I'm looking at buying a 127, thoughts?

[pnwwoodworker]

I have an 800 foot long driveway and while we don't get a ton of snow we do get enough that needs to be removed in order for us to drive up and down the driveway. I had an old MTD garden tractor with a snowblower attachment that worked fine for the past few winters but the motor went belly up and I ended up selling the set up. I'm now looking for a replacement, I was thinking a John Deere 318 would be nice though a bit pricey, or an older Craftsman GT would be okay.

But then I ran across an ad for a Cub Cadet 127 and I don't know very much about these. I know it was made between 1969 and 1971, that's about it. The garden tractor appears to be in good condition (from the photos) but there is rust. There is a big black box to the right of the steering wheel mounted on the side of the tractor, I have no idea what this is for. It comes with summer tires, winter tires with chains, a rototiller with spare parts, a snow blade, a snowblower attachment and the mowing deck. He's pretty firm at $1200 but that does include delivery (I don't have a trailer so that works well for me).

I'm wondering if this is a reasonable deal. The seller won't be able to show it to me until 6pm. Is there anything I should be looking for with these units? Red flags that might indicate that I should pass? Tests I should do? I'm not necessarily interested in the plow and I have no need for the tiller but would like to make sure the snowblower attachment works. Are they difficult to attach and remove? If he won't let me attach it to see that it is working is there another way I can see that it works or should I walk?

Sorry for so many questions, thank you guys for your help,

David

[pnwwoodworker]

I forgot to ask, there are no wheel weights included with this sale, are they hard to find? Necessary? Any other way to add weights to the rear when snowblowing?

I was looking at a parts web site and noticed that it appears most parts have been discontinued. Is that going to be an issue in owning one of these older units?

Thanks again.

[Rmowl]

Positives I see on it are electric lift, sleeve hitch with a gearbox for tiller, good ag tires and snow blade. It doesn't have headlights and paint isn't the best. No way is it worth 1200. I've had several 127s and like them a lot but 500-600 is more realistic, maybe a little more if engine was just rebuilt. Yeah wheel weights make a big difference, that or loading the tires

[Alvy]

Agree with above except Black box looks to be an aftermarket hydraulic lift setup as I see the hydraulic cylinder. OE hydraulic lift is a pump in the same location that runs off a belt, this one looks like a similar design. If you're mechanically inclined and can tinker with things like this then we all recommend an old cub, but not for that price.

And no worries about parts, there are so many avenues to buy parts on this site and others there's pretty much any part you will ever need that is available.

Wheel weights are also available and if you place an ad in the wanted section for some here you'll have plenty to choose from. Ask the seller if the winter tires are "loaded" or not as they might be filled already

[pnwwoodworker]

Thanks Alvy and RMOWL. It seems everything here in Eastern Washington is overpriced when it comes to used garden tractors, especially if they have any implements. They don't come around that often and when they do they're expensive. I just sold my 1992 MTD garden tractor with a snow blower attachment and blown engine for $600. I know $1200 is high for this 127, he just listed it and won't budge a penny. I'm still going to go look at it this evening but I'll wait and see if he lowers his price in the next couple of weeks.

[sir_lancealot]

I've got a 127 and love it. Great machine and really easy to work on. I think his $1200 is a pretty fair price, considering what all it comes with. You figure $600 for the tractor (with mower), $200 for the tiller, $100 for the blade, and $200 for the snow thrower, you're sitting at $1100. Plus the extra wheels and delivery. He's in the right ballpark anyway. You won't get him down much if you wait, but you might.

Seems like lights would be the only thing you may want to add to the tractor if you get it. You can find them for sale in different random places. As a matter of fact, I think some are for sale on this site in the For Sale section.

You'll definitely want to drive it around and check the alignment of the hydro control lever and the steering. The hydro can be adjusted if it's a little out of whack but the steering might have to have pieces replaced if there's a lot of play in it. Most everything for that is still available though. You'll want to make sure the PTO holds strong. For that you might have to mount up the mower and run it through tall grass or get him to mount the tiller and drop in down in some dirt. Those can be rebuilt too as the pieces are still available.

Those are the big things to look at. You might also ask him about that add-on hydraulic lift. If he installed it or if it was there when he got it. That's not a Cub Cadet lift, so you'll want to find out all you can about it. As far as the tractor and implements, all the manuals are available in the tech section on this site so you'll have access to those if/when you need to do work on it.

Hope this helps. Good luck! And welcome to the site!

[DoubleO7]

The black box is a Monarch Hydraulics "Dyna-Chute" 12vdc hyd. unit.
Not belt drive off engine. Uses a conventional automotive starter motor to power the pump.
The unit was originally made to operate the chute swing on a cement trucks. But is sold for whatever use it can handle.

I see a lot of 127's in the same cosmetic condition as this one for anywhere from $250 to $500 from the plain states and east.
Snow plow $100, tiller from $100 to $500 depending on model and condition.
Snow thrower from $200 to $400 depending on model and condition.
The power unit is likely a $350 to $500 unit.
So add all that up and add west coast premium pricing............................

[pnwwoodworker]

So I noticed that the Electric Lift switch is missing on the dash leaving an empty space. Is that missing because of the Dyna Lift being added to the tractor?

I will be sure to look for headlights if I purchase this tractor. Last winter I ended up snowblowing in the dark at times.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the responses. I'm looking forward to checking it out. I forgot to mention, he said he is also including a lawn sweeper and a few other things. Not sure what that means. Every time I hesitate on buying what I find it seems to be gone the next day, so as long as its running good, idles good and the steering and PTO check out I'll probably go ahead and buy it. I do like that there is a web site like this with a good amount of support from other owners. I'm mechanically inclined so I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty.

I'm hoping that he'll put the snowblower on for me so I can make sure that works. I haven't yet decided I'll keep some of the attachments such as the tiller and sweeper, if I decide to sell those at least I know where to advertise it!

[drglinski]

1200? NO way. 127s are solid tractors and will work well in the snow but not for that much coin. I'm also not a fan of the mailbox on the right side.

PS moving snow in the dark with lights is FUN.

[pnwwoodworker]

Prices here in the PNW are higher than other for some reason. A 124 with deck and plow recently sold for $1000. There is a John Deere 110 with snowblower advertised at $1200, and a JD 245 with snowblower advertised at $2700, and a JD 318 with plow, tiller and snowblower that just sold for $3000. All much higher than other places east of here. I keep telling myself that the prices are too high but then they keep selling.....

Is it possible or even cost effective to take off the Monarch dyna lift and put the electric lift back in place? While I agree that the black box is distracting from the tractor, if it works is there any reason I should be cautious of having it?

David