What to do with the 127!

[johncub7172]

Seems like a lot of sound advice given thus far! I'll add, that if you are going for a restoration, be mindful of the good paint your tractor does have. On pieces, there is no need to strip down to bare metal, and then sand the bare metal. I'd just work the old paint down a bit, prime, and shoot!

Good luck!

[farmall fred]

I have a 127 iin almost the exact same condition. I bought it quite a number of years ago with plans to stretch the frame and add a dump bed, but it starts,runs and drives so well I could not bring my self to cut it up. When I got it at a estate auction I was told it did not run. After buying it I put some fesh gas in it, opened the petcock and hooked up my jumpers and it started on the second turn. After warming it up I drove it up on my trailer. You should have seen the look on the face of the owners son, he was the one who told me it did not run. It had a receipt in the owners manual from a couple of years prior showing a new engine had been installed. Enough about my tractor. If it was mine and you want to use it as a worker I would get it running well, fix all leaks, change all fluids and hydro filter, fix mechanical issues and run it for a season. Then if you wish to do a restoration you will have a better idea of what it will really cost based on needed repairs etc. I would be temped to clean it up, paint the rims and give it a good wax and polish first. It is amazing what painting a set of wheels will do for its looks.

[olds45512]

I'd like to point out that just a few weeks ago there was a big long thread about a lack of projects and here you all are trying to talk him out of one. I don't understand the phobia about working a restored tractor, my 108 has a nicer paint job than a new caddy but I have no issue working it to death, unless your driving through bushes and running it into stuff the paint wont get hurt.

[mattoney]

I'm going to have to agree with the others above. Get the mechanicals in order, work with it a little bit to get a little bit of pay off and motivation to do more, then decide from there.

You'd be surprised how much those will clean up. It already looks a lot better than my 107 with three shades of yellow.

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by zippy1

I personally would fix what needs fixing, and use the tractor. Then after you have some seat time on it, then make the decision on if you want to make the commitment of a restoration.
Cause if you half ass it, and not do it right, it's by far better left as is.

What he said. Plus if you run it for a while you may find other things that need attention and save your self the issue of making a mess of a new paint job. I have an 1864 that I'm working on, I'll do the things that I know need work then run it for a season before making it pretty.

[Cub Cadet 123]

Do whatever you feel is necessary to enjoy your cub. Being that it is your first cub, I would probably just enjoy it as it and fix the mechanical stuff on it. In fact, if you want to, customize it a little by painting some jaws on the front grill, adding some "ears" to the hood and a "tail" out of the back maybe in the form of a plow that is painted up to look like a tiger tail. After all, they are cubs!!!

Cub Cadet 123

[bnsfgp38]

https://youtu.be/onMrq-lq5i8

Unloaded it today

[twoton]

Looks good, have fun with your project.

[Dirty Steve]

The 127 looks great. Should be a fun project.