Am I the only one in So. Cal.? 125 in Los Angeles
 

Greetings! I am picking up a very nice, very original ’69 125. Apparently it spent a number of years in some form of private “tractor museum”; I don’t know about that but I do know it looks like it’s never had a single hard day at work. I don’t have it home yet, and when I saw it, it had a dead battery so I don’t know if actually runs or moves. But it “RAN WHEN PARKED” about a decade ago. I know. I think (hope) it’s going to be fine, and the gentleman that I’m buying from said he made a point of starting it up each year. Although last time he started it he said the carb was acting up and it would not idle. So I know a carb rebuild is on the priority list. I know buying this is a gamble, but I have a good feeling about it; we’ll soon see. I plan to put this guy to work at a weekend, eventual retirement property in Ojai. But the tractor is coming without any implements and no hitch, so assuming I can easily get it going, I’ll soon be in the market for sleeve hitch, dump cart, rear blade, plough. Besides rebuilding the carb and replacing fluids and filters, any advice for first order of business? Also, as for carb, is it easy to tell if the carb that is on it is the original Kohler/Carter carb and not a cheap replacement? Thanks everyone; I’ll post pictures once I have it home and I look forward to sharing with and benefiting from this forum.

Welcome to OCC! Not many of you west coast guys on here, I'm starting to think there is no grass west of the Mississippi? If the seller is honest then you will have very little trouble getting it running, providing it was stored under a good shed or garage. You already know you have carb issues. While its probably dry, consider pulling the fuel tank and cleaning it out. If I had to guess, points are probably oxidized, maybe a gentle polish on those. Biggest issues I am finding on the 50 year old machines is that the wiring harness has dry rotted. I've ran into this lately on stuff we have been running for years, so take a good look at yours. Assuming you have a rubber fuel line, I'd change it while working on the carb.

Welcome to OCC..... :Welcome2:

I don't know why, but the West Coast must be sparsely populated with Cub Cadets. :Huh:

Welcome to OCC!

Hmm... posted pics last week when I got it home but my post is gone. Anyway, here's a pic again. Now to clean up the carb, etc. and get it running!
Attachment 98393

Welcome to the forum. I'm envious of your beautiful 125! That's a good looking tractor. It does looks like there were some PO modifications made, including muffler stack, front emblem above grill and the high back seat. But the tractor does look like it hasn't been used much at all!

Nice 125, you have there!

So far, not so good. Cleaned and rebuilt carb, cleaned tank, replaced sediment bowl, filed and set points, replaced battery, added gas, turned key and ... crank, crank, crank... At first it started to fire but wouldn't catch, then nothing. There's gas to the carb but seems pretty dry inside now. Pulled main jet and its dry. I have a feeling something in the fuel line may have re-clogged the carb. Or, soaking the carb in Pinesol is not as effective as I've read (though it came out pretty clean.) So either re-build again or just buy a new carb and be done. Also re-painted the tank, air cover, and some other parts in Dupli-Color School Bus Yellow as some have said its a really good match. Its not. Maybe they changed the formula as what I got is not even close. I'll add a pic in the thread where that paint was mentioned. Look forward to better days and getting this 125 going.

I had a very similar issue with my 100. Turns out I had some little pieces of contaminants that sat in the bottom of the fuel tank. They ended up making their way into my carb and clogged it up again causing the same issue you are having. Learned my lesson. Next time around I cleaned the entire fuel system (including the tank). Runs like a top now. :beerchug:

Its alive! I've been out of town the last few weekends but finally got around to rebuilding the carb -- again. This time it started on the first crank and runs great! Trans whines a bit; not sure how normal that is but will see if it sounds better after I change the trans fluid, which is next up. Oh, and getting rid of that "muffler", which is pretty obnoxious, and going back to a stock setup.