model# from SN?
 

I have a tractor SN 385058 R1 and it has a 38" mower deck, about 42" wheel base and about 36" wide....and I am trying to figure out the model number. The SN on the real axel is 2050042U417764.

What Model do I have?

385058 R1 is a casting number, not a serial number.

Your serial number is the part after the U of the other number you posted which is January '72. The rest of that isn't going to help with the model. Any tractor could have come with any deck, and all of the non-SGT Cub Cadet garden tractors have essentially the same length, width, and wheelbase. If you give us the engine model number and whether it's gear drive or hydro we can tell you what it is. There is also a list somewhere that breaks up the kind code in front of the 'U' to tell what tractor it is, but I don't have access to that. The '0042' tells the tractor model; the '205' means it is a Cub Cadet built in the US. I'm not sure which digit tells which on the latter part.

Model # for Jan 72 tractor
 

Matt G......thanks for the help. It is gear drive. I can not find any number or tag on the engine! The whole tractor has been repainted. If there were a tag on the engine, it apparently has been removed. I want to order a new ignition switch, and air filter.....but parts houses are always asking for the model #. Suggestions?

Well, it's either an 86, 108, or 128. Ignition switch is the same for all, and the air filter is the same for the 108 and 128.

86:
Attachment 5338
108:
Attachment 5339
128:
Attachment 5340

Edit:

The 128 I pictured does not have the original air filter; it should have the same one that the 108 has.

is a 108 or 128 then
 

Matt G......Thanks. Solves my problem! It is not an 86 due to the muffler being the style on the 108 or 128. I'll order my parts! Howie

Glad that helped. If you look under the engine you can probably tell if it's a 108 or a 128. If the oil pan is flat and doesn't stick below the bottom edge of the frame, it's a 108. If it has a sump that extends down below the bottom edge of the frame, it's a 128 (or a 108 with a 12 hp). Also notice the hood decal colors...if the decals are intact, that'll tell you as well.

128 model...sump extends
 

Matt G....must be a 128 because the sump does extend a couple inches below the frame! Hood decals are completely gone, sanded smooth and repainted....ready for new decals I guess. Thanks for all the help. Howie.

With the above number, the model is: 86 and was built in JAN 1972

Roland Bedell
 

Thanks Roland. I will consider it an 86! Howie

If it's got a 12 hp, make sure you get engine parts for a 128. The 8 hp and the 12 hp are very differently sized.