Now I'm really confused...

Let's see if this will show: http://www.antique-tractor.com/CubFAQ/Cub-58-63.jpg

My tractor grill looks like the above. But, my serial number shows 101902. The charts say my cub is about a 1950. But the grill doesn't match. I've checked with the prior owner, and the original owner's son. Both say the grill hasn't been changed on the cub I now own. Is there any chance that grills could have come from the factory with different styles of grills?

Thanks and I will be asking more questions later.

SundaySailor (Rick)

I am more functional than correct, but I wonder if either the grill or the casting where the serial number is located could have been changed without the owner knowing or before they purchased it. There are date codes on the various castings (engine, torque tube, etc.) that will tell you what year they were made. Is there a possibility your cub is a low boy? If so the top of it's front tires will be nearly up to the front axle instead of a ways below it as in the picture.

John,

I wondered about that too, especially with the serial number. However, one of my neighbors just over the hill has a similar cub that is a lo-boy (Of similar vintage) complete with mower and very different looking front end and rear tires, and mine looks taller and has longer spindles. (I think that's what they are called. Please excuse my lame parts designation. I'm still learning a great deal here). Anyway, there is a noticable difference in my neighbor's lo-boy and my cub. So, is there a chance the grills may have been that way from the factory? I can take the casting numbers from the block and see what I come up with. To my knowledge, the engine block hasn't been changed on my cub.

Thanks for the thoughts, it does make one wonder!

Rick

:shock: Let's see if this will show: http://www.antique-tractor.com/CubFAQ/Cub-58-63.jpg

My tractor grill looks like the above. But, my serial number shows 101902. The charts say my cub is about a 1950. But the grill doesn't match. I've checked with the prior owner, and the original owner's son. Both say the grill hasn't been changed on the cub I now own. Is there any chance that grills could have come from the factory with different styles of grills?

Thanks and I will be asking more questions later.

SundaySailor (Rick)

The serial number you give is well within the range of demonstrator Cubs, built during the first 3 months of 1950. The original tractor it was on, like all other demonstrators left the factory with a plain screen grille. The grille that is on it now was the only style available for later replacement for quite some time from IH, and it has been changed... some time after mid 1958.

The correct plain grille is readily available as an aftermarket replacement now. I'm sure there are some who would like to have your grille... commonly known as a 4 bar.

Unless your sheet metal has been damaged, any of the first four Cub grilles should interchange.

My 1949 cub (serial # 59479) has the four-bar grill. Probably most farmers at that time considered the tractor as a work machine and had no personal attachment, unlike collectors today. If a grill was damaged/destroyed, they might replace with whatever was most available or cheapest to obtain. Dan

Hi SS
I have a 61 reg cub and it has that same 4 bar grille. My serial # is 218463 j . As Mr Willer said it was from about mid 1958 to I think at least 1962 or 63 with that style. Mr. Becker probably knows start to finish serial #ers for that grille production.
Paul K. in N.H.

That grill and that serial number plate definitely did not come from the factory on the same tractor. One or the other has changed. As George pointed out, any of the 4 first Cub grills can be screwed on in place of the others. The 4 bar grill was used from '58 to '63. The serial number list on the ATIS FAQ has notations of the serial numbers for grill change (except the first change from fine screen to coarse screen, which I have not found documented).

Ok than, lets mix things up a bit.
I have a Lo-Boy with a four bar Grill

Serial # 2600 J

From the list
Standard Lo-Boy
'56 193658 - 198230 2555 - 3928

My little cub should be a 56' , But why the 4 Bar Grill?

I believe the grill is Original, so???

Oh and I just checked the engine casting #
It ends with an A

Your grill is original the same way SundaySailor's is.

What about the emblems on the doglegs?Orig. for 1950?

Nope.

I wonder if there is any white paint under that red.

Well I'm no specialist, but looking at the "Pic" I would say it's 55 or newer because of the fast hitch, but as we all know that is no foresure fact ither" Confusion""""""""""""""""""""

Here's what I read off the block last evening: 2 20 W with spaces between the numbers and the "W" Looked to be a cast of screws mimicking a plate with screws holding it in place. Below that series: 251341R2 L I hope these are right, as I do have to wear bifocals, and the focal length of sight is at the wrong place. Maybe this will help.

Thanks,

Rick