New member in West Virginia

Guitar Guy · #1 03-08-2011, 05:44 PM

Hi all. New guy here, near Wheeling, WV. I'm in the panhandle, squeezed between OH and PA. I'm not a CC owner yet, but am thinking of getting one soon. My buddy got a 7 HP from the early 70's, for $325, and he likes it very well.

I just ran onto the OCC forum, and have been reading some of the posts. Maybe you guys can give me some suggestions on what I need, and what I should expect to pay. I live in town, so a narrow deck width would be good since I don't have alot of grass to mow, but I do have a garden, so I'm thinking maybe a tiller at some point, and definitely a snow blade or snow blower.

At this point, I'm thinking I'd prefer the pre '81 IH model, possibly 12 to 14 HP. I'd like to find something in decent used condition - not fully restored, but not needing a ton of work to be operational.

A couple of questions:

1. What would I expect to pay for what I just described above?

2. Are tillers and snowblowers specific to certain models, or fairly universal for CC models? Pricey?

3. Are there any model number charts available, or a way to determine year of manufacture, variations in models, etc.?

4. I found a somewhat local model 124 with 38" deck, and 42" snow blade for $700 ... it does have the IH logo on the front. I'm waiting to hear back about the actual condition. Any idea what year this is, and if this price is in line? I may be able to get some pics soon.

That's my story. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I seem to see quite a few folks from PA and OH. Feel free to give me a shout.

Josh

ACecil · #2 03-08-2011, 06:02 PM

Josh! Glad to have you!

_DX3_ · #3 03-08-2011, 06:14 PM

There will be some great input to your questions from more experienced guys here than what I can offer, but my first initial thing to tell you is that I think you will be better served with a Hydro unit as opposed to a gear shifted unit. Especially if you plan on using a tiller and or snow removal equipment.

There are for all intent purposes, two styles of tractors. Early model Narrow Frame units up to about 1972. Then Wide Frame unit from there on out. Both are excellent tractors to have. Myself I have had both, but I prefer Wide Frame tractors because of ease to repair. Narrow frame hydros would be the 123, 125, 107, and 127, and 147. The Wide Frame hydro's are the 109, 129, 149, 169, the Quiet Line series are the 1250, 1450, and 1650. Then you have the 82 series but I am not sure what the model numbers are for all the hydro's in this series.

The first two numbers in each of the models from Narrow Frames up to Wide Frames will be the hp rating for that model's engine. If you don't have that big of a yard, a 38 inch deck would work great and possibly a 42 inch deck. If you plan to use heavy implements I would try to find a hydraulic or electric lift instead of the manual hand lift. But if you do get a manual hand lift you can purchase a spring assist that helps aiding in lifting the implements.

Prices can vary so much geographically. Around here for what you are wanting, a good tractor will run $500 to $1000 and this could include some of the items you would like to have. Tillers tend to be in the $200 to $400 range. Snow blades @ $150 to $200. Snowblowers maybe @ $300 and up.

I do know this, you will not regret getting a great old Cub. Correctly maintained and fixed it will probably outlive you

. Hope you find what you are needing and please keep us posted. You might put an add in the wanted section here in the forum and see if any of our members can help you out with what you need.

gcbailey · #4 03-08-2011, 06:20 PM

Hey hey!!!! I'm down here at your polar opposite. I'm in between Princeton/Bluefield. Hopefully you will have better IH Cub luck than I do down this way.

Methos · #5 03-08-2011, 07:33 PM

DX3 has given you some great info. I too would say a hydro unit would fit your needs better. The reason is that the gear drives would need a creeper gear for the tiller and snow thrower.

Guitar Guy · #6 03-08-2011, 08:23 PM

Thx guys. Yes, good info DX3, thx. Gary, you are way down south. I rode the Hatfield / McCoy dirtbike trails down that way a while back.

I'm a little surprised at the support for the hydros. I was always a little partial to the manual shift transmissions, not sure why.

What is the deal with the granny gear? Some just come with it, and some do not?

I appreciate the info., I'm learning things already.

Josh

gcbailey · #7 03-09-2011, 06:58 AM

My O is a gear and the 127 is a hydro... I'm not the expert but my only reasoning is with a gear even in 1st without a creeper you'd have to ride the clutch to get it slooooow enough at times to deal with snow or hard ground and you'd prematurely burn something up in the clutch. With a hydro you can truly creep along without worrying about burning anything up. I love my 127... I've got a '09 CC GT, but I can definitely say that the '71 127 by far has a much more powerful hydro unit in it.

It seems like right now it's easier to find stuff for wide frames vs. narrow frames... I've always been fonder of the narrow frames for the "old school" look, but here lately the later wide frames have been growing on me, especially the red '82 series....

The creeper gear was a factory option just to get you that much slower when you need it. All the ones I've found on epay in working shape have went for at least $250....

My grandparents have a lot of property on the H/M trail in Wyoming county it's a nice place to ride at...

johncub7172 · #8 03-10-2011, 03:17 AM

Glad to have you here! These tractors are the best hands down! You must think about what you would like to do with your set up. My garden patches have been in use year after year. Some gear drive are geared lower than others. And if you have not tried, you do not know. It is RECOMENDED a gear reduction unit applicable when using the IH #1 tiller. You should know the tine life of a tiller's tine's to be able to judge a worn one from a good one. Keep in mind the fact of making new gardens every year v.s tilling the same. I'am on the road of proving the fact of needing a hydo. to till the same garden patch every year or getting along with a SLOW gear drive. There is no better tractor than the IH Cub Cadet. There is no better forum on the internet than Only Cub Cadets.net. When dragging the duel disk-gang, if you dont have hyd.lift, you will drag around your nice lawn to start your next row. The 124 is a good choice. We here at Only Cub Cadets.net will shoot you straight with the best GT and LT ever made! Thanks, Johncub7172