Is it possible to put a Wards deck onto my Cub Cadet 125?
 

Hey all!! Last week I bought these two beasts-- Cub Cadet 125 Hydro and a (Gilson) Montgomery Ward 16 Variable... these two machines are in excellent shape considering their age! They were very well taken care of!
Long story short, I just had double knee surgery, so the riders were meant to help me mow my way thru the summer (as my recovery isnt going too well yet) uggg
I only really made the trip to purchase the Cubby, but I couldn't pass up on the Wards machine after I seen the condition it was in! The only problem is that it doesn't run (yet) and I haven't had a chance to really look at it to see what's wrong (previous owner said it might only just need new points - but I'm not very mechanically in depth to really give any proper diagnosis)
Anyways,, the Cub Cadet runs and cuts awesome! Exactly what I was looking for until I tried to get it in the back yard... I'm an idiot and didn't even cross my mind to measure the deck width (to ensure it would fit thru the gate)!! I tried everything short of notching a 3inch nook in the fence post (the wife does not think that either one of my new tractors are very sexy,, and she would really choke me if she caught me modifying the new fence in order to fit it into the backyard!)

My question is this - does anyone know if I would beable to swap the Wards deck onto the Cub Cadet without any major mods? (Again, not too mechanical savvy here, and I would choke my own self if I screwed up or damaged either one of these beauties in the process!)

If I can't find a low cost solution, I regrettably am going to have to sell the pair :-(
Any help or direction would be very much appreciated!! Thank you in advance!!

You can IF....You have metal, cutting tools (Torch, Chop Saw, etc) Welder, & shop tools. A good understanding of metal fabrication, engineering, know where to get specialty parts, the patience of Jobe and some cash.

IF NOT, go to Plan B.

I wouldn't waste time swapping decks. What size deck is on the 125? There are a few sizes that will fit. Maybe you can get lucky and trade someone even up on a smaller deck.

Bill

I'd get the Wards running if all it needs is a tuneup--a whole lot easier than changing the decks I can assure you. You should be able to find another Cadet deck--if a smaller one than what you have is available and will fit through the gate. Stuff like that is the first thing tractor pullers sell off. Is putting a double or wider gate not an option?

If it is a good tractor and nice cutter. I would go to Lowes and buy me a new gate the size I needed, a T-post, and a small bag of ready mix and put it in. would be cheaper than buying another deck. Assuming you have chain link fence, but if its wood same thing just different materials.

just curious what part of Illinois are you in? There may be someone from the site that isn't that far away that might be able to help....

Thank yous!
 

Thank you guys for the advice, tips, and for clearing that up for me!
The mowers ive had in the past have all fit the gate because I was able to just flip up the plastic Deflector and cruise right thru No Prob... But the 125 deck is solid from side to side - no fancy bells N whistles - it's just one hellluva lil tractor, and it didn't even occur to me to measure it when I went out to make the purchase (I think because I was just so stoked to be getting a Cub in the first place - and then when I seen how great of condition this nearly 50yr old tractor was in,, alls that I was really thinking about was loading it up and getting her home)...

You guys are right,, I think that I will first try getting the Wards up and running this weekend - it's def worth a shot!
The wife has already shot down my idea to modify the fence for the sole reason of fitting the mower thru...
I know the basic stuff, but I'm not too deep into the mechanical-know-how of small engine repair - so if I strike out with the Wards,, hopefully I can find someone quick up here in IL/WI who'd be interested in a pair of machines like these !
Thanks again guys! I do appreciate the quick replies and advice!!

I am northern Illinois,, close to Lake Michigan by the Wisconsin border .. Lake Villa- it's about 10min west of Gurnee/Great America

If you do use your 125 to mow, check if it needs a pto button, also grease/oil moving parts/spindles. Just my advice. Good luck!

Looks like you have a 42" deck on your 125. If you want to keep it, look around and see if you can find a 38" deck. Should give you the room you need to fit through your gate. Someone might even trade you for your 42".

How much do you lack in clearance?
You could carefully cut the discharge chute with a cutoff wheel and put a couple of simple hinges on top, that way you could flip it up going through the gate.
And you will have not to put your foot down with wifey and just do what is necessary for a wider gate. :beerchug:

True story--dad's dealer lost the sale of a Cadet to a city run cemetery because of the discharge chute--wouldn't fit between the tombstones. Deere made the sale because theirs could be turned up to fit.

how big is your backyard? Take the deck off, drive thru the gate, and then reinstall the deck Granted you would not want to do that every time you mow but you could use the Cub in the backyard and the Wards in the front yard then youd have reason to hang onto both.... you mow with one tractor, put wifey to work on the other....
as far as location; yikes you're a ways north of me, you're up by Lambs Farm it sounds like.... youre 90-some miles north of me...
I'm off work tomorrow, plan is to try and find Volo, we have wanted to see the Auto museum for a long time... I think that's "up that direction"...
won't have alot of time to lollygag besides visiting the museum as we have 2 dogs......

Volo is about 10min from here - that auto museum is pretty cool and there is an antique mall in there too! You guys will have a fun day,, that whole place is pretty cool!

wellll I saw them on CL today sold "only" as a pair.....

I'm not in the least surprised. :RollEyes2:

Thanks again for all the advice on this! I'm not too mechanically skilled (and I need something that I can actually use quick here), so I put em for sale as a pair- but only sold the one.

Now this week I have to decide whether to use the money to repair the other one - or find something different (and get rid of the other one)

It's goofy- I've only had these a few weeks now and never had an issue with the Cub Cadet since I've had them - it's always started and cut well in the front yard- I even started it and drove it yesterday morning because I had to move it- but about an hour or so before the guy was coming to look at it, I went to start it and it wouldn't catch! It would just turn over but wouldn't start! I let him know before he came, but he still wanted to look at it regardless. He tried troubleshooting it for a good hour but still nothing.
I have no clue what happened to it and why it wouldn't start. He still ended up taking it for a lowered price- he said even if he couldn't get it going he could maybe use it for parts for his other Cub.

So I still have the Gilson/Wards - he said it has a really good motor in it- it turns over but there's no spark- he said the points looked good. So now just need to figure out whether it's worth it to fix- or find something different

Thanks again everyone! Hope you all Have a nice day!

The Cub wouldn't start because it was trying to tell you something.
But it's a moot point now, it's gone, prolly best as it went to one who will appreciate it.
Go to a big box store and buy a plastic throwaway thing that fits through the gate and wifey will be happy, and so will you for 5-6 years then you get to do it again.
Sorry,
that is just how it is.:bigthink:

I'm closing this thread. Only really because it makes my head hurt, and the Cub is sold.

Typical. A more complex and less obvious solution was taken to avoid either work, or just hiring someone who would. :beatdeadhorse: