Fix old Cub Cadet or buy a new tractor?

[Fuddy1952]

Sometimes you can't put a price on sentimentality. Granddad next door bought this Economy Power King new in 1974 with a bunch of attachments, belly mower, blade, disc plow, harrow, hay rake, etc. Everyone is amazed what it will do with 14hp Kohler one cyl. I've had it a couple years and although it was running had to fix stuff. I added a winch. A trailer he made before I was born.
Owners manual last page says something you never see today, which is that it was made with a car transmission and rear end so it will never break. Designed so the average person can fix anything on it, with simplicity in mind.
It has a small 3 point hitch and hydraulic lift. First year I had it we had a deep snow so I plowed our and neighbors driveway.

 

[stevem5215]

We have a 129 also and it's like a Energizer bunny. It just keeps going. A new battery and oil change and keep on going. The Hydro unit is a bit noisy now but it too still works fine. But, the fun stops there. I have several newer mowers and while they are either Craftsman ones (Red Craftsman about 17 years old) and a Black Craftsman Pro (with the dreaded but still working K46 that's almost 10 years old now) They are all smoother running and easier to use, handle and cut far better than the old 129. In fact the 129 has become backup duty only and not that it's junk or anything it's just not as nice to use or as smooth a running machine. They were designed in a different era of "rough and tough" designs. Not low NVH or easy smooth steering and hydro operation. We also have a two handle ZTR Simplicity. And my wife far prefers this one over them all. Although she says the Red Craftsman mower deck cuts the best of all of them. High grass no problem, no clumping, just a better smoother overall cut. I'm not sure why that is but it is.

Anyway, take what you want from this post. But the 129 has seen better days IMO. Get a newer machine.

Steve

 

[searcyfarms]

id move on - unless you like to work on things and keep them going, i am getting to the age where i am reducing my amount of tires/batteries/engines/aged things so i don't spend so much time crawling around with a flashlight and trying to get up off the floor once my work is done. I don't mind maintenance but breakdowns wear me out once they becoming consistent on a unit. So............depending on your budget of course will dictate where you land on a replacement. There are a lot of good used units around - so happy hunting - i just sold two 20 plus y/o units and one 2006 unit and ordered a new one. I can get along fine with finicky machines with special needs but my wife and daughter cant. They love to mow so i have to cater to that