Farmall Cub

Looking into buying a 1949 Farmall Cub. The owner says it has the HI LOW range set up on the rear axle. He says both wheels drive in high but only one wheel drives in low, is this normal? It is mounted on the left side (Short Axle). The guy wants $3200 for the tractor which also includes a front loader and Front Blade, is that a decent buy? Thanks, Nick

Depends, is the answer. 1000 loader is worth more, in my book, than the other brands. Condition of both the loader and blade is very important not to mention the condition of the Cub. Finally, the 'despeeder' can be a real prize,if it is complete and in good condition. Pics would be a real help to evaluate condition.

Like Bill said, depends. How much will it cost to get everything up to snuff? Cub parts are relitivly cheap and easy to find, a motor rebuild is not. That being said, the despeeder is worth $500-$900. Others will correct me if I am wrong but you can do a search here for despeeder and learn more. An average Cub is worth, in my area, $1200-$2000, Grading and Leveling Blade $150-$225 and loader probably <$1000. With that in mind, it looks like he might be in line with the price but it's not a bargin at that price. IMHO

Oh yeah, welcome aboard!!!!

Search this site for Howard Despeeder, that is more than likely the hi-low range implement the seller is describing.

The Howard Despeeder drives/powers both rear wheels. It may provide a bit more power to the left rear wheel than the right rear wheel, but both rear wheels are powered.

The Howard Despeeder can be mounted on either side of the axles, but is most commonly mounted on the left side as you've described. Technically, any tractor, car, truck, etc., with an open differential is only "driving" one wheel. However, because of the way a differential works, power is applied to both wheels. This is true with the Howard Despeeder. Just because it's on the left axle end does not mean it only drives the left wheel. The gear reduction reduces the drive speed, which is evenly applied to both rear wheels because the differential is open.

As others have said, based on what you're looking at, the price is pretty much in line. $1000 for the loader, $1000 to $1500 for the tractor, $800 for the Howard gear reduction unit, $250 to $400 for the blade. I'd say he has things priced pretty fair, as long as everything is in good condition.

Nick:

G'day to you .... and hey.... buying a Cub ... nice. And it has a loader and a blade? Awesome Course for the price pics would be good, as well as to properly ID the loader and the blade. That will affect value immensely. If as Bill indicated it was an IH 1000 loader, it would make the Cub/Loader/Blade combo more valuable. Even one of the other loaders would still add a fair amount of value but about half to 1/3 of the IH 1000 depending on if it is completely hydraulic or a trip loader. The blade if it is a Cub-54 or a Cub-54A would increase the value over a home made/custom built blade. Also of course condition has a huge bearing on the value.