Only Cub Cadets - New member from South Central PA

Hi, just joined after doing a search on how to correct the play in the front axle. Some great information. This is the third Cub I've owned, first IH cub. Just took ownership of it Friday. Tractor is a 1250. I did the 3/4" grade 8 5" bolt trick, worked well. Also tightened up the gearbox.
Funny story how I got it. My Dad's Simplicity was giving him too much grief, and his diesel Kubota had a few issues, so he asked me to look for an old Cub. I found one down the road and went with him after work to look at it. I loved it, he bought it. He ran it a week and during that time got his Kubota fixed and asked if I wanted to buy the cub, so now I have it.
Got it to my house and it mowed the grass beautifully, has a lot of play in the wheel, could hardly hold a straight line. So I took the motor out to access the front axle which had a lot of excessive play. Also had to get new front tires yesterday morning as the old ones were shot from being out of alignment. Everything is buttoned up on it, have to put the sides back on and the deck, but for some reason cant get the thing started?
I think its a ground somewhere, going to fool with it today, looking forward to seeing how it handles now. I do believe I need bearings in the wheels, and the drivers side (knuckle?) the shaft where the wheel goes on, the weld is popping loose causing play in that wheel, have to address those issues.