Farmall Cub

How much should a Non-running 1250 with the 50 inch deck set me back? Also, is there anything specific I should check when I go look at it? I'm used to Fcubs/SA and such... I've recently gotten it in my head I need a "real" riding mower - my cheap MTD is aggravating.

Thanks.

Non running - maybe in the $250 range. If the deck is in good shape, the deck alone is worth $150.

Find out why it's not running. If it was run out of oil and broke the connecting rod, plan on finding a new engine. There's a chance that it could be rebuilt, but often the broken rod comes back up and breaks off the bottom of the cylinder bore, rendering the block useless.

It could be something as simple as it sitting with bad gas or water in the gas though, so it's worth asking what happened and trying to find out before you purchase it.

Thanks. I talked to the owner on the phone and he bought it in this condition hoping to restore it. He said he's not tried to get it running - wonders if it is the carburetor. If I do a compression test that should accurately tell me if the rod is good, right? Also, what's your opinion of this model in general? easy to drive? cuts well?

Thanks.

The 1250 is a pretty good tractor. SOLID BUILT!!!! The 12-hp Kohler is a great engine, but the 50-inch deck will be a chore for it in heavy grass. That's about the smallest hp I would want to run the 50" deck. They put that same deck on the 1450 and 1650 tractors, and they turn it much easier, but the 1250 will do it for regular lawn work. The 1250 and the quietline series in general are really good machines, combining a lot of the old IH tractor designs into a quieter, tractor, but still using the old K-series engines.

You're going to have to work a bit to do a compression check. The K series AQS engines have automatic compression release. Do some research as there is a specific procedure to follow for checking the compression. You can't just throw a gauge on it. However, if it cranks over, and you get puffs of air out the spark plug hole, the rod is not broken and the engine should be ok. It may still need rings or a head gasket, and actually could need a complete overhaul, BUT the rod has not been broken so you have a huge benefit.