Why does nobody want these things?

[BHAM]

I had to get rid of some of my cubs and jd garden tractors this summer. Initially I had them up for sale extremely cheap. Nobody even gave me an offer. I said whoever wanted them could have them free. A jd 300 a jd 216 a Cub cadet 126 and Cub 129. A guy took the 129 but no interest in the 300, 216, or 126. YouTuber Taryl fixes all lives down the road from me I told him they are free. He said he already had too many projects. I sold a couple parts to my buddies and had to scrap them out. How come these things arnt collectible like they used to be? I had to scrap tons of parts and engines too. Even my old lawn boy push mowers.

 

[-CӞ]

Most everyone under about 45 years of age were raised to believe things to be disposable rather than serviceable, and most everyone older than that (+generally interested) is probably already out of shop space/storage space too!
Knowledge & fix-it skills are endangered species, I fear.

-C3

 

[Scot Lawrence]

How many times have we read in these forums, when a tractor is posted for sale, "I wish i lived closer".. I think thats the key to this problem.

I've also come across the same problem, trying to find a willing buyer, or even trying to give something away for free. I believe the root cause is: This hobby is just very small. There *are* people who want them! But not very many people. And the odds of finding one of those few people **within driving distance** are very low. There might be five people (just to pick a random hypothetical number) who would love to have them! But all five live too far away. And vintage tractors are almost never worth shipping, so they are always "local pickup only" ..

So, IMO, the buyers exist, they are out there.. but the odds of finding one that also happens to live close by, are low..that's the challenge. Vintage garden tractors is actually a very small niche hobby.

Scot

 

[spndncash]

if you really want them gone I will come get them. I am not sure what to do with them either but cannot let them go to scrap.

 

[dschwandt]

OK, You had them for sale where?
FB C/L, venues like that?
With pictures and full descriptions, standing tall, looking their best parked out in the front yard
Or sitting out back in the weeds??

 

[kzintner]

I had to get rid of some of my cubs and jd garden tractors this summer. Initially I had them up for sale extremely cheap. Nobody even gave me an offer. I said whoever wanted them could have them free. A jd 300 a jd 216 a Cub cadet 126 and Cub 129. A guy took the 129 but no interest in the 300, 216, or 126. YouTuber Taryl fixes all lives down the road from me I told him they are free. He said he already had too many projects. I sold a couple parts to my buddies and had to scrap them out. How come these things arnt collectible like they used to be? I had to scrap tons of parts and engines too. Even my old lawn boy push mowers.

Do you have any Model 70/100parts?

 

[Robert Payne]

How many times have we read in these forums, when a tractor is posted for sale, "I wish i lived closer".. I think thats the key to this problem.

I've also come across the same problem, trying to find a willing buyer, or even trying to give something away for free. I believe the root cause is: This hobby is just very small. There *are* people who want them! But not very many people. And the odds of finding one of those few people **within driving distance** are very low. There might be five people (just to pick a random hypothetical number) who would love to have them! But all five live too far away. And vintage tractors are almost never worth shipping, so they are always "local pickup only" ..

So, IMO, the buyers exist, they are out there.. but the odds of finding one that also happens to live close by, are low..that's the challenge. Vintage garden tractors is actually a very small niche hobby.

Scot Also most people don't have the "mechanical brains" to work on them, All my tractors i bought were "non running" tractors i picked up for $150, then another $100-$150 for delivery, all my tractors have the original Kohler engines (except 2), I do spend $100-$200 to fix them up, My next project is installing my Sportster motor in a "74 Wheel Horse, All my tractors range from 1971 to 1998, I HATE the new PLASTIC CRAP

 

[jack casey]

OK, You had them for sale where?
FB C/L, venues like that?
With pictures and full descriptions, standing tall, looking their best parked out in the front yard
Or sitting out back in the weeds??

Excellent point. Presentation is everything. Never ceases to amaze me why people list these Cubs without bothering to wash off the filth, with flat tires, with heavy rust....I could go on.
Cheers, Jack

 

[ctruex]

Most everyone under about 45 years of age were raised to believe things to be disposable rather than serviceable, and most everyone older than that (+generally interested) is probably already out of shop space/storage space too!
Knowledge & fix-it skills are endangered species, I fear.

-C3

Sad, but true.

 

[ctruex]

I love your ironhead wheelhorse!

 

[tkhoffman]

Geeze. The tires are worth something. It would be nice to swap out Summer/winter tires on the Cub. In a few weeks itll be Snow Tire Day. The kids come over with tires in trunk and we swap in the Snows. Kinda became tradition. Where in NY?

 

[abthomas]

I find the same in our area, I use to refurbish and sell within a few days or a week or so not anymore to the point I'm done refurbishing and trying to sell. I talked to our local cub dealer about this trend and he agrees most younger folks are either to lazy to cut their grass and hire someone, to busy playing video games or watching sports 24/7 and if by chance they are cutting grass it's on a zero turn where they can go like they're at Daytona and not on a 50 year old tractor ! Just the world we live in !

 

[dsarow]

Those of us on this site own and use our old Cubs to work and as an enjoyable hobby.We love to tinker,then go out use them,enjoy the operating the old girls.We bring them in,and evaluate the fun we had,now we grease,adjust belts,blow off grass,check and tighten bolts.Its probably not what the young bunch thinks is part of deal,They go pound them zero turns with their ear phones on,not at all enjoying the feeling we have enjoying our hobby.
My neighbor is part of the throw away society,he is on his 2nd zero turn,to each his own,
Patience is the key if you sell,you have to wait for the right person

 

[jonrick]

Most everyone under about 45 years of age were raised to believe things to be disposable rather than serviceable, and most everyone older than that (+generally interested) is probably already out of shop space/storage space too!
Knowledge & fix-it skills are endangered species, I fear.

-C3

I'm 28 and love old tractors. Grew up operating and fixing/maintaining a Farmall A and Super H. Though quite rare there are younger guys like myself who aspire to collect and maintain these superiorly engineered machines. I count myself very lucky that an old farmer took me under his wing when I was a kid and taught me all about working on Farmalls.

 

[Bob H]

I had to get rid of some of my cubs and jd garden tractors this summer. Initially I had them up for sale extremely cheap. Nobody even gave me an offer. I said whoever wanted them could have them free. A jd 300 a jd 216 a Cub cadet 126 and Cub 129. A guy took the 129 but no interest in the 300, 216, or 126. YouTuber Taryl fixes all lives down the road from me I told him they are free. He said he already had too many projects. I sold a couple parts to my buddies and had to scrap them out. How come these things arnt collectible like they used to be? I had to scrap tons of parts and engines too. Even my old lawn boy push mowers.

Where are you exactly? I'll take anything your giving away, I still have room (not much) in my barn

 

[-CӞ]

Where are you exactly? I'll take anything your giving away, I still have room (not much) in my barn

Ohio it appears

 

[Bob H]

Ohio it appears
View attachment 158380

Ohio is a BIG state, I was hoping for a little more exact location, but thank you for pointing out the obvious..