been thinking about saving the tiller tractor

ad356 · #1 05-27-2011, 11:55 PM

well im getting that tractor with the 3pt hitch, tiller, and creeper. i was thinking about maybe saving the tractor instead of parting it out. i was thinking about selling off my jd gear drive attachments, and removing the engine from the 112 and selling it cheap as a tractor minus the engine. the engine is a great running k301 that would fit like a glove in either cub if engine is needed. it was a good tractor for me but i think the IH's are built better and heavier. if i had two cub cadet narrow frames, they can also share attachments. is it worth having a gear drive tractor if you already own a hrdro(147). this way i could also completely strip one of the tractors down to the bare frame and do a full resto while i use the other machine. i rely heavily on my tractor to mow my 2 acres of lawn making it extremely difficult to take it fully apart if i dont have another machine to use.

i think the tractor im getting is a 122. its a gear drive, 12 hp, and its from the series right before my 147. its in the same series as the 123. is this machine worth my time and effort if i already own a hydro?

cosmetically the 122 is going to need allot of work, but it is complete. cosmetically its rough but i dont know if i can bring myself to junk it. the poor tractor might deserve better than that

ACecil · #2 05-27-2011, 11:58 PM

The 122 is worth it. I own one, and I love it!

Methos · #3 05-28-2011, 01:01 AM

I would keep both but I would use the 147 for the tilling duties. From my personal experince tilling with a 122 with creeper isn't as easy as a hydro.

ad356 · #4 05-28-2011, 01:38 AM

i really thought gear drives were better for tilling. never used a hydro. what does the gear drive excel at? hydros are far superior for mowing. must be something gear drives do better? what about the clutch on these machines. i hear that they can cause allot of grief

aagitch · #5 05-28-2011, 03:06 AM

I'd keep it and do like you said and eventually do a full restore.

Methos · #6 05-28-2011, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ad356

i really thought gear drives were better for tilling. never used a hydro. what does the gear drive excel at? hydros are far superior for mowing. must be something gear drives do better? what about the clutch on these machines. i hear that they can cause allot of grief

I hydro is great for the wide range of speeds you can achive. Gear drives are prefered for plowing. Using a gear drive while tilling your going to be on and off the clutch a lot. You don't want to over till or under till your garden it has to be just right. The only reason to have a creeper gear is for tilling or snow thrower. Expect to be on and off the clutch while you till.

The clutches work very well but they do require to be serviced from time to time. After all of these years it's still a great design that gets tons of power to the rear end.

bigdaddyjak · #7 05-28-2011, 09:34 AM

U can't beat the hydro for any task u ask of it, especially tilling! I have a half dozen of them. But I sure wouldn't turn down a good buy on a stick/manual. Keep looking for the sister to ur 147.

ad356 · #8 05-28-2011, 03:44 PM

pictures of that tiller tractor
as i said she's pretty rough

CC1450 · #9 05-28-2011, 07:02 PM

looks like a prime candidate for a restoration to me. Nothing a little elbow grease, paint and a few bucks can't fix.

young enthusiest · #10 05-28-2011, 08:48 PM

When tilling, a gear drive with creeper is far superior in my opinion. The manual lift is a bit if a task, but the consistent speed a gear drive provides is much better than a hydro, as it's speed varies with the consistency of the ground. It's best to have one of each!