How Good are Older Cub Cadets?

[coveredbridge]

I bought a CC model 73 in 1986 with 38" mower deck for $600. It would have been about 15 yrs old at the time. About 5 years later I gave it to my mother and I bought a model 107 (hydro) with a 42" mower and a 36" snowblower for $1000. The 107 was about the same vintage as the 73 (1969-72), so it was about 20 years old when I bought it. Both tractors were used hard and regularly until I bought my bx1500 in 2005. With even a minimal amount of care, they are virtually indestructible, built like an ag tractor in miniature. There seemed to be no amount of abuse they couldn't endure. In my 20 years of ownership, I found only one achilles heel - the wiring. The cloth insulation rots and creates shorts, but as was mentioned previously, replacement with a modern wiring harness is a relatively simple operation.

Shortly after buying the bx1500, I sold the 107 for $700, and the 73, which was kept outside and in much worse condition, at least cosmetically, for $200. About 20-years of hard service for a net investment of $700. I was more than satisfied and a little sorry to see them go, but I just didn't have the space to keep them or use for them anymore. I know the 107 was going to be put to work (mainly snow removal as I recall). I don't remember for sure, but the 73 may have been going to be a restoration job.

I can't say the CC's are better than the other quality GT's of that era, like Gravely, JD, Wheel Horse, etc. I think any of them, in reasonable condition, will serve you well for general duty. There is something about the CC's though, that you just seem to get an emotional attachment to, for some reason.

Attached are a couple pics of the 107 before it was sold.

 

[JB4310]

There is something about the CC's though, that you just seem to get an emotional attachment to, for some reason.

That's exactly how I felt about my Cub 109, very faithful machine, definitely something different about my feelings for the CC, and I had a Wheel horse (which comes close) a JD and a Bolens all at the same time. upgraded to the JD for the comfort and power of a more modern machine.

 

[cwilson]

The older ones are actually more dependable and if i do say so myself much easier to drive...my lawn care has a new and old cub cadet and i love them both but i do perfer to work on the older model

 

[drivadesl]

After reading a bunch about older garden tractors, and the more I looked at them, I decided to look for a CC. I was out bid on 2 within an hours drive on ebay and missed out on a couple from craigslist. I notice that as popular as these are, they seem to be available. Anyway, there was one in NJ advertised in craigslist and I jumped at it. Couple of guys looked at it before me, but none pulled the trigger. I had decided on the drive over that if it was in any decent shape, I would take it. Cosmetically it was a bit rough with the multi colored paint job but the tractor itself had only surface rust at most. Started and drove strong, needed a VR and muffler but otherwise a 35+ year old Model 109. 10HP cast iron Kohler, Hydrostatic drive. I've had it home for a week now, and am thrilled with this thing. I won't be working it to hard, mostly to pull a trailer, and move my logsplitter. That and teach my son to cut the lawn and learn more about engines and mechanics. Eventually clean her up and paint it. Thanks for the input guys, you helped make a great decision.

 

[bontai_Joe]

After reading a bunch about older garden tractors, and the more I looked at them, I decided to look for a CC. I was out bid on 2 within an hours drive on ebay and missed out on a couple from craigslist. I notice that as popular as these are, they seem to be available. Anyway, there was one in NJ advertised in craigslist and I jumped at it. Couple of guys looked at it before me, but none pulled the trigger. I had decided on the drive over that if it was in any decent shape, I would take it. Cosmetically it was a bit rough with the multi colored paint job but the tractor itself had only surface rust at most. Started and drove strong, needed a VR and muffler but otherwise a 35+ year old Model 109. 10HP cast iron Kohler, Hydrostatic drive. I've had it home for a week now, and am thrilled with this thing. I won't be working it to hard, mostly to pull a trailer, and move my logsplitter. That and teach my son to cut the lawn and learn more about engines and mechanics. Eventually clean her up and paint it. Thanks for the input guys, you helped make a great decision.

I'd say you gat a pretty nice tractor. Looks to be in good condition, grill and front end aren't broken up, just needs some paint to look like new, I think.

 

[Mike.ASC]

Greetings. Just thought I would chime in my 2cents . I just acquired a older 71-73 era New Holland S-12 with a mowing deck and snow plow . Couldn't resist the price (free) . After getting it home and a good bath I quickly realized how good a deal I just got , this is a very heavy duty machine , 12hp cast iron Kohler shaft driven with a very beefy rear end , not to mention a heavy steel channel frame and tilt wheel .The only thing it needed was fresh gas . These obviously aren't as popular as the CC'c but they are heavy duty !!. I will try to attach some pictures

 

[Chalmers]

I am not familiar with New Holland but, that looks like a pretty heavy duty machine, and you can't beat the price. Congrats

 

[rcbe]

Greetings. Just thought I would chime in my 2cents . I just acquired a older 71-73 era New Holland S-12 with a mowing deck and snow plow . Couldn't resist the price (free) . After getting it home and a good bath I quickly realized how good a deal I just got , this is a very heavy duty machine , 12hp cast iron Kohler shaft driven with a very beefy rear end , not to mention a heavy steel channel frame and tilt wheel .The only thing it needed was fresh gas . These obviously aren't as popular as the CC'c but they are heavy duty !!. I will try to attach some pictures

Word of caution - don't be washing that tractor with a garden hose or (worse) a power washer. L&G power eqpt in general is not designed/made to tolerate water like an automobile. You will soon have probs with corrosion at electrical connections and other areas.
For routine cleaning, use compressed air or a good leaf blower. Then - when really needed - a pail of soapy water and a rag judiciously used followed by rinsing in the same manner - a full dry in the sun - a coat of good wax - it'll look fine and you won't be spending your good nature chasing pesky electrical problems later on....

M/W, enjoy that new ride

 

[LBrown59]

I bought a CC model 73 in 1986 with 38" mower deck for $600. It would have been about 15 yrs old at the time. About 5 years later I gave it to my mother and I bought a model 107 (hydro) with a 42" mower and a 36" snowblower for $1000. The 107 was about the same vintage as the 73 (1969-72), so it was about 20 years old when I bought it. Both tractors were used hard and regularly until
*I bought my bx1500 in 2005.
With even a minimal amount of care, they are virtually indestructible, built like an ag tractor in miniature. There seemed to be no amount of abuse they couldn't endure. In my 20 years of ownership, I found only one achilles heel - the wiring. The cloth insulation rots and creates shorts, but as was mentioned previously, replacement with a modern wiring harness is a relatively simple operation.

*Shortly after buying the bx1500, I sold the 107 for $700, and the 73, which was kept outside and in much worse condition, at least cosmetically, for $200. About 20-years of hard service for a net investment of $700. I was more than satisfied and a little sorry to see them go, but I just didn't have the space to keep them or use for them anymore. I know the 107 was going to be put to work (mainly snow removal as I recall). I don't remember for sure, but the 73 may have been going to be a restoration job.

I can't say the CC's are better than the other quality GT's of that era, like Gravely, JD, Wheel Horse, etc. I think any of them, in reasonable condition, will serve you well for general duty. There is something about the CC's though, that you just seem to get an emotional attachment to, for some reason.

Attached are a couple pics of the 107 before it was sold.

I bought a 2005 BX1500 to replace My CC GT2554.:laughing:

 

[EuropaChris]

Another tractor to look for are the older Sears garden tractors from the late '60s up through the mid 70's. They were manufactured by Roper and were built VERY well. Similar drivetrain layout as a Wheel Horse, and I believe most used the old cast iron Tecumseh engines. The "holy grail" was the SS/16 Suburban twin that came out in '73 and was manufactured until '79 as the GT18 and also a GT19.9. These were gear drive tractors with 3 speed/2 range transmissions. There were also hydro versions, but I don't know much about the "guts" of the drivetrain. The twins used Onan engines.

Evidently many of the parts are still available through Sears, but parts for the Tecumseh and Onan engines are becoming very difficult to get.

 

[welder1]

I have 2 of the older CC's. My first was a 1962 original, still have it but it hasn't ran in a few years. My weekly grass cutter is a 1981 red 582 that I purchased from a church that used it to mow 4 acres of lawn for 20years!! It had been replaced by some sort of zero turn mower and was sitting in the church's basement with a thick layer of crud on it and it hadn't been ran for 3-4 years. I took it home and charged(yes, charged) the battery and put fresh gas in it and it started up without much trouble. I have since replaced all of the deck spindles and did a paint restoration and replaced some odds and ends on it. The engine is the original B&S 16hp horizontally opposed twin. I don't know how many hours it has on it. I think the gage is probably on the 2nd or 3rd time around. It still cuts great and I wouldn't trade it for any of the throw-aways you can buy at the box stores. These mowers were built to last. I have the receipts from the original purchase of the mower and deck. You bought them separately then. This mower costs $3600 in 1981! You get what you pay for. Still going strong 29 years later.

 

[cub99]

Have a 1863GT that was purchased new in 1994 for the total of $5649 with the 48" deck, 42" blade and adapters included. Has the original Kohler Command 18hp engine with 1400hrs and still going strong. Kept up on the maintenance and haven't had any surprises. Downside on this model and similar ones of the era is the plastic pieces on the front. Is this considered an newer older model? Or a older new model? Gets used hard every week mowing 2.5 acres and just as hard, if not harder, in the winter keeping my driveway clean. Hope no one automatically dismisses these models just because they are newer than the "classic" cubs.

 

[highboy1975]

i would call that one a newer older one. its still the ih wide frame. as far as im concerned, the ones that are totally mtd are garbage. my dads 125 is over 40 years old and it starts every time and runs good and strong. most of the first 2000 and 3000 series are ready for the bone yard.

 

[Keith Outten]

I own a 1964 model 71 IH Cub Cadet. We cut grass with it for over twenty three years, it was retired about fifteen years ago when i bought a Dixie Chopper. The Cadet is still used to pull trailers and other chores.

The orginal Kohler 7hp engine was replaced with an 8hp short block in 1979. The cast iron tranny and front axle will never wear out. I have a four foot rear blade for the Cadet and the orginal mower deck is stored in my barn.
.

 

[GTSRider]

My 1970 147 has over 4,000 hrs on it and engine never touched, although tranny was rebuilt once.
Tractor is still in service.
I am original owner.
Pete

 

[highboy1975]

wow, thats unreal. i have a guy lives near me with a 1782 whos kubota engine didnt last longer than the tranny.

 

[coveredbridge]

I own a 1964 model 71 IH Cub Cadet. We cut grass with it for over twenty three years, it was retired about fifteen years ago when i bought a Dixie Chopper. The Cadet is still used to pull trailers and other chores.

The orginal Kohler 7hp engine was replaced with an 8hp short block in 1979. The cast iron tranny and front axle will never wear out. I have a four foot rear blade for the Cadet and the orginal mower deck is stored in my barn.
.

How do you attach that rear blade?

 

[Keith Outten]

The rear blade came from an old Craftsman tractor. I welded the mounting plate to a 2" square tube which fits the receiver on the back of the Cadet. The blade operates by manaually pulling on a handle to raise and lower.
.