Cub Cadet 123 - thoughts?

[Cubcadet_107]

Was looking for a 123, and this one came up in my area. $175, seller says make offer so I can probably get the price down some. Post says that it:

Was last used 7 years ago
Ran fine when last used
Poster told me that whoever owned it before him painted the dash tower and tunnel black
No deck but has the mule drive, as well as 2 beefy looking brackets at the rear of the machine
2 tires are flat, one front and one back
Best part has to be the Donald Duck sticker on the front though

You guys think it's worth it?

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[R Bedell]

The one thing about the 123 that makes it desirable, is that it was Cub Cadet's first Hydro Tractor.

[Cub Cadet 123]

The brackets on the back are for a leaf vac system, I believe a PECO leaf vac system. Ask him what the green toggle switch is for above the steering wheel. That is a mod that has been made to the tractor. Lots of good parts there, fender reflectors, hood, heat shield. It looks like an earlier model of the 123 in the production run because of the angled heat shield and the location of the oil dipstick as in the later production run, I think the heat shields were straight out and the oil dipstick was located on the driver's LHS of the tractor and could be accessed without lifting the hood. The seat is not in too bad of shape for its age. If it runs, the price is good, but $150 might be a fair price, too. Not only was it the first tractor with the hydrostatic transmission as stated by Roland, but it was also the last series of "all metal" tractor that IH made (besides the 73, which was the last econoline). The seat was obvious fiberglass, but it is easily replaced, but the cowl became fiberglass afterward, which would often crack or break where the hood makes contact.

In my area, the pin on decks are becoming harder to find in decent shape. Having the mule drive and subframe is a nice plus. It is kind of a plane jane tractor, with no other extras. The Donald Duck is a definite plus. He can take you on the most astounding journey through Mathemagicland and help you improve your three cushion billiard game!!!

Cub Cadet 123

[docmirror]

Now, I'm the noob, and know squadoosh about Cubs, except the Original I have. With that in mind, if one can take a batt, and can of carb cleaner, and make the engine run for a bit while spritzing carb cleaner into the carb, I would think this would be a good deal.

Tires are basically consumables, new batt is a given. If the big items like engine and trans make it go - then why the helt not? Looks like fun.

[Cubcadet_107]

Originally Posted by Cub Cadet 123

The brackets on the back are for a leaf vac system, I believe a PECO leaf vac system. Ask him what the green toggle switch is for above the steering wheel. That is a mod that has been made to the tractor. Lots of good parts there, fender reflectors, hood, heat shield. It looks like an earlier model of the 123 in the production run because of the angled heat shield and the location of the oil dipstick as in the later production run, I think the heat shields were straight out and the oil dipstick was located on the driver's LHS of the tractor and could be accessed without lifting the hood. The seat is not in too bad of shape for its age. If it runs, the price is good, but $150 might be a fair price, too. Not only was it the first tractor with the hydrostatic transmission as stated by Roland, but it was also the last series of "all metal" tractor that IH made (besides the 73, which was the last econoline). The seat was obvious fiberglass, but it is easily replaced, but the cowl became fiberglass afterward, which would often crack or break where the hood makes contact.

In my area, the pin on decks are becoming harder to find in decent shape. Having the mule drive and subframe is a nice plus. It is kind of a plane jane tractor, with no other extras. The Donald Duck is a definite plus. He can take you on the most astounding journey through Mathemagicland and help you improve your three cushion billiard game!!!

Cub Cadet 123

I was curious about the switch above the steering wheel. Almost looks like a key switch put there, and appears to be like a button next to it. I agree that the seat is in pretty good shape. The ad says its a '67, though the seller clearly isn't a cub expert. I get the feeling it's from before '67 though. Realistically, my plans for the tractor aren't so much for it to be rebuilt, but rather a project idea I had. Would need to find another tractor for that first.

I do get the feeling that with a fresh battery, carb cleaning, and filing of the points, it would probably fire up. There most likely isn't anything majorly wrong with it, it just sat a while.

I should mention I do have the hood, fenders, fender reflectors, and heat shield off a 105 just laying around. Also the cast front end, grille, and even a 12hp engine. And an entire frame from a different 105. So I'm pretty decently set up with parts currently.

[West Valley G]

In my neck of the woods where tractors are scarce or almost nonexistent
it would be worth it in minute. A lot of entertainment for the money.
Of course it will cost you more then that in the long run. But what the heck,
lot worse ways to spend your hard earned cash.

Ken

[Cub Cadet 123]

Originally Posted by docmirror

Now, I'm the noob, and know squadoosh about Cubs, except the Original I have. With that in mind, if one can take a batt, and can of carb cleaner, and make the engine run for a bit while spritzing carb cleaner into the carb, I would think this would be a good deal.

Tires are basically consumables, new batt is a given. If the big items like engine and trans make it go - then why the helt not? Looks like fun.

Originally Posted by Cubcadet_107

I was curious about the switch above the steering wheel. Almost looks like a key switch put there, and appears to be like a button next to it. I agree that the seat is in pretty good shape. The ad says its a '67, though the seller clearly isn't a cub expert. I get the feeling it's from before '67 though. Realistically, my plans for the tractor aren't so much for it to be rebuilt, but rather a project idea I had. Would need to find another tractor for that first.

I do get the feeling that with a fresh battery, carb cleaning, and filing of the points, it would probably fire up. There most likely isn't anything majorly wrong with it, it just sat a while.

I should mention I do have the hood, fenders, fender reflectors, and heat shield off a 105 just laying around. Also the cast front end, grille, and even a 12hp engine. And an entire frame from a different 105. So I'm pretty decently set up with parts currently.

The tires have a unique tread pattern and if they are not in horrible shape, then they can be desirable to keep on the tractor, so while they are consumables, they are also "collectible" to some people. Spritzing carb cleaner into a carb trying to get the engine running is not a very safe idea! Its dangerous to the individual and harmful to the engine and I would not recommend that you do this.

Likewise, the heat shield is desirable to a collector because of the angle on it. They are less common than the flat ones, as are the seat and reflectors. Look up a pair of the reflectors on EBAY and see what they are going for. Some people on the forum aren't just enthusiast but also collectors and keeping our tractors as original as possible is important to some.

Turn the engine over and check for compression, check the oil for water in it, gently lift the tow switch and see if it functions or is present and if so, then move the tractor a few feet while listening to the rear end move to hear any unusually loud whining sounds (it should whine a little bit), weigh your options and make your choice. If the man does not know much about cubs, then treat him fairly and then both people will be satisfied with an "honest" deal at the end of the day.

Cub Cadet 123

[Cubcadet_107]

Originally Posted by Cub Cadet 123

The tires have a unique tread pattern and if they are not in horrible shape, then they can be desirable to keep on the tractor, so while they are consumables, they are also "collectible" to some people. Spritzing carb cleaner into a carb trying to get the engine running is not a very safe idea! Its dangerous to the individual and harmful to the engine and I would not recommend that you do this.

Likewise, the heat shield is desirable to a collector because of the angle on it. They are less common than the flat ones, as are the seat and reflectors. Look up a pair of the reflectors on EBAY and see what they are going for. Some people on the forum aren't just enthusiast but also collectors and keeping our tractors as original as possible is important to some.

Turn the engine over and check for compression, check the oil for water in it, gently lift the tow switch and see if it functions or is present and if so, then move the tractor a few feet while listening to the rear end move to hear any unusually loud whining sounds (it should whine a little bit), weigh your options and make your choice. If the man does not know much about cubs, then treat him fairly and then both people will be satisfied with an "honest" deal at the end of the day.

Cub Cadet 123

I will say, I am definitely one of those people that likes original tires. All my Cubs (except the Original's rear ags) have original rubber on them. I have tried to keep my 107 as original as possible when rebuilding it, I even kept the original rubber piece that sits behind it's battery! As for the heat shield, it must be uncommon, because I have certainly never seen one angled before! I don't ever try to start anything on brake cleaner anyway, If I'm trying to get something to run I'm gonna properly fix the fuel system so it can run on the gasoline it's meant to run on.

[darkminion_17]

Originally Posted by Cubcadet_107

Was looking for a 123, and this one came up in my area. $175, seller says make offer so I can probably get the price down some. Post says that it:

Was last used 7 years ago
Ran fine when last used
Poster told me that whoever owned it before him painted the dash tower and tunnel black
No deck but has the mule drive, as well as 2 beefy looking brackets at the rear of the machine
2 tires are flat, one front and one back
Best part has to be the Donald Duck sticker on the front though

You guys think it's worth it?

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7 years is a long time sitting outside.
Expect the go go handle to be frozen, not sure what's going on with the seat, is it painted brown, or is that a po mod.
I have seen better for less, but if that's what you can get, get it cheap.
Those brackets are for a trac-vac.

[Cubcadet_107]

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

7 years is a long time sitting outside.
Expect the go go handle to be frozen, not sure what's going on with the seat, is it painted brown, or is that a po mod.
I have seen better for less, but if that's what you can get, get it cheap.
Those brackets are for a trac-vac.

7 years is a while, though it doesn't quite beat the 30 years my 107 went through. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to free up a hydro control lever. In fact, my 147 is sitting there waiting for me to free up it's hydro lever. The brown beneath the seat is actually a custom metal pan that seems to have been bolted under the seat to help strengthen the fiberglass, so basically yes it's a PO mod. I'm curious if the seller still has a deck or the trac vac from it or not.