Parts Business Keeps Cubs Running
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Rob Houtz and his Cub Cadet Used Parts business is proof that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Houtz retired from his Cub Cadet dealership in 2016. The new buyer had no interest in the firm’s used Cub Cadets. He also didn’t want any of the 40 skids of used parts.
“I had a 4-acre lot at home, so I took the 100 old tractors and the parts there,” says Houtz. “I set up a website and started selling them.”
In the 8 years since, he’s shipped parts around the U.S. and Canada, as well as to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the United Kingdom. This past year, sales totaled more than $40,000.
The business keeps Cub Cadets running. Houtz claims he has parts for every Cub Cadet built since 1961. He should know since he estimates having sold more than 3,500 of them new since he returned to the family business in 1980. It was one his grandfather started in 1934, selling all International Harvester equipment. In 1968, his father cut back to just Cub Cadets as Chicago suburbs closed in on the dealership.
In-depth knowledge of the tractors and a lifetime of dealing with parts can be seen on Houtz’s website. The list of parts, from accessories to wiring harness, is as systematic as any to be found. Customers can order by the part number if they know it or go to the used parts catalog.
“I have parts in bins by the part number,” he says. “People will call up and want a part, but they don’t have the number.”
Houtz can help them as well. The website directs them to CubCadet.com or PartsTree.com to look up their model and find the part number that way.
Houtz sells used tractors he has on hand, as well as hundreds of used parts. An H with recent paint, an overhaul, wheel weights, canopy, belt pully, and an MW transmission was listed at $2,500 with a two-bottom plow and a 6-ft. sickle mower.
If he doesn’t have a part in a bin, Houtz can quickly find one in good shape on his used tractors. A driveshaft is available for $50, a complete drivetrain is $100, and an engagement ferrule is $5.
Many of the original 100 older tractors he brought home have been stripped to their frames and then sent to the salvage yard. Houtz finds it amusing that he still has more than 100 tractors on his lot.
“Not a month goes by without someone calling me to say they have a yellow and white tractor to get rid of,” he says. “I show up with my truck and winch the old tractor out of the trees or wherever it’s been parked. Usually they don’t want any money, but I’ll give them $20 anyway.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Houtz Cub Cadet Used Parts, P.O. Box 733, Elburn, Ill. 60119 (ph 630-461-6052; rob@rfhoutz.com; www.cubcadetusedparts.com).
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Parts Business Keeps Cubs Running TRACTORS Antiques Rob Houtz and his Cub Cadet Used Parts business is proof that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure Houtz retired from his Cub Cadet dealership in 2016 The new buyer had no interest in the firm’s used Cub Cadets He also didn’t want any of the 40 skids of used parts “I had a 4-acre lot at home so I took the 100 old tractors and the parts there ” says Houtz “I set up a website and started selling them ” In the 8 years since he’s shipped parts around the U S and Canada as well as to Australia New Zealand Europe and the United Kingdom This past year sales totaled more than $40 000 The business keeps Cub Cadets running Houtz claims he has parts for every Cub Cadet built since 1961 He should know since he estimates having sold more than 3 500 of them new since he returned to the family business in 1980 It was one his grandfather started in 1934 selling all International Harvester equipment In 1968 his father cut back to just Cub Cadets as Chicago suburbs closed in on the dealership In-depth knowledge of the tractors and a lifetime of dealing with parts can be seen on Houtz’s website The list of parts from accessories to wiring harness is as systematic as any to be found Customers can order by the part number if they know it or go to the used parts catalog “I have parts in bins by the part number ” he says “People will call up and want a part but they don’t have the number ” Houtz can help them as well The website directs them to CubCadet com or PartsTree com to look up their model and find the part number that way Houtz sells used tractors he has on hand as well as hundreds of used parts An H with recent paint an overhaul wheel weights canopy belt pully and an MW transmission was listed at $2 500 with a two-bottom plow and a 6-ft sickle mower If he doesn’t have a part in a bin Houtz can quickly find one in good shape on his used tractors A driveshaft is available for $50 a complete drivetrain is $100 and an engagement ferrule is $5 Many of the original 100 older tractors he brought home have been stripped to their frames and then sent to the salvage yard Houtz finds it amusing that he still has more than 100 tractors on his lot “Not a month goes by without someone calling me to say they have a yellow and white tractor to get rid of ” he says “I show up with my truck and winch the old tractor out of the trees or wherever it’s been parked Usually they don’t want any money but I’ll give them $20 anyway ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Houtz Cub Cadet Used Parts P O Box 733 Elburn Ill 60119 ph 630-461-6052; rob@rfhoutz com; www cubcadetusedparts com
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