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I loved my 2135 and turns out, it was just about perfect for my yard. I tried a Toro 42" zero turn and it just flat won't handle hills and slopes, so I'm on the hunt for another Cub tractor. If you were looking in that deck size range with a bagger, what models would you choose?

jack vines

Thanks, Mark. As mentioned, I liked the 2135 and still have a running parts 2165, so I'd like to find a mower deck for that one, but there hasn't been a mower or deck for sale in a couple of years. One explanation might be those who have the 2000 like them so much they aren't selling.

I'm not at all familiar with the 1000-series and there seem to be dozens of different models. Which are the best of those?

jack vines

Packardv8,

What happened to your 2135? The last I read you were going to pull the fuel tank to clean it out to resolve the apparent heating/vapor lock issue after mowing for an hour or so.
Just curious since I know how much you put into that tractor...
Thanks,
greynold99

Stolen one dark night.

Thieves pushed it 125' with the rear wheels locked and somehow lifted it into a pickup.

Still have the two new fuel filters I'd just bought for the fuel tank project.

What I hadn't been noticing is there just aren't any used commercial tractor mowers for sale, so I'm really missing it.

jack vinesThis user does not have permission to use the HTML BB code.

Packardv8,
So sorry to hear your 2135 was stolen. I have an outside garage that can be locked but have always felt more at ease keeping the 'old girl' in the basement garage. Too much riff raff patrolling the back country roads looking for trouble nowadays. Most every week there's local reports and headlines of property theft or home invasion/break ins.
I've seen Cubs in the 2000 Series on eBay and Craigslist when I was looking to pick up another 38" deck for a spare but have never purchased from them though I had some luck selling a car and tires over Craigslist.
Also this would probably be a good time to start checking dealers, both Cub and non-Cub for trade-ins since a lot of owners will start experiencing the problems that we're both so familiar with and just trade 'em in to unload ...
Good luck in your search,
greynold99

Check out the New XT3 Garden Tractor Models with Shaft Drive Cast Iron Trans or The Improved XT2 Lawn Tractor.

CubCadet - XT3 Enduro Series

Agree, the new models have all the bells and whistles.

However, after the original Cub Cadet Model 70/100 et al, lawn tractors were superseded, for the next forty years their acolytes claimed the new models were a cheap flimsy imitation.

Was just wondering if the late-20th-century models had any adherents who claim they were the last good ones.

jack vines

MTD now own Cub,
For a while they just "owned' it and apart from adopting the Cub style deck release across the MTD range did little with Cub
However they are now putting some cash into Cub and it looks like they are aiming squarely at the high end residential, entry level commercial market.
There is a small market for domestic customers who are both capable of recognising good quality and willing to pay extra for it.
However there is a rapidly growing market for entry level commercial equipment as factories & offices close down and the redundant ex employees go looking for a small business opportunity.

FWIW, I just got the 2166 up and running and on first use am reminded of just how well built the 2000 series are and how well they drive and mow. It's possible I've got an unsolvable problem in the front lawn has too many trees and flower beds for anything larger than the late-lamented 2135, but the 2166 with 48" deck certainly makes easy/short work of the rough 1/2-acre of back lawn. Once I get the belt-driven-fan-assist bagger attached, it will be too large for tight spaces.

jack vines

FWIW, I just got the salvaged 2166 project up and running and on first use am reminded of just how well built the 2000 series are and how well they drive and mow. It's possible I've got an unsolvable dichotomy in the front lawn has too many trees and flower beds for anything larger than the late-lamented 2135, but the 2166 with 48" deck certainly makes easy/short work of the rough 1/2-acre of back lawn. Once I get the belt-driven-fan-assist bagger attached, it will be too large for tight spaces.

jack vines

Welcome back Packardv8,

Missed your posts and updates on your 2135. I was considering selling mine this year and getting one of the newer Enduro Cubs but after your experience decided to keep my 20 year old girl.

Decks are going to be hard to come by for the 2000 tractors and I've had mine patch welded twice already to keep it running... Not having some extra metal reinforcement on the mower deck rollers and for the seat on the rear-fender sheetmetal were the only major engineering defects I've identified. Plus a little better heat-shielding for the fuel line path from the fuel pump to the carb.

Again glad to see you're back,
greynold99

greynold99 said:

Welcome back Packardv8,

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Thanks, greyold99, I've missed having a good Cub.

Decks are going to be hard to come by for the 2000 tractors

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For true! It took three years of watching craigslist, but I got a mongo deck and blower for $100.

Not having some extra metal reinforcement on the mower deck rollers and for the seat on the rear-fender sheetmetal were the only major engineering defects I've identified.

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Again, for true. The 2166 I just patched up was used to tow a salt spreader and the footboards rusted off it. The seat and rear fenders are just held together with four 1/4" bolts through thin sheetmetal.

Plus a little better heat-shielding for the fuel line path from the fuel pump to the carb.

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This one is still debatable. I've had to replace the fuel line on both the 2135 and the 2166, but have not positively proven the steel line running through the shroud is the source of problems. The 2135 stuttering and stalling, which I was certain was vapor lock, turned out to be trash in the fuel tank. On the 2166, the line from the tank was cracked enough to pour fuel and the molded 90-degree rubber line from the steel line to the carb was plugged solid with its' own detritus. Because the turn was so tight, a straight line would kink, I routed a new line from the fuel pump, running outside the shroud and around to the carb.

[quotre]Again glad to see you're back,
greynold99[/QUOTE]

jack vines

I guess i'm still old school because I still love my old 129 cadet. the engine ben overhauled once back in 1988 and I put an hour meter on it at that time and now has 3882 hrs. on it and will probably still be runnin after i'm gone. my neighbor has had 3 zero turns in the last 12 to 15 years, one JD,one toro,and now has an X mark and I know my ole cadet will outlast that one also. there never has been or never will be another lawn tractor built as good as an ole cadet,hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just had to chime in, +1 on the CC2166. My 2166 w/42" stamp deck started it's 13th season this year and if I could find another one in the crate that was forgotten in a warehouse my dream would come true. Our family owned a "mom & pop" retail hardware/appl./lumber yard/outdoor power equip. business for almost 30 years until 1992 where we sold Snapper, Murray, Yazoo, Gilson, Scag and Stihl but this CC 2166 is hands down the best all round lawn tractor I have ever owned. I am now negotiating with our local Cub dealer to order a new XT3 GS and use the 2166 to mow in areas of the yard I don't want to put a new one and to also pull our lawn sweeper and yard trailer.

For all around use, it's difficult to improve on the 2166. I just sold mine with much regret. The 48" deck was just a bit large for my rough, hilly lawn and it didn't have a grass catcher. The Toro ZT I'm now using does cut smoother and turns tighter on the flat, but the tractor's ability to handle sidehills will be sorely missed. The transaxle on the 2166 is a big 'un an makes the Toro undercarriage look like it came out of a kitchen blender. No chance the Toro will be doing the job as long as the CC.

jack vines

packardv8 said:

For all around use, it's difficult to improve on the 2166. I just sold mine with much regret. The 48" deck was just a bit large for my rough, hilly lawn and it didn't have a grass catcher. The Toro ZT I'm now using does cut smoother and turns tighter on the flat, but the tractor's ability to handle sidehills will be sorely missed. The transaxle on the 2166 is a big 'un an makes the Toro undercarriage look like it came out of a kitchen blender. No chance the Toro will be doing the job as long as the CC.

jack vines

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I own a Cub Cadet 109 , 38 inch deck,I rebuilt,and repainted. work in 1967 for ih dealer. great mowers

1982-4502 said:

I own a Cub Cadet 109 , 38 inch deck,I rebuilt,and repainted. work in 1967 for ih dealer. great mowers

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I have 77,79,82 Lawn Boys too

greynold99 said:

Welcome back Packardv8,

Missed your posts and updates on your 2135. I was considering selling mine this year and getting one of the newer Enduro Cubs but after your experience decided to keep my 20 year old girl.

Decks are going to be hard to come by for the 2000 tractors and I've had mine patch welded twice already to keep it running... Not having some extra metal reinforcement on the mower deck rollers and for the seat on the rear-fender sheetmetal were the only major engineering defects I've identified. Plus a little better heat-shielding for the fuel line path from the fuel pump to the carb.

Again glad to see you're back,
greynold99

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Use your old blades.
I have fabbed some replacement hooks for the front drag links and also lined the wear areas inside the deck that have erroded