What to do with the 127!
 

I am new to this forum. I just bought my first cub cadet 127 yesterday and I am in a bit of a pickle ! I have a XT one, for mowing etc. etc. but I am debating whether I should take the 127 completely down to bare bones scrape and paint everything so it looks brand-new or keep the patina of a 48-year-old tractor just touch up the paint in spots And get it mechanically sound?

Really hard to say without seeing pics of your machine. Likewise, what is your skill level and are you willing to put more money in it than it will be worth? You have to begin with a machine that is mechanically sound and not cosmetically butchered to not tie up more money than it would ever be worth. Thats assuming your labor is free. Post some pics of the machine if you can.

Photos would help lol

Without even seeing it I voted for a full restore, I've never been a fan of just touching up spots because the new paint always looks out of place and usually worse than the rust.

Good advice so far.

It all depends on what you want, depending on your skill level you can have a "Brand New" 127, a rattle can restoration, an old looking great running 127 or any variation thereof.

To make your 127 "Brand New" you will have more money in it than you will ever be able to get out of it BUT a lot less money than you would have in a new tractor of equal quality, but I doubt that you will get 40 more years out of ANY brand new tractor.

My opinion is fix the mechanicals first. Get it running good and stop any leaks. Work it for a while. Then make your decision.

This right here. Get the mechanics lined out, find out what it will do, then gather parts, paint, tires and things before you blow it all apart. Easy to get in over your head and give up on a project. Been there, done that!




Randy

I too am a mechanical first guy.
I would restore it cause it's not got enough patina to look really old. Rusty hoods are essential, yours is not. But that's just my opinion.

How generic are the keys for these? I don't have the original key and would like to fire it up tomorrow after I get it off the truck.

I personally would fix what needs fixing, and use the tractor. Then after you have some seat time on it, then make the decision on if you want to make the commitment of a restoration.
Cause if you half ass it, and not do it right, it's by far better left as is.:beerchug: