I picked up a broken 125
 

Last night I bought a 125 which according to the seller had a "spun connecting rod bearing." He said that he had just had the engine overhauled (for the same problem I think, but it wasn't clear) and six hours later the engine broke again. He said that "she made him mad." It is a K301. Any thoughts about the feasibility of fixing this? I've never opened up an engine before.

The tractor came with ag tires (old but they are still in usable condition), chains, an extra set of rear wheels with turf tires, a set of wheel weights, and a snow blade. Grand total: $150.

Can anyone ID the wheel weights? They were really tight when I tried to put one into a wheel.

The bottom seat cushion is not pictured, it is in my garage. The seat says "Bucyrus Erie" which is the name of a company that used to make giant coal stripping machines.

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...5/IMG_5642.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...5/IMG_5643.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...5/IMG_5645.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...5/IMG_5644.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...5/IMG_5646.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...5/IMG_5641.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...5/IMG_5640.jpg

Congrats on the 125 and attachments! The wheel weights look after market. There might be a part number or such on them that you could search.:bigthink:

Thanks. The weights don't have any markings besides "Niagara Erie, PA" which is on the round cap visible on the left weight. I think that just refers to the plastics shop that made the cap. There are a lot of plastics shops in Erie. The weights are plastic on the outside and something heavy on the inside. I guess I just need to get some long bolts and I will be set.

Kohler engines do not have rod bearings so to speak. My best guess is he put the rod in backwards, or put the rod cap on backwards.

Congrats on the 125 pickup!:beerchug:

At the risk of being offensive, I am going to say this.

By the looks of the oil/grease around that Starter/Generator mount, that engine wasn't just overhauled. If it was, I don't think the mechanic did that good of a job. Even if the machine had set idle for quite some time, to have that much dirt around it indicates to me that there was either a catastrophic engine failure, or there was about to be one. By your pictures, it certainly looks like the thing hasn't been apart.

Either way...
 

It's not a bad deal for $150!

Part it out and make some $$$ or fix it and spend lots of $$$$ :biggrin2:

Cum se Cum sah (Little Good, Little Bad)
 

Petrus: There are many things about this tractor that I like; for instance, the fact that it is a 125 which I think is one very tough tractor (and which some people feel represents the apex [highest point] of Cub Cadet development), the steering wheel looks fantastic (I wish I had one like that, so neat!), the shift lever also appears to be in very good condition (better than the one on my 149!), in short, everything (or most everything) is there for a very good price.

The things I see which concern me are, (1) the +/- 60 Amp gauge instead of the stock +/- 15 (or +/- 30, I can't remember) --it definitely isn't original, but you shouldn't have an issue replacing it with an IH version; (2) what the owner reports about the engine.

Despite the fact that it doesn't look like it has been recently rebuilt, I would not discount the owner's story --what else do you have to go on? I also take note of the fact that the tractor is obviously not running, everything operational has been disconnected and is "laying there" including the starter generator.

I would approach the whole project as an "unknown" and proceed accordingly. Take everything apart, examine, and reassemble. If there is something wrong in the engine, check and verify. Follow the manual. Disassemble, measure everything, reassemble per service manual, fix everything you find along the way.

Be assured: The tractor is worth effort. A Model 125, properly done, would be the envy of many.

Good Luck. :)

However, if you get to looking at it, and it is not something you want to get into, I imagine there are those who wouldn't mind taking it off your hands --for a profit!

I agree- looks like it was "rode hard and put away wet" IE someone was using it, blew it up, then parked it. It's not a total loss however; my dad has overhauled his 125 at least 3 times to my knowledge in the last 30 years and it keeps going. IMO I'd put a bit of $$ into it and get it going again.

As far as the wheel weights go, they are filled with some sort of round bearing/BB material that like to go everywhere if you get too close to something and tear a hole into them.