Hi,
For those familiar with my model, you know that it's virtually all cast iron and steel. The thing has been a real war horse. I've had it for 36 years (I think it's a '72 or '73) and it has given great service. Since this past summer, though, it has not been running well. My brother is a mechanic, and so after I tried everything I could, I gave it to him. We've replaced the carburetor, all new ignition system parts, had the head off and planed / cleaned. It runs absolutely fine sometimes, and other times quite poorly. When not running well, there is a noticeable loss of power and it would be next to impossible to mow the lawn with it when it's running in that condition. I know cause I've tried it and can barely make it back up my sloped yard. The only way I can get anything done when it's running badly is to go really slow and allow the RPM to try and catch up. Still, it just has no power when it's like that. We thought all was fine, however, after putting on the new carb - he used it several times and was going to load it on the trailer to bring it back to me, and then just that suddenly when he started it he knew that it was not running well again. The engine is a Kohler 301. It was overhauled once many years ago but to be honest I'm not sure exactly what was done at that time.
Certainly an option is to purchase and put in a re-built engine, but of course I'd be putting a new engine in a tractor that is still over 40 years old that has a constant (though minimal) fluid leakage out of the transmission. There is a good amount of blow-by, but that would be corrected with a rebuilt engine. I have a mower attachment and snow plow for it that I've used as long as I have the tractor. The other option is to call it a day and just buy a new cub. Where I live, the ability to plow snow with whatever tractor I have is a necessity. I do not know the capabilities of the newer cubs as to attaching a plow and would need to research that. Certainly the idea of a newer tractor with more HP than mine has is intriguing.
Getting back to my brother's repair efforts - I know he wants to unhook the ACS springs so as to do a compression test, and also would like to take a look at the condition of the valves. My sneaking suspicion, however, is that he's just not going to find whatever is causing this intermittent poor running condition. He is willing to put in a rebuilt engine if I tell him to do so, but just feels that it may not be cost effective and perhaps not worth it (?). Old timers' advice on another cub forum wherein I have posted numerous threads about my tractor has consistently been to definitely fix up the 129 rather than buy a new one. The general take I get from some of these guys is that the new ones just won't last as long and aren't built like mine. Hands down, they suggest to keep the old one going. I get that, and indeed have been leaning towards the rebuilt engine option, but I just don't know if that truly is the best way to go. I need to make a decision though since the winter season is coming and I don't want to be without a tractor too much longer.
Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated...
Regards,
Keith
For those familiar with my model, you know that it's virtually all cast iron and steel. The thing has been a real war horse. I've had it for 36 years (I think it's a '72 or '73) and it has given great service. Since this past summer, though, it has not been running well. My brother is a mechanic, and so after I tried everything I could, I gave it to him. We've replaced the carburetor, all new ignition system parts, had the head off and planed / cleaned. It runs absolutely fine sometimes, and other times quite poorly. When not running well, there is a noticeable loss of power and it would be next to impossible to mow the lawn with it when it's running in that condition. I know cause I've tried it and can barely make it back up my sloped yard. The only way I can get anything done when it's running badly is to go really slow and allow the RPM to try and catch up. Still, it just has no power when it's like that. We thought all was fine, however, after putting on the new carb - he used it several times and was going to load it on the trailer to bring it back to me, and then just that suddenly when he started it he knew that it was not running well again. The engine is a Kohler 301. It was overhauled once many years ago but to be honest I'm not sure exactly what was done at that time.
Certainly an option is to purchase and put in a re-built engine, but of course I'd be putting a new engine in a tractor that is still over 40 years old that has a constant (though minimal) fluid leakage out of the transmission. There is a good amount of blow-by, but that would be corrected with a rebuilt engine. I have a mower attachment and snow plow for it that I've used as long as I have the tractor. The other option is to call it a day and just buy a new cub. Where I live, the ability to plow snow with whatever tractor I have is a necessity. I do not know the capabilities of the newer cubs as to attaching a plow and would need to research that. Certainly the idea of a newer tractor with more HP than mine has is intriguing.
Getting back to my brother's repair efforts - I know he wants to unhook the ACS springs so as to do a compression test, and also would like to take a look at the condition of the valves. My sneaking suspicion, however, is that he's just not going to find whatever is causing this intermittent poor running condition. He is willing to put in a rebuilt engine if I tell him to do so, but just feels that it may not be cost effective and perhaps not worth it (?). Old timers' advice on another cub forum wherein I have posted numerous threads about my tractor has consistently been to definitely fix up the 129 rather than buy a new one. The general take I get from some of these guys is that the new ones just won't last as long and aren't built like mine. Hands down, they suggest to keep the old one going. I get that, and indeed have been leaning towards the rebuilt engine option, but I just don't know if that truly is the best way to go. I need to make a decision though since the winter season is coming and I don't want to be without a tractor too much longer.
Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated...
Regards,
Keith
