test driving tractor at "cub cadet land"
 

instead of calling the place down the street the cub cadet junkyard, i will start calling it cub cadet land, since he sells allot the machines he has as running machines. he doesn't gut them all out. anyways, i have mowed with a 169 and a 782. they were both nice running tractors. the 782 has a KT17 series II. man that thing has some serous power, i really enjoyed mowing with it. its also turns extremely tight for an older garden tractor. the tractor is kind of beat up but runs great. the 169 is in really nice condition but it isnt restored and shows some wear. it has a 3pt hitch and a 50" deck. he said he is hoping to get 800 for it. its a nice tractor but i dont really know what the value is. it does have hydraulic lift. he also has some really interesting stuff the garage. he has a cub cadet original next to a 70 and a 72. the 70 and original look like pretty much the same machine. both have the k161 7hp and oil bath air cleaner. that original is completely untouched and complete. what a cool looking tractor. originals are cool collector items although i doubt to many are in daily use as mowing tractors anymore. they have smaller deck and 7hp isnt a whole lot of power to mow with. the k161 is a tough engine but kind of underpowered. i had one on a bolens ridamatic about 10 years ago. i rebuilt it and it still didnt have a whole lot of power. it will get the job done but will work hard for it.

mowing with the 782 really makes me want to install a wide frame front end in my narrow frame tractor. i heard somewhere that it will make my tractor turn tighter. has anyone done this mod and does it make a big difference in the turning radius of the narrow frame cub cadet?

There is a easy mod you can do to your NF front end to turn way tighter. Ill explain tommorow, I might even have pics.

Sounds like you had fun! The 70 shouldn't have the oil bath air cleaner. Only the O had that. :beerchug: