What can you glean from a terrible picture?

[1811Cub]

Those Cub tractor prices are not commensurate to the condition. The deck price is not out of line IF zero rot.

 

[Bret McFarland]

I’m looking for a project for my 10 year old son and myself. He wants it to be a complete rebuild and restore, but something that he’ll get to ride sooner than that would keep him excited.

I would say you obviously get what you pay for, and keep in mind that parts are getting much more expensive and harder to find. There are alot of good running tractors that people are selling to clean out their garage right now in the spring. Those deals may be more reliable than tractors sitting in a field like your picture shows. You might think you're getting a bargain ... but lookout. The less motor work the better, also a good reason to buy something running. Also might consider condition of tires -- another thing getting expensive and tire mounting prices are getting ridiculous at least in my area.

Good luck, sounds like fun times with your son!

 

[gary noblit]

Well Billy, you've discovered what some us know..Some guys think the old cubs are gold plated and they have not a clue what it costs to refurb one...Best you can do is say thanks for your time and walk away...There is no point in negotiating if they are that far out of line in value....I know where there are 4 sitting in the weeds for 10 yrs,the guy still thinks they are worth near a thousand each....

 

[tkhoffman]

That looks so much like a home I went to a year ago. Ambulance call, it wasn't the appropriate time to look closely or to inquire. Bit it did bother me to see so much potential lined up. Even if they were parted out to folks that are looking for parts.

 

[dsarow]

Well we went for a drive. A beautiful day (sunshine and comfortable) and beautiful drive (fields of bluebonnets and indian paintbrushes-my favorite).

We met Tom a nice enough guy, but, and I know there will be disappointment, he wouldn’t allow pictures to be taken unless we were putting down a deposit.

The CCs were pretty crusty. From the far end of the picture they were a 104, a 125, and a 149. The nearest CC hood is sitting on a Sears Suburban. He also had another 149 and 125, one of the quiet line models, and one or two more I can’t recall.

Any optional parts have been removed and sold. Other than that most seem pretty complete. He’s asking $600 for the 149 pictured and $450 for the 104. Mower decks are $100.

So while maybe some wiggle room on price it’s not going wiggle enough given their condition. CCs are a little rare it seems here in Texas, but I believe we will wait and see what turns up.

I know I should have at least taken pictures of the flowers for you all, sorry.

Just my opinion, correct me guys if I'm wrong or out of line but I would like to hear them run and drive so I could decide

 

[mgwin]

Bare bones tractors for those prices? You did the right thing.

 

[jack casey]

Billy,Looks like 5 yrs of projects..I'm talking cubs here....My opinion..no.1 are spark plugs in and carbs on,If either is missing there is a great possibility of internal damage to rings/pistons..If an engine doesn't turn over I would count it as a zero(the engine). I can't tell from pics if they are hydros or sticks. but both rearends seem to hold up well...Sticks ;the clutch is an issue to look at..linkage on hydros may be set up....These are all about 50 yrs old so removing any bolts becomes an issue to avoid breaking them off...All of them show starter/gen which are very expensive new and can be tested off the machine but have value....I recently bought a machine(blown engine) just for the s/g ...I don't see any decks in pics or blades,any available??In my area they would be worth about $50. scrap price for the machine so there is a locked in value....Estimates of repair Not possible to guess...The 3rd one in could be a 108 or 128 based on hood shape..They all have serial nos and be dated by that...There is a large amount of info on this site...The JD 316 is a popular mod...The pwr king is quite unique in it's size,no knowledge....Buy the cubs and go for it...

My Economy Country Squire, was built as early as 1951, the oem by Engineering Products Co of Waukesha WI. Later names were Economy Jim Dandy and Power King. May have been advertised as a poor man's Farmall. It had a pull start, rounded hood, 9hp Wisconsin engine, 3 speed, came with snow plow (why I bought). All iron, weighed more than 700lbs, it was a horse. Sat in weeds for so long it was hardly visible, front tires rotted away, still able to tow a short distance home. Minimum rust. Engine started after a few pulls, ran great. Where I learned that 8.50 AG tires were best for moving snow.
Check out Mission Manufacturing or powerkingtractor.com
Cheers, Jack

 

[lpalma]

See post #9 I like the part where you had to show him some money to take pictures...

 

[abthomas]

Well we went for a drive. A beautiful day (sunshine and comfortable) and beautiful drive (fields of bluebonnets and indian paintbrushes-my favorite).

We met Tom a nice enough guy, but, and I know there will be disappointment, he wouldn’t allow pictures to be taken unless we were putting down a deposit.

The CCs were pretty crusty. From the far end of the picture they were a 104, a 125, and a 149. The nearest CC hood is sitting on a Sears Suburban. He also had another 149 and 125, one of the quiet line models, and one or two more I can’t recall.

Any optional parts have been removed and sold. Other than that most seem pretty complete. He’s asking $600 for the 149 pictured and $450 for the 104. Mower decks are $100.

So while maybe some wiggle room on price it’s not going wiggle enough given their condition. CCs are a little rare it seems here in Texas, but I believe we will wait and see what turns up.

I know I should have at least taken pictures of the flowers for you all, sorry.

just bought running/driving 125 for 180.00 and 149 ( with k301) running driving in decent shape for 250.00 but these are Pa prices ! they'll get some mechanical referb and cosmetic touch up and make 2 people very happy ( I hope )

 

[1811Cub]

just bought running/driving 125 for 180.00 and 149 ( with k301) running driving in decent shape for 250.00 but these are Pa prices ! they'll get some mechanical referb and cosmetic touch up and make 2 people very happy ( I hope )

Those are good prices, even for PA. Everyone around here thinks their POS in the weeds is worth a fortune.

 

[dsarow]

Well said Brett,we know these rear ends are pretty much bullet proof. If a guy has a non smoker,good runner,he should not be afraid to fire it up for a potential customer. A little elbow grease and parts from our on site people, will make a rewarding project

 

[cub1961]

from what i can see of those, none of them are worth the money. but in your location, that could be what they cost. as someone said above, having multiple of the same or similiar model is definitely a help. i started out buying a 100 that was fully functional and bought a half dozen more narrow frames of varying condition to tinker with. i have went back to that first one a lot to figure out how some stuff is hooked up. this hobby takes patience and a lot of craigslist/facebook marketplace shopping and quick reaction to get a pile of stuff to work on without breaking the bank. this forum is great for info.