I ran across a super clean 124 tonight, a few questions
 

While working today I came across a garage sale with an original clean 124 sitting there. I returned on the way home and since they were just setting up the Cub was still there.

Looking at the tractor its all original including nice paint and stickers. There is no usual signs of wear and tear and appears that the thing was kept inside and cared for. No dripping oil or accumulated crud. Tires are solid and not dry rotted, wheels are clean and white. This one has the nice little plastic reflectors on the fenders intact. I was impressed and started asking questions.

The owner told me that it was their fathers and one day while driving it popped and stopped running. It was put away and the fellow passed and these folks obtained it. The pto clutch is missing and a pulley is in its place. The engine cranks over but wont spark. The folks selling it are really moving and did not spend much time on trying to fix it.

The engine is free and I verified the piston is moving by pulling the spark plug. There is a new condensor on it and the fellow says he has a new safety switch for the brake lever not yet installed.

On my scale from 1-10 its a solid 8-9 and that's said with reserve because its not running and the pto is missing. It only comes with a plow.

I could buy this for $250.00 .

The seller thought maybe the spark issue was the stator.

Could a guy go wrong? I would hop on this no question but, with 3 other tractors in my collection its a concern.

For that price I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Hope you get it.

I would be all over it. But yellow fever is strong in me.

I don't think you could go wrong. "Popped and stopped running" sounds like an electrical problem to me.

No spark issue I'm betting is dirt points or bad coil and for 250 ya better nab it up.

Would a coil pop? Without a doubt this is a deal and I hope I can put some pictures up sunday if the deal goes down.

If I would run into such a deal, I think I would buy it.

Yep
 

Sometimes an owners description doesn't mean much. Popped to them was just something they thought of for a description.

I bought a Dodge Pickup from the Mo Water Patrol several years ago for $600. that the operator said "died a horrible death" while pulling an ozarks hill. I replaced a wire in the distributor circuit and drove it for 4 or 5 more years. The gist of the story is make your own diagnosis. If it was running and quit, it probably is something simple. Go for it.
Dave in SW Missouri

It may be something as simple as a backfire and fouled plug...? You always regret the one that got away. If it is in your budget, then I don't think you would regret the purchase......take a chance!

Cub Cadet 123

Are you afraid that your 3 other tractors will get jealous?

Popped could mean nearly anything...

As someone said before make your own diagnosis.

Explain to them that someone in the next town has a 124 that runs really well and they are asking $325.00 for it... and you are torn between the two... and it's hard for you to justify $250.00 for something that you can't hear run... Find out if they will take $200.00 and a promise that it is going to a very good home.

A 124 doesn't have a stator........ Can't believe no one else caught that. :bigthink: