Adding a 3 point and a creeper gear to a 154?

[ibdilbert]

Mowing with my 154 has been a complete pleasure, though there are some places that I had wished I could of slowed down. That being said after a good hour I was starting to feel more comfortable with the speed.

Can a creeper gear be added to a 154 that never had one?

And another off the wall question, has anyone added a 3 point hitch that didn't have one?

[wagonmaster]

I think it would be more cost effective to sell yours and buy another with a creeper and 3pt. I have swapped 3pt from one of mine onto another 154 .

[ibdilbert]

The thought crossed my mind of finding another. But I've only had this one for about a week.

I am pretty sure worst case scenario I can fab up a 3 point. The creeper gear just looks like a hi/low box that can be added.

All that being said, I am really bad about spending way to much money and time modifying and keeping what I have. One time I found myself with a cracked engine block on a 16ft old fiberglass boat. Everyone told me to dump it and buy another boat. I spent two years finding parts and pieces and stuffed a Ford 302 in it. Had to rebuild the stringers to support it and ended up swapping out trailer with one that could support the weight. Still have the boat and use it all the time! Sure I spent way more than what the boat was worth, but I was entertained! LOL

[Eugene]

It would be less expensive purchasing a Numbered Cub Low-boy with a bad engine and with the parts desired than purchasing the needed parts for the change over.

Edit. It would be a very time consuming changing over all of the needed parts.

Actually, purchase another Numbered Cub Low-boy with creeper and 3-point. Then you would have two working/mowing Cubs.

[outdoors4evr]

To answer your specific question, the creeper and the 3-point can be added. To add the creeper, a shorter driveshaft is required. The 3-point hitch can be added as well. The rear end sheet metal is replaced (exchanged) with the donor tractor. A cylinder is usually plumbed in with a Tee under the tunnel. Done right, a diverter valve is added in the tunnel and the cylinder is plumbed into the diverter valve. It would take about $1600ish to add both the creeper and the 3-point. Look for a donor tractor around that price range.

[ibdilbert]

After much research, the 3 point will be easy and cheap to make. The most expensive part will be the bypass valve. The creeper gear on the other hand I'm having issues sourcing one. After moving a few trailers around tonight, I'd be willing to overpay for one.

[outdoors4evr]

Here's an aftermarket solution for the diverter valve.
https://www.surpluscenter.com/Brands/Prince-Mfg/3-8-NPT-20-GPM-Prince-Selector-Valve-9-6133.axd
You will have to make a support bracket that attaches it to the frame.

Be patient with the creepers. They do come up on ebay once in a while. One of our site sponsors might even have one that hasn't been disassembled for parts.

[mastercraft]

Hamilton bobs may have them....also try ebay

[mozer71]

Io really would have liked a "creeper". I don't see it happening.. When loaded with high grass, I disengage the pto and back out. This happens on slopes or hills often. When the deck is re engaged , it comes to running speed, clearing out all the previous grass. Then the clutch is down, put it in first gear, lift the clutch slowly. The deck inertia turns into kinetic force . We proceed to mowing up uphill at a slant.

[mozer71]

The previous was not an answer. I'd get a creeper if I could. Of course everyone says I need a larger tractor.

[IndyFord2]

May be beating a dead horse here (as old as these post are) BUT A creeper gear can be bought, most competent mechanics can install one. (assuming you have all needed parts) They are great, but don't expect to jump back & forth like a modern tractor. (gotta let those gears mesh) As for a 3 point, unless you have access to some serious metal & machine capabilities, I would look for OEM. Lower arms & 3rd member can be bought a most tractor supply places. The rest (80%) is some serious attachment parts. They are out there (took me 4 years and 3 tractors to get a tractor equipped exactly as I wanted) Good Luck

Dan Hogue
Martinsville, IN
(154 in piles & boxes)
(154 IH deck, turf tires)
(185 Woods deck, turf tires, creeper, 3-point w/diverter valve, duel brakes)

[ibdilbert]

A non running 185 fell into my lap this evening. Maybe the perfect donor, its in pretty rough shape but has a 3 point and a creeper gear on it. I have to finish another project first ( been building a hydraulic boom crane that folds out of my trucks bumper ). Then I'm going to dedicate some time to play with the cub.

[outdoors4evr]

Congrats on joining the MCC. (Multiple Cub Club)
Since the transmission and rear end is the same in the 185 as the 154, you probably want to keep a lot of your donor tractor.

[ibdilbert]

MCC, Thats funny! Luckily we recently moved to a place where I have some extra storage, so I will remove the major components and slip them into storage for future insurance. I would like to add the 3 point, creeper gear and maybe the dual brakes to my 154. Not sure the condition of the engine, previous owner had no information but indicated it hasn't ran in years. Pics of the new cub attached....

Video, from my youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt1Mhcu4noc

[mozer71]

Hello! Watched your video too. That 185 is a wonderful find. Your 154 is almost exactly like my 1971 (ser# 22405) . Same tires same deck,same snow plow/ linkage. I think you will be really getting into the fellow. The dual brakes are a great improvement, right there. Traction control is so important to not become bogged, dang! So, that may be where you start to disassemble and get linkages out of the way. Really. You will need the donor step plates since you have them. You will get closer into where you can inspect and probably replace the brakes. Two or three operations will coinside to where one doesn't interfere the other. Happy. 4 U.