125 Project

Smokey · #1 01-29-2019, 04:20 PM

Finally got myself a Cub Cadet and I think I bought the worst example of one in TN. It supposedly "ran when parked" 8 years ago. I picked it up from a closed small engine shop covered in weeds for $100. Yeah,I probably overpaid,but around here I never see any for less than $250. I've had to clean and adjust the points, unstick, lap, and adjust the valves,replace the head gasket, change all fluids, replace the carburetor, and replace the battery. Then I unstuck all the hydrostatic linkage and found out that one of the relief valves is completely stuck open. So,it runs but doesn't currently drive as a result of the valve.

cubs-n-bxrs · #2 01-29-2019, 04:28 PM

Welcome to OCC. 100$ is a decent price for that. Glad you got it running. Sad part is you will have to split the tractor to access the bypass valves. Once you get those repaired you will have a stout little machine. Good luck with your project.

Billy-O · #3 01-29-2019, 04:41 PM

Wow.... Glad you are into the rescue of this old tractor. Looks like you got the know how to get this girl running and I'm sure you be able to drive her around soon. Good luck and keep posting!

Smokey · #4 01-29-2019, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the welcome! After having to drag it around on four flat tires with a come-a-long "stout" is probably one of the nicer words I can use. I really like how this thing is put together,not a lot of small engine specific engineering, lots of car type design. Yeah,I know what I'm in for on the valves. That doesn't mean I'm looking forward to it though.

gtpicker01 · #5 01-30-2019, 09:45 AM

Glad you could save it! I'm looking forward to following along on this one!

IHCubCadet147 · #6 01-30-2019, 01:33 PM

Nice find! Do you plan on restoring it, or leaving it like it is?

Smokey · #7 01-30-2019, 03:13 PM

I'm not really planning on a full restoration, time, money, and practicality kinda prevent that. It's going to see use as a small tractor towing, pulling, plowing,etc. So I don't want to put a ton of time into painting everything, not to mention its bad enough to need replacement body parts in some areas if I was doing a full on restoration. I could, I have the skills, but I don't want to. I'm going to get it mechanically reliable and cosmetically clean it up. Maybe throw something on the rust to keep it from getting worse,a good bath is in order, new tires, make a grill,that sort of thing. You can expect to see more progress very soon, I'm on a bit of a time crunch with this thing. I work at a small engine shop and this is getting tinkered with after hours. The only condition of leaving it there while I work on it is that it needs to be gone by the time the season starts. Which here in Tennessee has started in March before.

Cub Cadet 123 · #8 01-31-2019, 10:41 AM

Perhaps this will save you a little time. There is a bent panel back where the fenders meet up with the frame, close to the seat. That is your inspection cover for the hydro relief valves. Open it up and use some PB Blaster on the valves if they are stuck in the up position. After they soak a little while, you can try getting a narrow stick (like a paint stir stick that you might need to trip down) in there to actuate the relief valves, the re-apply PB Blaster and work them. Hopefully, this will save you from splitting the tractor. It worked on my 125 when I got it from a swampy, mosquito infested grave, not too much different than the one you pictured.

The 125 is rumored to be the best IH cub cadet produced and quite possibly true for the NF's. It makes me glad every time I see another one saved and brought back to power. You're really going to enjoy that machine once you get it up to speed!!! Welcome to the forum and keep us posted on your progress.

Cub Cadet 123

Rmowl · #9 01-31-2019, 12:06 PM

That will be a nice 125. I’ve had good luck with unsticking the valves with PB blaster as well. You can find the correct grills for them also once you get to that point. Wonder what the piece of metal was for that is bolted to the lower grill housing

Smokey · #10 01-31-2019, 12:47 PM

One valve is free, but the other is stuck down. I've got the valve out and I'm doing everything in my power to unstick the valve, I might just have to pony up and get it rebuilt. I think it's a homemade plow pivot since there's an eye bolt below it. There's also a bunch of random hooks on the hood. I plan to actually keep the front hitch because it's been so useful.