Cub Cadet 100 pre-buy questions
 

hi all, my family had a cub cadet in the 1960's, think it was a 122, not sure though. I do remember the snowblower impeller getting stuck a lot!

Anyway I've been wanting an older one with round or no fenders and farm style narrow rear tires, (mini farm tractor look) but not underpowered. So it narrows down to a 100

The creeper gear is appealing as well. Some adds mention "low 2nd gear" which I dont know if they mean creeper gear or not.

As far as price, on here, rusty resto-candidates seem to be talked about at $150ish but everyone seems to want wayyy more than that - $350 - $900 on CL and FB etc. Not sure why the difference. It's hard even to offer $150 when the asking prices is 350 so I dont bother.

Anyway here's a few questions in case anyone can help:

Are the Original, Model 70, and Model 100 the same tractor as far as weight and durability etc?

Is something like a 122 the same as a 100 but with square fenders and bigger engine?

Can a larger 12hp engine be installed easily into a 70, or 100?

How common is the creeper gear unit to get used and is it pretty easy to install? (I have a lot of mechanic experience).

How big is the mower deck on a original, 70 or 100 and are they fairly common to buy used?

Where can these be found other than CL or FB listings?

anything else I should look out for or look for any particular options?


I know its lot of questions, thanks for any replies!


Chris

Welcome Chris. I have a few answers and I’m sure others will give more details but this is short and sweet as there’s endless info on these little tractors and our hobby.

Answers

1. Weight is close on all. Durability is the same, they were built to last and continue to last 50 plus years later.

2. 122 was the part of the next model series past the 70/100 and had some design changes that you speak of plus a few more.

3. Yes.

4. Creeper mainly designed for snow throwing and tilling but is handy for low speed maneuvering when needed. Not hard to install if you have mechanical experience as you do.

5. Original came with timed 38 inch deck, also optional cast end deck upgrade later on with pto, 70 and 100 cast end pin on decks 38 and 42 but can mod later decks as well.

6. Estate sales, side of road, word of mouth, eBay, let go, offer up and on here, put want ad up in wanted section.

7. Sounds like you like the narrow frames. Search the site for models and serials by year. Numerous models of them. Other options are headlights, rear lift, hydraulic lift, e lift, wheel weights, cabs, ground engaging attachments, carts, list goes on and on.

Lots of good folks here with lots of info and knowledge and will help you figure this stuff out. You won’t have to go far in your area to find what you’re looking for.

Appreciate the info Thanks!

I assume a "timed deck" means the three blades are synchronized somehow? Are these (or any deck for say a model 100) generally available?
UPDATE: googled this, toothed belt, two blade deck... cool!

Can I assume a 122 is not a narrow frame? (I'll also google narrow frame)

Can the creeper be had fairly easy (reason for asking, since I would want this, if they hard to find then I will just hold out for a tractor that already has it) and, on the creeper topic, are they the same for all years up to say 1970 or I need to get certain one for certain models?

Yes it is a 2 blade deck
A 122 is a narrow frame, up to a 147 are narrow frame tractors.
Creepers can be had, be aware you get what you pay for on pee bay, our sponsors are the way to go.
All creepers are the same except the handles and the application. Any creeper after a 126, IE the wide frame ones will not work unless you change the handle.

cool thanks, very helpful. how much should I pay max for a creeper on ebay or wherever?

I think there's a guy down the road a bit in Jersey that may have a 100 for you. Maybe even a sickle bar...:bigthink:

:bigthink: hmmmmmmm......

CubbyRI, You didn't mention any specifics on intended use for your hopeful acquisition, and that usually helps us give guidance if we know what your gonna do with it. But that being said I'll offer my 2 cents about the creeper.

Unless you have a great need for one, it is mostly something that is rarely used and to many Cub owners, considered a "cool factor" just to have it. Don't get me wrong, it has it's place in needs but I would never pass up a great deal on tractor just because it didn't have a creeper. Keep in mind that they are meant to reduce speed, not increase power, so if you are looking to tow a locomotive or pull stumps out of the ground, baaaad idea because they provide a weak link in the drive system that is not there without one. Installing one on a tractor is not rocket science, it simply bolts onto the front of the transmission. But it also becomes somewhat involved because you will be tearing into the rest of the drive system because of installing a shorter drive shaft. Hope that helps you some.

They work well when using a sickle bar mower, hmmmmm.

At that brings us to the question......

Which came first, the sickle bar, or the creeper? Hmmmm :bigthink: