Comments Requested on this 122
 

I've owned this 122 since sometime in 1972. The serial number indicates it is a 1966 model if I remember right. I bought it as a well used machine and I've used it and my sons used it. I suspect they sometimes used it hard. It was used regularly until 2007 when I retired it when the throw out bearing failed.
The old Cub languished in the barn, other fun projects taking precedence.
So now it is time to decide what I want to do with it, repair, restoration, freshen up or sell as is.
I have a couple other projects in line.
A couple questions for now.
1.The seat cover was on the Cub when I bought it. I've had it covered with a cloth cover. Is there any chance that seat cover is a Cub cover?
2. Is the mower deck missing a belt tension pulley? The idler pulley is the adjustment for the deck belt. It does work good but I think I saw a parts breakdown somewhere that showed a belt tension arm with pulley.
Comments welcome.

The tractor looks in decent shape and has a well earned patina to it. The mower deck looks good and I changed my same deck to the adjustment you have. The spring tensioner was crooked and didn't work well.

I'd get it running and only paint if it's what you want

I think it looks great too, for its age and use. The seat looks like something off of a boat. IMO I'd keep it, fix it, and keep running it.

I like it just like it is. Fix it, give her a bath, and call it good.
That's some nice patina!

Terry

Of course you know who you are asking here right?
You were going to get two answers:
1 Keep it.
2 Load it on a truck and send it to me if you can't decide

I like the last one

Terry

heres some inspiration for you.

I would leave it as is.
nice deck.

I would keep it, but the camber seems to be off on the driver's left front tire---seems to angle too much inward....so I would look into that before she was put back into service, along with changing the fluids, rebuild the carb (if necessary), new plug, clean points, etc. for good maintenance.

Cub Cadet 123

raytasch, in regards to your qusestions:

About the seatcover, in the pics it looks like that cover is removeable. If so, does the seat underneath appear to be IH/Cub. That cover looks to fit the seat perfect so if it is an IH/Cub seat then who knows? I never saw one like that before.

About the deck, yours is OK, some with tensioner some not. I've had both and as JeffinPa pointed out the tension arms wear and then the pulley runs the belt crooked. I like better without.

My vote is freshen it up and keep it.

If it were mine I would keep it. I have a 102 that went through what yours did and received a restore job over a year ago. Those are real workhorses that just are not made anymore.

I would restore it, and on a side note, it always amazes me how much better the old goodyear tires hold up over the new crap they put on lawn equipment.

Thanks for the feedback and comments, guys.....and girls if there are any on here.
The caster is off due to a cracked hub, another reason the tractor was retired. I've toyed with the idea of replacing the hub but still open on that decision. I'll probably replace both of the wheels.
I believe those tires were original when I bought the tractor and I've not put new tires on it. They all are badly cracked outside and run tubes now. The tractor has never been left out, exposed to the elements.
Yes, the seat appears to be IH Cub original as far as I know. That cover is at least 42 years old, on the tractor when I bought it and showed signs of being used at that time. It is removable. All this is why I thought perhaps it was a Cub accessory. Probably not. The cover is beyond salvage now, anyway, extremely brittle.
The deck is quite solid. I've had to stop a couple cracks over the years but it is still in amazing condition, main spindle excluded. Main spindle on my "to do" list.
Question: Anyone have any experience tightening up the spindles, kingpins? These are worn. I've not determined if the wear is in the axle or the vertical spindle section, itself. Front end slop is the biggest issue with the tractor.
A bit more information on the Cub.
The engine was rebuilt several years and several hundred hours back. The PTO clutch was rebuilt and the drive clutch rebuilt at the same time.