I finally got a Cub....2160! Now some questions..

Taiser · Apr 9, 2005

Hey, well I finally bought a tractor, a cub cadet 2160 with 48 inch deck and snowblower attachment (pictures are coming). I was driving home from work and spotted it at a yard sale, decided to stop, next thing you know I'm bringing it home. The blower was attached and the deck was never used. It took me a while to figure out how to attach the deck but I got it on and it works great (tested in the hay field) I finally found a manual online...MTD sure buries them deep /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but now I have a few questions

1-It has a "autogear" transmission. It works fine but what's the scoop on them. The manual says they are actually stronger and better suited for ground attachment. It works great, just choose a gear and go, you can also shift "on the fly"...would have liked the hydro though.

2-It has the B&S 16HP twin vanguard...I'm really impressed with how quiet this thing runs. I'd like to know if anyone ever heard anything bad about them!

3- There are two steel rods just hanging in the back attached at the mid point on each side of the axle near the top of the frame. They are just swinging there and can be swung down to touch the axle. It's hard to explain, I'll post pictures but maybe someone knows what these are for? They guy I bought them from said there was a spring attached to each one (I got two springs) but since he never had the deck he never used them. Deck works fine without these things but I'd like to know what they are for! I didn't get nor can I find a manual online for the deck attachment. Anybody got a picture from under there cub...probably similar?

4-The only problem with the machine is the autogear won't go into neutral (seller said he never used it anyways and so far I agree, not much point) but I would like to know why this is? Any ideas?

5-I'd like to pull a small grader blade to fix up the driveway, and maybe get one of those craftsman tow tillers. Think the machine could handle these? They make a johny bucket for it so I imagine it's got some OK power!

6-The serial number refers to this as a Yard Tractor...I compared it to my neighbours Sears Gt5000 and I don't know mine looks A LOT beefier underneath, I'm worried about how strong these things are. I have 8 acres of land about 3 acres to mow (soon to be 4), a half acre garden I would like to till and a 250 foot driveway I'd like to grade once a year. Did I under buy? I may upgrade to a 2500 in a year or two if it can't handle the job, but would prefer not too...this was a good deal and I really like the machine.

7-It has 16 horsepower, even the low end ones from Lowes, and Home Depot John Deere's advertise 20 -25 HP, why would this a higher end tractor have LESS HP????

Sorry for the long post /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Any help, responses would be much appreciated.

Taiser

themichelob · Apr 9, 2005

Congrats!!
I used a Cub 2185(18.5 hp) with the same attachments as yours for seven years before I moved up to my Kubota, and it did everything I asked of it year round. The only question I can answer is regarding the steel rods--I believe they are called "lift assist" rods and springs. The springs go into holes or coils on the mower deck then into the ends of the rods. On mine, the other end of the rod was then tensioned down under the rear axle keeping a constant lift pressure on the springs. Theoretically, this helps when you raise the deck. I hope this is somewhat clear...Anyway, good luck with your new machine!! Regards, Mike

DmansPadge · Apr 9, 2005

Good for you taiser! You got a nice machine!

All I can comment on is the Vangaurd. Very durable engines... I would take one over a Kohler. Just my opinion.

Bird · Apr 10, 2005

I bought a new 2130AGS (autogear) in 1995 and used it for 4 years; just had the little 11hp Kohler and a 38" deck. I guess the autogear is good, worked fine, and cost about $300 less than the hydrostatic model, and the dealer talked me into it, but I'd prefer the hydro.

Bob_Bainbridge · Apr 10, 2005

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7-It has 16 horsepower, even the low end ones from Lowes, and Home Depot John Deere's advertise 20 -25 HP, why would this a higher end tractor have LESS HP????

Sorry for the long post /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Any help, responses would be much appreciated.

Taiser
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I wondered about that myself. I suspect the lower priced models have cheaper engines and require more horsepower. I had a catalog with replacement engines and B & S engines that were marked CUB CADET had much higher shipping weights than the others with the same or more horsepower.

Bob B.

Taiser · Apr 10, 2005

Yeah I was looking at my motor today while greasing all the fittings on the machine and thought it looked pretty beefy...it's definetly solid, the exaust alone is pretty big, at least compared to my neighbours craftsman.

I'll be posting pictures tomorrow when I get my digital camera back, maybe somebody then can help me with my questions. Those steel rods in the back are driving me nuts.

Anybody know where I can get a 48" deck manual? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

gamble77 · Apr 10, 2005

The hp craze is something that has just recently been something that has popped up. A lot of these lawn mowers you see that have 20+ hp and large decks are just a selling gimick. You don't have to have that kind of hp to run those decks. Problem is it tricks people into thinking they are getting a better machine but those motors tend to be a little cheaper. True tough dependable 20+ hp motors are used on commercial units, not lawn mowers.