New to me...

Been searching C*list for older Cub Cadets and stumbled onto this one for a low price. Called and the owner said he had owned it for 10-15 years and had bought a replacement John Deere zero-turn mower last year; just wanted this one gone. When he told me where he lived, I had to laugh. He lives about two miles from me!

Went over and looked at it--must admit my mind was already set to buy it (I know, I know, big mistake), but I offered him less and he accepted. So, here are some pics of my new (old) Cub Cadet 147. The plan is to tear it down and put it back together. Didn't get the serial number off it yet (it was raining last night), but production years were 1969-1971.







Can someone tell me whether this is considered a garden tractor or a lawn tractor? Thought I read somewhere that lawn tractors are belt driven, whereas garden tractors are shaft driven.

Stanton,

I can't answer your question on if it is a lawn or garden tractor, but can say it does look like a nice one, whichever it is!

Congratulations,

Garden. Looks ti be in good shape.

Larry

All IH built Cub Cadets are garden tractors. The IH built lawn tractors were called Cadet. After Cub Cadet Corp bought the line from IH in 1981, they started using the Cub Cadet name on both the lawn tractor and the garden tractor models.

Yep, just like the tiedown strap says...........it's a KEEPER.

Looks fine. Is it running? Running well?

Hey Stanton, nice find and a mower deck to boot! How did I miss out on that one?

Stanton- If you are into cub cadets also you will want to talk to Mark at Cubfest. Bob

The PO said it was running last summer...we've all heard that before. But I have no reason to doubt him.

It turns over, but compared to a battery ignition mower (like my 14 HP Simplicity), it doesn't appear to turn over as fast. I replaced the spark plug, emptied/cleaned the gas tank, removed the carb and cleaned it out, removed the generator and cleaned it up and put a newer battery in--same result. When I tried to get a jump spark between spark plug and wire, nothing.

Would I be right to assume the coil needs to be replaced?

If I cannot get this running, I'll have to sell it to someone who knows more about 'em than I--which would probably be most of you!

Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Those engines don't turn over very quickly. It is normal for it to seem too slow. I'd clean or replace the ignition points and make sure the wire leading to the points isn't pinched anywhere. If that doesn't get it running, then look deeper into why there is no spark.

Those engines don't turn over very quickly. It is normal for it to seem too slow. I'd clean or replace the ignition points and make sure the wire leading to the points isn't pinched anywhere. If that doesn't get it running, then look deeper into why there is no spark.

Ditto to what Jim said. The points can get corroded and get sticky. Make sure your high tension wire is in good shape - that's the coil wire.

Geez, I've been working on these things too long now. I'm starting to use the proper parts terminology.