Farmall Cub

Anyone have any info on this tractor? Found one over the weekend with a woods mower (with front mower wheels on it) in my area. Boxy looking front end instead of the rounded front end similar to the 1950's cubs. No telescoping front end. Owner wants ~1600.00. Tires cracked, and needs all four tires. Runs fairly well. Steering has 1/4 turn play. Good or bad idea?

Thanks,

SundaySailor (Rick)

This one looks similar to the one in the photo archives, except it is red in color, not yellow and white

It was a more modern LoBoy. Same engine, essentially the same transmission.

Rick, you might want to check out this group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ihcubloboyseries/

Rick:

There is some info on the 154 on the server under Numbered Cubs

Another question.... The current cub I own has a woods 42 mower on it. The tractor could use some mechanical help - but which one doesn't? It mows fairly well, and runs fairly well. I'm looking either for another cub with cultivators, etc and leave my current cub as is, or buy another tractor with mower and convert my cub to a cultivating tractor for gardening. What are your opinons on the options? Would you think a 1960's - 1970's lo-boy is a reasonable tractor for mowing, or would you stick with the traditional cub (with mower) and just go ahead and try to find another cub for the garden? I like growing silver queen corn, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, etc. The cub seems to be the most practical tractor for a smaller garden that I can think of that you can still get parts for. This is a concern to me, as I do not want to buy an imported tractor or even a made in USA that I cannot find repair parts for.

Thanks in advance,

SundaySailor (Rick)

Rick, I think the lo-boys are an excellent choice for a mowing tractor and the standard cub is best for cultivating. You could easily go with either option on your choice for another tractor. But, since you mentioned that your current cub runs fair and could use some work, I think the appropriate choice is another mowing tractor. Your cub would see a lot less duty time as a cultivating tractor and might last a lot longer before major repairs become necessary.

That makes a lot of sense. I know the current cub definitely needs brakes. Found that out this past weekend. Glad there weren't any cars around when I stopped on a small incline. I stomped those brakes as hard as I could, and she still kept backing down the incline. Luckily, I remembered to turn the front wheels against the grain of the hill, and she eventually stopped.

Rick

Rick:

I agree with BD. I have 2 regular cubs - Granny (47) and Ellie-Mae (48) that I use for garden and other assorted yard and woodlot work. I really would like to have a Lo-boy that had a good finish mower deck to dedicate to mowing chores. That certainly would help a lot.

So, I think the best option for you would be to by the Lo-boy and save your reg Cub for garden chores. That way, you can work on the Cub and fix each small problem one at a time without loosing access to your mower.

Rick, I agree with Big Dog.... I have a 1974 Cub Low Boy (yellow and cream) with a 60in. IH deck that I use just for mowing and leave it set up that way... Great Great mowing machine.. I then have a 1953 Cub that I can keep pristine and give the grand kids a wagon ride as well as take to the classic tractor shows without worry... Jim

This is really something to think about. The mechanic who has done the majority of the work on my current cub told me that if I wanted to work out a trade on my woods mower, he had someone who had the cultivators for the conversion. Now that this looks a bit better, I think I'm going to try and make another trip out to see the Lo-boy again. That is, if we don't end up getting soaking wet from Frances. Fortunately, the Lo-boy is located way out in the country "off the beaten path". So, I might be able to take my time and really check things out. Thanks so much for the comments. They are very much appreciated.

Rick

Be sure to give the PTO and it's clutch, and also the tractor clutch, a good checkout. Both are known trouble spots, and both can be pricey to repair.