What to look for in an old garden tractor - Cub Cadet 1210 Hydrostatic

[@daverunion9044]

Hey, thanks so much for your video. I just bought a very nice Bolens 14 HP Eliminator, and haven't found very much info on the tractor or operations. From what I have found, and been told, our tractors are very similar, and your video has helped me out quite a bit. Yes, I totally agree with you: these tractors ARE tractors - tough, and intended to do some real work. I bought mine from someone who has a new cub cadet lawn tractor, and he really didn't use it for the year he'd owned it, but he did take care of it and included the plow and the 1 stage snow thrower. I'm in the process of making a diy FEL from a partial craftsman fel kit (missing quite a few pieces, lol, but at least the bucket & frame are there), and am going to use linear actuators instead of the hydraulic system to operate the loader. ... still trying to figure out how to get the snow thrower off the tractor lol, but there's another site that discusses the same tractor and how to remove and install a thrower. Making plans to build an enclosed cab for the winter, and appreciate your insight and overview of your tractor. Thanks again.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheIronDuke502]

Hello From Mark In Kentucky. I have a 107 IHC Cub Cadet, 682 Cub Cadet and a 1710 Cub Cadet that I recently purchased with some electrical issues and bad pto which has a very strong engine and hydrostatic transmission and pretty nice looking paint. The 682 Cub Cadet is my tractor of choice for any heavier pulling jobs or my wrecker as I call it and rough mowing with those heavy mower blades. Here a few days back, I pulled the 44c mower deck to replace the pivot arm assembly, new pulley and tensioner spring. While I was doing all of that, I installed a new mower deck belt to complete the job. The old parts other than the belt looked to be the original parts which was a testament of the quality of Cub Cadet back then. So I installed the 44a mower deck that came with the 1710 that I bought in which I swapped out the old worn out blades for a brand new set of blades and everything was good. It’s amazing how heavy those 44a & 44c mower decks are compared to the newer Cub Cadet mower decks. The 1210 that you have looked pretty much the same as my 682 & 1710 other than the engine size difference. I have a old Ford LGT17H tractor that has a Kohler KT17 Series 2 engine on it, So I have a spare engine if one of my other KT17 engines needs to be repaired. Thanks for your great video.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Hi Mark from Kentucky! Sounds like you’ve got a nice collection! I do really like those 682s. Thank you for being one of the people who are keeping these great machines going. They’re able to live long lives if they’re used and maintained. I always hate seeing an old IHC Cub sit out in a field abandoned.

[@duanesiskey7564]

I love the fact that you are telling us about a Cub Cadet while wearing a JD t-shirt. The irony is astounding. Seriously, great video! Thank you. I’m going to look at a 1210 late next week, and you gave me a few extra things to check out!😀

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's actually a Juan's Deere shirt that I picked up in Puerto Vallarta. Instead of a deer, it's a donkey or a mule. Let us know what you think of the 1210!

[@paulmoldenschardt2728]

I just went out and bought a 1984 /. 782 diesel cub cadette and it runs great and mowes great loving it

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Very nice! I've seen some of those diesel cubs and they look like real powerhouses! Keep us posted.

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Good evening Sir, yes these were amazing tractors back then and very well made video SIr Cheers 👌👌🧐🧐👍👍🍻🍻

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks 👍 These old garden tractors are a lot of fun and I'm getting more addicted to them the older I get. :)

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

@@PurpleCollarLife 😇😇👍👍👌👌🍻🍻

[@funnelstone]

I just picked up a 1210 that was given to me by the original owner. Thanks for all the info. Can't wait to get it running and test it out.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Hope you enjoy it! They’re great machines.

[@GeorgeMcIntyre-o9i]

@@PurpleCollarLife you have any idea where I can find parts for a snowplow for an international Cub cadet 1250

[@cub1009]

I have several older IH built cub cadets. They are great tractors. I have one just to till the garden, one to plow snow, and one to mow and a restored 1964 Cub Cadet 100. You are right 50 years later they will still work. These are not like the 2,000 or 3,000 riding mowers that most box stores sell now. I think the 700 series John Deere is the only modern day equivalent to these old ones and those are nearly 12,0000 or more with attachments.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Right on!

[@20molecula]

Well done. Very informative.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davida.p.9911]

I remember the 1982 Sears Craftsman we had. Purchased it new, it was an impressive machine. It would cut through the toughest, tallest grass. Thanks for sharing Chad! Those Cub Cadets were really cool tractors. I currently have a 1989 Toro 12-32 Professional rear engine mower I'm trying to sell, so far no takers.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I remember those Sears Craftsman tractors from the early 1980s. My grandfather had one. Those were good ones too. I liked the squared-off metal hoods.

[@oilsmokejones3452]

I had one made by Roper..16hp Onan, cast iron transaxle..very smooth and could not kill it..

[@botabob]

Nice looking machine Chad. I had a Craftsman Garden Tractor before I bought my Kubota BX. Not sure what model it was but it had a 22HP v-twin Koehler engine. It didn’t run when I bought it, but a simple adjustment on the magneto and it ran like a top. It didn’t have any brakes, so I had that fixed. And it was not Hydro, but it had a hi/low gear box with 3 forward gears and reverse. The mower deck was 60 inches wide. Once I bought the Kubota, it sat in the corner of the garage collecting dust and taking up space. I gave it away to the junk man and all he did was put gas into it and it started right up. I now regret giving it away as I could have given it to my father to use at his place. Oh well, hide sight is better then fore sight I imagine. Nice find and I know it will serve you all well. Enjoy the journey - cheers

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks Bota Bob! I remember those old Craftsman garden tractors with the big decks. They were nice machines. When I first got my John Deere, I used it for everything. I 'd remove the loader and mow with it. Put the loader on and take the deck off to do dirt work. The older I get, I kind of like dedicated machines. I like mowing with the zero turn or a garden tractor like this, and not having to remove the loader from my Deere. I'm not sure if I'm getting lazier, or managing my time better (smarter). :)

[@robertstuart5484]

Nice video i have a 1986 or 85 1604 with stick shift has sat for many years in my shed. Working on reconditiong it for my son. I think it has around 350 hours on it.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching! That will make a great old tractor!

[@derpydog1008]

I have the 1211 with the hydro lift it has almost 3k hours on it it runs great someone has went through the engine and was kind enough to not reinstall the cooling tin behind the carb and the tin over the head and those are hard to find 🙃 its an awesome tractor i have a snow plow for it too. Im probably gonna make some new tins for it out of license plates or some scrap sheet steel if i find some.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for sharing! These old workhorses are getting harder and harder to find.

[@rockthesix1679]

Cool vid!!! Lets see it go to work.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@Paul-y7m8n]

I have a 1984 782 d diesel cub cadet it love it it a great lawn mower

[@bigbadmower5283]

nice old tractor like it.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks 👍 There's just something about these old Cub Cadets - they're classic and heavy duty.

[@bigbadmower5283]

@@PurpleCollarLife I have not been on KZbin in a long time as far as making videos go I’ve just been so busy. I saw you guys got a new F350. Well I just bought matter fact just today a 2022 RAM 3500 heavy duty with the big 6.4 hemi under the hood. I will never financially recover lol

[@trucks_n_tractors_6335]

Great video! Would love to see it at work

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Stay tuned. There are a few other upcoming videos about this Cub Cadet.

[@landen_576]

My dad has one it says it’s a 1980 927 Original hours on it with wheels weights I had a 1810 it was a beast of a mower

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That’s one to keep for sure!

[@landen_576]

@@PurpleCollarLife it actually has 920 original hours

[@matt8145-d4d]

I have a 1711 with 6k hours and a 106 with god knows how many hours. They both start and run and perfectly. I have had them for 15 years.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That's awesome!

[@danielmierop662]

I have a cub cadet 105 hydrostatic drive mower, manual pto needs a hug along with a tractor tune up.only have the original mower. Kohler ten horse power. New Hampshire

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@locustvalleyfarms7241]

Not trying to be that guy but…..I do believe on the 1250 and the 1450. The 50 was referring to the deck size. The reason I think this is is because as far as I know the 12 or 14 never came in a gear drive model. 😃

[@PurpleCollarLife]

That could be. I thought the 50 was the "Quietline designation". I believe you're right that the 1250, 1450, and 1650 quiet line models only had hydrostatic transmission.

[@jamiescarry460]

@@PurpleCollarLife I believe the 50 was to designate that it had power hydraulics, and the 00 was a manual pull lever. at least on the quiet lines in the 70s

[@AUTISTICBLOGGER_steven]

A tractor is a tractor if you can do any kind of work with it which explains why I have a SMV emblem on a lawn /garden tractor because of tractor is a tractor it doesn't matter how big it is and a slow-moving vehicle is a slow-moving vehicle as long as it is 25 MPH or LESS And that's facts small town southern man out

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@braydenlowe2024]

Can you please make a store tour video of the Lowe's in Frederick Maryland?

[@captainedc]

Maintenance records? Very few machines I purchased came with maintenance records. And I ALWAYS prefer lower hours on a machine. ALWAYS. Good machine right there. I always prefer these manual lift HYDROS for MOWING because you can adjust the deck height easier.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Great point!

[@tombyorn8278]

Great review. I will subscribe. I have a 1641 that is just great - just ended up getting a blown head gasket but it doesn't smoke too bad. I have been doing minor restore on it but will probably have somebody do the head gaskets after some snow plowing this winter. In SE PA and any suggestions/input would be appreciated.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for subscribing! We’re glad you enjoyed the video. I’d be careful not to run it too hard with the blown head gasket. You wouldn’t want to do further damage - and plowing snow can be hard work. I don’t know anyone in the southeast part of the state. If you were closer to here (NW PA), I do know several good Cub Cadet mechanics. Keep us posted. The 1641 is a great tractor.

[@MichealBubba-bv9up]

I don’t know if you can make a video on a international cub cadet 682 but I would love to see it because I just got one and it would be a big help

[@watershedoverlook]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Chad. I'm a Wheel Horse guy but like you I like all those old war horse garden tractors. Couldn't tell with all the shrouds...does that tractor have a Kohler?

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Hi Chris! I think there are lots of people like us who enjoy these older garden machines. Yes - the Cub Cadet 1210 has a single-cylinder, naturally aspirated Kohler 12 HP engine. I believe it's the M12S magnum engine. That would be the same engine used in a lot of the Wheel Horse, Gravely, and Ariens 12 hp machines of the time.

[@rickmavictime756]

Everyone forgets new Holland and Ariens GT which I think was more user-friendly when installing there attachments

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks! I've never owned a New Holland or Ariens garden tractor. But we did have a Gravely rider for a long time - great machine!

[@stjohnsmanor]

Anybody know how to go about getting a carb rebuild kit for a 1987 Cub Cadet 1715?

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I believe the last time we needed a carb rebuild kit, we went to the local tractor dealer that sells IH/Cub Cadet parts. They had them in stock.

[@stjohnsmanor]

I think this was the 1st or 2nd year after MDT took over the Cub Cadet line.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I believe you're right. Thanks for watching.

[@jimsworthow531]

i have an old 1210; it has a slow drip leak from the hydro trans. i changed the fluid a year or so ago and the filter. the fluid level drips out slowly when parked. do you know what i should look at? thanks i want to add; it is not from the 2 top relief valves. they are dry

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Someone else may have a better answer - I'm not sure. I had a Cub Cadet 149 that had a slow drip leak from the hydro also. It was from a seal in the transmission. I never got it to stop. I just monitored and added fluid as needed - which wasn't very often. Thanks for watching.

[@jimsworthow531]

@@PurpleCollarLife thanks friend; that is what i am doing too; i added a few ounces of stop leak to see if it swells the seals a tad. i just had it on the lift where i cleaned it and blew it off with air and wiped it; it might be coming from where the linkage rod enters the trans. i saw no leaks from the input shaft, big lower siphon tube, drain bolts, 2 big lower bolts and so on. take care thanks for answering so quick.

[@jimmymcclelland3727]

I have a question do you the belt size on these the pro belt that runs the deck

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I'm sorry, I don't. I always kept the sleeve from the replacement belt and always referred to that. I sold that Cub Cadet and included the sleeve with it for the new owner to know. :)

[@regs3836]

Electronic would mean that the lights, starter, clutch, etc, are transistorized…. The tractor might have electronic ignition, unless it has points, but everything else is electric. I’m sorry if this seems a little picky.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Thanks for sharing. I probably use electronic and electric interchangeably (and incorrectly).

[@stevemcknight1088]

So damn beutiful

[@PurpleCollarLife]

I do really like these old machines!

[@GeorgeMcIntyre-o9i]

I need someone to teach me more about the 1250 international Cub

[@PurpleCollarLife]

We've got several videos about a IH Cub Cadet 149 - which would be similar to the 1250 - just not the quietline series. How to start and drive - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaXYhJV5gN6GbNE Oil change - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j52nn2etiJyHitU Troubleshooting / carburetor - kzbin.info/www/bejne/imird4iQnpuHn5o

[@GeorgeMcIntyre-o9i]

@@PurpleCollarLife what kind of gear oil or grease you put in the rear

[@stoneyswolf]

Why does everyone say electronic PTO like it's a real thing?

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Electronically engaged PTO clutch, vs mechanically engaged PTO clutch.

[@stoneyswolf]

@@PurpleCollarLife there's no electronics that's my point. It's electric you have a switch and a relay. It's an electric pto.