Cub Cadet 128 restoration

[Odmark]

Hello! I figured I would make a restoration thread for my Cub Cadet, partly to share the progress with you guys but also to maybe get some assistance if needed since I'm very green on these little tractors.

This is probably going to be a quite slow resto since I have a bunch of other projects I need to get done as well this winter (77 Scout, 64 Polara 426, 58 Edsel Citation) and I hope you bear with me.

The status right now is that I have unloaded the Cub from the Travelall and partially reassembled it, and it now sits in the shed. The Kohler engine is removed and ready for disassembly.

I'm currently awaiting shipments from the US containing a full rebuild kit for the engine, new carburetor, new ignition lock cylinder, decals and a good used steering wheel.
And I just bought a new seat since mine was missing, and I have bought paint for it.
Also I need to buy a new clutch since that seems to be missing completely.

I have also ordered a sand blaster so I can blast the body, but found out yesterday that it is back ordered until November. So I probably need to find another one.

Here are some pictures from the unloading:

[R Bedell]

Looks like a good start.

[Odmark]

Thank you R Bedell!

I have started to manually strip the paint since i cant seem to find a sand blaster at a decent Price. Im doing the large parts with the tractor assembled and will dissasemble it and fully strip it off paint later.

I Will probably have to blast some parts later anyway, but it feels Good to get started.

The engine rebuild kit Will probably land here within the next 14 days so i can get started on that also.

[ChristopherCT]

Looking good! I am wondering why the previous owner cut into the left side of the hood. Will you try to weld in a patch there? They must have had an exhaust, or some large mechanicals that needed the extra space. If it seems too labor intensive to repair the hood, I guess you could leave it or simply find a new old hood.

[IHinIN]

Looks like a good start. I noticed that your thread is titled 129 Restoration but your tractor is not a 129 since it’s a gear drive tractor. The 129 is a hydrostatic transmission. Your tractor is most likely a 128 with a 129 dash.

[Odmark]

ChristopherCT: I have no idea why its cut like that actually, but as you say it might be exhaust related. I did not get an exhaust at all with the tractor so i wouldnt know.
I havent decided what to do yet, ill either weld in a patch or leave it. Parts are very hard to come by here in sweden and shipping a hood from the US will be too expensive.

IHinIH: Oh thats a typo on my part, havent even noticed myself. Too bad i cant change it now. The tractor is indeed a 128.

[drglinski]

IMO take your time and do it right the first time even if it means taking a bit longer. You'll like it in the end. Have fun!

[Odmark]

drglinski: I will take my time, but it will probably not be an all original restoration since some parts are too hard to find for me here and to expensive to ship from the US.


I started tearing apart the engine yesterday but it seems to already have been rebuilt. So i think i will just replace the gaskets i removed when tearing it apart and throw some paint at it, and save the rebuild kit for a later time.

Still looking for someone who can do some blasting for me since i simply cant access everywhere with my sander.

Does anyone have a set of original headlights with frames?

[Odmark]

So, now that the 105 is in working order im going to start working on the 128 again.

I decided to tear down the engine completely after all, but now im stuck on removing this pulley:

Whats the best way of getting this off?

[jbrewer]

The best way is to do some reading though old threads here AND reading the handy manuals that can be downloaded.

You can pry / bang / swear / break stuff in the front PTO assembly without knowing how those pieces are supposed to be disassembled. :-)