IH Cub Cadets vs. John Deere-differences?

F7Hooligan · #1 06-16-2010, 09:46 PM

When I was growing up my Dad bought a brand new 1971 JD 120. 12HP Kohler with hydrostatic drive and just about every attachment they made for it. When my folks sold their house in 1993 the green machine went with it and it was still going strong. Now I'm not looking for any arguements here-just facts/opinions. I looked for a JD 120 or 140 back in '98 but couldn't find any so I bought a cub 149. I figured they were very similar and there seemed to be alot more cubs available. Since then I've purchased another 149. I love my Cubs but the JD seemed to be a little more advanced. Front Hydraulics/Electric PTO and a rear PTO which is not available on the Hydrostatic Cubs. I always thought the mower deck floated a bit better on the JD.

The guy bought my last 149 from is a cub afficiando and he informed me that the cubs were far superior to the JD's. He claimed the Kohler motor's manufactured specifically for the IH's are better for starters. Just out of curiousity I was wondering if anyone on this forum had an opinion on the subject. I would like to now what the major advantages/disadvantages are to either brand.

Thanks.

jeffscub · #2 06-16-2010, 10:09 PM

just being a newbie in the cubs, but not to kohlers. it was my understanding that back then a kohler was a kohler, motor wise. but the letters denoted what options came with that particular engine. i forget what each letter represents, but it can be found on the net. also, my powerking engine sits backwards to what my cubs sits. PK blows air from front to back to cool the engine and the cub blows back to front also to cool the engine and to minimize the grass and dust blow back. i'm not real sure on the JD, that is my next project to find. BUT, IMO, i love my cub and would not take $2000 for it, cash money!! i hope my two cents worth helped or at least not hurt you. jeff

dyt4000 · #3 06-16-2010, 10:41 PM

I think the Kohler K series is pretty much the same with minor differences. However, when Deere people are serious about tractor pulling, they use a Cub Cadet rear end...and that says a lot to me.

Yosemite Sam · #4 06-17-2010, 01:02 AM

I gotta agree with Wild Bill, when the serious pullers use a Cub Cadet painted like a JD, it leaves little room for doubt who built the tougher tractor.

Matt G. · #5 06-17-2010, 01:13 AM

All the JDs had fiberglass hoods too...CC didn't do that until the 90's. All of the gear drive models used that POS peerless transaxle.

dyt4000 · #6 06-17-2010, 07:04 AM

My wife thinks all those "posers" should be disqualified! If you are going to run a Deere, then run a Deere! LOL

toyman · #7 06-17-2010, 09:34 AM

I just sold a '77 JD 212 a month or so ago. It was not a hydrostatic, but did have a variator, which was a pretty cool item and gave you the best of both worlds. Plus it had 2 first gears, which one was a creeper without it being an option. I had a blower, dirt plow and tiller for it all of which worked great. The things I noticed: 1) Attachments - JD attachments are simple and simple to install as compared to our CC attachments. I think some of it was due to the engine being installed a 90* turn as compared to CC's, which makes the PTO pulley a little more accessible. 2) Tractors - CC's are simple (in large components) machines to repair and take apart, again not talking about tearing down the hydro or rear-end, but removing them. The JD I had looked to be a nightmare with all the belts, sheave pulleys, springs etc. It's pretty crowded under a JD. 3) The 12hp Kohler engine was powerful and did all I asked of it without ever breaking a sweat. I don't know if Kohler made a better 12hp for CC or not, but if they did I'm not sure how much 'better' it legitimately could have been.

My personal assessment of the JD/CC comparison is that the implements are simpler and easier to install on the JD, but the CC tractors on a whole are simpler and easier to work on. I am JD free now and enjoy my CC's!

ihnick · #8 06-17-2010, 01:42 PM

i dont know how you can get much simpler for attachments for a cub. i just block up my snowblower and drive right into it. then you just got to flip the latch, add the lift rod and put the belt on. the deck is pretty simple too. wasnt the 300 series the first true shaft driven deere? the 110, 112 and 140 was all belt right

T-Mo · #9 06-17-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihnick

i dont know how you can get much simpler for attachments for a cub. i just block up my snowblower and drive right into it. then you just got to flip the latch, add the lift rod and put the belt on. the deck is pretty simple too. wasnt the 300 series the first true shaft driven deere? the 110, 112 and 140 was all belt right

No, the 140 was JDs first drive shaft garden tractor, debuting in 1968. The following year JD also made the 120 which was a 140 with a smaller engine and less options. I would love to have a JD 140H3 - it doesn't get any better than those, unless it's a 318, or a 332 or a 430.

I won't go to much into this, but I had JDs, Cubs and Wheel Horses. The Wheel Horse are the simplest to work on, the Cubs and JDs about the same. The JDs hold their value better. Mounting attachments are the easiest on a WH, about the same for a CC and a JD. The frames on the JDs might be the beefiest - a 10 hp JD 210 has about the highest weight to hp ratio of any tractor, with some exceptions I'm sure.

toyman · #10 06-17-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihnick

i dont know how you can get much simpler for attachments for a cub. i just block up my snowblower and drive right into it. then you just got to flip the latch, add the lift rod and put the belt on. the deck is pretty simple too. wasnt the 300 series the first true shaft driven deere? the 110, 112 and 140 was all belt right

All I can tell you is that the first time I installed the thrower on my JD, it took me about 10 minutes. I think I had close to an hour and about 3# of weight loss from sweat, muscling the 450 on my 1862. I started with it blocked up and then put it on the ground and did a lot of wiggling and massaging to finally get that carriage latched. Could you give me your procedure? ie: How high did you block it up, and what exactly did you block up, the carriage/housing or both? I'll concede that it may be as easy (I just haven't figured it out yet), but definitely not as intuitive.