Opinions on buying a repowered tractor?

[Sam Mac]

Go take a look and get some pics if you want us to give you an educated opinion. It could be a deal or it could be a mess. We just don't have enough info.

[o---o]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Go take a look and get some pics if you want us to give you an educated opinion. It could be a deal or it could be a mess. We just don't have enough info.

It's a little far to drive to check it out without firm intentions of buying it, but I'll see if he'll send a pic of the engine today to give us a rough idea of what's going on.

[fourinchdragslicks]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

You really can't believe what "some people" tell you..... Mainly because they don't know what they are talking about.
All the twin cylinder Cub Cadet tractors (82 series and up) used aluminum engines. So did John Deere's, and all the other "big names".

Originally Posted by o---o

I did a Google image search of 582 tractors with the all aluminum Briggs and it appears they have some special shielding to direct heat out from the engine compartment. There's a good chance on a repower that these shields aren't there.
.

Hense the proper shielding mentioned. Aluminum is much less tolerant of stress cycling than steel is, so an iron block will "tolerate" a sloppier install job than aluminum (air cool only here) in an enclosed engine compartment.

If the owner wont send engine pics so you can verify sufficient ducting to hopefully prevent circulating the already heated air, I wouldn't waste my time on a significant drive, and if he would send, I'd have a good long look at it when you are there to verify what looks good in pictures.

[yeeter]

Well, given its a complete guess without more information I look for other clues.

That second tractor you posted in quite nice. You say its 'way out of your price range'. This leads me to believe the seller has a pretty good idea of what things are worth and pricing accordingly. So if one is top price, likely the other isnt a fire sale.

Then in the pic I see the rims are painted poorly, seat torn, and just looks like it needs some TLC overall.

The owner says he doesnt know what type of briggs. Big flags. How does he have a second cub that is so nice and high priced that he doesnt know anything? My gut tells me to be suspicious that he knows exactly what it is/isnt.

$700 is a lot. And it sounds like you want to do a bunch of work to it. I happened to find a pristine 782 series I for $450 once, and a basket case 782 (that ran great) for $40.

I wouldnt pay $700 for this one. Wouldnt make the drive. Wouldnt spend any more time on it.

$.02 based on almost no information. But its the best advice I can come up with.

[CubDieselFan]

Originally Posted by yeeter

Well, given its a complete guess without more information I look for other clues.

That second tractor you posted in quite nice. You say its 'way out of your price range'. This leads me to believe the seller has a pretty good idea of what things are worth and pricing accordingly. So if one is top price, likely the other isnt a fire sale.

Then in the pic I see the rims are painted poorly, seat torn, and just looks like it needs some TLC overall.

The owner says he doesnt know what type of briggs. Big flags. How does he have a second cub that is so nice and high priced that he doesnt know anything? My gut tells me to be suspicious that he knows exactly what it is/isnt.

$700 is a lot. And it sounds like you want to do a bunch of work to it. I happened to find a pristine 782 series I for $450 once, and a basket case 782 (that ran great) for $40.

I wouldnt pay $700 for this one. Wouldnt make the drive. Wouldnt spend any more time on it.

$.02 based on almost no information. But its the best advice I can come up with.

Well spoken. I could not add anything more.

[o---o]

Originally Posted by fourinchdragslicks

If the owner wont send engine pics so you can verify sufficient ducting to hopefully prevent circulating the already heated air, I wouldn't waste my time on a significant drive, and if he would send, I'd have a good long look at it when you are there to verify what looks good in pictures.

He still hasn't sent any, and yesterday I felt like I was "bothering" him with just a couple questions.

Originally Posted by yeeter

Well, given its a complete guess without more information I look for other clues.

That second tractor you posted in quite nice. You say its 'way out of your price range'. This leads me to believe the seller has a pretty good idea of what things are worth and pricing accordingly. So if one is top price, likely the other isnt a fire sale.

Then in the pic I see the rims are painted poorly, seat torn, and just looks like it needs some TLC overall.

The owner says he doesnt know what type of briggs. Big flags. How does he have a second cub that is so nice and high priced that he doesnt know anything? My gut tells me to be suspicious that he knows exactly what it is/isnt.

$700 is a lot. And it sounds like you want to do a bunch of work to it. I happened to find a pristine 782 series I for $450 once, and a basket case 782 (that ran great) for $40.

I wouldnt pay $700 for this one. Wouldnt make the drive. Wouldnt spend any more time on it.

$.02 based on almost no information. But its the best advice I can come up with.

I'd say your advice is right on, and confirms my thoughts that this isn't a good deal. The 70 is priced at $2000. He also has two other cubs for sale, and they look rough, but still it's hard to believe that a guy with 4 cubs doesn't know what engine has been swapped into one of them. And yes, I thought the silver painted wheel were horrible and a poor attempt at improving the appearance of the tractor. One of his others for sale has tarp straps holding the rear tire chains on. At least the others are priced at only a couple hundred dollars.