Cadet Parts Business Celebrates 20 Years

Cadet Parts Business Celebrates 20 Years SPECIALTY/SERVICES “When I got laid off from my job 20 years ago it was a blessing in disguise because I started restoring Cub Cadet tractors and selling parts and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since ” says Scott Urschel owner of Urschel CCC in Indiana Urschel had his first exposure to Cub Cadets when his father gave he and his brother two of the popular lawn tractors as Christmas presents When Urschel started his business his father helped him set up his inventory system using the skills he’d acquired as a parts manager for a local equipment dealership These days Urschel keeps a large inventory of parts in a new building on his farm “I try to keep a lot of parts on the shelf because when people call they appreciate getting the parts in a few days rather than having me hunt them down ” says Urschel “I probably have 84 Cadets on the property now and parts from several hundred more on the shelf ” Urschel recently purchased 50 Cadet tractors from a fellow he’s known for several years Many of them are restored but some he’ll use for parts Urschel says he prices his parts based on what he sees at swap meets and always tries to be fair “Rare parts bring a premium because there just aren’t that many of them out there ” He gauges the market at swap meets online and by visiting with other collectors “Just like big tractors the market comes and goes ” says Urschel “Fifteen to 20 years ago they went from worth nothing to crazy high For example a set of round fenders that was maybe $10 went to $250 which was more than a complete tractor at one time An M & W 9-speed gearbox has always brought a lot of money because it’s rare and hard to find ” Urschel says he gets most requests for parts that fit Cub Cadet originals the 70 and 100 models the 123 the 169 the 800 and the Spirit of 76 He says about half of his customers are retired people who are rebuilding a Cadet of their own Another quarter are in their 50’s and 60’s and the rest are youngsters and young adults who are just starting to restore “A lot of people will pay $300 to $400 for a tractor spend the same on parts and almost that much for tires and have a really nice tractor when they’re done ” Urschel says Urschel also sells complete tractors for restoration and restores tractors if someone wants that done “Some restoration guys have a lot of overhead ” Urschel says “I charge by the hour to cover my costs and make some money but I’m not in this to get rich overnight I’ve learned that people who want a nice restored tractor don’t want to pay 3 to 4 times what it’s worth just to have it looking and running like new ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Scott Urschel Urschel CCC 854 US Hwy 224 Uniondale Ind 46791 ph 260 715-3440; cubconnection@aol com

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