MBDiagMan
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2004
- Messages
- 416
- Location
- Sumner, Texas
- Tractor
- John Deere 5045D, Grasshopper 61" with PowerVac,Gator 825i, Cub Cadet 2145
I have a 2145 HydroStatic Drive with 14HP Onan that I bought, I think, in 1992. I used it to cut a couple of acres until about 2003 when I bought a commercial zero turn mower that I still use regularly. I kept the 2145 around because I have a grass catcher for it and I thought I would keep using it occasionally with the grass catcher.
It turned out that the high blade speed of the commercial zero turn spread the clippings out so evenly that I never used the grass catcher, so it sat there in the shed for about 8 years. Before putting it up I had gone through it thoroughly changing oil and hydro fluid and filters and I think I put Stabil in the gas. I had put on a new seat and deck chute and done some welding and repair on the deck. I got it up in good shape at the time.
I am in the process of making my wife a new garden spot in an area that has a healthy stand of Coastal so my plan was to mow the coastal short and suck it up with the grass catcher before turning the soil to expose remaining roots for the Winter.
I got a battery for the old Cub and it spun over strong, but wouldn't start. I took off the air cleaner and sprayed a little carb cleaner in the carburetor. It coughed and spit, then ran on the cleaner for about two seconds. I gave it another shot and it started up and ran perfect. I backed it out of the shed and aired up a flat tire. I fired up the pressure washer and gave it a bath. Unfortunately a bunch of the paint peeled off in sheets to expose rust underneath the paint. This mower was built before powder coat became popular.
After the bath I mowed a small area about a 1/4 acre with it before draining the hot oil and refilling. Functionally it's as good as ever. Not bad for a machine pushing 20 years old with about 10 years of regular use and 8 years in moth balls.
As far as the way it cuts I had forgotten how much different my commercial mower cuts. The high blade speed throws out clippings several feet. The old Cub with it's chute angled down and it's slower blade makes small wind rows when cutting as opposed to spreading the clippings out evenly.
I've been bringing several pieces of equipment back to life lately, but this one has been the easiest. Goes to show that you buy good equipment and take care of it and it will serve you well for the long term.
It turned out that the high blade speed of the commercial zero turn spread the clippings out so evenly that I never used the grass catcher, so it sat there in the shed for about 8 years. Before putting it up I had gone through it thoroughly changing oil and hydro fluid and filters and I think I put Stabil in the gas. I had put on a new seat and deck chute and done some welding and repair on the deck. I got it up in good shape at the time.
I am in the process of making my wife a new garden spot in an area that has a healthy stand of Coastal so my plan was to mow the coastal short and suck it up with the grass catcher before turning the soil to expose remaining roots for the Winter.
I got a battery for the old Cub and it spun over strong, but wouldn't start. I took off the air cleaner and sprayed a little carb cleaner in the carburetor. It coughed and spit, then ran on the cleaner for about two seconds. I gave it another shot and it started up and ran perfect. I backed it out of the shed and aired up a flat tire. I fired up the pressure washer and gave it a bath. Unfortunately a bunch of the paint peeled off in sheets to expose rust underneath the paint. This mower was built before powder coat became popular.
After the bath I mowed a small area about a 1/4 acre with it before draining the hot oil and refilling. Functionally it's as good as ever. Not bad for a machine pushing 20 years old with about 10 years of regular use and 8 years in moth balls.
As far as the way it cuts I had forgotten how much different my commercial mower cuts. The high blade speed throws out clippings several feet. The old Cub with it's chute angled down and it's slower blade makes small wind rows when cutting as opposed to spreading the clippings out evenly.
I've been bringing several pieces of equipment back to life lately, but this one has been the easiest. Goes to show that you buy good equipment and take care of it and it will serve you well for the long term.
