Split 58 lo boy

[kaleb58loboy]

Why wedge the front axle before splitting tractor?

[Slim140]

It will tip over. Bolted together the rear keeps it from doing that, that's why you have to wedge the front.

[Urbish]

It will tip over. Bolted together the rear keeps it from doing that, that's why you have to wedge the front.

Building upon that: With the engine offset to the left side, there is a lot of weight hanging off-center. If you have the rear of your Cub jacked up from the center and remove the right rear wheel, the whole thing will violently flop over to the left and could flip over. Even if it doesn't flip, the slam could cause the tractor to fall off of its jack stands or the jack itself. There have been a number of photos posted to this site over the years of Cubs that rolled over in the shop while being worked on.

[TiberiusCub]

Building upon that: With the engine offset to the left side, there is a lot of weight hanging off-center. If you have the rear of your Cub jacked up from the center and remove the right rear wheel, the whole thing will violently flop over to the left and could flip over. Even if it doesn't flip, the slam could cause the tractor to fall off of its jack stands or the jack itself. There have been a number of photos posted to this site over the years of Cubs that rolled over in the shop while being worked on.

I have not seen a lo boy in person. Is the engine offset on them as well?

[kaleb58loboy]

Yes,the lo boy has a offset engine.
Ready to remove engine when I saw a post about wedging the front end.

[staninlowerAL]

I have not seen a lo boy in person. Is the engine offset on them as well?

Just to add a note: Std FCub and Cub LoBoy differ mainly because the front spindles are about 8 inches shorter and the finals are rotated 90 degrees forward for a lower profile and COG. Number Series LoBoys (154, 185 and 184) are lower profile and COG with a centered drive train mounted in a frame. All share many of the same major components. Here's a post that shows the difference in height..... viewtopic.php?f=122&t=98411ht

[Lt.Mike]

I’ve split mine (a ‘58 lowboy too) a couple times, never wedged it.
Never had a problem in the way I did it but the wheels stayed on. I supported the torque tube with a 6x6 bridged on jack stands. The engine had a nylon lift strap wrapped under the engine hanging from an engine hoist that rolls back when it’s split. Changing the clutch was easy this way.
I picked up the hoist on CL for $50. The deals are out there.
Mike

[Eugene]

Go ahead and wedge the front axle to the bolster. Doesn't take much time. May not be needed, depending on how you rig the tractor for splitting. But, just in case, crap happens, use the wedges.

[k hutchins]

I didn't wedge my cub when I split it because I didn't know I should. The problem didn't show up until putting it back together. The front dipped just enough to the left that the bolt holes and pins wouldn't line up. After some serious wrestling and cursing I made it, but if throwing a couple wedges under the bolster will prevent that, why not?

[Bill Hudson]

Go ahead and wedge the front axle to the bolster. Doesn't take much time. May not be needed, depending on how you rig the tractor for splitting. But, just in case, crap happens, use the wedges.

I agree. Also makes putting that puppy back together easier. I use these to help http://farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=84096&p=671919&hilit=alignment+pins#p671919 Scroll down a bit for the cheap version of effective alignment pins.

Bill