by Ken Task.
All those variables have to do with PHP. If your development environment (local Winders install) NOT the same as production (remotely hosted on a shared plan running Linux), then really no sense in comparing apples to oranges. Is production environment on shared hosting or dedicated? Could be chasing wrong rabbit! Yes, turning on debug is good advice. Before doing that, however, check server logs: mysql error log or apache error log. They often give clues as to issue. As far as cron ... where, specifically, does it fail? Start of running it? In middle? towards end? Don't have to answer the questions posted here ... consider them food for thought, unless you need further assistance.
'spirit of sharing', Ken