Looking for advice a 73 or 126?
 

What do you think would be better deal?

A 126 in good shape with a 42" deck- asking $350

or a 73 in good shape, smaller mower deck, newly rebuilt motor, round fenders, rear lift for a few bucks more? --asking $475


Want to get snow auger for either one, and put a Brinley plow on as well

Either one would do just fine for mowing. But to add a snow blower and plow the 12hp motor would be preferable to the 7hp motor. The 7 could do it, but probably not as easy.

For what you are wanting I would say the 126. I have no experience with a snow blower, but I think most guys with a manual prefer a creeper gear to use with the snow blower. I am sure some of the others will have some good input on this.

Just buy both! :beerchug:

I recently bought a 126 this fall. Its a great tractor. It has a 42 inch deck, it has most of the options...3 point, rear pto, lights, creeper. It has good speed for mowing and plenty of power with the 12hp. It will pull a 10 inch plow with ease. You may look into buying a creeper drive for one if you decide to use a thrower.

A 73 would be a great tractor too. A lot of people underestimate the power of the 7hp engine. The 38 inch deck will be a perfect match for that tractor. It will pull an 8 inch or 10 inch plow with the right soil conditions. I have a 71 with the 38 inch deck that mows and runs great.

It just all depends on your preference. If you want to snow blow, you may want to get the 126. Either tractor will pull a plow. Just my .02 hope it helps!

I agree with IACubCadet. Buy them both. Either one of them will give you years of service. :biggrin2:

Having experience with a 10 horse and a snow blower it would be best to have the creeper gear. Ground speed has to be slow for any snow deeper than a couple of inches. Without the creeper you would have to stop to let the snow thrower catch up. A blade works pretty good without the creeper gear but you will only be able to push the snow so far. With a blower you do not build up a snow bank along the drive that may have to be dealt with later. A plus for the blade is you can use it on more than snow.

Thanks for the replys. Keep them coming. Appreciate all input-but I can't by both (right now :)

here are some pics of the 2 tractors I am considering-- top pic here is the 126
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/p...pictureid=2882

and the model 73 --here below
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/p...pictureid=2881

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/p...pictureid=2880

You'll need the creeper for either one. The 73 looks awesome with the fat rears but it also has the rear lift where the 126 doesn't. Both look to be in great shape. How do they run?

I am finally learning a few things about the NF's. I actually recognized the fenders on the 73 are actually for an "O" with the mount from an O.

With that being said they both look like great tractors. I am sure you will be happy with which ever one you choose. :beerchug:

Both of them are nice looking tractors. The 126 may be your best option. You'll have more horsepower for a bigger deck, and other implements.

So if I get the 126... should I figure about $200 for adding a creeper gear

and how much $$ for a lift in the back??

They both look great and you'll be happy with either. Myself, I'd want the HP.

Id say thats about right. $200-$225 for the creeper, around $225-250 for the whole 3 point/sleeve hitch setup. The sad part about the accessories is that they cost more than the tractor is really worth. But, you pay for quality!

If you buy one you will be kicking yourself for not buying them both...

First buy the 73, sell the fenders off of it on ebay, then buy the correct fenders for a 73 and put them on. That will put $100.00 back in your pocket, give the $100.00 to your wife and tell her to go buy herself a new pair of shoes or use the money to help finance the 126. Sometimes you have to "create" a win-win situation.

I would go with the more powerful and rarer of the two.

The asking price of the model 73 is $475 and motor sounds great no smoke

The asking price of the 126 is $350
have not heard it run yet. no lights, missing grill. Do not know what shape clutch is in

I would go with which ever tractor has the best motor. I agree with Allen about that you want the higher horse tractor, though. I do fancy the 73 and it looks like those fenders can come down and be correct. Thanks, John

I agree, and I don't normally agree with Sam very often since he shoots at me and calls me an "Angry Varmit"-:BB&YS:. Before you buy one, try to settle on a package deal with the contigency of buying the other one later (perhaps within 2 months). Then, you can put the 3 pt. hitch on the 126 with a $40 adapter and set it up for snow blowing and the 73 can be set up for mowing. I own both a 73 and a 126 and I like them both equally. The 73 is the 3rd rarest cub and the 126 is the 4th rarest cub, based on production #'s.

Cub Cadet 123

Boy,
Kind of a toss up on which to buy. The 126 would be better for snowthrowing and such. You would probably need the creeper in it. If you want to plow, either tractor would work. The 73 already has a rear lift, so that's a plus. They are both nice tractors. The 73 is the last of the round fender tractors. On production numbers the 126 is the third rarest production built tractor with the 73 the fourth rarest. It goes something like this: 800, 169, 126, 73, 86, 72.................................. :biggrin2: Good luck and keep us posted.:beerchug:

Oooopppss....got my info mixed around on the order......sorry for any misinfo.

Cub Cadet 123

What is an "0" and what prices do these fenders go for money wise?

Good catch on your part seeing this!!

"O" is short for Cub Cadet Original. The fenders usually go for $250 or more depending on their condition.

Yes the "O" is the original which is a 7 horse tractor. It is to my knowledge the only cub cadet without a number. It was the first cub cadet produced from 1961 to 1963. Since it has no model number we just call it the "O".

The true model of the Original is Cub Cadet it's called the original due to it being the frist cub cadet. If you go to parts look up type in cub cadet in the model number area and all the parts for the O will show up. Type in original and you'll get a error message.

Its a tough call.

Been thinking as much as I like the looks of the 73 and its lift / fenders, the 12 hp 126 is the way I should go.

they look pretty neat as well. Will try driving it tomorrow to see if its as good as he says it is

Hope it works out, Todd! The 126 is a nice cub.

Huh, no wonder I could never find parts for an Original. I never knew about that. :bash2:

And there is this 108 that my friends dad has that he offered me for $300.
Is a bit rougher.
Has blower, deck and chains.

Not sure I like the look of the 108-- but the price sounds good with the attachments.

what to do?..how collectable are 108's from that standpoint?
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/p...pictureid=2886
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/p...pictureid=2887
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/p...pictureid=2888

That's a great buy for $300! The 108 is a wide frame and easier to work on the drive line.

Wide frames are so much easier to work on. A 108 isn't rare, but they are a good work horse like all the other cubs out there.

I love my 128, the same type of cub, just has a 12hp motor.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00763.jpg

Not a bad looking 108 at all. It will do any job also. Not a bad buy.

It's a matter of time before you end up with all three.....:biggrin2:

Cub Cadet 123

I appreciate all of your advice and thoughts on this. I'm sure I will enjoy whatever Cadet garden tractor I wind up getting.

Good thing I'm a city slicker with 2 F-Cubs and a jubilee Ford, ( already and have limited space) Have 40 acres of hunting land about 1/2 hour from here. thats what got me into tractors-food plots

This could be dangerous getting into cadets now too!!

I went to look at the model 73, there is a lot of slop in the steering,(linkage maybe?). Is that common, and how hard to fix that issue?
thanks

Common problem and pretty easy fix.

The steering is pretty simple to deal with. Even if you have to pull the steering box and clean it out and just update the grease and adjustments.