Looked at a few Cubs today.....

[SS5150]

Not sure if I should leave this here or move it to the general forum, but I went after work tonight to look at a couple Cubs for sale locally.....owner knew he had an 1864 and a 1250, not sure of the other (a Cyclops). Anyway, they look rough in the pics, he has a low price, and an 1864, so I'm game to look.

I get there about 6, get greeted by an older man, says they are in the back of the lot, his son just had them running 2 weeks ago. He gives me a ride down in his Honda. They're all outside.

Get to them- a rough 1864, a rough Cyclops (which I figured out later is an 1863) and a 1250, and his LT1040 or something like that. I'm in shock at the condition, they are actually WORSE than the pictures. I'm talking like a 1 foot HOLE rusted through a 48" GT deck on the 63.

He says the 63 runs, but needs a governor (I'm thinking, ok that's junk). We can't jump it. The battery cables are trash (along with just about everything else). I take that back- it has two newer front tires. That is seriously about the only good parts on it.

I ask about the 64, no battery at all, but we can jump it and run it off carb cleaner. The carb linkage is frozen. Couldn't even think about moving it, but noticed the PS cylinder still there....although the stud on the spindle is loose. I'm still in shock at the condition of these things. It has a 54" GT deck, but there's no belt, so who knows how long it's sat.

I check the hours.....like 640 on the 63 and 840 on the 64. I'm thinking more like 6400 and 8400 with the shape there in.

It finally starts raining, (thankfully) so we get in the car & run back up to the house. Says he'd take $100 off each, the 63 & 64 to get them out of there. I'm seriously thinking that the pair of them isn't worth $100. I just thank him for his time and told him I'd have to think about it. He's 78 but seemed together, but he's out of his mind on these tractors. And he had them priced low to start with. I do need a mule for my 1861 and entertained the 64 for the PS but I seriously don't think the whole tractor is worth $100.

Now.....what would you guys do? These things are never going to work again, but what about parts? I gotta figure the engines are both trash too. Plastics are all junk. The only thing I know I could use for sure is the 54" mule. Should I make an offer on the 64? I really don't want to insult him but these things were horrible.....basically take off what I think I may use and scrap the rest. How would you guys handle it? Or would you just forget about it?

The 1250 actually looked decent, but I was afraid to ask. If it was a runner (which I'm not sure) I could see it being $3-400ish though.

[red56turbo]

One foot in front of the other and keep walking.............
Dunno, but they sound like parts tractors. If it were me, I'd walk away, or offer $200 for the pair. Ya never know.

[J-Mech]

I throw him a low ball/what you want to pay offer and see if he's interested, leave him your phone number and tell him to call you if he doesn't take them. Never know, he might take it. That way, you don't kick yourself later for at least not trying.

Where are you at in Illinois? I'm always on the lookout for parts......

I have a mule drive for you if you want it, PM me.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

I throw him a low ball/what you want to pay offer and see if he's interested, leave him your phone number and tell him to call you if he doesn't take them. Never know, he might take it. That way, you don't kick yourself later for at least not trying.

Where are you at in Illinois? I'm always on the lookout for parts......

I have a mule drive for you if you want it, PM me.

What John said. Where are you in Illinois? I'd be seriously interested in the 1864 if only for a couple parts. What did he have them priced at? You say he would take $100 off each, but don't say what he had them priced at to start with

In either case, they sound like parts machines. I'd make a lo-ball offer and walk away. If he takes it, you win. If he doesn't, you around't out much.

[SS5150]

The 1864 is really the only one I'd be interested in, but after looking at them, I'm thinking they aren't much better than scrap price. I'd been emailing him when I break for lunch the last couple days. I've really got no use for the 63 and aside from the tires, front axle and maybe the rear diff I don't know what else could be used elsewhere. I'm sure there's always the little odds & ends here & there. The 64 only interested me because of the power steering, but the mule was good on it too.

I'm in far north east Illinois......about 3 miles south of Wisconsin. Too much suburbia here for any good old iron Cubs to be around, although they show up from time to time.

J-Mech, is the 54" mule different than the mule from an 82 series/50c setup? I know Dad & I have a spare 782 mule but I thought it was different than the 54" GT mule. I think I'll shoot the guy an email on the 64 tomorrow and if he declines I'll drop you a line. Thanks.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by SS5150

J-Mech, is the 54" mule different than the mule from an 82 series/50c setup? I know Dad & I have a spare 782 mule but I thought it was different than the 54" GT mule. I think I'll shoot the guy an email on the 64 tomorrow and if he declines I'll drop you a line. Thanks.

Yep. It's different completely.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by SS5150

The 1864 is really the only one I'd be interested in, but after looking at them, I'm thinking they aren't much better than scrap price. I'd been emailing him when I break for lunch the last couple days. I've really got no use for the 63 and aside from the tires, front axle and maybe the rear diff I don't know what else could be used elsewhere. I'm sure there's always the little odds & ends here & there. The 64 only interested me because of the power steering, but the mule was good on it too.

I'm in far north east Illinois......about 3 miles south of Wisconsin. Too much suburbia here for any good old iron Cubs to be around, although they show up from time to time.

J-Mech, is the 54" mule different than the mule from an 82 series/50c setup? I know Dad & I have a spare 782 mule but I thought it was different than the 54" GT mule. I think I'll shoot the guy an email on the 64 tomorrow and if he declines I'll drop you a line. Thanks.

If things fall through for both of you, let me know. I'm in North West Illinois. Last time I was in Wisconsin, it was about an hour drive so who knows, maybe I need some odds and ends you don't. Never hurts to have an extra wiring harness or fuel tank around

BTW, good luck! I hope you can get some good parts out of the deal

[nikster]

There are people that STILL think they are sitting on a gold mine.

IMO.

I wouldn't even bother. the trouble & time of hauling it away, then to get a few parts off it? How much do you think your going to make?

You asked & that's my opinion.

NIK,

[Sam Mac]

I'd like to see some pics before I make my call but from what you are saying I'd pass.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

I'd like to see some pics before I make my call but from what you are saying I'd pass.

Agreed. Any pics you could share?