The Most Over-Engineered Garden Tractor Ever Made

[@shawnm3757]

I have literally no valid reason to own a garden tractor. Yet, here I am enjoying a video about the history of 1960's Cub Cadets. Amazing resto.

[@Helpline5815]

Hey same here! I have a small sloped fenced in back yard, but I still think about buying one anyway. I love a good tractor though. I would be better served to get a self propelled push mower, but can't find a 2 stroke John Deere to replace my silver deck 12 PB.

[@Helpline5815]

Plus I could also use more horsepower to my mower, and metal wheels, mine only has 4, and plastic wheels, it bogs down with the grass being a bit too high.

[@firstname-qq3xp]

It's a thing of beauty.

[@kylemccourt663]

I dont either but own 4 tractors including 2 old cub cadets. And the period correct plow, cart, tiller, mower, and snow thrower. One of my others is the big sister of the Cub, a 1948 Farmall A, and the other the a 1968 IH 2444. They are just fun to play with. I just love the IH brand. I even got on the list for the new Scout truck just last night!

[@blackscotydog]

I still mow and move snow with a 1969 124........You are right Absolutely Indestructible. One of Harvester`s ads said these tractors were tested by young boys...."the most destructive force on earth"

[@mikeedwards1768]

haha very awesome and true!

[@guylaraway6102]

You never saw my kid sister. She could destroy a Sherman tank in a month.

[@ohcrap3263]

Firefighters have entered the chat

[@mikescaffo4850]

That's a far cry from the garbage disposal mowers that the box stores sell today they fall apart in one or two seasons that tractor you have is a beautiful American made beast

[@1DwtEaUn]

Are you saying there is something wrong with a modern 36 gauge steel deck?

[@benlzicar7628]

I know it's not exactly the same to compare, but my HONDA HRX has been kicking ass for almost 25 years now! I just change the oil after the season before I drain the gas in the winter, and it fires up every spring first pull every time. There are still lots of good engines out there, you just just gotta pay for them.

[@MontegaB]

They really build them as shitty as humanly possible it makes me sick. I don't understand why someone like Honda, Kubota, Mahindra, etc. don't just build a halfway decent one for a little more money and sell implements for them as well. It would take off if they did it right.

[@undertow2142]

“On sale for $2999”

[@andrewcostel4821]

The good mowers to buy today are all 5-6k + we put them through the wringer at the landscape place i work at and they do not beeak very often

[@victorriceroni8455]

Only in a mediocre world that only values the lowest common denominator is a quality product considered over engineered. Thank you for showing us that fine machine.

[@dennisyoung4631]

“…they wanted it to work good…”

[@markdanielczyk944]

Fun fact: the Cub Cadet rear wheel weights are the front weights for the Farmall Cub!

[@jkhsdjkhfjkhh3]

Funny how in a way you have to be smarter to use parts bin stuff (when it is used properly).

[@michigandon]

They were also used as front wheel weights on the Economy/Power king tractors.

[@hm12460]

That is awesome. I never knew that!

[@markdanielczyk944]

@hm12460 Back then, IH engineers had it going on!

[@RJ1999x]

Most over engineered garden tractor? In 1968 Allis Chalmers was making the 616-620 which had 20 HP, front mid and rear PTO dual hydraulics, 3 pt hitch, dual hydraulics, dual brakes, 3 speed transmission with hydro, and limited slip differential. Nice video though

[@RJ1999x]

@@bigboreracing356 the most sought after garden tractor ever made

[@RJ1999x]

@@bigboreracing356 not at all, it's a fact

[@RJ1999x]

@@bigboreracing356 like usual you are wrong

[@RJ1999x]

@@bigboreracing356 hence the reason you see very little cub cadets

[@RJ1999x]

@@bigboreracing356 the largest manufacturer of lawn and garden tractors, was Allis Chalmers who owned simplicity. So much so that Deere and IH went crying to the government that it was a monopoly. So to keep the government happy Allis Chalmers built another plant in Lexington Kentucky, that built a separate tractor

[@TADD29]

Those old Cubs were tanks. My dad had one, I use to mow the grass with it as a kid. It was a mid 60’s model. 8 hp Kohler. Wish I had it today. Great video.

[@30acreshop_time]

That’s probably a 70 series model then. I’m looking at buying a 102 right now.

[@Wasatch95]

The more I learn about these vintage garden tractors the more I love them. They seem like a great way to get your vintage iron fix without having to buy a whole shop building to house them in.

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

They are! You can go all-in on an old project like this for the price of a set of rims on a car project. And when you tear it apart it takes up the space of four tractors or one car. When you tear a car apart it takes up the space of four cars and quickly becomes very difficult to work comfortably.

[@kennolte5801]

New to the channel here in Texas. The Cub Cadet has always been an iconic garden tractor. You did an excellent job of restoring it. Very informative too. Garden tractors are some of the most abused and overused pieces of equipment. Great to see your videos.

[@henrybates6122]

One unique fact about those tractors is that you’re right it is the same transmission as a farmall cub but the differential is flipped the other way because the engines turned different directions. I learned this the hard way it drove backwards in first second and third and reverse in forwards

[@blueookami5931]

The original cubs and lo boys had geared drop axles which needed the differential to spin backwards in relation to the wheels unlike the cub cadets that drive the wheels directly from the differential

[@jasonstclair6293]

@@blueookami5931 I was thinking about how this wouldn't have the added stresses of the drop like on the Cubs and the taller tires. If it will hold up on one of them it's more than going to hold up on this.

[@cs-gj3yf]

@@jasonstclair6293 they act as planetaries and relieve stress off the carrier and other trans components, put a 3 cylinder diesel infront of a stock 70 or 100 manual trans and watch how fast itll break something

[@jasonstclair6293]

@@cs-gj3yf I think I know what you are getting at, but that is not what I was meaning. I was more thinking the side to side forces of the tires and the extra side leverage of the drop assembly itself. I haven't actually had one apart, but by the looks of things it's just a small gear on top of a bigger gear to reduce the speed.

[@cs-gj3yf]

@@jasonstclair6293 yep, the side to side is prevented cause the axles are in the carrier, but the dropboxs also bolted onto the trans case, farmall cubs werent big enough to side load them that much

[@daver6564]

I have a 1974. Dad bought it when I was a kid and handed it down to me 30 years ago. Still looks and runs great.

[@johnherrmann6879]

Same here !

[@shadovanish7435]

The old Wheel Horse garden tractors were built pretty solidly too.

[@shadovanish7435]

@@jstutzman1301 The Wheel Horse tractor I have uses a "belt & pulley tension" type clutch (rather than a friction material type clutch), & a slow clutch pedal release is the only way I've found to reduce the sudden transmission loading during clutch activation (I've noticed this transmission loading effect mostly in higher gears). The Wheel Horse tractor I have also uses a Kohler 8 HP engine.

[@peepiscool234]

So was the brother company speedex love collecting those I try to collect the ones that had the spider gear rear ends with t92 transmission although ill buy any one I see if its a rare model or cheap one

[@Bennyboysgarage_]

I got a wheel horse too. Mid 80s with 3 speed high and low. And can confirm it wheelies. The engine purs like a kitten. Gotta love the sould built machines

[@Wyatt_Saunders]

100% agree I have 13 wheel horses and they are great

[@firstname-qq3xp]

The issue is parts

[@davidepperson2376]

Dude - great explanation, great restoration and a most excellent video - thank you for taking the time to make and share it with the world!

[@gagecook6918]

Great video bud! I love any brand or model of garden tractors but you supplied an amazing amount of information!

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Thanks! Same here really. There are a couple old John Deeres that I would love to get my hands on but you can only fit so many tractors in the garage before it starts to become a questionable marriage decision...

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

​@@CoolStuffGuysLikeyour little tractor is so cute.

[@hm12460]

@@CoolStuffGuysLike I got that problem too.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Gravely 816t! There is no doubt about gravely making the premier garden tractor. The engine and transmission was centered over the rear axle. They used a Koehler twin that was cast iron. The rear axle was 1 1/4”. The traction was off the charts. A set of chains and the snow dozer blade makes it a snow removal beast. The mower deck was mid mount shaft driven and cut the lawn like a carpet. I could go on and on, but nothing comes close to what those tractors could do. Some people took the old four speed tractors and mounted tracks on them. Enter beast mode.

[@thewrenchreviews9986]

Looks as though they were going for as bulletproof a machine as possible. Your restoration is gorgeous. Well done. Now if it only had a cab for winter plowing...lol!

[@Brian-cr6rb]

Thanks for the tour! I'm lucky to have been gifted one of these about 20 years ago or so now. I didn't know about all those options either. No fenders, no lights, no 3 point. But original working creeper, deck, and the pulley system off the PTO that still works! I keep her under cover and she can still cut grass if I ask her to. It's a pleasure to own something that was built to last and stands the test of time. When my friend and I were kids, I'm talking 1995 or so, we bought a 128 and 147 hydrostatic that we started a business with. Which was fueled by his dad who cut the lawn on that 72 which he gave to me. 72 saved the day many times if we had a breakdown.

[@marcfleury4795]

My Dad had a 1979 Areins model H garden tractor that was also very over engineered. It had a Kohler 12 horse powered engine that was also shaft drive to a hydrostatic transmission, no "U" joints also. The rear axel was a small Ford truck axel, and the hydrostatic drive also was used for hydrolic lifting of attachments that were all super heavy, all were built out of 1/4" steel plate. Nice Cub Cadet restoration.

[@jkhsdjkhfjkhh3]

You didn't say to like and subscribe...this caused me to like and subscribe.

[@2xersize]

Excellent presentation, beautifully restored. My father purchased 1968 model 122. 12.2hp. I spent every summer cutting our 1 acre lot once a week, beast of a machine. Had tire chains and weights for snow blowing steep driveway. I use to drive up and down our ditches 3 foot snow drifts uphill noe problem. We still have it fully operational, in fact it has 3 of the original Goodyear lawn tires. During humid summertime conditions after engine was warmed up I would shut down get the oil squirt can Quaker state 30 at and put 4-5 pumps down exhaust start up and drive around the yard for mosquito abatement. IH 12 mosquito 0, that was in 1970, earth's atmosphere still around. That Cub Cadet was so much fun, kept me busy and out of trouble. Thank you for nice video.

[@gregorykleinschmit2858]

Economy Power King tractors had a similar drivetrain layout and were built before the Cubs. That being said, a round fender Cub Cadet is on my bucket list! Love these little tractors!

[@tractormike685]

I have a short hood Economy 1614, and sold a long hood 2414 to my buddy. They are tanks for sure!

[@gregorykleinschmit2858]

​@@bigboreracing356I wasn't saying which was better but merely that the cub wasn't the first in regards to it's layout by far. I love both designs. However I am curious; what broke on your Power King?

[@gregorykleinschmit2858]

Yikes! Sorry to hear that! I still love both.😊

[@tractormike685]

@bigboreracing356 You seem misinformed. The Borg Warner t92 was used in dozens of applications and is renowned for it durability.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

As a Kid I drove some of the Original Cub Cadets doing yard work for neighbors who owned them. My Father had / still has a 1964 Minneapolis Moline 108 .. Belt Drive but heavy Transmission . 8 HP Kohler with a 36" cut

[@danw1955]

Very nice job restoring that Cub Cadet! When I was a kid, my neighbor had a 1972 or 73 model with an 8 hp. Kohler I believe? They always seemed to have issues with the starter/generator, since they draw quite a bit of current to spin the engine. Other than that, rock solid little unit. My neighbor and I took turns mowing his Dad's place which was a little over a half acre at the time. Yours is the first one I've seen with the planetary gear reduction. That would be great for plowing or dragging heavy stuff around!😉👍👍

[@JETHO321]

I have a model 122 Cub Cadet and love it. Bought it for a steal and am slowly fixing it up. It runs fantastic with the Kohler 12hp but im debating to replace it with a 10hp diesel Yanmar clone for the extra torque. Ill be building a front end loader for it shortly. People absolutely wouldnt believe what these little tractors are capable of doing.

[@M.TTT.]

The kohlers have more than enough torque for any work I'd think

[@JETHO321]

@@M.TTT. Probably, but mine is likely about clapped out.

[@M.TTT.]

@@JETHO321 ah maybe, we got a 123 thats really rough overall, rode hard, but I still have to check the valves and do a compression test. If it ain't smokin then usually they're pretty strong.

[@Porty1119]

A diesel Cub Cadet with a loader...that's nuts and I love it.

[@markhenderson2896]

My grandfather had 2 of them your spot on,heavy duty

[@Biokemist-o3k]

I remember my dad having one of these when I was a really little kid. Such an awesome tractor. That is what started my love for all things equipment!! I am a new subscriber as of right now!!

[@jonjacob1962]

I'm like 99.9 and 3/4% sure that this is the exact tractor my step dad had when my mom met him. He had a snow plow, the mower deck, and a very similar looking plow for it. That thing was a beast. I specifically remember the crawler gear thingy because I used it with the plow to make a little garden for my mom one summer. He even had the round fenders on it. He didn't have duals but he did have the wheel weights. He had a somewhat newer Cub Cadet too that could apply brakes to each rear wheel individually to help it turn tighter. I thought that was so cool. I didn't know it was a somewhat normal thing on a lot of tractors... That one I wrecked into a tree and broke the exhaust off of it. Lol. It had some funky exhaust that stuck out the side and went forward. Idk if it was stock or not but I have never seen another one like it since... Edit. I just did a little digging. Turns out, it was a Model 2182 super garden tractor. That's the one I hit a tree and broke the exhaust off of. Lol.

[@samb7652]

On my uncle's farm, every single machine was green except his Cub Cadet lawnmower. And that never changed for the 40yrs I knew about.

[@korhing1066]

Hi New Subscriber , Great Rehab on that Cub , The Paint is Excellent ! Thank You for Explaining the Mechanics . You are a good Communicator

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Thank you!!!

[@csj9619]

Looks fantastic. Thanks for preserving a piece of history.

[@BattlePig1]

Nice Cub! A lot of detail taken in this restoration, and it shows

[@africadreamin]

Greetings from Ireland, excellent descriptive video especially the origin and the make up of the rear axle.

[@tedholvey2271]

Nice restoration...my dad bought a cub cadet 70...either 1960,61, or 62. It had the optional fenders on it, 3 speed trans. I thought the mowing deck was 36", could of been 38", deck was built very well, strong. Had the snow plow also. We owned a trailer park from 1959-1969. We did alot of mowing & plowing snow with that cub. My brother & I mostly ran the cub. I remember sitting on the hood facing backwards with my brother driving, he hit a bump & my leg bumped up against the muffler & burned it pretty bad, had a round scar for many years after that. My brother is 70 & I'm 69. Lots of good memories with that cub & growing up in the late 50's & 60's. Amazingly both of us made it through with no broken bones or serious injuries, some sprained ankles & a few stitches.

[@captaincrazy5075]

Thank you for showing! I think this is a really cool machine! Like it a lot. Great video!

[@jeffhovel7899]

Great restoration. Thank you for making this video. I grew up on a farm, and my neighbor had a newer-model. The same vintage, still with the solid steel frame. He used it just as he would any of his other tractors. Thay are tough little tractors.

[@kevinyonke6773]

Oh ! The memories. Remembering sitting on the new IHC Cadets in the late 60's and early 70's at Charlies Little Star Garage in Manitowish Waters, WI. The beauty in simplicity.

[@f150bft]

I had a 72 128 for a little while.... tough old goats for sure. Great video.

[@wookeysworks7242]

Love the video. One model you missed is the 64 Model 100. It sits between the Originals and 70 Series. 10Hp K181. Shares most of the same characteristics. I have had mine since about 1974. First mechanical thing I ever drove, first thing I learned about mechanics on, first thing I ever re-built. Still going strong today. I have the plow, mower and snow thrower for it. Front attachments were much more difficult on these as the clip system had not come along yet. My favorite fact about these is the Service Manual back cover. It states that these tractors have been proven tough as they have been tested by the most destructive force known to man -- 10 Year Old Boys. (I can attest to that one.) Can't imagine in today's law suit happy world that a manufacturer would ever have the courage to put this statement on their literature anymore.

[@MrGaryGG48]

You're probably right but that doesn't make it any less true!! 🤣 Little sisters trying to compete with older brothers aren't really much less destructive!!

[@brandonb8879]

Been researching them for a while. This is awesome information 👍

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brandonb8879]

Jim Dandy Power King tractors are over built garden tractors

[@flat6fever680]

Incredible restoration! Glad you made it your own with a few minor tweaks vs stickler original fuel lines and muffler. It's a real beauty and you should be very proud. Now let's see that baby plow some earth!

[@michaeldantoni4292]

I love these old garden tractors. My dad had a Wheelhouse 1077 back in the 70s. I loved cutting grass with it.

[@ronkirby1362]

Those old Cub Cadets are great. I worked in a big lawn and Garden Store in the mid 70’s we sold and serviced Bolens and IH low boys and Cub Cadets. I restored one of the early cub cadets with the 2 bladed mower that had a timing belt. I agree that they were over engineered, and that’s a good thing! The Bolens QT16 and the HT20 were great tractors as well. The QT16 had an Onan 2 cylinder engine all enclosed on both sides. I considered it the Cadillac of Garden Tractors.Nice video! Looks like you did a great job restoring your tractor!

[@tonywitmer1244]

you did a GR8 JOB restoring it 💯

[@patrickgroves4047]

This is very well restored! Great job!

[@rodeleon2875]

i have a half dozen round fender cubs, both 7 and 10 hp and are my main mowers. they are tanks. and one of the best things is that all narrow frames are almost entirely parts compatible with each other and there were thousands made so theres a lot of oem and aftermarket parts to keep them going. the creeper is an awesome option as well. you can put it in low range and first gear and full throttle and get off the tractor and hook stuff up and drag it around. that 72 is set up perfectly for work.

[@mdemers767]

Oooh, I wish my 69' CC 104 had that quick release for the mule drive! Nice job on the resto, she's lookin' sharp!

[@stevehorn5551]

We had a wheel horse with a snow blower hanging out front. Had a decent grade on the driveway. To get back up for the bottom I’d stuff it in third gear jump on the hitch for more weight to get back up to the top. It was so nice with no seat safety switch. Your tractor creeping at .6 mph with no one on board was a great reminder. Great restoration. n

[@cub1009]

Great restoration. I love my IH built Cub cadets. I own a 100, (2) 149s, and a 782. These things are tough. My 100 has gone through a restoration. My other ones are original and they still get used and worked hard. These things take a beating and will keep working. Anyone looking for a garden tractor needs a Cub Cadet built by IH. These will out work any new model you can buy.

[@SteveLynd]

They weren't really over engineered they wanted a small tractor that could do all the small chores around the farm and just use parts they had around great little tractors lots of power

[@johnmorrissey58]

That is a wicked sweet tractor man

[@brentbarnhart5827]

We had one that lasted 30 years, loved that thing.

[@CLHardy44]

You knocked it out of the ballpark on you restoration.

[@dustyschirato]

Great job on restoration man. Incredible

[@aidenp265]

IH made good products. Just now restoring my 1952 Farmall Super A that has never been properly serviced and was running when I bought it. Everything is heavy cast iron but it works sooo well. Great video

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

That will be a really rewarding project!

[@danlees8459]

I had one of these made in the early 1960s that had the oil bath air filter. It was built like a tank. The only thing that didn't work well was the timed blades on the mower deck. If you hit a stump or rock, the blades jumped time and beat themselves to death.

[@edsmachine93]

Very nice tractor. Nicely restored. Thanks for sharing the story. Have a great day. 👍

[@guyelluzzi2705]

It seems that many of the old Tractors that survived from the 60's and 70's were Over-Engineered, especialy by todays, standard, where everything is engineered to break in 3 or 4 years. The old John Deeres, Power Kings, the Cubs, Case-Ingersolls, Simplicity, and others were all built to last a lifetime. Now you spend a fortune for disposable junk. Congrats on a great restoration, any worthwhile endeavor is gonna take some time.

[@dongrover333]

Our 1974 mod.86 😮 was awesome - 8 hp - 3 speed - tough mach. plowed ,disc, pull down trees - pull the new mower out of the ditch - yeah still miss her.

[@RJS1966USMC]

Great job restoring that tractor!!!

[@chipps1066]

I would argue the IH built Cubs were the finest garden tractors ever built.

[@paulhare662]

I much prefer the simpicity of my 1971 Wheel Horse Raider 12/ 6 speed.

[@crazymower4343]

Except the crappy tillers they made for them

[@Wyatt_Saunders]

@@paulhare662I agree wheel horse are simple cheap and easy to work on

[@davidwinters2084]

Beautiful director nice job restore in it love to see it when it’s finished with the mower deck

[@worldtraveler930]

I would Dearly Love to own one of these with all its Bells & Whistles and Accessories!!! 🤠👍

[@chipps1066]

Beautiful tractor!

[@adnacraigo6590]

Beautiful restoral.

[@deanedeane4318]

Gorgeous restoration Dude ! 😉🙃😎 NZ

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Thank you!!

[@pumado3541]

The Gravely 8122-G would like to have a say in over-engineering with its hydraulic lift, shaft-driven PTO, dedicated forward and reverse clutches for each gear combination, and direct gear driven transmission. I feel that garden tractor is difficult to beat when it comes to indestructibility and design prowess. Though I gotta give the Cub Cadet credit where it's due in the looks department.

[@wilhelm_iron2359]

Theres a reason I love Cubs! I'm a David Bradley collector, but I've got a couple Cubs that I use if I need to slog it out with something

[@TheFastestSrbin]

Fantastic little machine, great video!

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Thank you!

[@nebraskarancher9099]

super nice restoration! well done friend!

[@jarredbeacraft5287]

It's awesome to see a video on this. Been a die heart cub fan. I own a few of them from different year but I have two from this year range and one has the creeper. Keep up the good work

[@timlabell]

I own the 122 model for 7 years it was the toughest square Fender monster I ever had until I bought a brand new 6 foot deck M60 tank but. My 122 cub cadet was indestructible.😊😊😊

[@jackmcgill3150]

That's an awesome tractor! I wish I had something like that.

[@armedmariner]

My 2017 Cub Cadet 46” is a BEAST of a mower for a couple acres. I put awesome tractor tires from Carlisle on it and it is like 4x4. Cubs are fun This was the most interesting one I have ever seen. I’m thinking I might put a stack on mine… PS - I got my Cub for $1400 on a Labor Day Special. It was like $200 off. Today the equivalent is well over $2k. Yikes. I don’t baby mine but I maintain it and I change oil and filter about every ten hours. I blow out the air filter all the time. So easy to do. I keep it greased. I’m hoping to keep it a long long time. So far so good!

[@Denvermorgan2000]

It’s a really nice tractor. I like what you did.

[@Radiowild]

Our family a a Cub Cadet model 124 with the manual gearbox. Not sure of the year (1967)? , but it was a workhorse and came with a Kohler 12 HP engine. It had a small dashboard with a knockout cover which I removed and added a cigarette lighter where the word "lighter" appeared on the dash. I added a beer cozy, and AM/FM car radio with headphones for some ear protection. Had a 36" mower deck with 3 blades. Loved that machine!

[@timbarry5080]

That thing looks amazing

[@akope]

A great old American garden tractor. Well done restoration! I really like all the brands from this era, noone today sells a tractor of this footprint that can run a ground engaging impliment. Im more an Allis/simplicity fan myself but have worked on a few cubs of different eras, all good til mtd came along.

[@Strykenine]

My grandfather had a cub cadet that was a bit newer than that one, 1970's iirc. It had a hydrostatic transmission. When I was a little boy I rode that thing all over the farm. Ahh, memories.

[@evsnova74]

I gotta give that honor to the Gravely 800/8000/G tractors. Or at the very least they deserve a mention.

[@tra-viskaiser8737]

I learned to drive and mow on a 1978 cub cadet with a 18 or so hp... it was the fastest i ever rode.. and the hydro transmission would easily throw you off and keep going til it hit something or rolled over. Still the strongest ive ever ridden or used. And to me, it is the only one i ever want in a lawn tractor. Even if i never got to use any of the hydrolic attachments. Like plow, pusher blade, back hoe, or all the others i never saw other than in catalogs. Love those old pre late 80s cubs

[@rickvan102]

A word of caution about rigged exhaust pipes mounted directly to the engine. It is possible to get a vibration that hits the resonant frequency of the pipe that can crack the exhaust outlet (block) of the engine. Adding a flexible coupling solves that problem.

[@flat6fever680]

I thought about that too. All that leverage when vibrating. For show use it shouldn't be an issue and does look cool!

[@autocarmark7235]

And caution about burning the exhaust valve too.

[@evanstauffer4470]

It's not original. I am not a fan of modifying stock exhausts.

[@matt8145-d4d]

I still mow and haul stuff around with a 106. Very similar drive train and still works perfectly. I've had it for years and have only changed belts and oil. Fires on the first turn every time. I also have a 1711 hydro that I've had for 15 years for tilling and snow removal. Also starts right up every time with 3000 hours on the clock. I never question if they will work.

[@stevenfromer3816]

Absolutely gorgeous machine

[@martianrays]

Killer job on the tractor. 2 over sights though. I believe I would put a support for the exhaust stack because of the leverage it has on that old engine block, you wouldn't want to crack it. AND it needs a RAIN FLAPPER clanking at idle!!! Really nice job . Makes me want one.

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

Such a cute little tractor.

[@AutomationDnD]

What a _Nice_ Machine. .... *_indestructable_* is a Fantastic trait

[@flyboyx8288]

Cool video. I've had a couple of these over the years. They are indeed as indestructible as you say. Both of my tractors were 10hp. I have to say these tractors are unfortunately very underpowered. The plow attachment is really cool. but I cannot imagine you could possibly plow anything with that 7hp engine-even with the creeper gear. I doubt it would even pull through sand to be honest. I do really love the tractor though. A single-cylinder 14 or 16hp engine would be much more ideal. One day when i have more time, I'll buy a few of these and build a custom articulated 4wd version. thank you for posting this

[@jeremycusick5399]

I can assure you, they'll plow. Brinly made an 8", 10" and 12" plow, so these would pull the 8". I have a 126 with a 10" plow, and mine plowed some really hard red clay on what was a strip mine that was reclaimed. With it in 2nd gear, and me leaning over the steering wheel for ballast, I was able to plow it with the front wheels about 10" off the ground. Even I was shocked. Steering was an issue..

[@ericdubert7490]

My family had a 1964 100 cub 10 hp Kohler, a beautiful machine, we had the round fenders, it mowed alot of grass around the farm and after, for over 20 plus yrs, the new ones certainly aren't made like that, I have a green machine 25 hp 4x4 , the 64 cubs frame and rear end it's till made stronger than they are today, when I was a kid 10 hp or 12 hp were considered big, also our cub had the push button starter, great job

[@saltrock9642]

That Cub is gorgeous.

[@AviewFromUnder]

Nice contribution Thanks!

[@ethanheitz4489]

I would really like to restore something like this. Nothing beats all metal, no plastic quality. My '92 1641 could never.

[@rubinthomas8586]

Beautiful piece of equipment 👍

[@chadbinette3201]

This things a little beast. Over-engineered or perfectly built out of convenience. Either way came up with a great tool.

[@anthonymartin9672]

Nice work, thanks for sharing.

[@brian_2040]

I have a good buddy with one of these K model tractors. Hes got about 7 tenths of a mile of driveway to keep up with, he made a belly blade, and the factory 3 point hitch allowed for a box blade in the rear. The engine literally runs like a sewing machine.

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

The little Kohler engines are great! I think I enjoy them much more than the larger, later two cylinder versions. It is like therapy driving one around.

[@rfwinc3261]

The IH light line truck series was the most over engineered Pickups and SUV's ever made. Its one of the reasons IH stopped selling them. They cost so much to build and were not as popular as Fords and Chevys. Boy were they tough. High nickel engines and more transmission choices. Not only the first 5 speed available in a pickup truck you had a choice of 2 5 speeds. Direct 5th or overdrive 5th. IH was an amazing company.

[@westrotter7847]

I had a 104 and it was super tough !! Used the heck out of it but maintenance was important to me. My opinion it was overall probably the best garden tractor built over 30 yrs.

[@fscottgray9784]

I used a few Cub Cadets back in the 60s and 70s on our family yard and garden. I have had a Honda 5518 4 wheel drive with 4 wheel steering for over 35 years. It has mowed 3/4 of a acre for all that time and used for tilling and snow removal. Never had into be repaired. Just change the oil and air filter occasionally. It is just a workhorse with no equals IMO.

[@edwardmcgee5465]

I had one just like that one and it was really tuff. I used to pull a 6ft drag blade behind it to smooth up the gravel drive around the house and barn, really tuff little tractor. I finally traded it off because I didn't like the mower deck, it left stripes between the mower blades that wasn't cut. The yard looked bad after I mowed because of the strips every where. But yes it was a very nice tractor.

[@steverankel3837]

Very very nice… We had an old Panzer with a 7 hp Kohler that was also indestructible. You did a super job on the paint - I like the way it looks without the mower deck actually. I enjoyed the clip of the machine running in creeper… my Opa used to walk beside the panzer while it pulled a trailer full of chainsawed log. He didn’t like to sit on it.