What model to get???
 

My 6 year old daughter really wants her "own" tractor.Something we can restore together,and bring to show's and just have fun with.I'm interested in either an "O" or a 70/100.I like both,any reason to go with one over the other?

I vote to forget the "0", she will be doin' wheelies with the Cub Cadet at eleven, and the 70 or 100 will survive much better. :bigthink:

The 70/100 is a much simpler machine, also.

I personally would choose the O, but I have not had a 70/100. I just think the O is simple and not much to it. If you get either one, I would suggest getting fenders because at 6, it might be a little dangerous without them. Just my 2cents. :beerchug:

Does she yave the hang of driving? I just started my 3 year old on my little cub 80. She is gtting the 4 digit o when she gets good enough to control the speed. But I agree that a 70 or 100 is a much stronger and way more imple machine to work on. Other then that the 0 an 70 are pretty well the same on handling

I'd like to get both,but can only get one right now.I had a nice 100 and an O I sold a few years back(both were projects),kicking myself now...:bash2:

I agree about the frame being more durable on a 70/100. If it were me and my 6 year old, I would choose a 70, with the lighter engine steering is so much easier.

Please get fenders for it, depending on what I'm doing, sometimes I feel a little unsafe on some of my tractors without fenders.

Didn't think about the steering being easier,good point...:ThumbsUp:Fenders are a MUST,i agree!

I would go with the 70. Just because everything seems a little safer on that tractor, with no belts and such being exposed.

Depends on your budget...for fenders. Whichever one it is, if you plan on having her on it, then I would definitely make sure that there are fenders on it. Little hands and minds get curious and I always err on the side of safety. A set of fenders for one that old to me would be the number one priority! Other than that, either model that you choose would be just fine.

Cub Cadet 123

You'll know the correct tractor when you see it. I agree with the fenders, just because they are safer. They are also cleaner because the tires won't splash up mud, water and debris onto the operator and the machine.

The best thing, though, is that she is interested in having a tractor; one that her daddy can make and fix for her. Working on this project is something that neither you, or she, will ever forget.

I got my son a 125 and that worked for him.

I guess I should say he's had several hydros! 125 x2, 1864 and 782. He doesn't like a gear drive so you might want to see what she likes and don't like before you go spending the cash on something you'll get stuck with. Not like it's a bad thing.:biggrin2:

X2 I'd rather have a hydro as well.

I got my 7 year old grandaughter a 125 and she loves it. I doubt she could get into a gear drive.

I agree, I also think a hydro would be better.

Hydro
 

I have 4 boys. They love the looks of the 70/100 but will argue who gets to drive the hydro if I don't have enough running at the time for all of them. The WF hydros are easier to work on and with good Hy-tran she can't tear it up. It will be working until she trades it in for a car.

I understand about the hydro's being easier,but i'm pretty stuck on having at least one "early" style Cub...:ThumbsUp:

Both of my daughters were "weaned" on gear drive Cub Cadets at an early age.

To this day, they both drive manual transmission trucks ( A Colorado and an S-10 ) and my wife drives a Honda S-2000 six speed manual.

All three are very attentive drivers, I attribute some of that to the fact they drive manual transmissions (no extra hands for the Android!!)

They all pull over the vehicle to make a phone call.

I have one SIL that can not learn to drive a stick, :bigthink: I wish somebody had put him on a gear drive Cub Cadet when he was young!! :bigeyes:


They all tease me, as I am the one that drives an automatic transmission Silverado!! :biggrin2:

Great reasoning! my middle child likes my 100 but has asked to drive the diesel a bit lately!!!

Your just plain lazy!! Lol my silverado is 5 spd manual! Love it!!

I too love manuals!My F350 is a 5 speed,and my Mack is a two stick 20 speed quadbox...:beerchug:

Yea, my story with them was, "Learn to use a clutch, or Walk!!" :Shame:

I dunno, my Daughter started out with a manual trans Cub Cadet, primarily because I thought it would be safer for her.

I was afraid that if she got in a "tricky" situation, she may panic and do the wrong thing with the lever, or possibly be jostled around with her hand on the lever and have the hydro "run away" on her.

With the manual transmission, "the rule" was, put it in gear, let off the clutch and go... If you ever "feel afraid" just reach down, and turn the key off.

I always thought, that if there were less options, then there would less margin for trouble.

Now that she's older (23) she doesn't drive the tractors much any more, but when she does, she has this smile on her face that she can't make go away. It might sound a little selfish, but what a feeling that is for me.

i agree with this one

She is at a good age to drive a manual tranny. They are easier to drive than a car, and go fairly slow. I started out my daughter when she was 10 on my 100. She loved it! Now 27, she isn't into mowing the yard anymore, but drives the cub around sometimes just for fun. IMHO, the 70's and 100's are better than the bigger tractors: 124's, 125's. Even my 124 is more scary for her to drive (her words). The old cast iron decks are smoother and less scary, too. Just my .02.

I wasn't allowed to run solo on a CC until I was about 13-14 and didn't have my own until I was 27; so at 6 anything is better than what I had.

Just about have a deal done on a very clean original unrestored 70.Should be able to wrap it up tomorrow!

Very COOL. When she gets old enough you'll have to get her something like this to go with your Mack

That B81 is unreal!I know Matt the man who restored it,his work is unmatched when it comes to Macks(and others).

I'm still learning the models myself, but the ones that stick out in my mind (in no particular order) are:

106 - Love the slope of the front end
169 - Nice looking 16hp beast
1650 - 16hp Hydro with that sweet looking over and under front end!
If you've got the budget for it who wouldn't want a Super?

I still think the Original is the best looking Cub. The old school tractor look was never matched in terms of style IMO.

Sorry, I totally missed the part about this being for a 6 year old. My bad :Forgot: