154, 184 pros cons

[Lt.Mike]

I’m considering one of these for dedicated mowing duties. I’ve had my JD L130 about 14 years now and for the past few years it’s been a battle as I feel I spend as much time repairing it as I do mowing. I haven’t been overly impressed with it although when it does work it has a clean cut. Having had it so long is part of its problem and it’s probably considered a residential light duty use tractor (?) where I need something of more of a commercial quality. It takes me about 3-4hrs to mow with the JD.
New lawn tractors run around $2,000+ so I don’t have a problem paying up for the right lo-boy.
I have a ‘58 Lo-Boy with ag tires that I plow snow with and other chores but I’m thinking a 154 or 184 with turf tires dedicated to mowing would be a good replacement. Mowing is all it would do and I’m very familiar now with the C60 engine.
I’m not looking for anyone to go into great detail but is there an easy go to choice one over the other?
There’s a couple on CL here that look restored but to some making it pretty is restored and mechanically it’s still a headache but they still attach a asking price like it’s a ‘68 Camaro. At least with all I’ve done with my present Cub I know what to expect from the engine.
I know it’ll be a hunt but any quick tips would be appreciated.

Mike

[Slim140]

I know a guy who has a 184 with a mower on it, he added power steering off a fork lift on it. Let me ask him what he wants for it.

[Lt.Mike]

In case anyone is wondering why I don’t just slide a mower under the cub I have and mount turf tires it’s because I have a lot of trees and height is an issue.
I’m thinking the numbered cubs sit lower and are actually targeted to mowing better than a earlier Cub (?).
Besides finding one I’d like opinion on which one you’d go for if you were looking and why?
Mike

[Slim140]

Sorry Mike, I jumped the gun there, oops.

[Landreo]

154 vs 184?

The 154/185 has a clutch next to the transaxle and a mechanical pto clutch. I have not found either to be particularly problematic and are simple to work on but there are likely some abused tractors out there for sale.

The 184 has slightly more power than the 154, same as a 185, with a conventionally placed clutch and an electric pto.The clutch should not be a problem but I am not sure about the parts availability for the pto clutch.

For some reason there are a few numbered series haters on this board but I have many thousands of hours on the numbered series and the offset lowboys and have not found either to be problematic. If I had a choice, I would pick a numbered series over a fcub or lowboy for mowing due to the live pto.

154 vs 185 vs 184 would just depend on the shape of the tractor itself.

Something to consider, I recently have been mowing 3-5 acres with a cub cadet 149 and I am able to do so in less time than with my numbered series. The cub cadet is faster since it is a hydrostatic. The numbered series is slightly slower but the ride is more comfortable.

[Larry B]

With the age of any numbered loboy expect to be fixing things. If you have a choice i think the 184 is the better choice. Better starter, clutch, pto clutch. Put a Pertronix ignition module in it, install new plugs, install a fuel line shutoff, check for a cracked frame and diff crossmember, tighten all the transaxle mounting bolts hope it has a 3160A deck. Then go mow.

[outdoors4evr]

154 vs 184?
I am biased (and spoiled) not to have a clutch brake as is found on the 154 & 185.
I am very glad I do not have that complicated rotocam PTO clutch found on the 154. The electric PTO has been very reliable for me.
I really enjoy having an alternator and starter rather than a starter-generator.

Cub vs. Numbered for Mowing
Cub has a smaller turning radius.
Numbered series has wide front tires which equals higher steering effort. Power steering would be really nice!
Numbered series is lower (great on hills)
Numbered series has live PTO (a necessity for easy mowing) ***This is the big selling point with a numbered series ***
Higher RPM = 3.8MPH travel in 2nd gear which equals 2.13 acres per hour with a 10% overlap.

Regardless of your choice, I agree with Larry's recommendations.

[Lt.Mike]

Thank you very much for your input, I’ve a lot to mull over. I’d say right now that one of the forum merchants Hamilton Bob seems to have what we would need for the numbered cubs. I’ve looked through their catalog which is extensive so I’m not overly worried about parts availability.
The JD I’m using now has hydrostatic drive too and a 48” cutting deck. While it can go fast to get a clean cut I go about half speed and give about 1/3 overlap. If the numbered cubs have the same gearing as my 58’ Lo-boy cutting in second gear would be an improvement in speed for me over the Deere.
Also hoping that huge deck helps.
I had to replace the electric pto on the Deere when it burnt out. Does it hold up any better on the 184? I’m going to have to give one of these a try to see what the turning radius is too. Like I said I’ve got a lot of trees. Cracked frames and wishbones sound familiar as that happened to the Deere too.
I attribute the damage to my having mounted the factory JD snowplow with suitcase weights hanging off the back. It was made for it but beats the hell out of the little tractor if you try to plow more that 2” of snow and if you have 4” it’s past it’s limit. Pushing that and you can hear the transaxle crying. Plowing snow with one of those is somewhat laughable. That’s what made me buy my ‘58 Lo-boy and I’m so glad I did. It does it with ease.
I’m counting on the numbered series being that kind of strong.
Live pto, does it spin full rpm refaurdless if forward speed? I know how it works in my Cub now, push the clutch to stop and the pto stops too. Slow the throttle to slow the speed and the blades slow also. Is it like the Deere’s hydrostatic drive in some way?
Mike

[MiCarl]

The live PTO has its own clutch and the drive is separate from the transmission. So the PTO stays engaged when you push the drive train clutch. This also prevents the mower from pushing the tractor when you clutch the transmission.

PTO still turns at engine speed regardless of transmission gear.

[Eugene]

Is it like the Deere’s hydrostatic drive in some way?

No. Strictly manual transmissions.

I have a 154 with creeper. The creper, when engaged, slows each of the tractors 3 forward and 1 reverse gear by about 50 percent.

[Lt.Mike]

Is it like the Deere’s hydrostatic drive in some way?

No. Strictly manual transmissions.

I have a 154 with creeper. The creper, when engaged, slows each of the tractors 3 forward and 1 reverse gear by about 50 percent.

Is that a version of the Howard de-speeder?
I got to see one installed and working on Doug’s Cub at the Bash.
Mike

[Eugene]

Is that a version of the Howard de-speeder?

Both work on the same principal. Howard de speeder fits on the axle housing. The creeper on a numbered Cub is installed in front of the transmission.

[Lt.Mike]

Thank you. It’s a learning experience for sure. I like how the engines on these are all Cub so I am familiar with that but there’s still some learning to do.
I think my next step is to reach out to see if there’s someone near me that has one I can look over. Sure there are the ones for sale but I don’t want to bother a seller as a tire kicker taking up time and hopes for a sale I’m not 100% on yet.
Mike

[Slim140]

Here’s some pictures of my friends. It doesn’t look so good since it hasn’t been washed but it runs like a new one. Got a picture of the power steering cylinder he added but not the box off the forklift.

[Lt.Mike]

Thanks Shane I’ll keep it in the back of my head.
Mike