Found a rare Cub Cadet (original)
 

Just got this Sunday. Finally was able to read serial number after some cleaning. #548 :biggrin2:

Nice find ! Are you going to restore it now ?

:Welcome2:

Wow! Production started with serial# 590.
I wonder if this is a test unit?:bigthink:
More pictures of it would be great!

Holy stromboli production models started with serial # 590. I believe you found a pre-production "0". That is a real find and a worthy tractor to restore. You may find that your tractor might differ slightly from the production models but again maybe not. Great find.

Great find on the Original cnixon :ThumbsUp:

I've been comparing it to another 3 digit and everything looks to be the same. From what I'm reading #501 thru 525 were test units and had hour meters. 526-589 were made to test equipment and get piece pricing. Then production Jan 3 1961 to stores starting with #590. So where these 60 some went I have no idea.

Let me throw this out there...
If the gear reduction was replaced with a new part from the dealer, would it have a serial # on it?

Guess the only way to really answer that is to find a nos one.

I believe all of those test units were made in Louisville,Ky. Does this have a starter generator on it or a recoil starter ?

Has a starter generator. I did have a 3 digit at one time with recoil starter.

Nice one
 

Have ya thought about keeping it "as is"? :bigthink: There's just something about barn fresh when it comes to the real rare old ones like yours. It has a ton of character. Either way, have fun with your find.:clap:

Wow, nice!

If it has lock collar spindles up front then I'd lean to it being the real thing. But nice Original, looks pretty clean and straight!

It has the collared front spindles, narrow spaced rear rims, no hole in dash tower to run taillight wire, hood latches are bolted on not welded, engine plate screwed on not riveted, no drain hole in pan seat. These are some of the differences I see between the 548 and my 11*** 1961 "O"

The collard spindles was a recall item just like the thin axle.

Congrats on a sweet pre-production O! What's your plans for it?

The stamp would come from the factory. That would ensure no duplicates of the serial numbers.

HOLY WOW!! tht is a rare find indeed. congrats on the find

Nice score on your early O!

Holy Smokes!! You have 1 rare bird!! Want to sell it?

Great find there.......now you will get consumed with reseaching all of the history on this awesome machine. Thanks for sharing.

I'm going to do a full restore on it. I know some people don't like that but this one is here to stay. Hope to have it ready by spring.

If i had a dollar for everytime i said i wasnt going to sell somthing and ended up selling it anyway...

Well everything has a price but I don't think I'll find one with a lower #

Nice find on the "O". Don't find that low of a number every day:beerchug:

Unless it's posted in the for sale section it's not for sale.

Sweet score!:beer2:

well here it is on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1960-CU...item35c36fa682