found a 126 in my backyard today

macman81 · #1 04-30-2013, 12:06 AM

so really it was 20 miles away but compared to 6 1/2 hours it feels like my backyard. has a neat story behind it also.

so its a 126 that runs and drives but wont shift into first or reverse.(hints on repair would be appreciated as im new to gear drives). came with a 42"deck and 42 inch push blade. blade has seen its better days. also came with an original set of wheel weights and bolts.

so heres the story of the tractor. the farm has a very old two story chicken barn. when the barn was purchased/built, part of the package included a cub cadet for cleaning the barn since the upstairs was not large enough for a big tractor they used the push blades to clean them out. the cub was delivered to the farm in the shipping crate and was removed from the shipping crate by the farmer. i have two copies of the unpacking instructions left for the farmer to read. tractor was taken out regular service about 20 years ago and just left the farm for the first time this morning.

the only thing i find weird is that the unpacking instructions do not mention a 126 and the attachments are for a non quick attach tractor. so i wonder if it was replaced a some point.

so anyway i though i should share since i know having a story makes the tractor a little more interesting to collectors such as myself, and thought you might all appreciate it as well.

im not sure what im going to do with it yet so if anyone wants a 126 to restore with a one owner history let me know it hasn't grown roots with me yet i just want it to have a good home.

rusmart · #2 04-30-2013, 12:20 AM

Nice story! I look at a lot of cubs that are usually 2+ hours away. Not much seems to pop up next to me.

For the gear shifting, something could be bent. Probably be best to take the shifter assembly off the top of the transmission. I've never separated the axle and transmission from the frame on these cubs, someone else can tell you how best to do it. I think it mentions how to take out the rear axle and transmission in the service manual under the instructions for installing a creeper gear.

I got an original that wouldn't go into 2 or 3 gear. Opened up the transmission and it was quite rusty with about 2 inches of water in the bottom. The gears themselves weren't bad, but the shift rods and forks definitely had a bit of rust. Cleaned it up really well, and now it shifts pretty well.

macman81 · #3 04-30-2013, 12:24 AM

so i can get to the forks from under the shifter? ill start there then I'm sure the gears are probably fine as they used third gear most of the time. probably just needs adjustment. thanks

Cubcrazy · #4 04-30-2013, 06:15 AM

Congrats on the 126!

rusmart · #5 04-30-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macman81

so i can get to the forks from under the shifter? ill start there then I'm sure the gears are probably fine as they used third gear most of the time. probably just needs adjustment. thanks

Yes, you'll be able to get to the forks by taking out the shifter plate to see what's going on. I found a few pictures of the internal transmisison by googling. Having issues posting them here.

It could be that it's not coming out of reverse or first gear into neutral, so you won't be able to get 2 and 3 to work.

Again, I don't know the best way of getting to the transmission on the 126, but I imagine you'll need to pull the rear axle out of the frame. On my original, you can just open it up, there's not a frame in the way.

Maybe someone else has some quick tricks before you pull the transmission out.

rweaver · #6 04-30-2013, 09:44 AM

that is not the 1st cub we seen being used in a chicken house I have a 782 diesel that came that way I find it interesting that the farmer uncrated the tractor sometimes the crating instructions were put in with all the manuals from the dealer even tho the dealer did the uncrating

ACecil · #7 04-30-2013, 10:38 AM

Nice find on the 126! Enjoyed your story!

Methos · #8 04-30-2013, 10:45 AM

Congrats on the 126 and cool story behind it as well.

macman81 · #9 04-30-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusmart

Yes, you'll be able to get to the forks by taking out the shifter plate to see what's going on. I found a few pictures of the internal transmisison by googling. Having issues posting them here.

It could be that it's not coming out of reverse or first gear into neutral, so you won't be able to get 2 and 3 to work.

Again, I don't know the best way of getting to the transmission on the 126, but I imagine you'll need to pull the rear axle out of the frame. On my original, you can just open it up, there's not a frame in the way.

Maybe someone else has some quick tricks before you pull the transmission out.

i can drive it fine in second and third gear but cant "find" first and reverse. im assuming the fork is bent as the previous owner said it always worked fine before and didnt know it was a problem till just a few days ago. im guessing he bent the fork and didnt realize it.

macman81 · #10 04-30-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rweaver

that is not the 1st cub we seen being used in a chicken house I have a 782 diesel that came that way I find it interesting that the farmer uncrated the tractor sometimes the crating instructions were put in with all the manuals from the dealer even tho the dealer did the uncrating

i think this was the farmers son i bought it from and he seemed to know what he was talking about but i bet some of the details are mixed up being so many years ago.