Looking to buy '93? 1440

[engineer13]

I am looking at buying a cub cadet 1440 garden tractor. All the mowers I have worked on up till now are throw aways that I picked up on garbage day or the only new one I ever owned, an '04 Bolens (Lowes special). Well I just moved out of town and the little Bolens is working way too hard to cut 3 acres of long grass.
I found this CC 1440 and the guy wants $600 dollars for it. It does have about 1100 hours on the meter. The blades and the front tires will need replacing (the rears are new) and a few cosmetic items expected of a tractor that old. The 14 HP Brigs twin starts and purrs like a new motor.
It seems like a good deal but I don't have a feel for how much longer this will last. I am also concerned about whether the Hydro static on this (mtd built) cub will hold up to 3 acres of fast growing grass (a little rough but basically flat in Texas i.e. it grows all year) and eventually plowing a 1/2 acre garden. I know the old IH cubs are rock solid and I just missed one for $300. As for the small deck size I can purchase a 44" tow behind and still be less the price of a craftsman on sale. Sorry for the long explanation. I welcome any comments.
Thanks
Engineer13

 

[PUMA454]

I own 4 cub cadet 782's which are Red and were built in the early 80's when Cadet first purchase the productline from IH. They have Kohler 17HP twin cylinder engines. One has 1795 hours on it without a rebuild. I've had a couple of the engines rebuilt and they run like new. Those had the early style hour meter on them that nobdy could read while they probably went around more than once.

I think a 1440 is more like a late 80's rather than '93 model. I have an 1862 from the early 90's and a 1864 that is more like a '93 model as well. The earlier models are more bullet proof but I love power steering.

The biggest cost for repairs are usually the mower deck spindles. This unit should run a long time yet if it has been taken care of. Some of mine aren't pretty but they run good.