I haven't been here in a while, but got some projects that were delayed by my broken leg that have seemed to take on new urgency with this early snowfall here in the Mid Atlantic. I am up and around and back on the job, though still limping a bit. This year has been hard on the Cubs too, between all the hot weather and all the rain, and family members unfamiliar with the tractor's quirks helping me out with the mowing while I was laid up.
Before the accident this spring, I was able to perk up the barely running 125 with a reground exhaust valve, and some lapping compound to get it running reasonably well, but I am starting to hear what I think is valve leakage again when I first start it up cold. The engine soon rights itself, but it could stand a proper rebuild. It does okay for mowing if you don't push it too hard, but I don't think it would do very well if I hung the QA-42A on the front with a tired motor, no hydraulic lift, and a loose hydro linkage.
The engine in the 129 seems to have more serious issues, mainly a misfire which develops once the engine is run under load for about 30 minutes. This tractor seems to have a history with this problem, once I fixed it by replacing the points, which had a cracked insulator, and once it was due to vapor lock resulting from an exhaust leak. Unfortunately, I have also seen this occur from a worn points lobe on the camshaft. I have also gone over the valves by cleaning them up, lapping them in, and taking care to adjust the lash slightly toward the loose end of the specs. I am open to ideas before committing to major surgery on the engine though.
Fortunately mowing is done for the year, yesterday I finished the lawn with the 125 yesterday afternoon, and mounted the blade and winter tires on the 102 last night. Here's to hoping for a mild winter!