questions for the pros

rsierra1025 · #1 08-24-2011, 05:49 PM

Hey all, I'm not "IN THE CLUB" yet but considering it. A little background as quick as I can. My Dad has a John Deere 140 with a blade and tiller. He also has a 317 with a blower and cab on it (it does have an after market Power steering added). He's headed for retirement so I had mentioned to him to pick me up a JD at some point and fix it up for me and I would pay him (Because I know he'll be bored out of his pumpkin sooner than later so I thought it would be a project). At a recent auction about a month ago he found a newer JD-LA110. Came with a blower, bagger, weights and a soft enclosure for under $1700. I have been reading about the hydro having problems on these machines after while so I have been starting to think about selling it already and getting something older and more reliable.

I am a fan of Green but don't like to parting with mine. It seems like these old cubs are a little more reasonable and I'm sure just as reliable as the JD stuff. All of this is leading up to my question. On craigslist in my area there's one that appears to be in decent shape.

Does the following seem to be a good deal if it runs well? It's been on line for a while which makes me think he might be about 250 too high or people don't know the steal they are missing out on. the other day someone had a 1650 for $500....looked nice. Anyhow, let me know what you think of this.....

Cub Cadet 1450 for $1300 -- also included are the following: Service Manual which covers full tear down and rebuild of the tractor and the implements on CD, 1-48" Mowing Deck with extra set of blades, 1- 42" Snow Blower, 1- 42" Push Blade, 1- 42" Rotory Cultivator.

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What are the big differences in the 1450 Vs the 1650? Is motor size it? What about hydraulics? Can I use the same accessories on both tractors? Also, is there an add on power steering kit for these old tractors? I have found the thing about the new bushings and all to make steering easier but nothing about power. Anything else I should know about?

There's also one with a bad motor (1450) and a tiller for $300. Thoughts on getting that and modernizing the motor?

My Mechanical ability is Tinker/Parts swapper. I do have a lot of great tools that I can kind of make work (Torch, welder, sockets) so I have most of what I need to really dive into something...just not the most experience (I should have payed more attention when dad was fixing stuff). My easy option would be to hold onto the box store one I have and wonder when it's going to give up the ghost. 2nd easiest is get GREEN because I can ask dad questions or I can be different.

Thanks for reading.
Randy in Iowa

Methos · #2 08-25-2011, 11:41 AM

Randy

The 1450 has a 14HP and the 1650 has 16Hp motor. Other then that they are the same. The tractor pictured does not have the side panels. They improve cooling and should be on there IMHO. I have a 1650 and love it. On any QL tractor (800, 1000, 1200, 1250, 1450 and 1650) you should check the ISo mounts on them before you buy. The same pictured tractor has non stock headlights. The stock headlights are round. In the list of items you list a 1- 42" Rotory Cultivator it makes me wonder if you mean tiller. The 1450 with engine problems can be rebuilt and no need to put a modern motor in it. Expect to pay $500+ for a rebuild using Kohler parts. These engines are worth rebuilding. They are work horses.

rsierra1025 · #3 08-25-2011, 12:25 PM

Methos, thanks for the info. I have been trolling for a short while here and didn't even pick up on the round/Square headlights. That thing about the rotary cultivator I'm assuming is a tiller. I copied and pasted the add so that's what it said. I need to get down to look at it.

I guess the main question, for all the accessories and the tractor does that seem to be in a reasonable ball park price wise?

I really just want something heavy duty so If I want to drag something around the yard it's not going to be a problem and tear the tractor up.

P.S. - Sorry if I posted in the wrong section on the forums.

johncub7172 · #4 08-25-2011, 12:32 PM

It took me untill last saturday to see why a IH Cub Cadet are above JD. 97 percent of pullers have a gear IH Cub Cadet. Nice IH Cub Cadet man!

Methos · #5 08-25-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsierra1025

Methos, thanks for the info. I have been trolling for a short while here and didn't even pick up on the round/Square headlights. That thing about the rotary cultivator I'm assuming is a tiller. I copied and pasted the add so that's what it said. I need to get down to look at it.

I guess the main question, for all the accessories and the tractor does that seem to be in a reasonable ball park price wise?

I really just want something heavy duty so If I want to drag something around the yard it's not going to be a problem and tear the tractor up.

P.S. - Sorry if I posted in the wrong section on the forums.

Randy no worries on posting in the wrong section of the site.

I think price wise he's a little high. I also do think he means tiller due to the tiller gear box on the back. If the ISO mounts are bad expect to pay in the $80 range for new ISO mounts from cub.

I think you'll be happy the way the cub is able to pull things. As John said the pullers love these cubs and will buy a cub and paint it other tractor colors and that says a lot of the cubs. I don't have anything bad to say about JD or any other brand but I do not regret buying a cub.

Darrell · #6 08-25-2011, 02:12 PM

The price depends on the condition of all the attachments and the condition of the tractor.

The attachments would be around $500 - $700 range , but that does depend on the condiiton of them. Might be cheaper than $500 if they are questionable condition. Check the tines on the tiller and slop in the tine shaft, and it would be a plus if he has the long , EXPENSIVE belt that runs the tiller gearbox.

Same for the blower. Chain and sprocket wear , bearing noise , etc.

Just a thought , the blower,tiller,and blade are heavy and bulky , so if you think you will not need them , don't buy them. OR buy and resell if not needed.

Looks like that would be a $400/$500 tractor/deck in my area , if the side panels are there. But that does depend on condition. I would expect to do some maintanence on the tractor. They are tough and easy to work on , but most people are careless about maintanence.

If it was me , i would start at $900 for everything , but 1,000 may be the max for me.

Just my .02 cents. Hope it works out for ya !!

Methos · #7 08-25-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

The price depends on the condition of all the attachments and the condition of the tractor.

The attachments would be around $500 - $700 range , but that does depend on the condiiton of them. Might be cheaper than $500 if they are questionable condition. Check the tines on the tiller and slop in the tine shaft, and it would be a plus if he has the long , EXPENSIVE belt that runs the tiller gearbox.

Same for the blower. Chain and sprocket wear , bearing noise , etc.

Just a thought , the blower,tiller,and blade are heavy and bulky , so if you think you will not need them , don't buy them. OR buy and resell if not needed.

Looks like that would be a $400/$500 tractor/deck in my area , if the side panels are there. But that does depend on condition. I would expect to do some maintanence on the tractor. They are tough and easy to work on , but most people are careless about maintanence.

If it was me , i would start at $900 for everything , but 1,000 may be the max for me.

Just my .02 cents. Hope it works out for ya !!

Good points Darrel! I paid $52 for my tiller belt for my 1650. The NF tiller belts are the pricey ones. I paid $110 for my tiller belt for my son's 125.

westofb · #8 08-25-2011, 07:11 PM

Just looking over your pics, the seller says that it has a 48" deck, he is wrong, it looks to be a 44" but could be the 50", but I am pretty sure it is the 44". You can tell by the not discharge end of the deck, it is rounded off, the 48" would be squared off, and looks to have the one piece deck belt cover, again the 48" would have 2 piece deck covers. If the tractor runs and starts well, and all the accessories work (pto, lights, etc) as the should, I would say it is a $350-500 tractor. If the seller doesn't have the side panels, you might as well figure they are going to costs you around $100 to get some shipped to you. As mentioned, the isomounts need to be checked, if they are bad that is another expense.
However, I can see what appears to be 2 link chains on the rear tires, that ought to be worth $50, and the tractor has the sleeve hitch installed, good for another $100+. The rear tiller if it is functional should be good for another $200-300, I think it mentioned snow blower to, that should be worth $200-300 also.
So doing my math, the tractor with side panels, no repairs needed let's say $650 (figuring in the sleeve hitch and chains), add the tiller and snow blower would on the low end put the low end for the package, would put you at $1150, high end price would be $1350, so his asking price is not that far out of line. If you go try it out and like it, I would offer him $900 to start out with, you can always increase your offer if it something you want.
Oh, by the way, it has hydraulic lift for the attachments, I think you asked about this too, but am not sure anyone confirmed that it did.

westofb · #9 08-25-2011, 07:20 PM

I am posting from my iPhone so forgive the typos. I see you were wondering about power steering also, it can be added by mixing and matching some parts from the super garden tractors, but I don't think the effort or expense would be worth it. Adding the steering upgrade (search the site you'll be able to find it) makes the steering effort much easier and only sets you back around $20, besides, they don't steer very hard anyways.

rsierra1025 · #10 08-25-2011, 08:57 PM

ok, here's where I'm at. (for all I know he's reading this giggling right now). Anyhow I Emailed him and he's pretty firm on the price at $1300 which is probably why it hasn't sold yet. He says firm but if I show up with a pocket full of money that may change.
It's Vintage 1974 (So at least I'm older than the machine ... barely). Engine is the 14hp Kohler K321 engine, he's put new points, condenser, coil, and plug. He must have maintained yards with it (other than his) and that's why the lights are square...he put in 50w Halogen instead of the factory 20w. Motor has never been torn into that he knows of...unsure of hours or how long he has owned it. He did say it's the 50 inch deck and everything should work. Doesn't smoke or use oil and he does have the side pannels for it, I have no idea why they aren't on.

Here are some pictures of the implements to go with it...and good news, he does have the belt for the tiller.

Thanks for all the input.....it's like the little devil child and it keeps calling my name. Meanwhile the nice little angel is sitting on my piggy bank telling me to save my money......