1450 value?

[LRiddle]

My dads neighbor wants to give me this 1450 for free. Says it only needs a coil. The ole it ran when I parked it line.
Not sure if I want it, or what I would do with it, keep it, use it or sell it.
Can anyone give me some info on the 1450? Are these good ones? Any problems with them? And what are they worth?

[TWheat]

I think they are one of the best made, usually came hydraulic lift, headlights ,cigar lighter standard. Old age will probably be worst problems. Worth?? Here, $250. to $500. depending on what it needs. Lotsa good parts on the one pictured

[Eugene]

Free, the price is right. What's it worth, not much not running. Running, working condition, TWheat's estimate is in the ball park.

I would haul it off, check it over, then decide what to do. If I decided not to get the tractor running, I would store it along with my other Cub Cadet parts tractors.

One or two parts from the tractor would easily pay for your time and effort.

[gitractorman]

Based on your pictures I'd go for it. It has the original tires which all look to be holding air, it hasn't been re-painted, mower deck looks to be in decent condition (no apparent rot holes or bent/damaged sides). These are really easy to work on and I'd say you could get it running in an evening or weekend. Although it's been sitting outside, it actually looks to be in very good, original condition, only missing the side panels and lower front grill. I'd be all over it if someone offered it to me. The 1450 and 1650 tractors are real powerhouses! I've owned several of them and would be happy to have another. The Kohler engine has a bunch of tin heat shields bolted to it, that does often make them rattle traps, but if you take some time, put all the tin back in the right places with the right bolts, they work really well. The gear drive versions (1000, 1200) were bad about tearing out the motor mounts, but the hydro versions (1250, 1450, 1650) rarely had this problem because the torque on the mounts is steady, unlike a gear drive where you're clutching all the time. As Eugene said, the parts alone could be worth a ton.

[T-Mo]

These were part of the quiet line series made in the mid to late 70s. Biggest concern is the engine mounts. They tend to wear out over time, allowing the engine to vibrate more causing issues to the drive shaft and hydro pump. Take a good look at the engine mounts. There are replacement ones out there.

The 1450 will have a 14 hp Kohler K series engine and a Sunstrand hydrostatic transmission. There were engine side panels on these models, that and the engine mounts was the reason IH called them the Quiet Line due to less engine noise. If he has the engine side panels, grab them also. The tractor isn't complete with those missing, and they do give the tractor a better look, in my opinion.

[LRiddle]

Yeah I think I'm going to scoop it up. Theres nothing to lose and if a new coil doesn't do the trick like he says I'll sell it. I would hate to part it out though.

[Eugene]

I wouldn't spend any money buying parts until I diagnosed the tractor's problem(s).

My biggest problem with single cylinder Kohlers is the carburetor gets gummed up from sitting for a while.

[LRiddle]

I wouldn't spend any money buying parts until I diagnosed the tractor's problem(s).

My biggest problem with single cylinder Kohlers is the carburetor gets gummed up from sitting for a while.

Exactly what I was thinking. I'm going to go with a minimalist approach and only do what I need to do to get it running and then go from there.

[T-Mo]

Some info on the 1450:

[BigBill]

Someone took off the side panels. Clean the points, clean the wire that goes into the coil. Clean the carb. Change the headgasket and enjoy it. Every used cc I get had a blown headgasket. Kolher recommends cleaning the carbon every year from the head and valves and replacing the headgasket. Of course no one follows that. When the head is off check for stuck valves too some penetration lube to free it up then oil it.

You have a 44” mower there too it’s one of the best.

Cub cadets are like potato chips you can’t have just one. There affordable, reliable as a stone and are workhorses so over built. Life before computer aided designs everything was over built. The old equipment was the best. You won’t see the new stuff last today for 30+ years.