Purchase a running unit, or one to rebuild??

[red56turbo]

Eventually, I'd like to buy a 1650 to mow with and play around with a rear tiller, snowblower, etc. Every once and a while, there is one on ebay needed a rebuild due to thrown rod or fogging issues (smokin). What does everyone recommend. Spend a little extra on a nice running unit, or buy the rebuilder cheaper. How hard are they to rebuild. Thanks in advance.

Josh

[dyt4000]

It all depends on the deal, the tractor and your mechanical inclination.

[Paul B]

What dyt4000 said. There can be so many varibles with a non-running tractor it is probably less expensive to buy a running unit, specially if you are looking for one to use on a regular basis...........unless you get one heck of a deal . It can get kinda expensive to repair the engine and driveline on the Quietline series of Cub Cadets (800,1000,1200,1250,1450,1650)

[Snotzalot]

Um not as expensive to rebuild a KT17 out of an 82 series! KT17's worthless boat anchors......

[red56turbo]

Thanks for the replys. I guess if you buy a rebuilder, ya know what you have when you rebuild it. I've seen people put more money in "project" tractors, then if they would have bought a nice runner. I will just keep my eyes on the lookout. Guess it pays to not be in a hurry!!

Josh

[Snotzalot]

I bought my 1650 last fall for $400 which included a lawn vacuum. I probably put $300 more in parts plus my time and it a very good cub now, plus I had good fun rebuilding it. Plus with two major storms in a month the $700 has been repaid with the driveway plowing it did.

[BigBill]

I went looking at a brand new lawn tractor for cutting the grass and it was $2,700. I was about to buy it when the misses said what attachments can you put on it?? Smart woman she remembers the gravely's. I stopped dead in my tracks and gave it a few days to think about it. You can't put much on a riding lawn mower.

My point is I found a INT 154 running for $800 in a local news paper, Two cub cadets, a 70 & a 100 both should run, the 70 runs already. I also found a cub cadet 122 from the orginal owner for $400 with a replacement 12hp kolher. I'm up to $1,400 right now plus the fun of fixing them too thats priceless.

Even if it needs a little fixen its still worth more than what it cost we can't lose.

[red56turbo]

Thanks everyone for the replys. This will be my "backup" mower, so when one comes along at the right price, then it may be mine . Until then, I will keep my eyes peeled. Anyone out there have a 1650 they possibly want to get rid of.

Josh

[wdeturck]

Quite a few tractors come up http://ihregistry.com/forum/messages/74/74.html?1174893468 IH Registry Selling and if you get a user name you can post a request for what your looking for on the wanted site. The 1650 is the most sought after Quietline and there were less made so that keeps the price up on them. The 1450 or 1250 are both good tractors.