Would you recommend fixing my old 129 or buying a new one?

[three4rd]

Thanks to everyone who replied. As soon as I get my tractor back from the guy who usually does my work but feels this job is just too much for him right now, I'm going to call another local dealer / service shop to come and pick it up. I was doing some reading on the ACR system just to learn more about it. The description of the problems that it can cause if it's not working pretty well seems to match what is going on with mine.

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by three4rd

You guys have encouraged me! I am a firm believer in fixing old equipment - probably to a fault in some cases. I found another dealer who would be able to get to my 129 alot sooner. He said the camshafts are still available in the event that the problem would turn out to be the compression release system as I mentioned in my other thread. I think it's worth it to repair, especially since I invested money last summer in putting in a whole new electrical system. I look at the new ones on the Cub website and there is so much plastic on them. Mine is all cast iron and steel.

I might inquire as to how much you think it may cost to get into the engine and replace the camshaft / compression release system if indeed that is the problem? Any ideas? Even a 'ballpark' figure would be helpful.......

Thanks!

One thing I noticed, and just not on the Cub Cadet line, is how cheaply the paint work is on them. You will not see any primer on the new tractors. Not a fan of powder coating, you will often see HUGE amounts of paint flake off with in a few short years. No one seems to know how to repair a powder coat paint job when the chips start coming. Not to knock on the new machines, but they are not built as well as the 129 is. Look at how long the paint has held up on the 129 at this point,....................

For me, I would repair the good old 129. Spending the little extra to go the little extra mile would result in another 30-40 years of reliable service.

[Flatbedford]

I think it may be damaged beyond repair. Best to get rid of it now. I know a place that will take it for free. PM me for my address so you can drop it off.

I had problems with the ACR on my 149. I opened up the engine last summer to look into it. Turned out the valves were just way out of adjustment. If you need the ACR spring PM me. I bought one, but did not need it.

[vartz04]

In a perfect world with a flat lawn of 2 acres or less I'd have my 104 for real work and cut grass on a new lawn tractor.

[Mike McKown]

If you are using that tractor to cut grass and other duties, I wouldn't fix the 129 (right away) and I sure wouldn't buy a new Cub Cadet.

I'd spend the money to find a 1641, 1862 or 1864 with a 48"/54" deck. Best handling, best cutting, most comfortable and most trouble free tractors CC ever made.

I have owned and cut grass with every series and mower deck CC has made, from the first Original to the last Cyclops over the years and the above is my opinion based on that experience. The Cyclops tractors don't have "parts wearing out" problems like the old tractors plus, parts are still available if you need them.

If you think a new one (newer one) is for you, just check Craigs List and note that the new ones have no resale value to speak of. That should tell you something.

PS. Last summer, the tractor I use to cut grass with (1641) had some kind of problem. Can't remember now what it was and the only tractor I could get to easily and quickly was a fresly restored 147 with a 42" deck. Lord help me. I thought I was never going to get done. The steering, seat, vibration and grass cutting quality compared to the 1641 was terrible.

[three4rd]

Flatbedford,

Thanks for the warning. I don't know what to expect until I see what they find when they open it up. I'm curious as to why you say it might be unrepairable? Even if the valves are out of whack, can't that be fixed also? Thanks for the offer of the new spring! I might take you up on that depending on what the problem is. I don't give up very easily on either my old 129 tractor or my '95 Buick Riviera (I could write a book on that one...way too long a story for this forum!)

Thanks. I'll hope for the best.
Keith

[three4rd]

Mike,

Thanks for your thoughts. That's really interesting about there being a lack of resale value for the newer CC. I have always used my 129 to cut grass, but also to tow a utility cart to collect and transport piles of heavy cuttings from long hedges of forsythia and other shrubbery that I have bordering my property. I also like the weight of that tractor to push snow out of my driveway with a blade attachment that I have for it. It has cleared my driveway of probably thousands of lbs. of snow over the past 30+ years. I don't believe the newer ones even have anything in the front to attach a plow (?), let alone the weight to do the job.

Best,
Keith

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

If you are using that tractor to cut grass and other duties, I wouldn't fix the 129 (right away) and I sure wouldn't buy a new Cub Cadet.

I'd spend the money to find a 1641, 1862 or 1864 with a 48"/54" deck. Best handling, best cutting, most comfortable and most trouble free tractors CC ever made.

I have owned and cut grass with every series and mower deck CC has made, from the first Original to the last Cyclops over the years and the above is my opinion based on that experience. The Cyclops tractors don't have "parts wearing out" problems like the old tractors plus, parts are still available if you need them.

If you think a new one (newer one) is for you, just check Craigs List and note that the new ones have no resale value to speak of. That should tell you something.

PS. Last summer, the tractor I use to cut grass with (1641) had some kind of problem. Can't remember now what it was and the only tractor I could get to easily and quickly was a fresly restored 147 with a 42" deck. Lord help me. I thought I was never going to get done. The steering, seat, vibration and grass cutting quality compared to the 1641 was terrible.

Mike, I sense a little here going on about the Cyclops tractors. Maybe if that tractor can / will live up to a 45-50 year old IH Cub Cadet, then tell us all about how parts don't wear out, and how much those can cost . Our "old tractors" have quite a few grease fittings compared to today's stuff. This gent could easily have a fully rebuilt tractor for 1k, or under that would, with care would out last him and some.

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

Mike, I sense a little here going on about the Cyclops tractors. Maybe if that tractor can / will live up to a 45-50 year old IH Cub Cadet, then tell us all about how parts don't wear out, and how much those can cost . Our "old tractors" have quite a few grease fittings compared to today's stuff. This gent could easily have a fully rebuilt tractor for 1k, or under that would, with care would out last him and some.

The Cyclops are KILLER tractors and I have to agree with Mike on that one. I like to think of them as the "Last of the Best".

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

Mike, I sense a little here going on about the Cyclops tractors. Maybe if that tractor can / will live up to a 45-50 year old IH Cub Cadet,

You are more than welcome to sense what you like. I've had them all. Used them all in everyday situations. The early narrow frames, the wide frames, seemed like every time I turned around I was buying a tie rod end, freshening up a loose steering box, replacing a mower deck spindle, buying a pto belt, mule drive pulley, replacing a broken spirol pin in the driveshaft, rebuilding the pto clutch and the list goes on and on.

I very first Cyclops I bought was a used 1860 with about 600+ hours on it with a new engine. I used it to mow about an acre and a half from about 1995 until a couple years ago. I don't recall spending a dime on it. At that point in time, that was the LAST TIME I used one of the old tractors of mine on an everyday basis.

In another yard of mine, I bought a couple of 1641's from the dealer's back row. One had 200 hours. I just parked it and it's stayed that way. The other had about 350 hours on it. I still use it today with close to 700 hours. Runs like a top. I've spent NO money on it but the steering box is getting a little loose and time to tighten it up.

Also have a number of other Cyclops, 1641's, 1864, 1862, 2084, etc. Nothing wrong with them. They are just sitting, waiting to be put to work. If you haven't tried a Cyclops, don't knock it.

Maybe you could use your little :bs flag and wave it at someone who hasn't been there and done that?