wHAT WOULD YOU DO?

[papaglide]

Here is my dilemma:

A 2004 LT1018 needing approx $625 worth of servicing, new belts, blade sharpening, new tires, new battery etc.

A chance to buy a CC 149 with 48" deck and snow plow for $650. The tractor is in very good condition.

My wife thinks that I'm nuts for wanting to get the 149 and not fix up the 1018!

What would you do?

 

[diesel_nut]

The 149 will probably still out-last the 1018 by many years.

 

[CCinCT]

The 149 is a better machine, but I'm kind of puzzled as to what servicing you need done that costs $650. Can you elaborate? For instance, why new tires? Most people get more than 10 years out of a set of turfs on a mower. Is most of the cost dealer labor?

 

[papaglide]

$55 an hour for labor and they estimate that the service will take approx 3 hours. Some of the deck belts have cracks in them. The rear tires have cracks in them and the right rear has a slow leak so I am getting new tires with tubes. Here's the rundown:
oil change $25.00
new belts $120.00
sharpen blades and balance $50.00
new air filter $10.00
new tires $210.00(all 4)
pick up/ del'v $50.00
3 hrs @ $55.00/hr $165.00 labor could be 2 to 3 hours
battery $28.00
total (estimate) $658.00

 

[ewilliams]

Definitely the 149. I own two of them and they are great tractors. I have 12 IH cub cadets and the 149 is my favorite. I posted a reply to your early thread, take a look at it.

Earl

 

[JTKub]

..Here's the rundown:
oil change $25.00
new belts $120.00
sharpen blades and balance $50.00
new air filter $10.00
new tires $210.00(all 4)
pick up/ del'v $50.00
3 hrs @ $55.00/hr $165.00 labor could be 2 to 3 hours
battery $28.00
total (estimate) $658.00

That is absolutely insane. I know dealers need to keep the lights on, but things like $25 for an OC and $50 to sharpen 3 blades?!? Most of this is all super easy DIY things. Tires can be had for much less thru a tire shop. If this is the type of work you need a dealer to do, I highly suggest you skip buying the old Cub.

Joel

 

[greenmule]

Well,I would[and do] all of those simple little things my self,the new tires part put some slime in each one and your good to go probably 5-6 more years,just cause they got a few weather cracks in them don't mean anything unless they are leaking and if they do have a small leak,the slime will take care of that.

you could probably do the rest your self for 100 bucks.

 

[CCinCT]

oil change $25.00

That's not a bad price at all, especially if dealing with the used oil is an issue, like it is for me.

new belts $120.00

I believe you have three belts: transmission, deck, and PTO. Considering most of them are the kevlar type, that price seems about on par with anyone else.

sharpen blades and balance $50.00

Blade sharpening should be about $5-$8 per blade. If you don't have the ability to remove the blades from the deck, then you're kind of at the mercy of the dealer on this one. If that $50 includes the labor to remove the blades from the deck, then I can see why he's charging that. It's expensive though, might want to consider getting an air compressor and an impact driver to do this yourself. Will take about 6 years to pay for itself just in blade removal/installation costs.

new air filter $10.00

Seems about right.

new tires $210.00(all 4)

Also seems about average, though you could possibly save up to $40 or so if you shop around.

pick up/ del'v $50.00

Don't know how far you are from your dealer, but I'm about 16 miles and that's about what my dealer would charge me.

3 hrs @ $55.00/hr $165.00 labor could be 2 to 3 hours

Wow, I wish we had rates that low around here. We are in the $70's and $80's here.

battery $28.00

Seems about right too.

The thing you should consider is that the 149 isn't going to be any less maintenance prone to what you have now. It'll last longer in the end, but it'll still require work. If the work listed above is not things you are comfortable doing yourself, or don't have the tools to do yourself, then the 149 isn't going to save you any money year-to-year. What it will probably save you from having to do though is buy a new tractor in 5-10 years, depending on how your 1018 holds up.

But, if you're looking to get into doing these tasks yourself, then the 149 is a good tractor to start with. It's rugged, simple, and will give you some exposure to hydraulics. Plus parts are still readily available.

 

[papaglide]

Guys I really appreciate all of the input on this one. As far as doing things myself, I like to do things but I get cold feet when it comes to doing things I've never done before. Like removing the blades and putting new tires on the rims. The oil change and belt replacing I could myself. Obviously the battery too. If I had someone to guide me on the other things I could very well do them but.

CCinCT: But, if you're looking to get into doing these tasks yourself, then the 149 is a good tractor to start with. It's rugged, simple, and will give you some exposure to hydraulics. Plus parts are still readily available.

The 149 would be the tractor that I would like to learn to tinker with.

greenmule:put some slime in each one and your good to go

What is slime?

Also, how do you mount your own tires?

 

[diesel_nut]

I agree with someone above. If you can't do most of those items yourself, you ain't gonna like having an older tractor. While they may last longer they also seemingly need CONSTANT small fixes and repairs. If you can't do them, then the shop is gonna make a TON off of you.