Considering an Original
 

So there is this IH CC Original on CL near me for $450 with no mower deck or any other attachments, just the tractor itself. Seller claims it runs.

My question is, would it be worth picking up this without the mower deck? I kinda want it purely for the grunt of the older CC, but I'm trying to justify buying it without a deck as it's main purpose would be cutting grass with other work as a secondary. Plus I just want to preserve these older machines (I don't think my wife would be too keen on it since it can't mow though).

I also noticed this model doesn't have a rear axel PTO? So that rules out any PTO powered implements on the rear?

What kind of shape is it in? If it's in good original condition and does run it might be worth it. Mower decks for them are out there if you look.

If you decide to take a look, do make sure that the engine does run and runs well. I paid $500 for mine, with the 38" 2 spindle timed deck, and took it home running, but with a blown governor. Now the engine is apart and also needs at minimum a new connecting rod.

Also, the rear PTO was optional on all the gear drive Cub Cadets but not super common. It had odd splines, spun the wrong way, and wrong speed to use 540 implements. Company called Hub City made a conversion gearbox that converts the PTO to the correct rotation 540 PTO but these are quite rare.

As for an engine mounted PTO, the Originals did not normally have one, rather they just had a belt directly to a center pulley on the deck. This pulley moves from side to side with a little foot lever on top of the deck, adding or releasing tension on a smaller belt that runs from the center pulley to one of the 2 spindles, allowing deck engagement/disengagement. The 2 spindles are then driven in time with a cogged timing belt. Later there was an optional kit to install a later 70/100 38" 3 spindle non timed deck using a standard PTO on the engine, though these aren't very common.

From what I can tell in the pics it's got a good bit of surface rust, no decals at all. Tires look good.

All depends on how much you really want one I guess.
A good deck, ready to mount and mow with will likely set you back more than 1/2 what they are asking.
Then there are tires, if they need it, and decals, paint, belts & on and on.....

This is probably it.
https://greenville.craigslist.org/gr...478914657.html

His name is Deryl. I met him at a plowday a few years ago. He built this machine and plowed most of the day with it. Pretty cool too.
Attachment 110325

To me it depends on location. I paid $350 for a basket case Original in South Eastern NC. But it was the second one I had seen nearby in 5 years and it was a Collar spindle unit. In the end it turned out to be a February of 61 unit and all there with early generator bracket and no hole dash. In the end it comes down to what its worth to you.