Seeking advice from members

[Xperimental]

I usually mow with an Allis 5020 which is a little two cylinder diesel tractor. It has lots of power with a 60" deck. This week the water pump was getting ready to go on the Allis, and rather than have the fan fly into the radiator, I mowed everything except the roadside with my 56 Cub and 59 inch Woods deck. The roadside was pretty tall heavy grass more like a hayfield than a lawn. But I could cut my 2-3 acres of lawn grass. It took maybe 50% more time with the Cub. But the Cub was more fun. For me power isn't as much of a drawback as the lack of an independent PTO and the lack of a truly low gear. I am really appreciating the fact that my Cubs don't have water pumps. The Cub's simplicity is a huge plus when it comes to maintenance and repair.

[Smokeycub]

Cracking the engine block ear is only problematic if the tractor encounters extremely rough service. Not normally encountered when mowing lawns.

Interestingly my Cub has had a crack on that ear on the front right corner of the block since long before I owned it. Someone brazed it up years ago and so far the only issue with it has been it seeps a bit of oil through the crack. I have plowed, disked, cultivated, and graded with it many times over the 8 or so years I've had it. Last year I did install a "block tie" that pulls things back together a bit and reinforces that brazed ear. So far so good.

I mow with the Cub a great deal and I much prefer it to any lawn tractor. Like the others have mentioned the F-Cub is a multi use machine and while it will mow well the numbered Cubs are essentially mowing machines. Electric - live PTO, more powerful - higher rev'ing engine, lower height, and turf tires, are a big plus for mowing.