Compare/Cub Cadet 85 vs Cub Cadet 86

Cub Cadet 85 vs Cub Cadet 86

Verdict: Cub Cadet 85 vs Cub Cadet 86

The Cub Cadet 85 and the Cub Cadet 86 are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 8 hp. Cub Cadet 85 is the newer design (1975 vs 1971). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Cub Cadet

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Cub Cadet

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

8 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

Cub Cadet (a part of International Harvester)Reference

air-cooled vertical-shaftReference

The optional creeper provided an additional lower range. Moving the creeper shift lever forward engages direct drive, while the creeper is to the rear. The creeper ratio is a 4:1 reduction.Reference

Steering

—

manualReference

Variants

32" side-dischargeReference

—

85 Special

28" baggerReference

—

Engine

Displacement

19.44 ciReference

18.6 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

76 x 70 mmReference

75 x 70 mmReference

Power (gross)

6.0 kWReference

Air cleaner

oiled foamReference

dry cartridgeReference

Rated RPM

3400Reference

3600Reference

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

2.8 LReference

3.5 LReference

Fuel tank

—

7.6 LReference

Idle RPM

—

1000-3780Reference

Sparkplug

—

Champion J-8Reference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.635 mmReference

Point gap

—

0.508 mmReference

Intake valve clearance

—

0.152 mmReference

Exhaust valve clearance

—

0.432 mmReference

Oil change

—

30 hReference

Transmission

Type

gearReference

creeperReference

Gears

3 forward and 1 reverseReference

6 forward and 2 reverseReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

88 cmReference

111 cmReference

Weight

167 kgReference

—

Front tire

11x4.00-5Reference

4.80/4.00-8Reference

Rear tire

13x6.50-6Reference

6-12Reference

Lawn/turf front

11x4.00-5Reference

4.80/4.00-8Reference

Lawn/turf rear

13x6.50-6Reference

6-12Reference

Length

142 cmReference

175 cmReference

Width

—

83 cmReference

Height (steering wheel)

—

104 cmReference

Ground clearance

—

15 cmReference

Front tread

—

68 cmReference

Rear tread

—

68 cmReference

Cub Cadet 85 attachments

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Battery volts

12Reference

Charging system

—

Delco-Remy generatorReference

Charging amps

—

15Reference

Attachment overview

PTO & Hydraulics

Rear PTO

—

transmission (optional)Reference

Rear PTO Type

—

515Reference

Front PTO

—

independentReference

Clutch

—

4.5-inch dry discReference

Cub Cadet 86 attachments

86 Serial Numbers

1971

—

400001Reference

1972

—

417643Reference

1973

—

457305Reference

1974

—

495749Reference

Location:

—

Tractor's rear-drive housing, or the left side of the tractor frame . (after February 1974)Reference

Final

—

529811Reference

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.