/8 or 21/32X 93")
Cyclops belt: 754-3003A (5/8x89-1/2")

Ending Belts
Super w/ 54GT: TBD
Cyclops w/ 44C: TBD, trying 954-0467A (5/8x91")

Transferred the bosses from the cyclops deck lift to the 1914 one. Typically you'd just swap the whole unit like my earlier pictures show, but the cyclops one had been repaired and they welded the super lift link holes shut! So, I'm swapping lift forks between them instead, and keeping the original mule drive and adjacent linkage with their original tractors.

Mounted up and mows good. Here's the completed mule drive/lift linkage.