How old is my cub cadet?

B

BigBill

501 Club
How long will a restored cub cadet last? We’re almost 1/4 of the way into this century. Most of these cub cadets are from the 60’s into the 70’s. Some are pushing 50 years old. I think neglect is the biggest problem. The kohler engines are tough and if the oil and air cleaner is maintained they should last. I was purchasing used Kohler engines that were still in decent shape, I just ran one 12 hp aqs over a decade++ in a cc1000 wide frame. I’m thinking about stock piling some parts for them to keep them running.

How long can these 50 yo cc garden tractors last into this century.
 
BigBill":2cy3gng3 said:
How long will a restored cub cadet last?
Click to expand...
Unknown.

I have 3 running, working, narrow framed Cub Cadets and two more parted out on the shelf.

Been a while, several years, since I have seen any at auction. Use to purchase them just for the parts.
 
The K-series Kohlers are easy to rebuild and parts are still available. The transmissions were bullet proof and the frames stout and there were no, or almost no plastic parts. The design intention on these old machines were to last a lifetime if given proper maintenance. All of the above can be said of the older John Deere L&G equipment, Bolens, Wheel Horse, Case, Simplicity, etc. models built from the '50s (some from the '40s) up to the 80s, really.

Today's entry level models, Craftsman, MTD, Cub Cadet and yes John Deere, are designed for a 5 year life cycle. Longevity is only design in to the higher end models, i.e. John Deere's X series.
 
I beg to differ on how the old ones were designed. Any longevity was strictly unintentional. If they designed them to last, why would they come out with new improved models every couple of years? It was to entice owners to upgrade. The old model is no good, ugly, obsolete, worn out. Buy this new improved model and throw your old one away.

My recommendation is if you want to keep these things running, stockpile some parts. At least enough to last your lifetime. The people running these things are getting farther and fewer between, and eventually the market for parts is going to shrink to where it is no longer profitable to supply parts. There should be a stock of already-manufactured parts out there that will last a while when they decide to stop manufacturing (if it hasn't happened already). Eventually that stock will run dry. Might be decades, might be a couple of years. Depends on how many parts were manufactured on the final run, and the demand for those parts.
 
I’m seeing some new parts drying up already.

My running cadets should go past my lifetime. Probably my sons lifetime too.

I heard rumors of a older closed up cub cadet dealer who has a cadet grave yard behind the building. Might be worth looking into? Even the prices on non running cadets are going up lately.
 
When I need my Sthil products repaired at a small engine shop I wander through their junked mowers area.

Usually contains riders that the owners didn't want to spend the money to get repaired.

Haven't seen any of the older Cub Cadets there is some time.

Guessing, the small engine shop hauls the junked mowers to the scrap yard.
 
At my local power equipment repair guy there’s less and less used cub cadets to be purchased, a few years ago I purchased three non runners from him. Right now I need to check him out he has one sitting there. Sometimes it’s cheaper to purchase the whole cadet if it’s priced right. I know it’s almost time to thin the herd but parts is parts.
 
Eugene":1lqwldzg said:
When I need my Sthil products repaired at a small engine shop I wander through their junked mowers area.

Usually contains riders that the owners didn't want to spend the money to get repaired.

Haven't seen any of the older Cub Cadets there is some time.

Guessing, the small engine shop hauls the junked mowers to the scrap yard.
Click to expand...

I think there’s a cult following with cub cadets. There being bought up by pullers and restorers, this is why we’re seeing less and less.
 
Is there a listing on the years each model cadet was manufactured?

Right now I have,

CC 70
CC 100
CC 104
CC 108
CC 122
CC 128
CC 1200

I’d like to know how old they are?
 
Big Bill,

I'm not sure what your specific question is, the link you provided has the production range for the models you listed. Here's a serial number listed for IH produced Cub Cadets, showing a by month break down.

FB_IMG_1539826752123_copy_600x604.jpg

Hope this helps,
 
I have,

CC 70 with a new OEM 8 hp Kohler
CC 100 with creeper/tiller with an older OEM 10 hp Kohler
CC 104 orginal barn find like new 10 hp Kohler know
CC 108 with creeper project 10 hp Kohler
CC 122 with new OEM 12 hp kohler.
CC 128 with creeper
CC 1200 project quiet line

I believe they span from the 60’s to 80?
 
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