72 Cub Cadet 128
 

Hello there,

I'm new to the forum so I would figure I would send out my first post. I found a 72 Cub Cadet 128 w/ 44inch deck in my grandfather's barn (decent shape). I'm thinking about using it to mow my yard (currently down a tractor about 1acre). Its missing the mower belt but looks like the rest is all there. Sure enough she fired up after a little struggle. Looks like its got some rust but nothing that doesn't look more than just surface deep. Any ideas on what I should check over before trying to fire up the PTO/Deck?

thanks,
Mike

:Welcome2:

And... :WWP::biggrin2:



Here is the link to the belt chart, to help you get the right belt. :ThumbsUp:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=4633

Welcome aboard Mike! :beerchug: I would check that the spindles can be turned by hand and if so grease them up before putting a belt on it. Look at the spindle pulleys and make sure they are not rusted up or have sharp edges that will kill a new belt. Also would be a good idea to look at the underside and make sure there is nothing tangled up in the blades and that everything is intact and tight. When you find a deck missing a belt, you gotta figure it is missing for a reason just to be on the safe side.

I would do a good tune up with new points, condenser, oil, and would be worth going thru the carb and cleaning it real good and putting a kit in it. It would be a good idea to instal an inline fuel filter. Make sure it is designed for gravity fed carbs. About any good parts store will have the filter. SAE 30 weight oil. Grease all the zerk fittings. The service manual for you 128 is located in our Garden Tractor library and is worth downloading and printing out. The Owners manual is also there and shows all of the lube points and info you might need.
Check all of the wiring and make sure it hasn't been chewed on and also check to make sure a nest hasn't been made in the blower housing. If the motor can't cool you will run it hot and that isn't good.
By the way, welcome to OCC. We love pics. :beerchug:

Mike :Welcome2:

Nothing like a family tractor!

:WWP:

Thanks for all the feedback, I'm pretty sure my grandfather used it to pull a few trailers around his property (2inch ball on the back). I'm not sure if he ever mowed with it, I will be visiting him again this weekend. I'll ask and take a few pictures.

Thanks for the feeback.

Mike

I'm new to this stuff, what is meant by "new points"?

Points are what create spark along with the coil and condenser.

Read these manuals and illustrations to help you understand your Cub better:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27
Setting the timing and points

http://mgonitzke.net16.net/tools/static_timing.pdf
Service Manual

http://ccmanuals.info/pdf/1x8-9%20&%...e%20Manual.pdf

Kohler Service Manual
http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec...df/tp_2379.pdf

Operators Manual
http://ccmanuals.info/pdf/1x8-9%20Operator%20Manual.pdf

Thanks for the links DWayne.

Welcome to OCC! Congrats on your 128! :beerchug:

Does anyone know if the 128 has adjustments for cutting height?

Hey guys, I finally got back to the barn and pulled out the tractor. The old Kholer started up after I "cleaned the carb" float was stuck open. Ran rather well with some new gas and an oil change. Looks like I need two new front tires (size ? or recommendations?). I also pulled the deck off, seems to be 42inch with no guide wheels, that normal? All spindles and blades spin freely and little to no through rust, looks to be all surface (overall I'm pretty happy so far).

Good Looking 128. As for the front tires, if you have the narrow rims most people here like the Deestone Tri Ribs. 4.00x8. The deck is normal. Gauge wheels were an option that you could add by welding on the brackets and installing the wheels.

tires:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks for the link, the current tire on the tractor is "Goodyear Highlander GT" 4.8-8. I'm assuming the rim is 3.75" or 4" wide.

Yeah. You definitely have the narrow rim. My preference. :beerchug:

Is there a how-to for mounting your own tires? Or would I have to take them to shop?

Nice looking 128! :beerchug:

You might google 'changing tire'.
And also look on you tube.

Your 128 is made in 1971. I can tell by there is no 3 holes on the left side of the frame.

Is it ok to wash the tractor if I disconnect the battery? Anything I Need to be careful of?

It's not going to short circuit. Power wash that thing then get some mild rubbing compound and then some cleaner wax and you might be surprised at how good it might look.

That 128 you've got looks to be almost exactly the shape my 129 was in when I got it. Definitely read up on it, it helped give me a couple tricks for operating it that I wouldn't have considered. First thing I did to mine was a power wash, then carb cleaning, and then from there it's been a non stop tinker-in around party for me whenever I get a free moment. Only had my 129 a few months and I'm already losing track of all the cool little things I've done to get it where it is.

Enjoy it! Then put it to work, that's where they really shine.

Thanks for the feedback, Carb has been pulled/cleaned already, New Battery, New oil, new front tires. I'll see if I can get it washed, deck scraped/cleaned, blades sharpened today (grease all fittings after), then see if she can cuts some grass.

Thx,
Mike

Wow! I'am impressed with the condition that tractor is in! Did you check to make sure no lugs were broke off the pto friction disk? You could get away with up to 4 broke as long as they are not in a line. Thats all I can think of. When I got my model 72, it came with a extension cord wrapped up in the mower blades. You may choose to simply cut off the front tires yourself and add new ones. I'am dumb-founded when it comes to tire changing. But matbe for 12 bucks each you can have a dealer/tire shop add new tubes to the front tires.

I didn't check the friction disk (not even sure I know what that is, I'll have to look it up), new tires are already on (Carlisle Turf Savers). I'll post a pic after I get done with the wash.

Gave the mower a quick handwash and snapped a few new photos with the new front tires on. Looks decent for the age. I also added a picture of the underside of the mower deck. I can't seem to get the two outer blades off, the center blade came off with no issue (impact gun). I'm currently soaking the two outers with PB blaster. Any suggestions? Do they come off the same way as the center blade?

Thx,
Mike

The impact gun is your friend taking off the blades. They all come off the same way,lefty Lucy,If that doesn't work fire is even better,heat them bad boy nuts up an the hit them with the impact gun and they just come right off,Just a note,I put a wet rag behind the blade to help keep the seals and grease from getting too hot,also don't pick up the nut when you take it off....

Yeah Mike, I can attest to the impact wrench myself. If you look at my deck in my 1650 restoration thread, it was a rusted mess. There was no way I was getting them off without the impact wrench.

Get a nice, big wrench on the lower (welded) nut on the pulley side, and a solid 6pt impact socket on that blade nut. Hammer it until it breaks. Blaster and / or heat if it doesn't give.

Here's the post where I finally got it right. Most of it may be elementary to you (as this was my first shot at it,) but maybe you'll find something useful:

Your 128 is very nice! :beerchug:

what are all the black things on the tunnel cove and whats on th back of the fender pan just kinda curious:bigthink: but anyways nice lookinng cub.:biggrin2:

Not sure what the "tunnel cove" is, but if your referring to right above the creeper gear slot, there are three toggle switches (silver), and 3 black fuse holders right above them. I have not figured out what they do yet. On the back of the fender above the hitch you see a silver light (looks kinda funny) and what looks to be a trailer light hookup. Again, not sure. I'll get some better pictures tonight.

Thx,
Mike

That 128 looks like a trailer moving machine! The ball offset on the left on the front would be very nice to use. No hitting the grill or cranking your neck around to get hooked up to move a trailer.

From the looks of it, I'm not sure it ever saw much "Yard" use.

I did notice that there is quite a bit of noise from the rattling of the hood and grille while the tractor is running (plus i think the muffler touches the hood). Anyone have any advice on how to quiet that down at all? I'm pretty sure the hood has an long hinge across the front that's rusted out pretty good.

Thanks,
Mike