International Cub Cadet 782

HenryO

Member
I bought a CC 782 without an engine. Never thought to check if a new engine can be installed. Now, after a week trying to find an engine and talking to re[pair guys around here no one will touch it.. And, finding a rebuilt or used Kohler Commander (18-20 Hp) is allmost impossible. Any help will be appreciated. By the way, the tractor is close to pristine.
 
Call small engine warehouse in Muncie In. Got an engine from them this spring. Very knowledgeable and a good price. Ordered on Monday, delivered on Thursday. $65 to ship to central Iowa.
 
I picked up a 782 this spring with a kt17 (series 1) that had a broke rod. Of course I'm hardheaded and decided to put the kt17 back together and make it live, crankcase was not busted and I was finding the parts I needed reasonable. In researching as I got into it, some have transplanted the ch18/20 into the 782 with good success. I got to looking around and was finding the motor in recent models of Cubs made by MTD. Not sure on the models but if you see an MTD Cub cadet with a hump between the dash tower and the seat for a driveshaft I bet if you open the hood you will find a ch18/20 with a horizontal shaft. One was on central Arkansas Craigslist a couple days ago for $350, claimed low hours. I'm a fan of the Cub cadet x82 series and the cyclops and would scrap the rest of a MTD Cub, no question, to make an IH or CCC cub run again.
 
A quick search turned up repower kits using Briggs Vanguard and Honda engines.
If you can get the Honda repower kit separate from the engine you can use the Harbor Freight Predator engine.
The Kohler M18 or M20 would work, too.
 
HenryO:

Good replacements are one that came from or spec'd for Cub Cadet. The Kohler engine families are:

* KT-17 Series II
* M-18 or M-20
* CH-18 or CH-20

These are pretty much drop in replacements, with some minor wiring changes when going from a Battery Ignition to a Magneto Ignition.

I have no experience with the Aftermarket Honda or B&S engines.
 
I have seen various replies suggesting re-powering the 782. Here is another source for a re-power source. Check out his website and you may find this to be a worthwhile source. I had a 318 Deere, which I owned for about 5 or 6 years. I really liked the tractor, but the engine was rather tired over the final two years I had it. I found Onan engines to be good engines, but very expensive to acquire parts for. I e-mailed this source on a re-power kit and some possible work to the hydrostatic drive on my 318. I found the minor problem with the hydro on my own and solved it rather quickly. If I recall, Jim was recommending I go with a Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine with 20 horsepower to replace my 18 horsepower Onan. I had looked into this nearly 10 years ago and found him to be very prompt and informative in what I was looking to do to my 318. You have a great Cub Cadet tractor, and to my knowledge, the one key shortcoming of that model tractor was its twin cylinder Kohler engine. That Kohler engine was in the 317 Deere, the 782 Cub Cadet, an Allis Chalmers tractor, and others, too. I believe its weakness was the lubrication system in the pistons/cylinders when the tractor was operated on side slopes. There was either lack of or inadequate lubrication in the cylinders because there was no pressurized feed of oil into the cylinders and pistons. Good luck in your search and I hope you are successful. I might "bleed green," but I do like the true Cub Cadet tractors from years gone by. Today's models aren't even close to what they once were. You have a good, solid machine to start with, and it should serve you well once you obtain and install an engine.
 
I re-powered my IH 782 with an M18 from an '87 CC 1811 with about 600 hours. Turned out to be a great engine. Quite a few 1810/1811/1812's out there on Craigslist. Less likely to find a good standalone M18 for sale. The M18 has the Oil Sentry low-pressure kill feature on it, and the 1810/1811/1812 wiring harness includes the warning lamp.
 
Forget the re-powers and re-build the Onan. A properly maintained Onan engine will still be running when the re-powers are in the scrap bin. Re-powered tractors are never quite the same and are worth less than an original. But if $$ is the only consideration then go for the re-power.
 
wgm:

Not knocking the Onan's but the Cub Cadet 782 NEVER came with an Onan. Don't know if there is a fitment issue or not.
 
It's not an Onan - its a Kohler KT17 in a 782. To be honest seeing a KT17 (even a series 2) is enough to make my walk past the red Cub Cadets even if it is running. Rebuilding an Onan costs about the same as rebuilding a basic small block Chevy and a KT17 is almost as bad.


I always thought putting a Kohler K321 in would be the way to go - but I don't know how well it will fit. The K301 was used in the 1282 and it is basically interchangeable with the K321.
 
Small engine warehouse sells a Briggs Vanguard engine along with the conversion kit for a 782 for $1400.


They also sell conversion kits for engines like the Honda GX610 - but the Honda engines they have in stock won't work because they are a tapered shaft - you would have to try and find it somewhere else.



http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/Repower-Old-Equipment/Cub-Cadet-782-Category/
 
dhermesc:

seeing a KT17 (even a series 2) is enough to make my walk past the red Cub Cadets even if it is running.

LOL - I would take a red Cub Cadet any day of the week over the tin crap junk you see today, even with a bad engine.
 
(quoted from post at 09:09:50 08/10/17)
Rebuilding an Onan costs about the same as rebuilding a basic small block Chevy and a KT17 is almost as bad.

I always thought putting a Kohler K321 in would be the way to go - but I don't know how well it will fit. The K301 was used in the 1282 and it is basically interchangeable with the K321.
Small engine warehouse sells a Briggs Vanguard engine along with the conversion kit for a 782 for $1400.

They also sell conversion kits for engines like the Honda GX610 - but the Honda engines they have in stock won't work because they are a tapered shaft - you would have to try and find it somewhere else.

http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/Repower-Old-Equipment/Cub-Cadet-782-Category/

What a bunch of nonsense. Did you forget to take your medication?
 
I have found a guy in Applecreek Ohio ( 35 niles from herein amish country)who rebuilds Kohlers. He has one 20 HP Command left(claims hard to get nowadays) and will install it for me at a reasonable price. Thanks for all the comments and help , even the guy reminding me to take my meds. His help is in his reply, always expect somebody to be a wiseaxx. HenryO
 
Not familiar with the 782. Is the KT17 engine in it a Vertical or Horizontal shaft?

If it is vertical, would a 18 hp Magnum vertical shaft engine work?

I have an 80's Yardman (built by MTD) was left at my place approx 8 or 9 years ago. The tractor's steering is locked up and the starter that was on it is bad (I had it started a few times before the guy came and got it). A new starter can be gotten from many places for around $50.. When I had it running it ran good and showed no signs of smoke, oil leaks etc. The charging system tested good and the original electric fuel pump held good pressure.

The engine is similar to the one in the photo.

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I have not saw the owner in 6 or so years. If i could find him and he does not want it. I would be glad to give you the engine just to get it out of my shop. For all I would want from the tractor is the transmission. Other than the engine. The rest of the tractor is useless scrap to me.
 
I'll take a quietline or older over any 82 series except the 1282. I personally know of 4 682-782s that have been nothing but trouble and money pits for their owners. I don't know of anyone that has one that is used on a regular basis.
 
dhermesc:

There is NOTHING wrong with the 82 Series Cubs. One of the better series tractors that IH Cub Cadet came out with. The twin cylinder engines smooth out a lot of vibration. Like with any tractor, owner use and maintenance is a big factor on performance and longevity.

I have a 1450 (Quietline Series) and a 782. Both are weekly workers (year round) and both a fine tractors
 
Rolland, only the 982's used the B48G Onan. When MTD built the next newer model SGT they used the 20 hp
Magnum Kohler. I really like my 982, just wish it had ANYTHING ELSE other than the Onan in it for power.

Guy that posts on another forum says he was a service tech at a welding supply shop. Lots of Onan used on
welder/generators. He says he left a Mountain of blown up Onan'S when he left that job. Weak conn rods,
terrible designed governor, terrible designed intake manifold, plastic drive gear on the oil pump. The
location of the ignition points/condenser is terrible.

Kohler Command bolts right in with minimal changes.

If I owned a nice 782 missing the KT-17 engine I'd install the 18 hp Briggs Vanguard kit from SEW. Buddy
put one in his 317 Deere about 8-9 years ago. It's run longer than the KT-17 Kohler Deere installed.
 
DR. EVIL:

You are correct, the 982 had a B48G Onan in it. Can't say that I have heard the dismal reputation on the Onan, other than they are expensive to repair.

IF I had a 982, I would repower with a Kohler:
* M-18
* M-20
* CH-18
* CH-20

Sorry, not a B&S fan.
 

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