Bought a 126 for parts, buuuut...

[Rhoderman]

I've been hitting craigslist for several weeks now, hoping to find a junker that had a few of the parts I'm wanting for my 122 rebuild. I needed a gas tank, better carb, steering or rebuild it, steering linkages, and a few other items.

Somebody posted a very non-descript ad for simply a cub cadet. No mention of year, tractor number, or anything. I kept calling and getting an answering machine that was full, or no answer. Finally yesterday I got through to someone, and he had hauled it to Denver to try to sell it. Much better than me going up into the mountains, so I hitched up the trailer and went to see it.

He had said it was a 126, so after a bit of surfing the internet, I figured maybe some of the parts I'm looking for would be intact, and the price was very nice.

When I got there, it looked like it had been used, but not abused. He said a valve was stuck, but he got it unstuck. He hadn't put it all back together yet, but the starter-gen spun, and it didn't sound bad at all. I bought it.

Once I got her home, I got to thinking maybe I should keep this one and send the 122 packing. However, there's something about the 122 that I like, even if it has been beat to death by a previous owner. The engine is in a shop, waiting for some parts, and I'll put it all back together soon.

So now I have some questions for my fellow Cub addicts:
Which one should I focus on?
Is there one that is more desirable over the other?
Would one be better for snow-plowing and trailer pulling?

I can make one from the two quite easily. I can end up with two if I buy some more parts, if I can find them that is. I plan to not use either one for mowing ever again.

Thanks fellas (and gals, if any) for any input!

Jim

Oh, and here is what everyone always wants, pictures!!!







Of course we get some snow to add to the fun...

[camarokidz28]

buy some more parts and get them going
nice lookin cub

[wshytle]

Rhoderman,

I'd continue on with the 122 and trying to get the parts for her. Clean the 126 up, make the little list of things needing attention, and be a two cub owner. The next best thing to owning one cub is owning two.

There are enough people out there parting out cubs so.....

Like's been said a many a time....just my $.02 worth. Wayne

[Diz Jr.]

Thats to nice to part. Keep looking for parts and fix both., :biggrin2.gif:

[Yosemite Sam]

Rhoderman,

HONESTLY! I can NOT believe you are asking us such SILLY questions!

Of course you want to keep both of them (you know that, and so does everyone who reads this thread).

It will be impossible to focus on one because now you have TWO (like having two girlfriends, you can't show one more attention than the other).

Yes, one is desirable but two is twice as desirable.

Yes, one would be GREAT for trailer pulling and the other one would be FANTASTIC for plowing snow, OR if you get two trailers and two blades, or one blade and a snow thrower, or two snow throwers and one trailer, then another Cub... The possibilities are nearly endless.

Anyway, while you are waiting on parts for your 122, spend a little time with your 126 and "get to know her a little better".

Honestly though, the best advice I can give you is, to start building a new pole barn now, you don't want to wait until you have so many Cubs that some are setting outside in the weather. BTW don't try to fight it, you have already been exposed to yellow fever, and in a very short time you will have ALL the symptoms, all you can do is spend as much time as you can in the garage and let it run it's course, if you are smart you will also infect your wife with the disease and life will be much more enjoyable for both of you.

Good looking 126...

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

Rhoderman,

HONESTLY! I can NOT believe you are asking us such SILLY questions!

Of course you want to keep both of them (you know that, and so does everyone who reads this thread).

It will be impossible to focus on one because now you have TWO (like having two girlfriends, you can't show one more attention than the other).

Yes, one is desirable but two is twice as desirable.

Yes, one would be GREAT for trailer pulling and the other one would be FANTASTIC for plowing snow, OR if you get two trailers and two blades, or one blade and a snow thrower, or two snow throwers and one trailer, then another Cub... The possibilities are nearly endless.

Anyway, while you are waiting on parts for your 122, spend a little time with your 126 and "get to know her a little better".

Honestly though, the best advice I can give you is, to start building a new pole barn now, you don't want to wait until you have so many Cubs that some are setting outside in the weather. BTW don't try to fight it, you have already been exposed to yellow fever, and in a very short time you will have ALL the symptoms, all you can do is spend as much time as you can in the garage and let it run it's course, if you are smart you will also infect your wife with the disease and life will be much more enjoyable for both of you.

Good looking 126...

[Roblynn]

Rhoderman...I would have to agree with the rest of the clan here. That is a real good looking 126. Take you time and get to know your new friend. I'm sure that it won't be long before you have another!!
Don't fight it....just learn to live with it. After all, there are lots of things worse in this world than a Cub Habit!!

[ACecil]

I agree with the other guys! I'd fix them both up. That 126 is very nice, plus it's rare!

[Rhoderman]

Thanks guys, for all the input. I'm almost afraid my wife will find it and use it as "evidence" when she draws up the papers... Nah, she won't do that, in fact she kind of likes the old tractors. Well, she did complain about my shirt sleeve smelling like old gas -- eeyuck, just sniffed my shirt and went and changed it! She was right!

I spent some time today working on the new old tractor. I pushed it off the trailer and towed it up to the garage through the snow. I torqued the head bolts, checked the carb, checked for spark, and got her fired up! There are still a lot of things that need attention, but it was a blast to go down the street in 3rd gear! Until I figured out there ain't NO brakes!! Good thing the street is long enough to get whoa'd down.

The carb throttle shaft is waaay sloppy, and it doesn't want to idle down for that reason. She burned a bit of oil, but less than my 122 did. The clutch is grabby, and the 3 holes in the disk are huge and wallered out (what causes that?). The front wheel bearings are FUBAR I think, it clicks when you turn slow.

I wasn't expecting the 126 to run at all. I'm still on the fence on whether to keep the 126 or 122. I spent way too much on the 122, and I know it. If I had found the 126 first, I'd be much better off. I read somewhere there were only 5,000 some of the 126 made, reinforcing the comment about them being rare. There were about 30,000 some 122's built.

I don't have room for either machine, but I hope to build a shop some time soon. I did buy another tarp for the 126, so chances are it might end up being my "second girlfriend"...

You guys kill me! I'm hooked, and you know it.

I just wish I had a warm shop though. Gas on your bare hands at 30 degrees isn't fun at all. But, cruising down the street in 3rd gear ROCKS!!! :biggrin2.gif:

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Jim

[CBH]

The 126 is one of favorites. I've had this one for a while and I don't figure that it will be going any where soon!