1971 International Harvester Cub Cadet 109 Lawn Tractor

Cub Cadet was unique in that the brand marketed consumer-grade machines built to

standards similar to parent company International’s much larger commercial tractors, or

at least to higher practices than many competitors.

Though spun off from IH long ago, the Cub Cadet brand survives today, and has

outlived its parent company by nearly 40 years at the time of writing.

This 1971 Model 109 is from the first year of 108/109 series production, which was

based in Louisville, Kentucky and ran through 1974. 109 series mowers such as this

example utilized a hydrostatic transmission, while 108 series machines were equipped

with a 3-speed unit. Otherwise the two models were largely similar.

Finished in Cub Cadet’s traditional yellow and cream, this 109 proudly wears

International Harvester’s distinct and clever IH logo on its eggcrate grille; see the

stylized tractor?

The green pinstripe and reflective base engine cowling decal are particularly attractive,

and were unique to the 108/109 series. Upper grille nacelles could be fitted with

headlights, which were often optioned on tractors bought along with factory snow plow

or snowblower attachments.

The operator sits on a wide, padded seat and faces an uncluttered dashboard equipped

with an ammeter, choke control, throttle, and a diagram explaining the operation of the

PTO lever sprouting from the left. Another, smaller handle for selecting forward or

reverse rests just below the distinctly styled IH-branded steering wheel. The large

right-side lever is for raising or lowering an optional mower deck, not fitted here but

commonly available secondhand in 38”, 44”, and 50” widths.

The engine lid tilts forward to reveal a standard Kohler air-cooled single producing 10 hp

from 391cc. Note the “10hp” decal proudly fitted to the cowl mounted fuel tank, as well

as the unusually thick gauge steel used in the chassis and subframes. Power is

transmitted to the heavy duty, all-steel rear axle and PTO via an infinitely variable

hydrostatic drive.

This tractor is sold without known history, but appears to benefit from a high quality

restoration of unknown age.

Modern lawn tractors offer conveniences like cupholders, electronic ignition, and

multi-cylinder engines producing more power than this lovely old Cub Cadet, but

fundamentally neither their form nor function have changed much during the past 50+

years. Newer models certainly aren’t built as heavily, nor are they anywhere near as

attractive as their vintage counterparts.

Vintage lawn tractor ownership also opens opportunities to enter classic farm equipment

shows, win awards, make friends, and see fascinating machines working under their

own power. Anyone familiar with basic lawnmower maintenance can keep them running,

and club level support is readily available online.

For these reasons and more, classic lawn tractors should hold appeal for anyone

looking to groom their acreage in style.