Model 70 or 100?

[Rich S.]

Bought a basket tractor that a father in law was restoring before his death. The unattached repainted yellow Kohler K181 looks complete, with a few extra parts still in their plastic bags.
The dash matches a 100 model, but could also be a 70.
So, how does one tell a Cub Cadet 70 from a 100 model besides the engine?
It does not have a front grill, no hood, nor seat, or fenders.
Have not been able to find any serial numbers on the right side of the transfer case houseing.
Thanks for you help in advance.
Rich S.

[Matt G.]

The dash on a 70 and 100 are the same. If the steering wheel has an acorn nut and no fancy plastic center cap, it is probably a 70. If it has provision for a center cap, it is a 100.

[mmzullo]

Matt is right about the 70/100. But if you have a complete 8 hp engine there I would say it was probaly a 70 to start.

[Merk]

The cover of this manual has a 100 with the acorn nut on it:
http://ccmanuals.info/pdf/70-100%20O...r%20Manual.pdf
I thought early 100s had the acorn style steering wheel.

The throttle cable is longer on a 70 than a on a 100. The throttle cable connects to governor arm on a 7 horse power motor. The 7 horse power transmission has bushings in the axle housings and the 100 has bearings in the axle housing.

What is the serial number? It won't tell what model is was....just curious.

The k181 was a replacement engine for the k161. I have a k181 on one of my Original's and would have to say that most likely you have a 70. Here's a pic of the serial # on my 71, it's on the right side on a raised machined surface.

[Merk]

Here is the other area that 70 and 100s had the serial number besides the area Sminkey posted:


the serial number on this one is 89462.

[Rich S.]

Based on the obervations here, it probably is a model 70. The steering wheel is fastened/topped wit an acorn nut.
Sminkey, rechecked the boos you show the serial number on and this one is smooth.
Merk, took some 150 grit sandpaper lightly to the reduction housing casting in front of the above boss and could not find any numbers there either.

Will do some light sand sweeping on her come nice weather...
It looks to be a nice garden tractor regardless of the model/serial number.

Thank you for your help guys. If the serial number does show up I will post it here.
Rich S.

[ACecil]

Dale is correct, the early 100's had the acorn nut steering wheel. I had an early 100, and that's what it had.

[mmzullo]

I also have a couple 100's here with an acorn nut and later steering wheels. But if the 70/100 where made from 63 to 65 why where there no 70's with the later steering wheel?

[Matt G.]

It was probably because the 70 was a cheaper tractor. I'm pretty sure the 71, 72, and 73 had the acorn nut plain steering wheel, too.