Hot Debate: Which model should I get?

[amccune]

Good morning,

I've been lurking for a couple of days and searching Craigslist for a few weeks. My timing on buying a used "lawn mower" is probably terrible.

Here's my situation:
Just bought a nice place with 1.5 acre yard. Not huge, but more than I want to do with my crappy walk-behind craftsman bagger. There's also a significant amount of landscaping (ie - I gotta repair some rock walls) and we are already planning a big garden next year. Love my little tiller, but the two cycle isn't gonna cut it. We also have two driveways, so combining our need for a lawn tractor and a snowblower makes obvious sense.

I started researching older lawn tractors....naturally, I ended up here!

While I'm not discounting snagging a Wheelhorse, older John Deere or a Simplicity/Chalmers that might come along, I think I like the idea of a Cub Cadet because they are popular, and with that - the parts seem to be more readily available.

I've been looking, and it seems there are a handful of decent Cubs available right now, but most are 2.5+ hours away. I'm willing to drive, but I want to know which model will be right for me. I'm obviously leaning towards the IH cubs, but I do have a line on a 482 with a 44 inch deck that is in decent shape for $500. Seems a little steep to me, and there is no plow/snowblower attachment, so it's kinda useless until Spring.

I've seen 100's a lot of 125s, a few 129s, a 149 (seems overkill for me, but AWESOME) and a few others.

What do you guys think? Which model(s) should I focus on? I need to haul stuff, mow the lawn and plow OR snowblow (honestly, I don't have a preference)

Thanks!

[gcbailey]

if you have 1.5 useable acres, you definitely want a GT..... honestly there is no overkill, unless you have a small lot and mow it with a SCUT with a 60"+ deck. Personally if you're looking for a daily user, go for a later model wide frame and up. Starting with the 108/9 models up. I wouldn't fool with a 482, but that's just my opinion. One with a hydraulic lift would be nice if you do have a lot of snow.... even nicer would be the optional front hydraulic ports with an power angle blade! I'm not saying rule out a narrow frame, but for a daily user I would look for a later wide frame or 82 series, 682/782.....

There's a lot of pluses on each model, but models from the mid 70's and newer are going to be somewhat easier to find stuff for. But for the most part they are all easy to find parts for due to the interchangeability of the models and overlapping. Heck, if you want to spend the money on it go for a 80's model up SGT!!

[amccune]

Thanks for the reply!

The heavily landscaped part is on the back half of the property, and is cut off by a man-made stream. I won't be touching that with the mower, so its about an acre that I have, so I have to factor that in.

From everything I've seen, the 482 is decent, but its pretty much the lamest, somewhat decent Cub I can get. There's a 125 North of me with a tiller, mower deck and snowblower for the same price - it's just a 4 hour wild goose chase to get it....so I always feel like I'm back at square one.

So the 108, then going up higher? You think the 100 would probably be a bit too small? Probably right.

I've also seen a couple of listings with snowblower attachements that "need work" What in the world goes wrong with those that they need work?

Thanks!

[_DX3_]

A 108 and the 100 have the exact same engine a 10 hp motor. With cubs you will learn that for the older models the first two number will indicate the engine size, ie: 100 would be 10hp, 122 12hp, 149 14hp. The last number would normally indicate if the tractor was a manual transmission with 3 speed or if it had the hydrostatic transmission. Even numbered models such as 122 would be manual, 125 would be hydro. There are also things to consider such as tractors up to the model 147 were narrow frame and then the later models were Wide Frames. The wide frames are considered to be much easier to work on and fix when a drive line or transmission problem occurs. I personally would say to try and find a tractor with hydraulic lift and transmission. It makes lifting snow blowers, plows and tillers sooo much easier. I know a lot of other guys will give more information and suggestions to you. Just ask questions and start doing a lot of reading here on the different models that are available. Any cub GT is going to do what you need done with ease. Some are just better suited for your needs than others.

[amccune]

Very useful info. I figured out the 10hp = 100, and on up pretty quickly...didn't realize the last number.

The 149 had hydraulic lift built in, right? But it's available as an add on for other series...right?

I also have to think of space. We have a two car garage, and I would love to park the Cub next to my car (an old Diesel Mercedes) It'll be tight, but I think it will work. The 140 series might be a bit bigger.

Having the ability to add on to the thing is probably the most attractive part of these machines. It's like one of those kitchenaide mixers for the yard.

[Matt G.]

Pretty much any model would be more than capable of doing what you need. The ideal one for you will be one that fits your budget and makes you happy. I have had at least one tractor from each series, 1961-1996, and I can tell you that any of them will get the job done.

If you are wanting to use a snowthrower and/or have a lot of trees and other obstacles to mow around, I would recommend hydrostatic drive. Hydraulic lift is nice, but not a necessity. A lift assist spring will make the heavier attachments seem lighter.

I'm an 82 series guy (see my website to see why) but I would avoid the 482 for a worker for a couple of reasons; one, most of the engine parts are no longer available, and two, the rearend in it is inferior to the rear in the other CC garden tractors.

Due to neglect, most attachments need a little help after 30 years. For snowthrowers, the auger chain, drive sprocket, bearings, and right-angle gearbox will probably need attention. The auger is usually mangled as well and will need straightening. If you do a search on here there's a couple of people who have recently gone through their snowthrowers; that'll give you an idea as to what is involved.

[Matt G.]

149 has hydraulic lift standard. All of the non-super garden tractor (i.e. 100, 149, etc) models are the same size. The Original is slightly smaller, and the super garden tractors (SGTs...982, 1912, 1914, 1572, 1772, 1872, 2072, etc. to name a few) are larger.

There is a hydraulic lift unit available for all narrowframe (NF) tractors:

70/100; 71, 102, 122, 123; 72, 104, 105, 124, 125; 73, 106, 107, 126, 127, 147.

Hydraulic lift can be added to any hydrostatic drive wideframe (WF) tractors, and was standard on some models.

[amccune]

Awesome website. That loader looks like it was a real project.

I noticed there was VERY little info on the 482 anywhere. I'll pass. I was already leaning that way, but after hearing the words of wisdom here, I think I'll just let that one go.

I have heard of the spring assist. When I'm looking at one, how do I tell if its installed?

I've been leaning towards a 125, just because of their size and seeming abundance in this area (seriously at least half of all the older Cub listings seem to be for them)

Definitely on a budget. Would love to figure this out for $400 or less, but willing to part with a little extra cash if the tractor is right.

[amccune]

Stumbled on a 71 model with plow and deck for $500.

Haven't found as much info on the 70 series. 7hp, I know that. Does that sound like a decent deal? Pictures look like its in awesome shape.

[TEET]

Welcome aboard, you've come to the right place for sure!

Heed all the advice given above, these guys know what they are talking about! It's tough deciding on a tractor to buy from a distance, but with some research here, and asking questions your going in the right direction.

Like Matt said, stay away from the smaller 482-like lawn tractors if you can find something else. They are decent lawn tractors, but not really up to the task of tilling, or ground engaging implements. The sear ends are light duty, as is the drive system from the engine on back.

A hydro is definitely a plus for maneuvering around obstacles, and makes mowing, plowing or snow blowing easier when you can infinitely control your speed, and not have to fiddle with clutching, lifting the implement, changing gears etc.

As far as hp is concerned, I wouldn't let a smaller hp cub deter your decision making too much. As many will attest to, you can plow snow, run a thrower, mow, pull a moldboard plow...do pretty much anything with a 7hp Cub, that you can do with a 14 hp Cub, its all in traction, gearing, and using the hp to your advantage. I've run 48" decks, and 42" throwers with 7hp Cubs with excellent results.

Hydraulic lift really is nice if you can find a Cub with it, or have the extra cash eventually to add it on, but its not a necessity. A spring assist will make lifting implements much easier. I have spring assists on a few of my Cubs, and it really helps with easing the strain of lifting a heavy snow thrower the most.

Also....be prepared to get your hands dirty..at least a little Part of the fun of using 20-30-40 year old quality equipment like this, is maintaining it to make sure it will last another 30+ years. The occasional carb cleaning or rebuild, transmission or hydro fluid change, oil changes. These aren't the $900 box store junk you run till it seizes and replace it with another piece of junk...a little bit of maintenance will go a long way, and its really fun to learn how well built, and how amazingly well these old Cubs work. Treat them well, and they will last you, your kids, and your grandkids a lifetime.

If you want post up some links to the ones your looking at...some outside opinions might help your decision making process

Jeff (teet)