Only Cub Cadets

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR SPONSORS!

CC Speciaalties R. F. Houtz and Sons

Patton Acres IH Cub Cadet Parts

Cub Cadet Parts & Service


If you would like to help maintain this site & enhance it, feel free to donate whatever amount you would like to!




Attention Folks we have a new owner!
Greg Rozar AKA- CubDieselFan


Go Back   Only Cub Cadets > Cub Cadets > Cub Cadet Engines

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-28-2018, 07:24 AM
JacksCubcadet124 JacksCubcadet124 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Maryland
Posts: 12
Default Cub 124 Hard to Start--my first post

Hi, Cub Cadeters:

I have a 124 that wouldn't start. I changed the plug (216), points, and condenser. After I attached the jumper pack it would try to start puff smoke and eventually run great!

How can I make my tractor start easier? Should I replace the coil and increase the gap in the plug?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-28-2018, 07:39 AM
R Bedell R Bedell is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,693
Default

First, welcome to OCC......

Quote:
After I attached the jumper pack it would try to start puff smoke and eventually run great!
You state you added extra battery capacity (Jumpering) leads me to think that the original battery is not up to par. Charge up the battery and take to a reputable testing place and have it "load" tested. If weak, replace it.
__________________
Roland Bedell

CC Models: 100, 105, 1450, 782, (2) 784, & 2072

Buy: Made in the USA
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-28-2018, 07:53 AM
john hall's Avatar
john hall john hall is offline
Grand Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 3,095
Default

Like Roland said, your battery sounds weak---address that first. If that doesn't solve it, post what you gapped the plug at and did you install the points per Kohlers static timing instructions. Yes its more work to install this way but you will be more than pleased with the results. If this doesn't solve it, then start chasing other possible trouble--bad wiring, coil, fuel issues. Be systematic with your troubleshooting and report your results back.
__________________
2072 w/60" Haban
982 with 3 pt and 60" Haban
1811 with ags and 50C
124 w/hydraulic lift
782 w/mounted sprayer
2284 w/54" mowing deck
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-28-2018, 08:16 AM
JacksCubcadet124 JacksCubcadet124 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Maryland
Posts: 12
Default I learned something new

i just Googled Kohlers static timing instructions and will try it today.

Thanks a million!!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-28-2018, 08:33 AM
john hall's Avatar
john hall john hall is offline
Grand Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 3,095
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JacksCubcadet124 View Post
i just Googled Kohlers static timing instructions and will try it today.

Thanks a million!!
If you look in the technical section here on OCC, you will probably find the Kohler manual as well as IH manuals for that and many other machines as well.

By the way, try searching past posts for static timing. There have been some really good suggestions. Hardest part is seeing the mark on the flywheel--especially if its rusty. Common sense will tell you its going to be viewable about the time the points open, but it can still be hard to find--seems the mark isn't always dead in front of the hole, kind of off to one side.
__________________
2072 w/60" Haban
982 with 3 pt and 60" Haban
1811 with ags and 50C
124 w/hydraulic lift
782 w/mounted sprayer
2284 w/54" mowing deck
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-28-2018, 08:58 AM
twoton twoton is offline
Grand Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MA
Posts: 2,532
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JacksCubcadet124 View Post
.....How can I make my tractor start easier?.....
Does this mean it cranks well but has a hard time firing off or doesn't crank well or... what?

Quote:
Originally Posted by R Bedell View Post
..... Charge up the battery and take to a reputable testing place and have it "load" tested. If weak, replace it.
Once you have confirmed that you have a good battery that is fully charged, start working your way "down stream" with a meter through the wiring harness ( starting circuit if you're having a hard time getting it to crank well) and verify that you have the same battery voltage along the way. A sudden drop in voltage will indicate corrosion or faulty wiring, switches etc...

Wiring diagram is in the tech section under tractors.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-28-2018, 09:43 AM
R Bedell R Bedell is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,693
Default

Quote:
i just Googled Kohlers static timing instructions and will try it today.
Your timing can be spot on but if you have a "weak battery", you still have a problem.
__________________
Roland Bedell

CC Models: 100, 105, 1450, 782, (2) 784, & 2072

Buy: Made in the USA
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-28-2018, 10:34 AM
JacksCubcadet124 JacksCubcadet124 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Maryland
Posts: 12
Default

Does this mean it cranks well but has a hard time firing off or doesn't crank well or... what?

Both - I attached jumpers and it cranks faster, so I know my battery is weak, but it takes a while before it actually runs.

I have a spark tester on the plug wire and confirm it is firing, just takes some work to get her going. Once running sounds excellent. Also, smokes a bit while cranking.

Based on the description, i think the timing is off. Please correct me if you think i am wrong. I am truly open to learning from you guys.

Since it's a 50 year old tractor and 95% original, it wouldn't surprise me if the wiring or switches are corroded
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-28-2018, 10:48 AM
R Bedell R Bedell is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,693
Default

Quote:
I know my battery is weak
Replace it with the largest CCA rated Battery, that will fit in your Battery Box.
__________________
Roland Bedell

CC Models: 100, 105, 1450, 782, (2) 784, & 2072

Buy: Made in the USA
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-28-2018, 11:00 AM
JacksCubcadet124 JacksCubcadet124 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Maryland
Posts: 12
Default

will do
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

Cub Cadet is a premium line of outdoor power equipment, established in 1961 as part of International Harvester. During the 1960s, IH initiated an entirely new line of lawn and garden equipment aimed at the owners rural homes with large yards and private gardens. There were a wide variety of Cub Cadet branded and after-market attachments available; including mowers, blades, snow blowers, front loaders, plows, carts, etc. Cub Cadet advertising at that time harped on their thorough testing by "boys - acknowledged by many as the world's worst destructive force!". Cub Cadets became known for their dependability and rugged construction.

MTD Products, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio purchased the Cub Cadet brand from International Harvester in 1981. Cub Cadet was held as a wholly owned subsidiary for many years following this acquisition, which allowed them to operate independently. Recently, MTD has taken a more aggressive role and integrated Cub Cadet into its other lines of power equipment.

This website and forum are not affiliated with or sponsored by MTD Products Inc, which owns the CUB CADET trademarks. It is not an official MTD Products Inc, website, and MTD Products Inc, is not responsible for any of its content. The official MTD Products Inc, website can be found at: http://www.mtdproducts.com. The information and opinions expressed on this website are the responsibility of the website's owner and/or it's members, and do not represent the opinions of MTD Products Inc. IH, INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER are registered trademark of CNH America LLC

All material, images, and graphics from this site are the property of www.onlycubcadets.net. Any unauthorized use, reproductions, or duplications are prohibited unless solely expressed in writing.

Cub Cadet, Cub, Cadet, IH, MTD, Parts, Tractors, Tractor, International Harvester, Lawn, Garden, Lawn Mower, Kohler, garden tractor equipment, lawn garden tractors, antique garden tractors, garden tractor, PTO, parts, online, Original, 70, 71, 72, 73, 76, SO76, 80, 81, 86, 100, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,109, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 147, 149, 169, 182, 282, 382, 482, 580, 582, 582 Special, 680, 682, 782, 782D, 784, 800, 805, 882, 982, 984, 986, 1000, 1015, 1100, 1105, 1110, 1200, 1250, 1282, 1450, 1512, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1610, 1615, 1620, 1650, 1710, 1711, 1712, 1806, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1912, 1914.