Picking up a 104 soon
 

Greetings and sorry it's been a while. I sold my 2155 a while back and have been out of the CC scene for a bit. But some of the older members might remember the "Craigslist treasure trove" I posted years ago about someone nearby who had a bunch of old cubs in storage they were selling off. Well I'm not sure exactly if it's the same person but they posted again recently with many cubs and I'm going to hopefully pickup a 104 in the next few days after Thanksgiving. This one has the deck and appears to be complete. It also has the older style white tractor seat, not the newer style black seat, so I suspect it's one of the earlier 104s.

Is there anything I should be looking for when I go to check it out in person? It's over an hour away and I want to be sure I'm making a good purchase. Although for $200 I can't imagine it's a bad deal considering it comes with the deck.

I think that is Don's collection he is selling off. From what I hear, he had 200+ Cubs at one time and maybe still does. I just looked at the 104 on FB and it looks pretty nice for the money.

That's good to hear! I was going to go with a 70 for $350 but my wife took convincing so I went with the 104 since it has a deck I can cut the grass with it at least lol

For $200, the price is right! Still, I would check the rear axle seals for leaking and if it runs, check the clutch and see how it shifts. Not that those are not all fixable items, just good to know. Since you are driving a distance to get it, remember to pack a fuel can with some fresh fuel, a quart of oil, some PB Blaster (or other penetrating oil), maybe some starting fluid, light sandpaper to clean the points, and a toolbox (sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.) just in case. When I picked up my 126, I did not have a new plug with me and for some reason, the spark plug was removed and gone and that was all that it needed to run, so maybe a new spark plug. Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to you!

Cub Cadet 123

Im hoping since it was stored in a shop that the fuel lines and stuff are not cracked or leaking. I was going to take a battery and fuel but I don't expect to be able to do much with it before taking it home.

One thing, can I test the clutch and shifting without the engine running?

Probably, that is if the thing was left parked with the clutch engaged and the disc is not rusted to the plates.

I can't quite tell from the pictures but it looks like the pedal is not all the way down. Hopefully it's not rusted stuck since it's been indoors.

Well you could put it in neutral and see if it can be pushed, then put in gear (this might take a little rocking back and forth) and see if it can't be pushed



Not definitive, but something!

Yeah if it shifts and the engine spins, that's all I'm hoping for. Everything else can be fixed

Whelp guys it looks like I got shafted someone bought it out from under me! Or at least I think so, the lady said she thinks the 104 is gone but isn't sure she said so many people have been coming this past week buying cubs. I don't wanna drive the hour and not get anything...

:Snooze: You lose :Snooze: That $200 seemed like a good deal you need to act fast

I tried to get down there before thanksgiving but the lady didn't respond in time, and I work Thur-Sun so Monday was next available day...

Ya gotta jump on those deals fast. I've offered to send money to people to hold the deal but some people won't do that.

Eternal, what are you looking for? I know a bunch of Cub guys up your way that can maybe help you out.

Where I live, $200 wouldn’t buy you a hood or set of tires in rims. Any Old Cub or JD that runs will start at $1k , and if it’s decent with a deck expect upward as of $2-3k. Old JD 317 and 318 routinely sell for over $3.5k

Same here. If I see ever saw 200 dollar machine I would drive hours
and buy it. No matter what.
I am sorry you missed out on the 104. Sometimes work just gets in the
way of stuff a guy wants to do. Hopefully you will find another.

Ken

I'm mainly looking for one of the early models with the Farmall cub rear end and K-series engine. Preferably with a deck as that's the only reason I can justify it to my wife since I can cut grass with it lol. In reality I don't *need* it at all, my yard is only 1/4 acre and my current Snapper RER does the job just fine. But I can sell the Snapper if the Cub can mow

Well that stings a bit when you lose out, but you'll find another!
:beerchug:

Missed opportunities to buy Cubs
 

I know the feeling all too well...I've lost out on several good deals on Craigslist due to timing against other interested parties. I was determined to find myself an 1864 at one point. I searched CL several times daily, every day for weeks and weeks. I finally found one near me for $660 with 900 hours and needing restoration. It was up on CL for only 5 hours when I found it.

The 1864 has been fully restored and in use for the last 4 years. I posted some of the pictures I took of the restoration. They can be seen on page 60 and 61 of "let's see your cub cadets/MTD..." I restored two 1641's and the 1864. This website was extremely helpful in the process of those restorations! :beerchug:

This is what myself and West Valley are up against. You guys but g a run I g parts tractor cheaper than we can buy just the part. And they are few and far between.

I live within a 200 mile radius of Cleveland, Ohio...where cubs were made for many years. That has probably helped me find more opportunities to acquire Cub Cadet equipment with so much around. Lucky to live in the USA! :biggrin2:

The REAL Cubs were bult in Louisville, KY until MTD bought the line and moved the plant to Brownsville, TN in the early 80's
The rest in

Put what tractor your looking for here,maybe some of the other members can help look,just a thought

Cubs...
 

I don't have "real" cubs; just those cyclops machines produced by MTD stamped made in Cleveland, Ohio from the 90's.

I don't think I could afford to buy a real IH Cub Cadet. They are antiques! And we all know that antiques are more rare and in demand, fetching a much higher price in the market today!! :bigthink:

Even thought it says Ohio Your Cub was also Built In Brownsville, which did Not close Until the Mid-2000's starting in 2011, is when They really became Ohio Cub Cadets

The HQ's outside Cleveland and Cub had a separate HQ next door to the MTD HQ

BTW, the frame of the cyclops was basically an IH-designed frame with some MTD updates, IE the steering Tower. MTD did not start their own frame Until the Lawn tractors In the Late 1980s, then the 2000 series In 1994, and finally the 3000 series in 1998.:ThumbsUp:

BTW the 1st MTD Cub out of the Brownsville Plant was a 482 in June 1981.
Louisville Plant made the Last IH Cub In April 1981:ThumbsUp:

IH/Cub info
 

Sergeant, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge about the IH/Cub Cadet history of manufacturing in various places and after acquisitions. Very interesting!!

What makes OCC great, is people like yourself, willing to take the time to enlighten others about the many unknown facts that pertain the the Cubs we love and enjoy! Thanks so much!! :biggrin2: