Do you buy cubs to just ROLL them or restore them?

[pattonacres]

This seems to be the topic of late on several forums ,not sure if its the same topic starter or not.
We part quite a few here and I always say if you want good parts you have to part good tractors.In the 10 years I have parted tractors and 10 years prior to that 67-69 Camaros I have never had a request for a worn out part in fact most people especialy on ebay expect new for pennies on the dollar.

We usually get 7-8 calls a week for good running engines (I don`t want to do anything to it but drop it in and go) a week .Mostly of late magnum 18s.New ones are over $2000. if you can find them.The only way I know to get a good running engine is to part a good running tractor,there isn`t a lot of profit in rebuilding nor is there much market for rebuilt engines and its quite costly which is why so many want a used one. We also sell lots of hydros,engines,rock shafts and other parts to dealers that have customer machines in the shop and new parts are NLA so used is the only choice or scrap the machine which happens a lot more than you think.

We also have many customers that the dealer informs them the part is NLA and the customers locate the parts used and sends to the dealer to install and save the tractor. We look at it as wee can save quite a few by parting 1? how many of the ones we part would end up in the scrap pile?

As far as making profit what is wrong with that? that is what pays the bills.Do you think for one minute that your employer doesn`t make a profit on your labor,every business I know of needs profit to keep the doors open ,your local dealer included.Guys buy these tractors (me included) and put many hours ,fuel and ware on vehicles,time to clean,take apart,store,pack& ship,answer emails,Yes we make a profit.

I think the biggest harm done to this hobby is guys drag one home and post pics and what they paid for it then a week later its for sale in pieces or together for 3 times what they paid.some things are best left un said

When I got started in this I was able to buy a machine ,clean,paint,rebuild etc and sell complete and make a profit,times have changed and I can`t get $500. out of a good running 149 anymore but I can sell the 14 hp engine for $400. all day long,or the deck for $200.I have had to adapt to the changing times or move on. Fact is many people just need a part and do not have a trailer,time to pick up or place to store another machine so they are happy to just buy what they need and not a complete machine.

We buy and sell quite a bit from craigslist,ebay,and the forums .I always love when I buy a machine and the owner tells me how many people emailed them and tell them its worth double or they are asking twice what its worth but have no interest in buying it,they always say if its worth twice then why couldn`t I sell it for all I was asking?

I think if everyone thinks of the tractors they have owned and fixed up and all of the parts they have bought used to keep there machine going that that would not have been posable without good parts it doesn`t seem so bad parting.