So I had the day off today and went to this auction.
It was a learning experience in different peoples definition of the word "restored". The auction flier billed the Cubs as "restored". Numerous times during the sale auctioneer stated that these tractors were "restored" and "fixed up right, just the way you want them".
This is just my opinion, but the majority of the Cubs were "10 footers". They looked good in pictures, just don't get too close to them. There were many tractors that had paint issues. Poor prep was painfully evident and judging by the amount of rattle cans that crossed the auction block that was the paint method of choice. I saw painted decks that had rust through on them, what's the point of that. Mechanically they all did run so that was a positive.
I think the prices today reflected the quality of the product. Not a single cub sold for more than 550 bucks. Sadly it was a newer Craftsman that got the highest price of all the lawn tractors, in the 650 dollar range.
The day was not a total loss however. We did come home with a 70 that was in nicer shape than the current one in our stable. It will take some work to get it where we want it to be, but it is a good solid start. We also snagged a pair of IH wheel weights for 90 bucks, which is below market value.
All these tractors were good candidates to get taken to the next level and properly restored. You could start with much worse.
I guess I had higher expectations based on the sale flier and pictures. To me a "restored" tractor is a little more than some rattle can spray on top of rusty, pitted, holey metal. Oh well, live and learn I guess.
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