Only Cub Cadets - My New 982

Hi guys. I'm new to the forum but not to the IH and old tractor hobby. I just wanted to post a few shots of my new 982 (to me). I've been looking for a red Cub Cadet for some time now. I happened to find this one just a couple of miles from home in a yard with a "for sale" sign on it. The asking price was $1,000 but eventually we agreed on $850.

Prior to purchasing it I did some internet "research" and stumbled upon this great forum. You guys and your past posts helped me decide that $850 was a good price, so thanks!!

I bought it from the son of the original owner. It is in very good shape, I feel and came with all of the pictured manuals. It does not have any options such as the pto or three point hitch. It has a build date of October 1980 and was sold new at Farmers Supply in Westminster MD.

It currently has a bit of the Onan surge at lower rpms and doesn't idle well. I plan to pull the petcock out of the tank to clean it soon so hopefully that will fix the problem.

Also it has a leak at the rear end. I'm pretty sure it is coming from the small splined shaft at the top rear of the transmission. Can anyone tell me if there is a seal around this shaft and how hard it is to replace it?

I come from an IH family. My aunt and uncle opened H.B. Duvall IH in Frederick MD. in 1945 and owned it into the 90's so IH red runs in my veins.

Thanks for the help and I hope to contribute to this forum as time goes on.