New member from North Carolina - 1864

[cubkenny]

Hello OCC!

My name is Kenny and I just inherited my childhood, early 90's, cub cadet 1864 that I used to run a lawn care service as a kid/teenager. Unfortunately, My father parked it about 10 years ago without covering it and the poor old Cub has suffered from exposure.

I've have begun a bit of the restoration project as the tractor wouldn't run as it arrived.

Work Completed:
- Cleaned carburetor, replaced gaskets, cleaned the jets
- replaced spark plugs
- cleaned fuel lines, replaced one line, replaced fuel pump (the small black apparatus), fuel filter
- replaced choke line (rusted solid)
- oil change, filter
- purchased some tires (turf master), mounted tires on old rims, yet to put back on
- replaced battery

The Cub now fires up and sounds great!

Work to be completed:
- I've taken apart the hydraulic lift lever as the lever was rusted solid. I've cleaned it and it appears to move more freely now. Need to put the lift back together and reattach.
- Restore the hydraulic lift
- Change the hydraulic fluid and filter
- Restore the 42" deck?? (can the parts be saved or do I purchase new parts? Or a new deck entirely?)
- Overhaul the brake lever. It doesn't spring back once depressed

Questions for the Cub owners:
1. Is it worth restoring the tractor? I find the mechanical repair fun and interesting. The prices are high for parts and this project doesn't make economic sense. (new OEM spindles for the deck are $250 a piece!?!?)
2. Any other owners of the 1864 that could reach out would be greatly appreciated. I'm a newbie but have ambition and drive to learn.

Thanks for reading!

[R Bedell]

Welcome to OCC.........

[garydee]

You've done a great job getting your 1864 up and running! A tractor with "sentimental value" makes it all worth while to restore!

The 1864 is a wonderful machine in the CCC/MTD family of tractors...especially with features such as power steering, hydraulic lift and an excellent Sunstrand hydro transmission. Please check out the pictures of restorations I have done to 2 - 1641's and my favorite, the 1864!

Scroll down and click on "CCC/MTD built tractors", then click on "Let's see your CCC/MTD cubs". From there select "last page" and you will find my pics on page 60 and 61. When you see these pictures, I know that you will be inspired to fully restore (take completely apart and reassemble) a really great machine.

My Cub Cadet restoration ventures all started with the restoration of my Dad's 1641. Then another 1641 and my latest, an 1864. I bought parts from dealers on this site as well as partstree.com, Jackssmallengines.com, ebay, my local Cub Cadet dealer plus parts from friends, tractor shows, and craigslist.com. I had so much fun on my daily searches, hunting for the parts I needed to restore these tractors to the best of my ablilty! And now, I am having so much fun using all my equipment!

If you like restoring mechanical things, Cub Cadets are the way to go. The only cub cadets.com website will give you a wealth of information on everything you need to know to do the best job possible. You will be rewarded by your effort, gain knowledge about these machines and make some nice friends along the way!

Wishing you the best of success with your 1864!

[cubkenny]

@garydee

Those pictures of the 1864 are amazing! They look brand new. To be honest, they are a little discouraging showing that I have a long road ahead.

I have been able to take apart the hydraulic lift that was rusted and put it back together. When i attached it and watched it function and lift/lower the arms I was so happy! There really is a great connection between work done and seeing the project move forward.

Unfortunately the deck is very rusted and I'm not sure I can restore it. I've been unable to move the 1 1/8 bolts from the blades as they are rusted solid.

I bought hydraulic fluid, filter, and a new gasket so that I can perform that maintenance. Hopefully that goes as planned.

If you have any advice, I'll take any help I can get.

Thanks for reading!

[West Valley G]

Welcome to the forum. You seem to be capable and even better, willing to
dive in, and not just do the work but have fun doing it. My advise would
be, in a nutshell. Go man Go. You will never be able to purchase anything
new that is even comparable to what you are fixing. Enjoy the ride.
Is the deck completely shot or do you think you can pull it apart. Clean
up and lube spindles and such and make it usable?

Ken

[cubkenny]

I definitely enjoy a challenge.

I'm not sure the spindles are able to be restored. I'm going to work on getting that nut off of the blades. I'm at the point where I'm going to try a couple more methods of getting the nut off so I can inspect the spindles. If nothing else, I'll cut the nut off with an angle grinder. I'm hoping we don't get there

Again, thanks for reading!

[garydee]

Thanks for the compliments on my restorations cubkenny...I appreciate it very much!

Regarding those stubborn spindle nuts...my next course of action would be to try an impact wrench on them, with a large wrench on the opposite side of the spindles. If that doesn't work, try heating the nuts (not the threaded part) with a torch. Heating will expand the nuts slightly making them easier to remove with the impact tool.

If your deck is in really bad shape, try to find a 48GT or a 54GT deck for your tractor. Part of the fun restoring these old (but really well built) tractors is the hunt for the things you will need to get the restoration completed! You will meet many nice people along the way as you search.

Check craigslist, auctions, cub cadet dealers who sell used equipment as well as any other sellers of used garden tractors in your area. Also, try cub cadet enthusiasts who have things to sell. Have fun in the process!

I look forward to seeing your restoration pictures as you progress. You are off to a great start! Keep the momentum going!!