Cub Cadet 122
- Thread starter Ives48
- Start date
Going to provide a wide range of answers.
$400- if running and in working condition. Mower deck has to be in excellent condition including the deck mounting frame.
Prices vary greatly by local. The $400- is a ball park figure. Next issue is the cost of replacing any needed or worn repair parts.
Photos are cosmetic only. You need to give the tractor and mower deck a physical before determining a value.
$400- if running and in working condition. Mower deck has to be in excellent condition including the deck mounting frame.
Prices vary greatly by local. The $400- is a ball park figure. Next issue is the cost of replacing any needed or worn repair parts.
Photos are cosmetic only. You need to give the tractor and mower deck a physical before determining a value.
The deck seemed to be in excellent condition. Were the cast iron end decks a standard feature? I did not have the opportunity to mow as we still have a few feet of snow. The current owner is a family friend and he purchased it from a local mechanic who restores tractors. How much would the value deviate from the $400 figure assuming the entire engine has been rebuilt and all worn parts have been replaced?
Thank you
Thank you
As Stanton suggested, check the local Craigslist for wanted selling prices.
My $400- estimation is based on selling prices in central Missouri. The Kohler engine is much less expensive to rebuild than the mower deck. Other needed parts, such as steering, will add to repair costs.
No deviation in price even if the owner told me that the 80 year old previous owner only rode it to church on nice spring days.
The mower deck appears complete in the photos.
My $400- estimation is based on selling prices in central Missouri. The Kohler engine is much less expensive to rebuild than the mower deck. Other needed parts, such as steering, will add to repair costs.
No deviation in price even if the owner told me that the 80 year old previous owner only rode it to church on nice spring days.
The mower deck appears complete in the photos.
gitractorman
501 Club
Welcome to the forum!!!
Price is TOTALLY dependent on what buyers are willing to pay. Prices of Cub Cadets have changes a lot in the past few years, and they really vary depending on geographic location. I've sold some beautifully restored CCs in the $2000 range, but you won't see that now as the market won't bring that. If that 122 is perfect cosmetically and mechanically, steering tight, mower spindles not wobbly, perfect tires, starts and runs perfect, I could see it being in the $1000 range. However, it's unlikely that it is perfect. Most people throw paint on them and do a quick tune up and try to flip them. I can already tell you that the seat is not correct for the year, but the original white seats are hard to find. In the end, it's only worth what you're willing to pay for it. We can help you if you have any mechanical condition questions.
Price is TOTALLY dependent on what buyers are willing to pay. Prices of Cub Cadets have changes a lot in the past few years, and they really vary depending on geographic location. I've sold some beautifully restored CCs in the $2000 range, but you won't see that now as the market won't bring that. If that 122 is perfect cosmetically and mechanically, steering tight, mower spindles not wobbly, perfect tires, starts and runs perfect, I could see it being in the $1000 range. However, it's unlikely that it is perfect. Most people throw paint on them and do a quick tune up and try to flip them. I can already tell you that the seat is not correct for the year, but the original white seats are hard to find. In the end, it's only worth what you're willing to pay for it. We can help you if you have any mechanical condition questions.
gitractorman
501 Club
Ok, looked closer at your pics and can tell you a few "picky" cosmetic things that are not correct. The mower spindle shields and mule drive hanger assembly would have been painted yellow originally, not white. Also the brackets for the rear reflectors, and the thumb button for the lift mechanism would not have been painted at all, just bare galvanized metal. Here is a decal on the back, center of the hood that would originally have been at the top, center of the dash, not on the hood. So, you can see that it was not "restored" but rather "repainted". Restorations typically strive for being factory new correct, and that level of detail takes considerably more time and much more knowledge then just repainting.
Welcome to the forum!
Those 122's are great machines. Rebuilt engine and "worn parts" replaced can mean totally different things depending on who you ask. The quality of those repairs can also vary greatly, depending on who does them. Example, hood brace has been repaired, screw heads visible on sides of hood. Proper repair would have been to weld, not putting holes and machine screws. Something wrong is going on with the steering wheel nut as well. Paint appears to be thin, quick rattle can fix?
If indeed the engine was PROPERLY rebuilt and the deck is sound, it would be $400 +?? Machine around here. All the "cosmetic" things previous noted can be addressed down the road if they bother you.
Best of luck.
Those 122's are great machines. Rebuilt engine and "worn parts" replaced can mean totally different things depending on who you ask. The quality of those repairs can also vary greatly, depending on who does them. Example, hood brace has been repaired, screw heads visible on sides of hood. Proper repair would have been to weld, not putting holes and machine screws. Something wrong is going on with the steering wheel nut as well. Paint appears to be thin, quick rattle can fix?
If indeed the engine was PROPERLY rebuilt and the deck is sound, it would be $400 +?? Machine around here. All the "cosmetic" things previous noted can be addressed down the road if they bother you.
Best of luck.
AL Farmall Boy
501 Club
It looks good to me! Not factory correct or perfect, but if the mechanicals were great and no issues, I would jump on it at $1000. That is if I needed it. You can't buy a riding mower for $1,000 built as tough as that one.
Let's not get carried away. While it's true that a new riding lawnmower costs more than a $1000-, you can purchase a narrow framed Cub Cadet, in pretty good condition. for my $400- ball park estimate.AL Farmall Boy":2r8exs3j said:
Next item is that the tractor is around 50 years old and will have issues.
I purchased a 122 at acution years ago for $400-. Work ready condition, came with blade and mower. I normally wouldn't have paid that much for a narrow framed Cub Cadet, except this one had the rear PTO.
Used the tractor for several years. The 122 tractor and deck are currently sitting in the corner of my acreage shop being parted out. Planning on using the trans/diferential and PTO in my standard Cub.
I have 3 narrow framed Cub Cadets is work ready condition. Spent the two previous winters going completely through one each winter. So I have a pretty good idea of the repair/rebuild costs. I have the 122 for spare parts, and another on the shelves.
AL Farmall Boy
501 Club
Just for curiosity, what would you estimate it cost to completely go through one from front to back, less labor/time costs of course. I bet it's less than $2500
I have the tools and equipment for a complete engine overhaul. Normally engine rebuild including parts is less than $100-.
Next major issue with the tractor is steering. Tie rod ends and rebuild kit for the steering sector, $125 to $150-.
Control arm to spindle repair is more an issue of time, not money.
Mower decks is where the rebuild gets expensive. A spindle with bearings, $150- each. There is always a new belt, blades, and some times a pulley.
Mower deck lift bracket, mostly welding to build up worn spots.
None of the above figures accounts for my time as it will take me several winter months to completely go through a Cub Cadet.
I buy narrow framed Cub Cadets at auction if they go cheap enough. From a $50- to $100- parts tractor: voltage regulator $75-. One mower deck spindle $150-, Starter/generator $200-, tires and other parts extra. Used the engine from a parted out Cub Cadet to power a home made log splitter.
Edit: I didn't list all the possible expenses in a complete rebuild. There is always possible need for tune up, wheel bearings, carburetor repair, any thing else that pops up.
Next major issue with the tractor is steering. Tie rod ends and rebuild kit for the steering sector, $125 to $150-.
Control arm to spindle repair is more an issue of time, not money.
Mower decks is where the rebuild gets expensive. A spindle with bearings, $150- each. There is always a new belt, blades, and some times a pulley.
Mower deck lift bracket, mostly welding to build up worn spots.
None of the above figures accounts for my time as it will take me several winter months to completely go through a Cub Cadet.
I buy narrow framed Cub Cadets at auction if they go cheap enough. From a $50- to $100- parts tractor: voltage regulator $75-. One mower deck spindle $150-, Starter/generator $200-, tires and other parts extra. Used the engine from a parted out Cub Cadet to power a home made log splitter.
Edit: I didn't list all the possible expenses in a complete rebuild. There is always possible need for tune up, wheel bearings, carburetor repair, any thing else that pops up.
AL Farmall Boy
501 Club
Yeah I see what you're saying. I'm just getting at that if you were going to spend $3,000 on a new riding mower, I'd rather rebuild an old Cub Cadet.
I think most people would agree, at least on this forum, that repairing and keeping the older IH Cub Cadet going is more cost effective than most "box store bargains", especially in the long run. Unfortunately the IH Cub Cadets don't bring the money comparable, seems like their value is decreasing. Most people want either something shiny and new or a bargain to justify investing in. I would buy the one in question here for $1k before I would spend comparable money on new junk, but reality is they are out there for what Eugene and I have suggested.
The last 122 I bought needed a voltage regulator and a little tweaking, I think I paid $275 for it. It had a replacement engine in it and the paint was original, but pretty good shape. I gave it to my son and he has mowed with it for several years now with virtual no issues.
Back to the original post/question, it's worth what you are comfortable spending, you have been given some food for thought to make a decision. Even a 100% restored CC will likely have issues, sooner or later, but should be something you would be able to address.
Best of luck,
The last 122 I bought needed a voltage regulator and a little tweaking, I think I paid $275 for it. It had a replacement engine in it and the paint was original, but pretty good shape. I gave it to my son and he has mowed with it for several years now with virtual no issues.
Back to the original post/question, it's worth what you are comfortable spending, you have been given some food for thought to make a decision. Even a 100% restored CC will likely have issues, sooner or later, but should be something you would be able to address.
Best of luck,
T-Mo
501 Club
I had several Cub Cadets in the past, most of them narrow frames, and most of them 104s. I sold/traded them all a way, but now I wish I would find another narrow frame Cub Cadet, mainly a 100, or another 104. I've seen them on the local CL, but some are just parts tractors, and others are overpriced, and then others have been ruined trying to make them into pullers. I'm in no hurry, though, as something would have to be sold first to make room and to somehow make the wife less perturbed with me.
About 10 years ago I paid $400 for a 122 from the orginal owner, running with a new Kohler 12hp replacement engine. The front end steering needs help but I wanted it for the $2k new engine. Anyone who knows cub cadets the 122 is sought after. In restored condition it’s worth between $1,000 to $1,500 if we compare them to the throwaway mowers of today.
I went to purchase a new 54” cut Husqvarna mower and the first thing the misses asks is what attachments does it take? It’s just a mower. So I purchased my 154’s and cub cadets.
I went to purchase a new 54” cut Husqvarna mower and the first thing the misses asks is what attachments does it take? It’s just a mower. So I purchased my 154’s and cub cadets.