Thinking about picking up a 149. What to look for
 

I came across a 1974 149 locally. It looks to be in pretty good shape (looks better than my 128, which sat out in the weather 10 miles from the Texas coast for about 10 yrs.) I currently have a 128 with a 1A tiller that I put a creeper drive and spring lift assist on, but I am thinking a hydro tractor would be the "cat's meow". The 149 currently has a mower deck on it, but I am pretty sure that the spring assist from my 128 won't work on the 149, so I need some advice on a lift.

Is there anything in particular to ask or look at on the 149? Of course I plan to drive it and cut some grass with it if possible in order to get a general idea of it's abilities.

149 photos

Current 128

I don't think you would need the spring assist with a hydraulic lift. It looks to be in good shape. If you don't want it, you can deliver it to PA and I will gladly take it:biggrin2:

The 149 does not require a spring assist lift kit. The 149 pictured has your three point hitch already installed. I used a 149/ model 2 tiller for years until the 1450 came along. The hydraulic lift is the cat's meow as you say. It looks good in the pics in Ohio but remember...it is an old tractor too! Drive shaft couplings loose and worn, PTO clutch may be weak, engine may be tired too. The hydrostatic linkage will be sloppy and loose so be prepared for jerky ride til you get the hang of it or get it fixed. It was a very popular model in my area...they are everywhere. Good luck and have fun.:beerchug:

Does the 149 come with a hydraulic lift standard? All the more reason to "upgrade" from my 128.

Any reason not to go to a hydro tractor?

No reason that I can think of. But I prefer hydros to gear drives. The hydrostatic drives are nearly indestructible.
149 is one of the best all around tractors. I say buy it, you won’t be sorry.

The hydraulic lift was standard equipment on the 149. Hydro, gear really a matter of personal preference. For mowing and snowblowing hydros are really nice. Some prefer gear drive models over hydros for tilling. Personally, I have used both for tilling. I like hydros...but that is my preference.

What is the negative to using a hydro for tilling? My thoughts are that whichever tractor I go with will be mostly for tilling.

I am already pretty well covered for mowing. I have a little over four acres, with more than half "pasture" that I use my Super A with an L59 to mow two or maybe three times a year. I have an old snapper zero turn that works awesome for the "yard". I recently picked up a cub lo boy (not a 154/184) with a 4' belly mower as "backup". I also have five or six old cubs that I inherited from my dad that need resto, but a couple work well enough to run another 4' woods ,mower I have, in case the pasture needs mowing. In addition, dad gave me a troy bilt horse tiller that threw the rod. He fixed the motor (had the case welded and installed a new rod, bearings and rings) but he stalled on getting it back on the tiller due to a blood clot in his leg.

Follow up to this post; I missed out on buying this 149, but I am actually now the owner of not one, but two 149’s AND a 104. I bought all three as a package deal. I still have the 128 as well. The K301 engine in it was using almost as much o as gas, so I posted an ad on ******** in a few forums looking for an engine. A Fellow about three hours east of me responded. He had a good running K301, as well as the other cub cadets mentioned. He was asking $250 for everything, as unfortunately had been diagnosed with stage three cancer. One of the 149’s looks to be pretty complete, the other more a parts tractor. Both engines had been removed. At some point someone swapped the original K341 for a K301. The “deal” came with a K301 12hp, a K341 14p and a K241, all removed from the tractors. The 104 has been completely disassembled, frame, tower and fenders blasted and primed. It has the original seat and rear reflectors. I also got three solid 42” mower decks.