New Addition -- 1250

[Zipper]

Hello!

First post but have been using this and many other forums for research. Thank you guys for all the information.

Having owned a Deere 180 lt for the past 7 years I have found a fondness to these machines. I love my Deere and have brought iit back to almost original condition. I enjoy getting as much seat time as possible. My wife and I are remodeling the whole house and redoing all the landscaping, which made me realize how limited I am with just a lawn tractor. I finally convinced her I needed something else for the other upcoming chores. Of course this was the only way she would allow me to get another machine. LOL

Last weekend I came home with a 1976 Cub 1250. I originally looked at a 1650 with a plow but was not impressed at how molested it was. Things crudely welded, no real signs of maintenance and so forth. I knew I was not just looking for something to play with but one that was close to original and could be another restoration project.

The next day I called a guy that had the 1250 but was only saying to make a offer, no listed price. This one looked clean, and came with a few extras!!! It had the mow deck, a snow thrower and a rotor tiller. The thing that set this one apart from the others was it said it had a 4-way plow blade. Of course, as my luck seems to go, when I went to look at it, like the 1650, it wouldn't start. When we finally got it going, it ran so rough that it was only smooth at idle. Anything above that just shook the poor beast. I gave him a offer of $600 later that night and picked it up the next day!!!

That weekend, I washed her down, cleaned the fuel tank and played with the carb. I am so happy now with it!!! I think I am going to need new iso mounts but that is about it. The original owner had added the front hydro ports from cub for the blade. It works really great. I wanted mainly the blade and the rototiller. I need to still change the hydro fluid in it. It also has the hydro lift Cub 3-point. It didn't come with a sleeve hitch though.

I have 2 questions.

I have a friend that is a welder and he has agreed to help build the hitch. I want to do this right so, do we build it with a Brinkley style sleeve or try a modified 3-point hitch style?

My other question is about the ISO mounts. I work for a tractor company that sells the same style of mounts. We have many different sizes available. Can someone tell me the dimensions of the mounts and I can see if we carry them. It could give the community another resource for replacements!

OK, here is the obligatory pic for all of you. This was how it looked before I cleaned her up. Many more to soon follow!

[ACecil]

Congrats on your 1250!

[Terry C]

Nice 1250! As far as the rear mount goes, I would stick with a brinley just cause there is so many things out there that use that style. But others will be better to answer that question. I know olds built a 3 point that you can use brinley on

[Zipper]

Thanks Allen and Terry!!!

Yeah, I was thinking of just doing the sleeve since it seems the easiest. It is practically all set up for it except not having the yolk.

Hopefully someone can reply back with the iso mount sizes. I tried finding it online but didn't come up with anything. I am positive we carry them.

[vr4Legacy]

Nice find on the 1250!

I have a set of iso-mounts I removed from my tractor. I'll try to remember to measure them for you.

The bolts are 3/8" x 2 1/4" long. There is a metal sleeve that goes inside them. The iso mounts are the same top and bottom. So anything approx 1" with a 1/2" hole to accomodate the sleave should work.

You could also remove one of your top mounts and use it as a guide. They usually aren't too badly worn.

[Zipper]

Thank you Jason! That gave me a somewhere to start with. If I have time this weekend I will try to get one off.

[Alvy]

Nice 1250 with options, congrats. You're probably going to want the extended sleeve hitch since you have the tiller, just my .02

[ccguy]

Nice 1250 Zipper. Can't wait to see it cleaned up. Once you install some new iso mounts, I suspect the 180 will enter "retirement"!

[Zipper]

Thanks Alvy! That's a good idea. That tiller gear does stick out a bit.

ccguy, probably not. I love my Deere a lot. It cuts the lawn so nice. It will probably be used strictly as a mower and give up the dragging and pushing duties to the Cub. They will have to learn how to live peacefully together under the same roof. Speaking of which, I think I need a bigger shed!

[bkw3614]

That is a very nice looking 1250! It is unusual to find a 1250 with hydraulics, as those were usually reserved for the bigger 1450 and 1650 tractors.

I have a 1250, and yes, the Quietline series tractors usually need motor mounts, if they haven't been replaced. When you replace the ISO Mounts, there is also a modification to the engine cradle that should be done. That modification will protect your oil pan from cracking and other miss-alignment of your engine and drivetrain. Here is the link to the engine cradle mod: http://cubfaq.com/isomount.html.

I used the genuine Cub Cadet motor mount kit to replace my motor mounts, along with the engine cradle modification. My $.02 worth is to recommend that you do the same. The sponsors above have them. They are spendy, I am guessing about $90. for the set of four, but In my mind, well worth it. The guide to installation is here: http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7. Any other parts are make-fit or will-fit parts. Most of the time, they don't fit.

I urge you to take a look at the technical section, and download the service and operator's manual. They are a wealth of information.

Now, as for your shed. Yes, you need a bigger shed. Be sure, that when you replace it, you build it big enough. My guess is that after you get used to the 1250, you will look for, and buy another Cub Cadet, or two, or three, or more. Many of us here, including myself, have said that we just want a tractor. HA! My 1250 is my worker. I have a second tractor, a 782, in a refurbish process as I write this.

You made a good choice in a tractor. I say this often: "Quietlines are great tractors!"

Brian Wittman