1250 and 125 thoughts

papaglide · May 19, 2009

Well here is where I'm at: love the 1882. Have my little 1018 just about sold. I am looking for an older cub for a back up. I have 2 that I've been looking at:

1. A 125 hydro with a 48" deck and 42" plow

2. A 1250 with a 42" deck and 42" snow blower.

I've checked the manuals for both from the IHRegistry. I think that I like the 1250 better and might make a play on that one. You all have offered up some very informed opinions regarding the 149 (sold before I acted on it) and the 1882.
What are the pros and cons, if any, of each for what I am looking for it to do?(plow snow and be the back up mower)
Thanks again.

papaglide · May 20, 2009

Maybe I wore out my welcome with all the questions about the 149 and 1882?

I just need some guidance regarding these two tractors and what might best fit what I would like to do with it.

CCinCT · May 20, 2009

The 1250 is part of the Quietline series. It has iso engine mounts that can be a problem to replace when the time comes. I have a 1250 and love it, iso mounts and all. It is very quiet, very durable, and my son can handle it pretty easily.

Can't speak to the 125 though. Sorry.

Dave01 · May 21, 2009

The 1250 is part of a series a few years newer than the 149, but very similar in a lot of ways, just a bit less power with the 12 HP rather than 14 HP. The 125 is an older model, like CC I don't know much about it. If you like the 1250 but want a bit more power there was a 1450 (14 HP) and a 1650 (16 HP and harder to find) in the same series.

I think if you'd enjoy learning about the older Cubs and don't mind some maintenance on a 35 year old tractor, either would be fine. Which one looks to be in better condition, have had the better maintenance over the years?

2manyrocks · May 21, 2009

The 125 goes back to about 1967. The 1250 series started in 1971. The 125 will have a mechanical PTO clutch v. electric PTO clutch on the 1250. The 125 engine is solid mounted to the frame. There are no rubber ISO mounts on the 125 like the 1250. The iso mounts go bad over time, and they are pricey. They'll go bad and the oil pan will start rubbing on the frame, and then you'll have to have an oil pan, new engine mounting rails and new ISO mounts.

The 125 has an open engine design. The 1250 has the side panels. If you want to service the air filter on the 125, you unscrew a wing nut. On the 1250, you remove the side panel, and then unscrew a wing nut on the air filter housing.

Also, the 125 has a simple muffler that blows out one side. The 1250 has a muffer inside a sheet metal box that blows out the front. Over time, the shroud is prone to crack. 1250 is quieter than the 125 and that's why the 1250 is part of the quietline series.

Both steering gears are about the same, but the 1250 might have a slightly better turning radius. Only slightly and I could be mistaken. The tire sizes could be different or they could be the same depending on which tire package was picked by the original owner.

The 125 battery is under the hood. The 1250 battery is under the seat. The 125 probably has the 1250 beat in this department as there is a space under the seat to store gloves, etc. that is taken up by the battery on the 1250.

The 1250 may be more refined than the 125, but the 125 is a more simple design with less to mess up.

papaglide · May 21, 2009

Thanks guys. What I am taking is that the 125 is generally the same as a 1250 and just about the same size, and both would be an adequate back up/ snow plower?