Can you tell which model tractor a frame is by looking at just at the serial number?
 

I know you can tell year but how can you determine mower size?Serial number 2050550U586737. I know it's a May 1976 number,but what determines this is a 1000 tractor?

Well, there are a lot of factors that determine the mower deck size for a particular model. Most of those factors are determined by the end user. Frequency of mowing, terrain, type of grass, height, deck maintenance, etc.

The basic guidelines for a 10HP Cub would be deck sizes 38" and possibly a 42" or 44" decks, if the factors were favorable.

The reason for my madness is that I was given a very nice parted out 1000 frame for free. I know for a fact it was a 1000 as Ken Hess parted it and I seen it beforehand. It was a total mess and needed way more money than it was worth. I have opportunity for a 1200,gear drive internal brake rear as well as rear fender section and front axle. I am planning to just accumulate enough free items(or extra items we have) to build a custom type tractor for my grandson. He is only 9 months old,so I have time to build it. I want to paint it special and I am planning on calling it the Space Cadet. Special designs of the paint job will be done. Since I am a Marvin the Martian fan, I want to paint it silver,lunar green etc and use some Marvin decals I am having made for my racecar and use them o this project as well... As I was looking the frame over,I just got curious as to whether you could determine size other than option items.

If you were asking if you can tell what model number tractor by the data tag, yes. There's a number that will tell you the kind/machine code.

If you are trying to figure out what size deck came on it, sorry, but there is no way to tell. The decks were a option and sold seperatly.

The first 7 digits of the serial number are the kind/code numbers. 205 means it was a garden tractor. 0550 means that it was a model 1000. I think the "U" means it was built in the USA. The last 6 digits are the serial number itself.

AJ

The 0550 part is really what I was referring to. I guess what I should have asked is what the first digits represent. Not that it matters any,just trying to learn more about these to be more knowledgeable(or a know it all to my wife...lol)

I would recommend you buyeither one or both of the following books.
Cub Cadet: The first 45 Years by Oscar H Will III
Original Farmall Cub and Cub CAdet by Kenneth Updike

Both books are excellent. i use the information in them all the time.

AJ