Besides lawn care - but still tightly related - another one of my passions is old garden tractors, pre-1996 Cub Cadets in particular. For those of you that don't know, the Cub Cadet was introduced in the 1960s by International Harvester as a smaller version of the Farmall Cub, which in turn was a smaller version of the large Farmall tractors. See the progression? Farmall - Farmall Cub - Cub Cadet. MTD purchased the Cub Cadet division from IH (which was going out of business due to UAW strike) and allowed it to operate independently as Cub Cadet Corporation (CCC) until about 1996 when they took over and started to produce the junk we see in stores today. IH and CCC garden tractors were very well built machines with stout cast iron transmissions and heavy duty hydro pumps, more than capable of pulling a 12" moldboard plow and many other ground engaging implements. Because of their build quality, many of them survive today and, with proper care, will go on for another 50 years.

For me, it started about 4 years ago when I purchased an old beat up Cub Cadet 1450 for $500. I just wanted something to pull a cart and a core aerator, but it quickly because clear that the machine was much more capable than that. It features a cast iron transmission, a Sundstrand hydro pump, a cast iron Kohler K321 engine, hydraulic lift and is made entirely out of steel. This has been my main mower for about 3 years and it has done a fine job.

About 2 years ago I came across the opportunity to purchase on of the more rare CC tractor, a 2072. This is part of the Super Garden Tractor series and features power steering, hydraulic hookups, a longer frame, turning brakes, more ground clearance etc. After an engine swap, lots of paint, parts, elbow grease and some TLC the tractor is close to it's original look and getting better each year as I swap out older worn parts. It has now become my main mower, can't beat power steering.

I also got very lucky and found a Haban power angle snow blade for it right here in NC! Yeah, it only snows once or twice a year, yeah it probably takes just as long to hook it up as it would to shovel, but it's a lot more fun than shoveling!

What do you folks use to mow your grass?