Cub Cadet 1200, need info for purchase

[scgtguy]

hello all ,

back in 2010 I rebuilt a 1450 .. worked out great and is BULLET proof .. so glad I did it instead of the big box store units.

Ive got a line on a1200 gear drive ... doesn't run etc but rolls over by hand etc.

wanted to know about the engine/trans clutch ... by reading looks like a little funky/weak ... what are the mods for this ... what s suggested ?

love the gear drive but no hydro lift ... any add on pumps ? like possibly a earlier NF ... can a 1450 lift system be installed during rebuild and a external hydro pump perhaps ?

any insight for items to look at when I go take a look at this that might be problematic is appreciated

tks, B.


this is a unit ill totally go thru like my 1450 ... take my time and keep in the shed next to the other ...

[Jeff in Pa]

Parts I make for them include, driveshaft, solid motor mounts and brass PTO button. I can also face the clutch disks. I can do the cradle mod also. ( if you weld, it's an easy mod)

Jeff

[sawdustdad]

I re-did a 1000 which is similar to your 1200. I would not try to add a hydraulic lift, and I don't think it would be very easy as the side panel would prevent fitting a NF hydro pump. Just put a spring assist on it.

As for the engine/clutch arrangement, you'll have to deal with the funky "flex" version of the 3-pin driver plate as the 1200, like the 1450, has iso mounts on the engine. Most guys here will recommend you put on solid engine mounts (Jeff in PA sells them) so you can use the standard 3 pin driver plate (which is more durable and easier to source) but I went with new iso mounts as my flex 3 pin driver was still intact. The flex style 3 pin driver plate is needed to accommodate the engine movement due to the iso mount arrangement.

My 1000 is by far the quietest of all my tractors, living up to it's name. Put a pair of tru powers on it. You'll find much the same items to work on the 1200 that you did on the 1450.

I am partial to the gear drives, primarily because of my 38 year ownership of my 108 which is still in weekly use. I don't know what it is, but the couple times I was cutting the grass next to my truck with a hydro tractor (a 149 and a 1650) I managed to confuse the hydro lever direction and ran into the side of my truck, creating a small dent each time.

When cutting the grass with a hydro, I no longer go within 25 feet of my truck!

All the other stuff you'll have to deal with (steering slop, tires, brakes, engine, electrical, will be mostly the same as your 1450. But you'll substitute rebuilding a clutch rather than trying to adjust/repair worn hydro linkage, which I think is a much simpler system to deal with, and getting it back to 100% original in performance is MUCH cheaper compared to getting a hydro to operate as new.

Good luck. Post progress pics.

[scgtguy]

Sawdust ...

tks for the insight ... maybe ill look at the spring assist for the lift , use the 1200 gear drive for mowing duty ... after all one doesn't lift and lower the deck that often when mowing. does the spring assist help out much ? Ive noticed a pretty long arm on the lift ...

that would allow me to keep the hitch and attachments on the 1450 with the hydraulic lift ... glad you mentioned it.


tks, B.

ps ... like your red farmall cadet .... was thinking of doing this one red/white

[dodge trucker]

working on a 1200 as we speak right now, as well.....

[scgtguy]

Originally Posted by dodge trucker

working on a 1200 as we speak right now, as well.....

good deal ... do you have a thread started on it with pics perhaps ... if you do send me a link ... enjoy!

B.

[dodge trucker]

no, no pix, I am alot better with things mechanical than things electronic, I can never remember how to post pix, it takes me longer to remember how I got it to work last time than anything.... the only thread I have on it at the moment, has a title something about driveline interchange.... probably should have broken it off and started another one on the engine "fun"...
I have a friend of mine with both a 1200 and a 1250 that I have been keeping running for him for several years now, besides my 1200, and I also have a 129 that I am getting anxious to get going on... for some reason I like the looks of them better than the quiet lines.

[sawdustdad]

Here's the 1000 rebuild thread.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ight=deal+1000

[scgtguy]

Originally Posted by sawdustdad

Here's the 1000 rebuild thread.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ight=deal+1000

Sawdust ,

thanks ... I remember this thread ...it will come in handy

I see you put the 2 range gear box in, is it something you use or a nice to have option ? Also I see you improved / updated the drive line clutch ... nice ... gives me food for thought

appreciate the info / link

B.

[sawdustdad]

Originally Posted by scgtguy

Sawdust ,

thanks ... I remember this thread ...it will come in handy

I see you put the 2 range gear box in, is it something you use or a nice to have option ? Also I see you improved / updated the drive line clutch ... nice ... gives me food for thought

appreciate the info / link

B.

With respect to the creeper gear, most folks will say it's a weak link in the driveline (I'm inclined to agree) so if are not tilling or snowblowing with the tractor, it's probably not something you'd normally add.

If you are mowing or moldboard plowing, or pushing snow with a blade, you're not likely to use the creeper, so it would be one less vulnerable point in an otherwise rugged drive line, especially when you are stressing the drive line.