If all you do is rebuild the engine and repaint it while leaving the 45-year old clutch, electrical system, steering gear, PTO clutch, etc. in there it's not going to be worth very much. You're still missing all of the expenses other than the engine and paint, and they add up pretty quick.

Something Don't Add Up
 

Sounds to me like your trying to do what a used car seller does. Make it look pretty and sound good, but buyer beware. There's lots of things you seem to have left out,thats fine if your going to be honest with the buyer. Then thats something I still learning, the seller being upfront and honest. You could always paint it green and sell it as a John Deere.




luke



sorry about that

:bigthink:Thats about the thick of it! We both know that. Once the 72 is done, I will start on attachments. I believe I've had my joy of restoring a IH Cub Cadet nf . All said and done, I feel I would have cleared the fence on any of the prices of a super gt. Just like a nice restored truck, you dont get that money and hard labour back. These projects for me are more less something to marry to.

Just my thoughts: I buy/sell/trade a lot of mowers/tractors of every brand each year to pay for my Cub habit. Here is how I figure my deals. If I am buying to resell I only give them a bath,oil change/basic tune up and tighten loose bolts and wires. I am straight up with the buyer and let them deal with major issues. I try to set my self up for 100% profit on the high end and 25% on the low end. Example If I have $200 invested (I include purchase price-any supplies-fuel for pick up/delivery and my time at minimum wage) I try to sell for $400 under perfect conditions.
If I plan on keeping the tractor then I spare no expense and put in the best I can afford. I know I wont make money but thats ok Im building it for me.
As far as a Cub 126 around here in Southern KY My opinion would be +/- $400 is all over it as a perfect running ready to mow tractor. So if I could buy and fix and sell and make at least 25% then I would go for it.
Again just my opinion only.

The only yard tractors I've really made any money from were the ones on CL (any make) that I can pick up for $100 in non-running condition. If I can get it going with a carb kit and battery for example, then it works out ok.

I bought a 107 in basket case shape from a fellow member on here about two years ago. I was just going to put it back together and put it up for sale. Then one day, I realized I needed a snow plow tractor. Since my 122 was down for repair...and since everything swaps on those narrow frame tractors...I put the snow plow on the 107, along with tire chains and weights.

After the first time I used it to plow...I said to myself "Well crap. Now I have to keep it." Since then, the tractor I was going to fix up and sell has received a Brinly hitch, plow, disc, grader blade, 55 lb wheel weights, and a CW-36 snowblower. I've also got a set of Vredestine V61s waiting to go on and more than a few loose ends to tie up.

Bottom line is it seems like when you buy one of these to fix up and sell, as soon as you use it once...you pretty much want to keep it. So be careful! lol

Well said, Matt! :biggrin2: