Dilemma

[stevey30]

Ok I have a dilemma,restoring my gramps 49,motor is rebuilt,carb,ect,it is in running order except the rear tires, the tires and rims are shot,so I found a 54 donor cub with 2 good rims,1 brand new rear tire,1 brand new front tire and the other 2 tires are decent,has a ton of great parts and I bought it for about a 1/4 less than what the rear tires would have cost.My problem is I was going to use it for parts,but looking it over it is in good shape and all it really needs is a generator to get it running.Should I use it for parts or get it running and sell it,I don't have room for 2 cubs even though I would love to have it.

[Barnyard]

Realistically, you don't need a generator for a Cub to run. If you don't have room for two Cubs and since you got it for a good price, I would get it running and sell it, telling the new owner it needs a genny. Then take your profit and buy your tires. If you just rob the parts you need then you will have to start selling the remaining parts.

[Bigdog]

I agree. It is better (and easier) to sell a running tractor than a parts tractor. The price difference makes the effort worth it.

[stevey30]

It has been converted to 12 volt,so your saying hook up a battery and some gas and it should start?What about the voltage regulator,it is not on the tractor,he was waiting to get a generator.

[Eugene]

Alternative opinion. I would salvage the parts needed to get grandpa's Cub in good shape.

I would swap parts/rim, etc. on to the parts tractor. If the parts tractor's engine runs, you should get most, if not all your money back.

The other alternative is to set the parts Cub behind the shed for a year or two and salvage parts as needed. Then the sell the rest to scrap dealers. Current scrap metal price is around $190- a ton.

The problem is that the price of tires and tubes has increase significantly is the past couple of years. More than likely the price of tires and tubes will continue to increase.

Any way, take a bit of time and think over your decision.

[stevey30]

That's what I was thinking,I really need a front bolster,it also had a mule drive for mower deck and pulley,thought I would keep parts I needed and sell the rest,or maybe trade it for other parts or implement.

[Matt Kirsch]

As long as the ends of the generator wires are taped off so they can't touch the tractor frame and short out, you can run the tractor without the generator. For all intents and purposes, the tractor runs off the battery, and the generator charges the battery.

If the tractor has a magneto, it doesn't even need a battery to run, let alone a generator.

[RogerW]

Been running my cub for 14+years without a generator. Currently have a 12 volt trolling motor battery in it, and a voltmeter, an just charge it up when it gets low.