Hi,
Long story that I'll condense as best I can. My tractor is a 1972 model 129 with a Kohler 301 engine. These old Cubs were built by IH and are very tough machines. I've used it now for 47 years. Over that time, various things have gone wrong (though relatively minor for the most part), and a bit more major engine work just a few months ago. All was working fine until yesterday when a rod broke. I know this cause I pulled the head and noticed the valves are working but not the piston. I am uncertain as to what to do. This has been a highly dependable tractor and so a part of me is inclined to put a rebuilt engine in it. On the other side of the coin, the entire tractor is the same age as the engine and no knowing how long all the other parts will last.
So, I'm faced with deciding on what I want to replace it with (if that will be the chosen option). Any suggestions? I do not hear good things regarding MTD - at least relative to the new Cubs. And, have talked to many people in the business (as well as people on these forums) that suggest fixing up this old Cub is the better way to go. I also hear stories about almost any new tractor as only lasting 3-5 years.
I need something that has a good amount of weight to it since I also plow large amounts of snow at my property when we get significant storms.
Thanks for any suggestions...
Keith
The new tractors may or may not be as reliable as the old Cub. We just won't know for about 40 or 50 years yet.
But if I was to guess, I'd guess that the engine/transmission, body, axles....and in fact all the major parts would go that long on the new ones. If they are to have a problem I'd expect it to be in the area of too much inter-connected computer control. You probably can't fix those systems yourself, and even diagnosis is difficult.
Adding to the strikes against newer tractors is that every single replacement part tends to be so specialized that it is only available from the original offshore manufacturer. There is no aftermarket parts supplier for anything on these new tractors past filters, oil, and light bulbs.
Again, given what you liked about your old tractor, I'd say that you can find a good fairly modern replacement in a good low hour used machine from about the mid-1970s up to the early 2000s. Compact tractors from that era are suprisingly modern in features....but without the complications of newer ones.
In that era you can get the advantage of reliable brands using proven designs with 4wd, PS, and modern hydralics with a robust 3pt and pretty much bulletproof rolling gear right from the engine thru the axles.
Expect that a tractor from that era will either have a manual tranny or one of the powershift variations and the electrics will be pretty much the same as your Cub. And not a hint of computer control. From that 1975 to 2000 era you'll find machines that you can diagnose and fix yourself as well as an active aftermarket parts industry. The key is to find one with low hours and be ready to pay what it is really worth to you.
I'd bet that way you can find a machine that will go another 50 years, and even if you pay top dollar, it is far less than a brand new one.
You can even take your time looking. Most of the market has money to burn, is looking for something new, and hasn't figured out where this particular sweet spot is for the mechancial kind of guy.
The key is low hours. You can still find lots of tractors from that era with only a few hundred hours. Pretty much good as news.
rScotty
