Should I fix up my old 129 or buy a new tractor?

[three4rd]

Hi,

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've been in communication with a very reputable engine shop that is just finishing a rebuild on a 301 motor - the guy wants $700 (with probably around $100 for shipping) or will work it up to nearly a complete drop-in engine for about an extra $100. This does sound like a good deal. Mine does have a slow trans leak (has for years) and of course burns alot of oil. Recently, the work that was done on it - since it wasn't running well - was to replace the one valve, re-plane the head, new carb, new voltage regulator, and a few other odds and ends. Worked great past few weeks until the other day when it threw a rod.

If I go new, 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. I mow a bit over 1 acre. It has been suggested to me by a local dealer to buy a new Simplicity Conquest (of course he sells them). Quoted price of close to $6k which would include deck and blade.

Thanks for any suggestions...
Keith

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

I also had an IH manufactured 1978 Cub 1450 which I ran for 26 years and 1200 hours. I plowed snow with a hydraulic plow and had a 44 inch deck which was just rusting through the second deck shell when I traded it in. The single cylinder cast iron Kohler ran well until the engine mounts failed and the engine dropped (unknown to me until the belt tension got too low) and wore the sides of the aluminum oil pan which had to be replaced. I then got an MTD manufactured 3235, in 2004, which ran well for a number of years but blew a head gasket due to loosely torqued bolts, had to have a badly leaking hydraulic control valve replaced ($600), and lastly had a bad vacuum PTO actuator and also blew the front seal in the Kohler twin 25 and was throwing out 1 quart of oil per 1 acre mowing. I traded it in in 2015 after 11 years (still had original battery) for an Enduro XT3 GSX with 54 inch fabricated deck and triple bagger. This, as far as I know, is still manufactured by MTD but is a whole different animal. It is built like a tank and has electronic power steering and electric deck lift. The tie-rod ends are twice the size of the 3235 and the steering is rock solid. No play in the steering at all. After 3-1/2 years (125 hours) it uses no oil and I have not yet had to clean the deck. I have a 1 acre yard which is very wet & muddy and long grass in the spring. I think it has a 5 or 6 year warranty. Mine was about $6200 out the door with dealer installed bagger. The only problem so far is the Differential Lock knob and button came off and got run over with the mower. The dealer sent me a new set under warranty without seeing the tractor.

Bob B.