The story of your first Cub
 

I bought my 1200 used in Oct of 2008, for $50. It did not run. I tore it all apart, painted it with tremclad, bought $500 worth of small parts, and have started the reassembly part. The PO killed the steering. my only option is a new steering shaft, box, bearings, and wheel. I am going to be dropping in a k341, with some minor mods. It will not have that stupid quietline muffler, instead, a stack will come up about three feet. I have ordered a pointless ignition system, as well as a 40000 volt coil. full gasket set, maybe rings, and a tune up and it should be done. I have a sleeve hitch for it, a hitch adapter is on the way. I have a QA42A, model 2 tiller, 44 inch deck, plow, and cultivator. I am planning on restoring all the attachments too. If you look at the pics, and see all the mistakes, please keep in mind, this is my first job, and I'm only 14!

http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...49frontend.jpg

http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...n120912001.jpg

http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...n120912002.jpg

http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...eperdrive2.jpg

http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...Electrical.jpg

No, the sleeve hitch did not get painted. it will get done next time time is available lol.
http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/v...209rearend.jpg

Please add your pics and stories.

Looks good to me. Is that a rattle can paint job?

I'm shamed to admit. yes it is. In the sun the yellow looks kinda close, the white is too bright. but you have to admit, it does not look toooooooooooo bad :)

Your tractor doesn't look bad at all Tyler.

My Cubs
 

Well it all stared back in 1986. I had just returned from Saudi Arabia . I took a Job with Flying Tigers in Columbus Ohio and bought a house. I needed a garden tractor and started hitting the local auctions. That's when I found it. A 169 with a 44" deck. For 250 bucks I was in business . Restored the whole thing. 4 yrs later I was and the neighbor boy was mowing for me. My wife called and told me the engine blew up. I asked her why she thought it had blown. She replied that metal parts had come out of the engine and melted my Sons plastic pool. :) So I get home, turn the key and it starts right up. But there is oil everywhere. Those dang counterbalances had let loose and blew a hole in the block. Got a used block. Rebuilt everything new. Moved to Lakeville NY. I had the tractor for over 8 yrs by then. I had plowed all the gardens with it. Plowed the driveways . Put in my lawn, Drug logs,ect.ect... I mentions to the neighbor one day that maybe the old girl should be put into semi-retirement. Well a week later he shows up with a friend . Hey he wants to buy your Cub. I'm thinking,,I don't want to sell it. So I make up [what I thought] was a high price. $1200.00. He looks at me and says, I'll take it. And that started the Journey. I have been restoring Cubs for over 20 yrs now. One ended up in a museum and one went to Russia. Here is a photo of my 982 . I just picked up a 100, 127 and a 169 in the last week.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...127/the982.jpg

Nice 982 Eagle Keeper! And welcome to Only Cub Cadets!

WOW! now that is a thing of beauty!

I got my first Cub, a 100, in 2003 when I was in the 8th grade. Here's a picture of me plowing snow with it in the spring of 2004. I would have been 15 at the time. I am now 20, and I've had over 40 Cub Cadets. I bought over a dozen tractors at once from a guy that was going to part them all out, and I've been fixing them up and re-selling them...That's a dozen tractors saved from the scrap heap. This has led to diesels and a loader and...? Who knows what's in store now...

http://mgonitzke.freetzi.com/images/100snow.jpg

Hopefully this picture sticks around. I'm using a page on my website instead of photobucket...

You know it's funny when some of us can't remember the more important things in life. For example, trying to remember if you paid the telephone bill or not. But ask anyone of us when or where we bought our first cub. We'll tell you every detail on how we found them, including the mileage.

I still remember when I bought my first cub, and of course everyone knows which one that is. My OL' Girl. My family and I were headed to a city thats located about 10 miles north of us named Slaton Tx, and in that city there's a lawn repair shop that we do business with when it comes to parts and things of that nature. Well, while driving in the city of Slaton, we passed in front of a store that's named "Second Time Around". And in that store they sell used but good stuff there. I really did'nt pay much attention to it that day as we passed it, until I heard my brother say to me "Hey look Matt, there's an old tractor parked in front of the store". I really didn't think much of it until I asked him "what color was it". My brother answered back by saying "it looked yellow and white". As soon as he said that, I knew for sure that it had to be a cub. So after we went to the lawn repair shop and did what we had do there, I high tailed it back to the Second Time Around store. And sure enough there she was, it was an old 1961 IH Cub Cadet "Original". She was looking as beautiful as she could ever be. You could honestly tell that the previous owner had really neglected her big time. But that was ok, because she was fixing to be mine. My Dad and I had already been standing there for about 15 minutes or so before the sales man saw us standing there looking at the cub. So he approached us asking my dad and I if he could help us with anything. I immediately spoke up by saying " Yes sir, how much are you asking for the cub?" He's response was "$225.00 even". So I told him "I'll take it." Just before he took my money, he fired up the old cub and drove around the parking lot with it, to show me that the engine worked along with the transmission. He even engaged the deck too. So after the quick demo, he started off by saying,"son, the engine on this tractor is a go-kart engine". My response to that was "is that what the previous owner told you???" He says "No, but you can tell that's what it is though." So I told him "that's fine". I knew better than to believe that, since I had already been studying cubs for quite sometime before that. I could tell that was the original engine that the tractor came with. So anyway, after the purchase was complete I told the guy to just place it in the back of the store, and that I would be back in the morning with my pickup and trailer. So all that night I could'nt sleep just thinking about bringing home that old cub. Morning finally came, I headed out to Slaton with my pickup and trailer to get the OL' Girl, and sure enough once I got there they had her ready for pickup. We loaded her onto the trailer, said my thank you's to them and off we went. All on the way home, I would look through the rear view mirror and see that old cub riding shotgun on the trailer. And it almost seemed as if she had a happy look, just knowing that she had a new home and a new owner. And the rest is history.

Here's the before pic.
http://photos.cubfest.com/albums/use...icture_005.jpg


http://photos.cubfest.com/albums/use...icture_013.jpg

Y.E. your doing a bang-up job on your tractor. I like the routing of the wire bundles. Way too often the restorations are based on aesthetics and not mechanical restoration. Built a good tractor first then make it pretty. Both have got to be accomplished for the final product. That being said,,,,, I see the work you have accomplished and it is good. If you plan on keeping this tractor for yourself then you will be very satisfied !!! The tractor will provide you with years and years of pleasure. However ,,if you are planning to sell this tractor for profit ???? Well it doesn't matter how well it is built. People go for curb appeal ! Spend the 100 bucks for Cub paint and do the tractor the honor of being the best it can be. Make it as good or better than it was new ! You will have no regrets ! In the words of Chuck Yeager,,,, Press On !

Matt G. You have acquired quite a selection of Cubs . Amazing. I have been doing this for 23 yrs and don't have 40 tractors under my belt. Hmm you must be in a target rich environment. Oh yeah ,if you need a little aviation advice,,feel free to ask. I have 12 yrs as an F-15 Flying Crew Chief. I was the lead Tech for the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15's. A-10 Flight test mechanic. Run and taxi Qualified on the 727,747,DC-8,[ A-310 and A-300 Junk] My best recommendation in regards to aviation is,,,, DON'T do it and at the same time Have Fun!! Your in for a roller coaster ride in this business. But there is never a dull moment. My son is a Crew Chief for the 193rd special ops. He is finishing his last semester as a Geo-Environmental Scientist. On top of that he is a hard core Conservative,,,,,just like the old man.


MD Logan

Oh yeah,,,big problem here. You log us out way too soon. This isn't my 401 K account. Jeeze I'm logging in all the time. Leave it open ended.

Cub61, that's a great story and a very nice tractor. Oh yeah, wish we could say the same for the New Cubs ! I wrote to them and told them about their new {Insect Bug ] lawn mowers. They actually replied and sent it to a director ! Yeah right. Back in 95 I was ready to sign "on the line" to open a Cub Dealership in Avon NY. Then the company rep showed me the new 2000 series cubs. I walked out and never regretted it. Nothing but MTD trash since then. :(

Yes, Thanks Eagle Keeper! sorry to dissapoint you, but I really haven't got the cash to get the right paint. I've dumped $500 in it already, and there are about $400 Canadian in parts that should be on their way from the states. That, you have to admit, is a fair wad of cash for a 14-year old. I was able to do all the wiring myself, because + - is real easy to figure out. I have not dug into the tranny yet, but the motor is in for a medium makeover. I do plan on keeping the tractor for myself. My mom says that if it don't mow a lot of grass this year, That tractor, and me, won't look quite so good. I have spent probably about 50 hours on it so far, and I would be heartbroken to see it go. It is just like on of my 4-H animals, it has a heart. Great stories guys! Keep them coming please!

Well your doing a good job and your doing it right.

No great story here. I just picked up my first Cub, a 104, last month. I first got into garden tractors with JDs - had several of them over time, now I'm down to two. Then it was onto Wheel Horses, got up to 4 at one time, now I'm down to two. And now one Cub and hopefully, I can increase that number.

Yes please increase the number! every story is a great story!

I can't remember exactly when I got my first, but think it was around 2003 or so. I was tired of borrowing my Dad's Murray so I started looking. On the way to work there sat a 1450 for sale. Turns out it's my BIL uncle selling it. Didn't help the sell price any, but I bought it anyway. When I started researching I found I could either buy a box store riding mower or this 1450 for the same money. Yeah, I've put some cash into it over the years, but well worth it. Came with a 44A deck and 42" front blade. I've added rear lift also.

So after signing up on the various Cub Cadet forums I wanted an Original. I couldn't find any around my area then and came upon a guy near me on one of the forums. Jerry Bliler. We talked one night and he said I should come out to his house and see what he's got. That's when I saw the CCO with loader. The engine was tired and he had tweaked the loader arms trying to push some 4" rock around. This also blew the left hydro cylinder hose. He parked it. Well, he asked if I wanted to buy it. Man that was tempting... we left and the wife and I started talking about it. We were saving some cash to buy a big tree to plant in the back yard of the place we had just moved to. So, 3 years later we finally got the tree, but not before using the money to buy the Cub!!!!!! Took me over a year of off and on working on it to get it back in shape.

So, since eBay and Craigslist I've added a couple more to the herd. Wifes not real happy with it, but she'll never be happy anyway! So why not? I don't have much room to store anymore, okay no room. Now I'm taking them to my FIL's. He bought the last one, but I'm sure I'll end up with it eventually.

I was into Jeeping before, but didn't have time for the travel or the money to go wheelin like I used to. This is nice cause I can work on them and enjoy them at the same time. Tractor shows are fun and get to meet some great folks. Never know what kind of story you'll get told from a perfect stranger that is either proud of his Cub or reminising over Cubs they had years ago. Good stuff!

Keith

My 126
 

I bought my first cub, a 126 off my neighbor. he got it from soneone he worked with, and had plans of fixing it up. when he first brought it home, i asked if he'd want to sell it. at the time he had some big plans for it and wouldn't part with it. so i told him that if he changed his mind, let me know. so about a couple weeks later he came over and told me that if i still wanted it he'd sell it for 250 so i paid him 200 and traded him a lawnboy pushmower that i'd just got running.(his wife wanted a better mower, so that worked out good) when i brought it over i realized that this cub needed more work than i thought. the driveshaft was unhooked and just throw on the motor, the motor wasn't even bolted down, and the wiring was shot. after that i rebuilt the motor, put in the driveshaft, put new key switch in, rebuilt starter/generator and alot more. heres some before, in progress, and after pictures.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...6/12345001.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...6/12345019.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...raincap001.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...raincap003.jpg

Nice 126 mharrison! You did a great job on it.

thanks, this was my first restoration project.

first cub
 

I saw an add in the local for a cub cadet $250. It was late on a Sunday afternoon and we were riding around so I had the gf call about the "club cadet" Got all the imformation and went by the next day it was painted pastel yellow with a repalcement 10hp engine the gas tank leaked but it ran ok after a jump start from a pu. I gave the guy the money, put a couple of 2by 8's on the bumper lifted the rear hatch and we drove it in side of 1979 IH scout traveler. This is a model 100 wth a 38 inch deck, I also have a 123 hydro and a 102 with a new rebuilt motor that smokes and raps.

Nice Job!
 

Wow! great job on the 126. That was UUUGGGLLLYYY to begin with, beautiful at the end!

My first cub
 

Here is a photo from 1987 . My son and I on my first Cub. The 169. It was in Pickerington Ohio. I was 30 and he was a little over two. Now I'm a lot older and Brendon is finishing College and deploying to some place in the world with the 193rd special ops. Things were better then. I just know they were. Oh yeah,,,my first 982 about ten years ago pulling the sled at Latimore fairgrounds .
Full pull.

My First Dream come true
 

After gardening for the past two years using an old Roper T20 garden tractor, I ran across an older gentleman that had recently purchased a 1975 IH 1650 to mow his yard with. He had a small yard in the city and the tractor was a little too big for his needs. I had a White Outdoor mower about 3 years old, that I could only use to mow or pull a cart. The Roper had all of the equipment, but the hitch motor was out, so I replaced it with a Hydraulic jack. At the end of each row, I would have to reach behind and jack the plow up. What a hassle. Anyway, I traded the White mower for the Cub Cadet and a couple of hundred extra. What a trade. The Cub had been setting up for a while, and was smoking when it started. I kept using Muscle Products in the engine, and now it runs great. I modified the hitch so I could attach category 0 equipment to it. It was like going from a VW to a Caddy.

Bought my ~1987-1988 1872 6 years ago and used it for lawn cutting. I have done basically nothing to it except change the oil, filters, etc. I just bought a new 2554 and am considering a restoration of the 1872.

My (new) Cub Cadet
 

I am now the proud owner of a IH Cub Cadet 106. First some background, I have a small John Deere riding mower that was given to me because of years of frustration and service calls to John Deere with an intermittent starting problem (it was the neutral interlock switch) but it is currently down due to a frozen idler bearing. I also have a Sears riding mower that was given to me that runs but the deck is shot (death by rust) I also have a Toro hi-wheel self propelled push mower with a VERY POORLY DESIGNED PROPULSION SYSTEM. I bought the Toro new 4 years ago and self propelled system has turned into front wheels ONLY turn in the aforward direction n lock solid if you drag it backwards. So last Saturday my neighbor (whom I am not on speaking terms) has my new 106 in his yard with a cardboard sign with the word FREE. No front grill on it and the seat was sitting on it where it belongs but upside down.

Now I already have too much crap. I am no shit on probation for 2 years for "littering" in my own yard complete with a 60 day jail sentence, suspended pending successfully completing my probation. What it means is anytime the city I live in does not like my yard they can and I am sure they would throw me in the county jail.

Fortunately for me I could not resist. I am busy as hell but I went over knocked on the door (they did not answer) Then pushed my new Cub into my driveway, behind my truck that needs the carbs rebuilt, and hoped that my neighbors would not complain to the city (again). I have finals this week it's my 20th wedding anniversary I have two teenagers both good kids but in that crazy puberty time and my wife is disabled. I am just spread way to thin for all that I have to do.too busy I finally got a chance to look at the Cub yesterday so after pulling the battery out of the John Deere, charging it and putting it in the cub the cub turned over nicely but did not start. Checked for spark and it arced nicely so I checked the gas tank, empty. Poured in some gas and cranked the engine some more. Nothing. Closed and re-opened fuel cutoff valve, cranked, noticed no fuel going into bowl so I thought clogged fuel line but after pulling the fuel line and bowl and bowl holder/valve assembly from the fuel tank I realized that I just had not put enough gas in the tank to get over the top of the fitting in the tank. So after reasembeling the fuel path and a shot of starting spray she fired right up! So I precariously balanced on the seat put her in gear and did three or four laps cutting grass around the front yard!

Apparently my neighbors decided to get rid of it because the seat bottom had pulled off. It had the key in it and it even has the three point hitch assembly. The deck is rusted through in one spot but appears to be in great shape. The blades are not rusty or rusted on and are even sharp! it's like my idiot neighbors got rid of a Rolls Royce because of a flat to buy a new Pinto

I love well designed/built equipment what a great little tractor! after my four laps it started running rough and smoking so I need to figure that out but heck even if I need to rebuild the engine it's money well spent! If I went sane and totally restored it I would spend less than any new MTD ride on would cost and would have a ten times better tractor. It's a pleasure to find people that still understand what quality and value mean. Thank you all for contributing your knowledge and wisdom. To the administrator thank you for providing the forum to keep these wonderful machines supported and running, I know it costs and can be a task.

Scottie

P.S. Pictures and lots of questions to follow.

Congrats to you and your new/old Cub Cadet! You'll really come to appreciate it even more once you have it a while. They're great little machines and they're also addictive!
I wouldn't be thinking about a rebuild until after I had changed the oil, spark plug, points and air filter. Then ad some Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas and oil to help clean and free things up. You may be surprised at the results.

Hey Scottie, welcome!
Where about in the great state of Missouri are you located?

Old CubCadets never die, they just go to Mo.
 

Hey Sdoe where are you in Mo. I am here in Rolla.

Got my first CC, a 1964 100 from a coworker, back in 2004. Smoking engine, bad clutch, flat tires, green paint and all. Ain't it grand

CadetFarmer

My first Cub Story
 

About 6 years ago I came across a posting at work. 129 and a 149 Cub Cadets lawnmowers. The 129 was $200 and the 149 was $350. I called the guy up and said i wanted to look at them. After work I went over to see them. He started it up the 149 and it ran like a champ. I said I’ll take it. I asked him if the snowblower went with it and he said “yes” wasn’t interested in the smaller one. That one run like a champ also.
At that time I was Nieve about these little tractors and how cool they were. After picking up my 149 I brought it home and immedeatly started using it to mow lawn. Then winter came I hooked up the snowblower and used it all winter to move snow. Assume!
The first year and a half I used it until the counter balance let loose and puked the motor. I’m think’in, “Now I can’t junk it out. It’s my snow removal machine.” So I bought a new shortblock and bunch more replacement parts and started the teardown. I tore it down to the frame and axles. Sandblasted and painted everything Cub Colors. I did use the newer white though on the paint. Replaced all the wear parts. Just remember, it’s not a restoration, it’s a tractor that’s rebuilt the way I want it. So if you see something not stock it because that's what I replaced it with at the time of the rebuild. I also cleaned up the mower deck painted it to match the tractor. I do have the decal's for the Cub but since I’ve been using it I haven’t been kind to it and will be touching up the paint before I put them on.
Now I’m hooked. I could have kicked myself for not getting the 129 when I bought the 149.:bash2: After finding this site just lit the fire again to get looking for more Cubs.
My future goals . . . More upgrades on the 149, rebuild & paint my snowthrower, find a three point hitch with a lift, get more attachments - plow, rake, drag, etc. Oh yeah and find one of those Curtis Cabs so when I snowblow I can be out of the wind. Buy more Cubs!!!:bigthink:

That’s my Cub Cadet story.

I'll post my pic's in a few days . . .

Cubs are more money now,pretty tractors don't do work they might get dirty:beerchug:

I like building nice things . . . No museum pieces in my garage.
Just like the cars I build, No trailer queens.
Use'em, Don't abuse'em:TwoCents:

:IH Trusted Hand:

35 Years Ago
 

Worked for IH Dealer - Keller Bros in New Bloomfield PA doing repairs and tuneups on the Cadets 100 -120 series and spliting apart the IH farm tractors 586-986 for clutch and other repairs. Worked on all types and got good at the R&R aspects across all tractors in the line up in that job.

Worked on the farm with JD machines- mowers and tractors, and bought my first used Cub - a 1210 with mower, tiller, and snow blade here in NH in 1986. The 1210 was a good machine but burned a quart of oil every 3 hours so traded the 1210 for what I paid for it in 1990 for the 1811 which I stilll have today.

Here's a link to my first 70 in July of '07. (Search "70 has begun!" in the archives) I must have moved my Pic's in Photobucket so here is a before and after. I sold it shortly after I completed it.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/P6160572.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q.../usopen002.jpg

Can't believe that was almost 2 years ago. I bought the tractor on ebay, knew nothing about them, just thought they looked cool. After I bought it, I found that it was missing a few pieces. (PTO handle & linkage, rear cover plate, mule drive, choke cable) but it ran well, the tranny was solid and had a new set of tires on the front. Anyway, I gave too much ($150) for it at the time, didn't know what I was getting into until I found this site, and learned as I went. The only benefit that I had was that I've been doing paint & bodywork on cars since I was 14 and knew to keep my expectations low. It worked out fine and turned out to be a nice tractor.

I bought 70 number 2 from Patton Acres (ebay) for $92, if I remember correctly, shortly after I bought number 1. I had a little more knowledge, emphasis little, on this one. It came pretty complete with mule drive, deck, pto handle & linkage, but a replacement motor. It runs strong and after a long winter I filled the tank, turned the key and it started in about 2 revolutions. I think I'm going to get some new tires for it and get the wheels painted before I start on the rest of it. I think it will be a keeper to have around and look nice.

toyman, I like the seat in your after pictures. What can you tell me about it? Thanks.

Northern Tool. It was pretty cool, when I ordered it....they sent me 3! I have 2 extras in storage right now. I just checked the website and they don't seem to have them anymore? They were only $20 when I bought them, but I believe Tractor Supply has the same or similar, just a more expensive.

We had just bought a new home with a good bit of mowing, some of it pretty tough. I had a 46 one ton Ford that I had just dragged home and it was in pretty tough shape, it even came with its own 6ft snake! Anyways, I put it up for sale and a guy came out to look it over. While talking I mentioned I needed a good tough mower and what do you know? He had a 1650 and he wanted to make a trade. I ended up with a nice machine and he ended up with, well I guess to him a nice truck? I have to admit, I abused that 1650 for years. Used it like a bush hog, rock thrower, stump grinder, puller, basher, trail cutter and it just kept going until one day I started it and it broke a rod. I sold it and bought the 149 I am using now. I was going to replace it with an Ariens GT18 but I just couldn't stand not having a Cub around so now I am hooked. I do hope to find a Super at some time but love the 149! Well, that's all I got to say about that.
Just a side note, this site really helped me want to stay with the Cubs. Nice helpful people here and I hope I can contribute once I start learning more and fixing more.

cub149,

Where are you located? I live near the Fayetteville area. It's great to see another member from NC! :ThumbsUp:

Our first CC was a 128. My grandfather bought it new, as a left over, in 1975. He died in January of 1985 and I had no clue where the CC went to. I talked to his wife, and she said that her son had it at his beach house and was getting ready to sell it. I told her that I would like to buy it to restore because it was my grandfathers. She said go pick it up and it is yours. It is a 1972 128 with a 42" mower. A friend and I went and picked it up, brought it home, added gas and hooked up the jumper cables, and it started. It is tore down to a bare frame now, but we am collecting the needed parts for it to restore it.
http://www.oldengine.org/members/mur...20128%209a.jpg
Next we got another 128 in 2005. A guy at work said that the one local repair shop had it sitting out back of the store. My wife went and looked at it and said that it was in OK shape. We went the next day and I looked at it, paid him for it and said we would be back on Monday to get it. We didn't have a trailer , and I didn't want to unload it from the back of the truck. He said that the clutch was stuck. When we went to get it, it started right up and he drove it on the trailer. Here the breaks were adjusted so tight that it seemed like it was a clutch problem. I adjusted the breaks and have used it around the house since.
http://www.oldengine.org/members/murphy/HPIM0853a.jpg
Then one day we were riding down the rode and my wife goes "there's a Cub Cadet sitting back there". Needles to say, I turned around and went to look at it. It turned out to be a 1965 102 with 38" mower and rear ag tires. The 3 pin clutch driver was shot. She went back one day and asked what he wanted for it, he said that he had traded it, but said that if the trade fell through, we could buy it. I called him the next monday and he said that the guy didn't want it, so we bought it. Here to come it also came with a Model 1 tiller. It sat in the garage for over a year and a half. After we bought our house, I got it out one day and got it running. After I knew it would run, I replaced the clutch driver. I now use it to till the garden and do other yard work.
http://www.oldengine.org/members/murphy/HPIM1732a.jpg
We also have a QA42A snow blower that a friend gave us. And another frined gave us a Model 1A sweeper.
That is all of our Cub Cadet collection so far! But would like to add a few more.

Welcome back Mike! Good to see you again. Nice cubs you have there. :beerchug: