Can I help my Yellow fever spread so more will be saved?

[dtanner]

Guys , I thought someone should start a thread for Ideas on how to make more people aware of what we enjoy with our Cub Cadet Tractors. They are such great tractors and often surprise me when I work them just how much can be done using them .I have a few attachments that do make life easier for me. My plan is to have at least 6 or 7 tractors ready for next summers big exhibition and have people drive them in the parade that goes thought our town to the main building where they will be put on display all week for people to see and ask questions about . what do you all think of this idea?

A few pictures of what I want to take in the parade.

And a few more . I will include my 1512 just because.

Just for fun the 62 O pulling my crapsman lol

 

[fcurrier]

 

[mfrade]

Don Tanner, you've put together quite the collection of equipment! And yes... I'm envious..ROFL!

 

[dtanner]

Thanks Mike ROFL ! ; someday I hope to get them all in one spot so I can take a picture for my shop . But first I will have to get a few of them put back together . My 61 original has been apart for a few years and a 108 is also.All in good time .

 

[jboelens]

I think I have the fever!

 

[thoffman]

John "B",
NICE! I need to come out and visit some day. I have a nice 1450 all lined up out you way but that dried up on me.

 

[jbaker]

John arn,t you missing one or two of yours in that photo

 

[dtanner]

John B

"WOW" Nice line up there . So I`am not all that crazzy ; well I`am not alone at this Tractor thing lol.

 

[mfrade]

John B., WOW! Another NICE collection! That's just awesome, and yes, you got the fever!

 

[lpalma]

Looking good Don.
John you like those nfs,I do also, up to 28 or so here.
I think Ryan has the most.

 

[dtanner]

Lewis Do-Da Palma
Or DO DA lol. 28 wow I will shut up about mine now for sure. But Cubs I thought for years were hard to find over here ; but last week I heard of a barn full of Cubs and attachments. Seems the owner has passed on a few years ago and a few have tried to by one or two ; but his widow wants them to go to someone who loves them Yellow tractors like her husband did. I just don't know where to put all those Cubs on my land. But Frank C says I should go see what she has and meet her and talk. I will do that soon . I will take some pictures for you all to drool over lol ROFL .

I sure can`t tell the wife that I`am thinking of even looking !

 

[lhinds]

Don I went to tractor supply for bolts, with my 100 and cultivator in tow on the trailer. Came out and there were 3 people waiting to talk about the tractor. I told them it was a 64 or 65 and we used it in the garden. They were impressed. So I unloaded and 2 of them drove it. They thought it had power steering. They all tried to buy it. The store manager asked me to come back When they have a sale going on and display some tractors. He even offered to pay me. I think that would help with our great hobby.

 

[wshytle]

Don-

This is a good thread and something we all should be concerned about. I believe there will be "yellow nuts" following us for future forum participation but it certainly doesn't hurt to try and boost interest. I don't have a group picture but there are plenty here to get the message through. If you leave any tractors in town overnight make sure they are watched somehow. It's pictures like yours and Johns that keep me interested. Nice!

 

[jboelens]

Don T - I'd have had my trailer hooked and already knocking on her door!

Jeff - yes - there's a few that aren't in that picture - I try to keep the 169 out of any photo's!

My wife just rolled her eyes when she found out I built a small heated area off my main shop to keep my favorite CC's warm in the winter. Thought I would be ble to keep 9 of them in there, turns out it's just too tight. Grrr!

 

[rmcshane]

I think currently I have 28 or so in the collection, and they are currently split between my place and my dad's due to moving out after college and lack of space! It gets hard to store Cubs after you hit the 20 mark.
I really do enjoy this hobby, and I can't say I don't have the yellow fever. I try and take my nice Cubs to parades and shows. I get a lot of criticism for it because people usually don't understand why there is a following for these tractors. That's a big problem with this hobby...I feel the people on the outside looking in do not understand how fun these garden tractors are to use and to work on.

 

[fcurrier]

I think a subscription to Cadet Connection would make a fine gift to someone who shows an interest in CC's. Maybe better yet, get him/her the first year of back issues while they're still available. If they're anything like me they'll start another collection - that doesn't take up as much room to store.

Sorry 'bout this, but "We all go, why not make the go more enjoyable".

 

[jstertz]

Holy Cow Don! This is a great thread! This is one of the first times while reading through the forum that I actually got out pen and paper to make notes on various comments made so that I could put my thoughts together! First, "HOW TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF WHAT WE ENJOY ABOUT OUR CUBS?" That is a massive question in and of itself. Some people who aren't hobbyists may never understand what you and I see in fixing, collecting, and using 40 plus year old "lawn mowers". They look at us and say, "Why don't you get rid of that old junk and buy a new_________?" They don't realize the connection that we have with these vintage machines. When the opportunity arises we can certainly share with them what we like about these machines. However, we shouldn't be surprised if they look at us with a blank stare or a sarcastic grin because they just don't understand. Those can still be profitable conversations though because you never know when their "throw away" lawn mower will break and you may be the first person they call for advice. I try not to be smug or stupid when talking to this class of people. I certainly don't want to turn them off to the hobby by being an idiot. If someone has never owned a vintage GT and you are advising them to get one, be sure that you are honest about the realities of owning a 30-50 year old machine. Unless they are completely restored, there are parts that will randomly break but IT IS WORTH FIXING! Most of these new "cheap--anything but cheaply priced" lawn machines aren't worth fixing and their failure rates are high and soon. So, showing the merits of the quality build that our beloved Cubs have is a must.

Second, we must remember the day and age that we live in. I am a relatively young guy at 36 years of age but I have noticed that every year that goes by more things that once were built with pride and quality are not anymore. As our products shifted from being made in this continent to Japan to Taiwan to China the quality has gotten worse and worse and worse. The technology mindset has also messed people up too. A brand new "smart phone" becomes obsolete in less than 6 months. So, why build it to last? They are just going to give you a new one when you sign your next contract anyway... That can be looked at across the boards when it comes to purchasing most items today. Build an item with just enough quality to keep people from getting ticked off. Well, I personally think that is beginning to backfire! Items today are so cheap that getting two years of trouble free use is almost impossible whether that is a washing machine, circular saw, or a lawn tractor! Generally people today are buying into this mindset because they don't think they have a choice. I'm not saying everything old is good and everything new is bad. I'm just saying that our society has had a real shift in the last 20-25 years away from building quality items because they don't have to. However, if you went into your local retailer and purchased a $2500 lawn tractor today and used it for 4 years and found out that the transaxle was shot. The retailer isn't a repair shop and so you track down someone who can fix it and they tell you parts and labor will add up to $1600 to fix it. If you are the common person in society today, you are likely to junk it and go spend another $2500! Doing this a couple of times would drive anyone to the breaking point and this brings us back to our hobby. We know the strengths and weaknesses of our Cubs. They've been field tested in the most extreme conditions for many years. We know that they do have parts failures from time to time but for much less money than a new tractor you can purchase one and keep it running for decades! So, if you want to suggest a tractor to a friend, coworker etc--***** their need and suggest something that suits them. My dad had reached the end of his patience with his Scotts throw away. After assessing his needs, I thought he would be happy with a 149. I knew he liked the simplicity of the old K series single cylinder but needed the hydro lift for snowblowing duties. Don't suggest an original to someone who is used to a modern machine...(to be continued)

 

[jstertz]

Third, you have a group of people like us who are capable of tinkering with their own machine and likely wouldn't mind owning a couple if they had the chance...this was me just five years ago. This quote was from my first post on this website--"How durable are these tractors. I would like to purchase it, repaint it, and sell my 1050 LT. Are there common wear points to look for? Tell tale signs of problems with the hydro unit, rear end, p steering, etc. Any thoughts on the price or durability of these machines would be much appreciated by this newbie!" I knew nothing of old Cub Cadets at that time but I just knew that the 2086 I was looking at was a much more beastly machine than the CC1050LT I owned at the time. I ended up buying my 1772 CubKub instead and selling the LT and I've owned about a dozen tractors since then. I currently have five in my "den" but I have a real passion for them and enjoy using them just like Don stated. You may own in excess of 30 tractors or you may just have a couple but you can have the same level of passion for these Cubs. Everyone has a different financial picture, storage space, and spouse! So you play the hand that you are dealt. If you can't have the thirty tractors like Lewis, Ryan, etc, enjoy and put to use the ones you do have. My situation won't allow me to do 30 AT ONE TIME, but maybe over a 10 year period or so, my revolving door will allow me to own over 30 of them. We'll see! I love finding them in a state needing TLC, getting them back going and selling them to someone who can use and appreciate them. Trying to spread some yellow fever to some of these people that are "on the fence". I really enjoy looking at the pictures and collections of those of you who have a bunch of these little tractors that I enjoy so much. John B--Love that picture of part of your collection. What a beautiful batch of NF's. Ryan hasn't posted any pics here of his collection but I love that shot from elsewhere on the site that shows them all in a line! I was great visiting Mike M this fall and just seeing a little part of his collection. I want a QL now since Dave S let me drive one of his at the Buck Creek Plow day! The stories could go on...

Suggestions--
Luther-- You hit the nail on the head! If possible, share your tractors with people. Give them some seat time on a little beast that has been doing its work for 40 years! That takes time but it can do more for their interest in the tractors than anything. If you have a reliable extra tractor and a neighbor or friends' LT breaks down, let them use yours for a little while and see what they think. This worked with a family member and a friend for me. Now they both own and use Cubs! If they are the hobbyist type, a subscription to Cadet Connection like Frank suggested may work well. The younger generation are going to be harder to snag but with some patient encouragement they too may see the interest and quality of these awesome machines.

My two favorite beasts of burden!

(OK--Just climbed off my soap box!!!)

 

[dtanner]

joshua donald stertz

Thanks so much for your input. I did enjoy reading your post. I like my Cub so much and know if I let others use them they will want there own. That is my plan !

 

[jboelens]

Josh - Perfect Diagnosis! I know that you cannot save all of them, no matter how hard you try. But - You can spread the fever to try to save more! I started with one very similar to what I remember driving when my grandfather worked at IH dealership - a cub 70.... but it snowballed into every 7hp model - and more. But - you have to maintain all of them you own - batteries, gas, carb's etc - So now I'm going to try to have an attachment of some sort for mine that don't "play" too often. I have quite the bucket list for attachments, but they are slowly getting checked off!