Thoughts on the 147?

[Rustyoldcubs]

I have a ‘71 147 that I just picked up cheap.
Got it running and the motor is good! The problem is it’s very hard to move the hydro lever to the reverse position. I need to pull the seat pan off and look at what it’s doing. Other than that, and being ugly, it’s a good score!

[cooperino]

Congrats! Lets see some pics

[ATernus]

Love the 147. Have one running, and one recently purchased that will be up and running soon. Tons of info on the site, and lots of people willing to answer questions.

[Gompers]

King of the narrow frames. The only really funky thing on that series is the electric lift (which was optional all the way into the quietlines, so not just a 1x6/7 thing I guess). The rear lift bracket unique to the 1x6/7 is the only other oddball thing that I can think of (aside from the notched frame for the K321 on the 147). They are as good a machine as you'll find in a narrow frame.

Pain in the butt to work on, but other than that they are great.

[Sc120sc]

Got a 147 in nice shape with a broken rod for a project gave 100.00. for it

Got a Murray 12 hp for free. Take the Murray anyday over that obsolete 147.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by Sc120sc

Take the Murray anyday over that obsolete 147.

Obsolete? In what way?

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by cooperino

Obsolete? In what way?

Well I mean to be fair the 147 is a 50 year old machine using a deck design that's probably 55-60 years old.

Pretty much any modern box store lawn mower is going to do a better job cutting grass.

Garden tractors as a category in general are kinda dinosaurs aside from niche communities that enjoy them. Most anything they were designed to do can be done better and for similar or less money by a SCUT or zero turn. (and when I say similar or less money, I mean the inflation adjusted amount that the GT would have cost new....which for a 147 is ~9500 in today's dollars for tractor alone).

That being said the 147 is a tough old machine and there's nothing especially wrong with it.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by Gompers

Well I mean to be fair the 147 is a 50 year old machine using a deck design that's probably 55-60 years old.

Pretty much any modern box store lawn mower is going to do a better job cutting grass.

Garden tractors as a category in general are kinda dinosaurs aside from niche communities that enjoy them. Most anything they were designed to do can be done better and for similar or less money by a SCUT or zero turn. (and when I say similar or less money, I mean the inflation adjusted amount that the GT would have cost new....which for a 147 is ~9500 in today's dollars for tractor alone).

That being said the 147 is a tough old machine and there's nothing especially wrong with it.

Ill agree to disagree. As far as doing a better job in cutting grass goes. The OP mentioned a Murray 12HP. Which is a lawn tractor made specifically for cutting grass. The Lite weight deck that will likely rot out in 5-7 years is a piece of junk. Rarely do they maintain level because of the inferior deck hanging parts that wear prematurely. My 126, 125, and others all cut better than my Cub cadet bix box store LT ever did and I feel that tractor was built better than any Murray Ive ever seen. The tractors I mentioned "126,125" that are 40 plus years old still have the original decks. With properly sharpened blades they cut great! After cutting there would be no way of telling if it were done with my 125 or a new zero turn other than wheel track maybe.

As far as monetary values go, You really can not compare old prices VS new machine prices. After all, The OP was not comparing old VS new. But for argument sake, As you said a SCUT could price up to $9500. It may work easier or be more comfortable. However, I can save a lot of money investing in a 147 and attachments to do most if not all the work a SCUT of similar size will do.. In fact I could buy several cubs and attachments for that kind of money.

I really just felt "obsolete" was not a term that described our old cubs well.

Obsolete to me means, unrepairable, not functional, cost prohibitable, etc.

If It were me in the OP's shoes, I would sell the Murray, Hope to get 100 bucks out of it and put it towards fixing the 147!

[R Bedell]

I really just felt "obsolete" was not a term that described our old cubs well.

I agree. The "planned obsolescence" of that MTD junk is all too real. The OEM's want the public to buy a new Lawn Tractor every three years. Looks like the IH Engineers had a better idea of "value for money spent".

[guyina4x4]

Comparing apples to golf balls.
Not everyone needs a $15k lawnmower and that's what it'd cost to buy today if it was still made like it was 1970.
Also making things user servicable is a waste of time because the average person isn't going to service things themselves.

That being said $15k lawnmowers are still made, they're just not very common.
I see them every time i walk into my local simplicity dealer.