Advice on purchasing a 72
 

A friend has offered me his 72 for the amazing price of $25. I would describe it as average condition or maybe better. There is no deck or attachments. He is willing to part with it at that price because he would like to see it running and being used. He purchased it 20 years ago and parked it in his shed, on a concrete floor, and it has not moved since. It ran but smoked when he parked it. The tires are all holding air. Everything appears to be there. I know nothing about a 72 Cub. I just bought my first Cub cadet this winter. So my concerns- I am mechanically skilled but do not have the ability to rebuild an engine. I can tear anything apart and put it back together, but do not have skills to repair the inside of an engine. If that makes sense? Not sure how difficult a little 7 hp engine is to fix. I also know nothing about the drive system on this, or what could be wrong from sitting. I don't want this to turn into another project that I can't finish. And it is possible that I put fresh gas and a battery in it and it starts and runs.

Guess what I am looking for is someones gut feeling about a 72. Should a couple hundred bucks be able to fix most anything on it? I know I have not given much info, and I don't have any pictures. Normally I buy first and think later. I don't want to buy this and disappoint the seller by not being capable of getting it usable.

Thanks for any and all advice you may have.

Sounds like there's not many ways you could go wrong with this deal...you're money ahead starting with a $25 investment. I'm sure that any problem you encounter could be figured out with information found on this website.

$25 you can't go wrong no matter how you slice it...

I've owned a 72, good little tractor. Plenty of power with that 7 horse Kohler. Does it have fenders?

Sound like the deal of the day to me. don't be to intimidated by the engine, if you read the manual and follow it step by step you should be fine.

Thanks guys, I think I will pick it up this weekend. No fenders.

$25 is as cheap as they come. This site is a really good tool for help. Good luck with your project if you buy it.

$25 is a great deal. They are simple machines and fun to work on. If you are mechanically inclined, you can restore it. Lots of folks here can help if you have questions. Post some pictures. Everyone rebuilds an engine for the first time. Here's my 72, if only for inspiration...

Go for it.You don't find many for that price,and as always we will help if needed.

And if this guy says it's a great price then you're REALLY getting it cheap. Way to go, amazing price and if parked twenty years ago inside I'm thinking it's nicer looking than we think. Pics please!

I have a 72 the engine is easy to work on, I just rebuilt it, it is shaft driven to a gear drive transaxle. The clutch can be a challenge if they sieze the are kind of tricky to free up, other things with it are throw out bearing could go bad or clutch could need adjustment but that's easy. $25 is an amazing deal and I thought I got a good deal on my 72 at $50

That is a terrific deal on a terrific tractor! They really hold up well as is, and it sound like this one had a caring owner and an easy life. Good luck!