Opinions on potential CA purchase

Not running you don't know what the transmission is like. Jumping out of gear when it gets wore is fairly common.

TimNearFortWorth wrote: That s/n has too may digits, even for a later unit as 1958 s/n's did not even go that high (last year made). Look near the shifter for the number. Later unit for sure as dist. vs. mag and also snap coupler vs. earlier pin hitch although pin hitch tractors could be converted to the snap coupler with a kit from the dealer. Word of caution if "skidding" logs as you can get in a bind in a big dog hurry if a log digs in and the front end comes up. Especially in hilly ground as the narrow front is not as stable as the wide front units. CA is impressive for 2800-2900# without ballast and the 125 engine is one tough little powerplant. If in good working order and you also get the complete drawbar assembly, 1500-3000.00 depending on area and condition . . . .

Once the front end comes off the ground I can't see what difference it would make what kind of front end it had.CA is about as stable of a small tractor as can be found.

Nice tractor. I have bought three CA's. A tip if you get it. You can use a C drawbar with the mower in the pictures mounted. It is hard to tell the engine condition or the cost of getting it usable when not running when you buy it.  Being inside is a plus.  It (might) be a bargain.  I bought the one that was not running and person I bought it from had worked for a year trying to get it to run. I winched it on the trailer and after setting the timing drove it off the trailer at home. 

If it had a major problem, I would not have keep it inside for 10 years... Im guessing the old man didn't have the time and let it set... Now the kids are selling it... If you can get it for under $800. I would do it... (if tires are good)... it might be worth twice that with a tune up.

Im in the $800 ballpark, too. Let us know how this turns out!

My first thought was also $800, give or take $100.
They are a GREAT little tractor and I wish I had one!
Looks like the front drag link is disconnected.??
IF you find a crank and can turn it over......the engine might be locked up.  If it turns easily, it will run with little problem!
You'd want to check to see if it is stuck, and also so you don't bend any push rods.
Looks like the drawbar is sitting on the rear, but the cradle is missing?
It has the lift arm latches......most are missing and getting harder to find.
Looks like it had/has a belly mower on it. Some of the pieces are laying there.  That would be nice!!

Was probably a worker it it's day.  The front end appears to have the cultivator mounting bracket.  Also, has supports on either side of the engine that could either be cultivator supports or for a loader.  The bracket lying on the ground is a Woods mower mounting bracket.  The mower can be seen to the right of the tractor in the third picture.

Ditto on how useful/powerful a decent running CA is. It, coupled with a Woods mower is a great setup for mowing grass. You are starting out with an unknown, so be prepared for costs and time to get it running right. The tin and paint look good and the lack of oil/grease buildup around the machine is a good sign. It needs to be a runner to properly assess what repairs are needed. Quite likely, it will need brakes, ignition tune up, fuel system work, and fluid changes. You could also run into engine, tranny, pto, hydraulic, hand clutch, radiator and seal repairs. These are very easy machines to work on and most parts are readily available. $500 is about right for an unknown and will allow you to budget another $500-$1,000 to get it running right. If the plan is to flip it, you will probably be disappointed in your "profits" and "wages" for your time to fix it up.

I would say 500 you see B and CA tractors here on Craigslist running for about $1000 to 1500 and they just sit there the same add shows up 6 months later. Been that way for about 2 years.

If you are interested in a garden tractor I would look hard at the case ingersoll 400 or 4000 serries.   The 400 are older. I have a few of them they good thing about them is that the motor has the typical belt pullie on the front for the mower deck or snow blower but it has a hydraulic pump on the back of the motor. The tractor is really a portable hydraulic system. Hydraulic motor in the rearend hydraulic lift for the implements and you can add a remote valve for a wood splitter or other stuff. I put a Chinese 10 hp diesel as a repower in one. That is the good thing about the case ingersoll you can repower them easy and small gas or diesel motors are cheap.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm with the $800 crowd, non running is non running.   As far as making money flipping it that is not likely even if you get it running with little effort. Guy up here is trying that with Farmalls and has a row of about six of them most been there a couple years now. If however you are like some of us who are willing to work on a tractor as a hobby and "forget" how much you spend on the parts the CA will end up to be a nice little tractor. I currently have a tractor of a different color that I bought as a non runner for $750 and now have about $5000 in it but compared to what $5k would buy new now days I am ahead as I see it and had fun working on it to get it to this condition.

Last year I had a wide front CA for sale in very nice condition. New wiring, radiator,gauges, battery box and many other items. I asked $2200.00 for it and had no inquires. Someone wanted the rear wheels so I parted out. My point is It's a $2000.00 tractor in good condition if you were to try and sell it. I value the tractor your looking at more in the $400 range. The plus is it has snap coupler if the hitch is there. Rims and tires are the big $ items.

If you go the case ingersoll route just expect to have a repower in your future. If you can find one with a Kohler motor they are really nice the onan motors are just not worth rebuilding I have 4 and one one still runs. But the case ingersoll is easy to repower.

Oh!  And if anyone from here is going to this auction.  Feel free to say hello.  I'll be the heavy bearded guy in a mid-length black coat that says "City of Portland" on the front.

Tractor ended up going for $900, not running with declared carburetor problems.  Was purchased by Granddaughter of owner.  I talked to her afterwards and she told me had intended to buy the tractor at pretty much any price. 

The working Cub Cadet 1554 with 250ish hours on it went for $700, which makes me wish I'd stayed during that part of the sale.

Instead, I went to get a truck so I could take home the table saw I bought.  I picked up a Craftsman 103.xxx 8" saw on a stand for $30.  The top was rusted, but with no pits, cast iron web table extensions on both sides, with the fence and miter gauge.