Hey guys, I think we missed some important questions by a couple guys when the page turned. I'm gonna try and help here but think others should input as well.
Ronald B - a Sundstand Hydro pump turns the same direction as the drive shaft on a Cub Cadet. Unfortunately I can't tell you if that should be called CW or CCW because of the way the Kohler is installed in a Cub Cadet. Hope someone else can define it better and clarify.
Daniel G - on your question about how likely a worn trunion slot is the cause of "jerky acceleration and deceleration" - Yes I say if your Hydro is jerky or if the tractor speeds itself up substantially going down hill and slows itself down going up hill, it's very likely the result of a worn trunion slot. If it's jumpy or lurches it could be not enough tension on your hydro speed control lever, meaning you have to tighten it up some but that's not very likely, unless you almost have to hold your lever in place so you don't move it to quickly. The service manual probably calls out a certain number of ft/lbs tension but not quite sure how to really measure it. It needs some tension so you have to use some pressure to move it - it's can't be so loose that if you just touch it with one finger it moves. It should have enough tension that you have to use your hand to move it. Hope someone else can describe it more accurately - but I suspect you have a worn trunion slot. Have a read thru FAQ No. 14 and all the More Info links with it.
Brian W - the 1980 vintage 782 with a Series I engine and no spark, well it's really out of my league to discuss. I will say even if it were to end up being a minor issue for the no spark, that engine is a "failure waiting to happen". If you bought it and made the easy fix to get it running, would you really be happy and comfortable using it and running around knowing that the engine could go anytime? I suppose you could say that many of us worry about engine failure due to age and unknown hours, but that particular engine was known to fail more often than any right off the show room floor. I think Kohler replaced it with the Series II within 2 years of introducing it. There are Series II and some other engines around that are direct replacements, but most likely expensive especially in an area where there really aren't that many units around. If it were me I'd probably take a look see at the tractor, and then do some searching for new and used replacement engine prices, and then try to make a reasonable decision - knowing that if I got the tractor I would replace the engine.
Mike F - hey glad to hear you found yourself the hydraulic lift parts. If you happen to be buzzin the CT roads in about a month I might just be in the area at my son's place for a few days.
Frank - geez, did you miss it? Your 169 was suppose to be 169's. You were suppose to get Mike F's unit while he had it in winter storage - hope he doesn't read this. He left his sit so long I thought he might'a forgot he even had one.
Are you sure you looked at your 149's correctly. You know the decal colors are the same as the 169 and unless you really were looked you might just have a 149 and 169's.
David S - ain't many of those shredders out there so it's hard to get what you're asking. I'd suggest poking in every 4 or 5 days and trying again until someone does.
Steve - well I never really had the issue you describe. Maybe I never had the type of slushy snow you're talking about. As I mentioned I only had a 60 ft drive. When I used a 42" blade the first 3 years I lived in CT I angled it right from the get go. I started on the left side of my drive and pushed everything to the right. I'd start off making a straight run with the tractor and I pushed the same snow several times to get it all over the the right side of the drive. And yes, the snow would come tumbling over the blade on the first pass especially if it was more than 3-4 inches. And as I worked to the right I ended up having to angle the tractor to keep from having the snow tumble over the top of the blade. To me it was just the nature of the work. It was 10 years before I found the 54 blade and didn't use it that much. After about 3 years of using the 42" and having my eye out for a thrower I finally came across 3 QA42A's and bought all 3 for $100-125 each. I can't even recall right now what I had the 54 blade mounted on but for my situation I think I only ever really used it when the snow was just enough to worry about - and anything more I went to the thrower. But my recollection is that with about 1" of snow that 54 was like cutting butter, and I could really move with it. Overall I think everyone's situation is a little different. My driveway had a slight downward slope so I always started at the garage and worked to the street. My yard was raised just a little on the left side of the drive, and more even with the drive on the right. I also only ever pushed snow going down from the garage and just backed up from the street. People with longer drives would certainly have to figure out other methods, like splitting and doing parts, etc. There are just so many possiblities and variables that it's hard to say what's best for any situation. I will say if you have a hydro-angle on your 54 that sure does sound like the cat's meow (just to keep this discussion clean).
Hope I covered everyone here. If not, pipe back in and someone will help.