Hi Guys,

I was visiting a good friend who I call "Tractor Charlie"... Charlie has a tractor bone yard and collects older Sear tractors (which I had no idea were so well built).

When we all die and go to heaven - I will be in a place just like tractor charlies residential back yard... Please stop in and say hello - I will be the one with a beer in my hand.

Anywho...

I was telling Charlie that I was thinking of a Case 44x machine and he countered with; "I just sold 3 of them to a guy who only does Case stuff - they are very expensive to work on... If you buy one - you best buy it running cause I just replaced an onan piston and valve for over $400 bucks.... " Which was echoed by someone else in my earlier postings.

He then countered with - If your looking for something like that - then why dont you have a look at the old Cub in the bottom of the yard (covered with the black tarp).

Wondering down to the bottom yard I see that it is a older IH Cub Cadet 86 - with an 8 hp Kohler with no compression. Its all there, with a deck. (for $200 +-).

As Garden tractors go - I dont like the look of Cub Cadets (its probably the color scheme) - but it *clearly* is a well built unit and ultimately my budget drives my next deal - not pretty color schemes.

So now the bad part - the Kohler has no compression. Tractor Charlie pulled a battery out of his truck and hooked it up to the Generator/Starter and proceeded to turn over the engine for me. No clanking, no knocking, no compression - he commented that he never saw it run and knowing these motors he suspects a stuck valve due to the unleaded gas change-over years ago. Ive heard this story before about Kohler leaded gas engines getting mad about burning unleaded fuel. (so it kinda made sense).

On other thing - as charlie mentioned the unit is a gear drive with a 3 spd +reverse. It has a plate between your feet that has a high/low range on it - but does not have a lever. Charlie mentioned - he thinks this model did not have a high/low range - and that plate may be from another unit. Did the 86 have a high low ?

i like the idea of a high low range as I do make my way out to the back lot to get wood - making my way out there in high range sound nice.

If this machine doenst have a high/low - can it be put in?

Is 3rd gear reasonably fast where I dont need to be concerned?

I know some of you guys are cub fans - so how about it? What is a Cub 86 ?

I'm not a'feared to turn wrenches on it - but if im gonna work on a Cub... I want to work on a Cub that's worth working on... I need some feedback from you guys who have toyed with these things before. Perhaps commenting on :

- parts costs (average price, high priced like the case)

- Parts availability (i suspect this wont be a problem)

- Compression trouble shooting tips.

- Cub 86 information which a would help me determine if im better off finding something else.

- High / low range.

Charlie recommends that I spend some time tearing the head off it b4 I walk away with the unit. If Im looking at a cooked piston / valve / otherwise I can then make a more educated decision.

Not really being a Cub fan - I could kinda see myself warming up to this thing - maybe if it had some fresh paint on it (color correct mind you).

Your input please ...

As always - Thank you