The riding mowers, also called rear engine riders (RERs), were developed for those who didn't need a full size tractor. However, they are just about as rugged as the garden tractors were. The first model, the 60, also could mount a push blade and snow blower so it could handle more jobs like the garden tractors. The main feature of these riders, besides the heavy steel frame, was the fiberglass body that saved on weight and could not be dented or rust. While many of these bodies today are cracked and missing pieces, there would probably only be a handful not rotted away had they made them out of metal.
The 60 was unique from the later ones due to the two pedal drive setup. In order to go forward or reverse, the respective pedal needed to be pressed down. To change gears, you simply took your foot off the pedal; no clutching involved. The transmission has 4 speeds and no reverse because the camshaft on the motor has a pulley and belt that goes to the transmission. Since the camshaft spins in the opposite direction as the crankshaft, the reverse speeds are achieved. Other unique features of the 60 were it would be the only yellow rider as well as the only one to be powered by a Tecumseh motor.
After the 60 in 1972 came the 55, which was the "economic" model featuring a pure pull start 5 h.p. motor and 28 in. deck, and the 75, which came with an electric start 7 h.p. engine and a rear or side discharge 32 in. deck. The 55 would be produced until the end of IH Cub Cadet in 1981, while the 75 was replaced by the 8 h.p. 85 around 1975. The 85 Special appeared around the same time, which was a variant of the 85 specifically equipped for the new bagger system.
In 1974 IH released the Cadet 95, which was a completely electric version of the 75 to compete with the growing interest in alternative energy sources. Only around 3,000 were made until 1975, making them hard to come by.
The 60 was offered with different implements like a push blade and snow thrower, but later models were never offered with these attachments. All riders came standard with mower decks, size depending on model. The 60 came only with a rear discharge 32 in., the 55 only a single blade, side discharge, 28 in., the 75 either a side or rear discharge 32 in., the 85 early in production either a side or rear discharge 32 in.; later only a side discharge, the 85 Special only a 28 in., and the 95 a 32 in. driven by 2 electric motors.
I certainly do not know everything about these riders, but if you have any questions I would be more than glad to help answer them. You can ask me through the email in the contact tab.
The 60 was unique from the later ones due to the two pedal drive setup. In order to go forward or reverse, the respective pedal needed to be pressed down. To change gears, you simply took your foot off the pedal; no clutching involved. The transmission has 4 speeds and no reverse because the camshaft on the motor has a pulley and belt that goes to the transmission. Since the camshaft spins in the opposite direction as the crankshaft, the reverse speeds are achieved. Other unique features of the 60 were it would be the only yellow rider as well as the only one to be powered by a Tecumseh motor.
After the 60 in 1972 came the 55, which was the "economic" model featuring a pure pull start 5 h.p. motor and 28 in. deck, and the 75, which came with an electric start 7 h.p. engine and a rear or side discharge 32 in. deck. The 55 would be produced until the end of IH Cub Cadet in 1981, while the 75 was replaced by the 8 h.p. 85 around 1975. The 85 Special appeared around the same time, which was a variant of the 85 specifically equipped for the new bagger system.
In 1974 IH released the Cadet 95, which was a completely electric version of the 75 to compete with the growing interest in alternative energy sources. Only around 3,000 were made until 1975, making them hard to come by.
The 60 was offered with different implements like a push blade and snow thrower, but later models were never offered with these attachments. All riders came standard with mower decks, size depending on model. The 60 came only with a rear discharge 32 in., the 55 only a single blade, side discharge, 28 in., the 75 either a side or rear discharge 32 in., the 85 early in production either a side or rear discharge 32 in.; later only a side discharge, the 85 Special only a 28 in., and the 95 a 32 in. driven by 2 electric motors.
I certainly do not know everything about these riders, but if you have any questions I would be more than glad to help answer them. You can ask me through the email in the contact tab.