Cub Cadet 123 with Loader Rebuild
 

Hello everyone. New to the site, but thought I'd start a thread on my 123. This will be a slow project that I've been putting off until my new shop was complete.

A little background: this was my late father-in-laws tractor that he used in a cattle operation. He was paralyzed in the Korean war and this little tractor was low enough for him to get on from the wheelchair.

The tractor has been sitting in a corner of the dirt floor barn for the last 35 years or so, and is a little rough-lol. It has a front end loader in pieces and a tiller on the back. I'd like to get it going and use it to till the garden and move a little dirt when my Kubota tractor isn't available.

In all it's glory!

Starting the inspection
 

To start, I just wanted to check out the motor. Bought a new ignition switch since the key was broke off in the old one. New coil, condenser and plug. Cleaned points. Ordered a cheap carb since the original was in pretty bad shape.
Hey, what do you know, it has good spark and turns over! Whoops, no compression. Decided to pull the head and see if it's rings or what. Hmm, exhaust valve stuck open, but cylinder looks good. Apply Kroil and tap valve closed. Turn over engine and repeat several times until it frees up. Works great now!

:Welcome2: How cool is that! This just might keep you busy for a while, but well worth it for the family. :GoodLuck:

Well, the head went back on fine, so rigged up a plastic bottle for fuel (gas tank is full of dried nastiness). It fired right up! Holy cow these Cub Cadets are built like tanks. If I can figure out how to upload a video, I'll post it up.

Yes, the family will get a kick out of seeing it again. It won't be quick or cheap though. I shudder to think of what the loader hydraulics and hoses alone will cost:bigeyes:

Looks to be an interesting project. Hydraulic hoses might be cheaper than you think. I'm not certain but I believe it has a fairly low pressure hydraulic system (someone here should know for certain). Call around a couple shops and see what lower pressure hoses are going for. Our Deere dealer makes about any kind of hose you could need, so does a nearby Oreileys and a lawnmower repair shop.

It's likely that valve will stick once the engine warms up. Should have pulled it and cleaned the valve stem and guide. Rust and gunk will wear the guide out.

Good luck to you on your project there Gravel Road :ThumbsUp:

And hey, :Welcome2:

I may just do that. The head is going to get pulled again anyway for a new head gasket and painting the brackets. For now, I need to be able to run it enough to check out the hydrostat after it gets an oil change.

Your father -in-law is appreciated for his service!:American Flag 1:

Really cool tractor and great back story. Love to see you get it going again!:beerchug: