Bought an Original!
 

Been lurking here for awhile looking at what people have to say about these cub cadets. Well, I bought an original and thought I'd post pictures of it.

What I know about it. Was used to haul boats around when it was new. They broke the back axle, welded it back together, and stopped using it to haul heavy boats :biggrin2:

It went up to Alaska for a summer or two to help put in a cabin and landscape the yard.

I finally bought it from a local farmer who got it from his brother for his grandkids to ride around. He's the son of the original purchaser, so I guess it's a one family owned tractor.

Engine has been rebuilt with new piston and rings, but hasn't been run in awhile. It's awfully hard to turn by hand on compression. The original pull start broke (as you can see on the hood), and they were just using a rope to pull start it. The steering spindles kinda got really stiff (no grease), and they broke the steering column trying to steer, so it sat in a shed for a few years til I found it. I was lucky, cub cadets aren't too common out here in Utah.

Has part of a rear lift (missing bottom bracket for the 3 pt) and a front blade.

I've torn it down to repair the infamous frame to rear axle weakness. I'm gonna have the crack welded, but would appreciate any tips or pictures on a good way to reinforce it. The picture is of the top of the frame (you can see the creeper hole for reference). The bottom bolts have already been reinforced with angle iron (prior owners doing). I'd like to make it pretty, but I'll take useful over pretty.

Also would like to know if the 7HP has the engine decompression exhaust valve thingy for easier starting. I don't think it's working (if it does have it).

Edit: Price paid (for reference): $172, not too bad of a deal. Got two spare steering columns off ebay for $30 shipped.

:Welcome2:

Congrats on your O!

Nice original, Parts are hard to find and expensive for the originals.

Congrats on the O. I have a few Cubs but my 2 "O(s)" are my favorite! Keep us posted on your progress.

Nice O! Those recoil starters are a hard to find setup, good score!:beerchug:

Welcome to OCC! You have a very nice O!

Congrats on the Original. Even better it has a recoil start on it. Did ya take a look at the serial number? Thanks for sharing the pics......

I did look at the serial # 22,xxx, can't remember for sure, but nothing special.

I haven't taken apart the steering column yet, but I got two spares off ebay for parts. The steering spindles have been greased and work great now. Hopefully the column won't be bad to fix.

I'm amazed a how simple, but strong these are. Took it apart in a day or so. Having a recoil starter really simplifies the wiring. All it has is two wires from the engine to the key switch.

:Welcome2:nice cc original congrats

Congratulations on your new to you original and it sounds like you have a good story to tell about it (history)!! You're proud of it now and will be even more proud about it when you are done! With the 3 point already on it and recoil, sounds like you got a lucky find.

Cub Cadet 123

Got some updates.

-Fixed the steering column. Took it apart and found the upper bearing in pieces and all over the place. The lower bearing shell was cracked. I guess someone really put some torque on it and broke it. Between the 3 'spare parts' columns I had, I put together a good one.

-Still working on the frame reinforcement. The last owner cut out some of the original metal and replaced it with some angle iron, but it was probably a quick job. I'm going to do a stronger reinforcement. I'll post pictures of what I'm doing when it's done.

-My engine does not have ACR (automatic compression release), I found one forum that said any k161 having a spec # ending in 'H' or lower does not have ACR. It only has 'retarded timing' to aid in starting. My k161 spec # ends in 'E', so I don't have it. I'm posting this just because I hate finding forums that don't have answered questions.

I've started the engine, and it doesn't seem that bad to start. I just used some twine wrapped around the pulley.

Quote from that forum:
"If the Spec # of your K161 has a suffix of "H" or lower, the engine did not have Automatic Compression Release (ACR) originally. .....If the cam was replaced at a later date, all bets are off. ....All K161's with a spec # ending in a letter higher than "H" were equipped with ACR.

The ACR consisted of a flyweight-activated pin on the exhaust lobe of the camshaft. ....At cranking speed, the pin would lift the tappet slightly to lift the exhaust valve slightly off its seat. .....Once sufficient rpm was reached, the flyweight would retract the pin, and the tappet would ride on the cam lobe.

The exhaust valve tappet was different for an ACR vs. non-ACR engine.

Whether or not the ACR is on your K-161, there is an ignition advance mechanism attached to the end of the camshaft. ....This too is activated by a different flyweight attached to the cam."

Thanks for the update on your O.

Congrats on your O :beerchug: