My 1015

[nezwick]

Hello everybody, just thought I'd stop in and say hello to all my fellow Cub Cadet owners. This is the first riding mower I've bought on my own, and my first Cub Cadet product. My family has always had old Bolens and Craftsmans, but I definitely like the style of Cub Cadet products the best.

Here's some background info on the 1015 I bought about a month ago.

I bought a tractor because my landlord is too preoccupied to maintain any of his rental properties and I was tired of this property looking like a dump.

I paid $175 for three tractors: (1x) 1988 model 1015 with a failing motor, (1x) 1988 model 1020 Hydro parts tractor, and (1x) mid-nineties generic MTD piece of garbage with a good motor. I probably have $75 into maintenance items.

The 1015 has a tiny 32" deck, which is perfect. Manoeuvrability is key right now, not deck width - as there are lots of obstacles on the 1 acre property.

After mowing 2 times, the motor on the 1015 finally gave out - I grenaded the bottom end because it burned a whole crankcase of oil in about 2 hours of operation. I took the good running 12.5 Briggs off the MTD and put it on the Cub. I also took a bunch of misc brackets, guards, and springs from the parts tractor because they were missing from the 1015.

Yesterday, I replaced a bunch of hardware items... washers, pins, etc. A previous owner had used those asinine split-pin cotters EVERYWHERE so everything was loose and rattly. I got nice new hairpins to replace them all. Plus it looks more OEM. I also gave it an oil change, sharpened the blades, and power-washed the deck.

Here are a few pics. Keep in mind how little I paid for this and how old it is. I know it's not as cool as all the nice IH-built Cubs on here, but it's the PERFECT little tractor for me and my situation. Also ignore the grubby looking buildings - they're my landlord's, not mine.


These pics taken today, still a little wet from last night's rain. Left side:




Right side:




Front:




Mid-nineties B&S 12.5 HP I/C Quiet (the "quiet" muffler wouldn't fit on the Cub's chassis, but I plan to do a few modifications...)




Here are the two tractors the night I brought them home. No engine on the 1020 and it's unknown whether the hydro works or not.

[nezwick]

I also took pics of the serial number tags:






Future "off-season" plans/modifications to the tractor include:
- put the engine on the 1020 to see if the hydro actually works. If it does, I'll swap everything onto the 1020 and use the 1015 for parts.
- wire up taillights and blinkers
- wheel weights and chains
- build a bumper that bolts onto the front
- build a receiver and hitch for towing a trailer
- paint job
- ribbed front tires and probably some "rugged" rear tires for wet traction

[Methos]

Great cubs and very nice price! Nice pics too! Thanks for posting them.

[ACecil]

Nice cubs, ya got there! Thanks for sharing your pics with us.

[CC Rider]

You came out on top of that deal ..... Good going!. Thanks for the pictures.

[nezwick]

Thanks for the replies guys. Is there anyone else on the board with one of these? There doesn't seem to be much info out there like there is for the larger tractors. I assume it was because this was more of a "throw-away" model and not very sought-after by enthusiasts?

A local garden tractor guy once told me "If it has a vertical shaft engine, it ain't worth the sweat it takes to push it into the dump."

BTW I have a WTB thread here in case anybody has some of the stuff laying around: http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=5753

[jbollis]

Great buy, Where in PA are you?

[nezwick]

Near Clarion (Western PA). I work in Punxsutawney, of Groundhog Day fame.

[jbollis]

That is only about 60 miles from me. I am up in Meadville. McCoy equipment(cub dealer) in franklin usually has a couple of those models siting down there. Might be worth checking and see if they will sell parts of them.

[nezwick]

Cool. I go to Franklin at least once a month because my girlfriend has family up there, so I'll have to check out McCoy.