Several of you have given me advice on the 49 Cub I that I have been looking at. Next question is about a 73 Lo Boy with a mower. This machine is totally restored and in fact it looks like it came out of the showroom. It also has a 3 pt hitch. I can supply a craigslist if anyone wants to see pics.
How reliable are they as a mower, and are they slow, fast, or inbetween? I want a machine that I can mow, and put in deer food plots with. I know it is still limited somewhat because of horsepower and I am considering just buying a newer 30 HP diesel compact tractor which would probably outlive me, and be a reliable workhorse.
The Lo Boy in question is a 154, and below is the link. This is one nice looking little machine.
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/grd/6062562071.html
This site uses cookies to maintain login information on FarmallCub.Com. Click the X in the banner upper right corner to close this notice. For more information on our privacy policy, visit this link: Privacy Policy
NEW REGISTERED MEMBERS: Be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folders for the activation email.
Cub Lo Boy for mower?
Forum rules
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
Notice: For sale and wanted posts are not allowed in this forum. Please use our free classifieds or one of our site sponsors for your tractor and parts needs.
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:31 pm
- Zip Code: 29407
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 4945
- Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 3:04 pm
- Zip Code: 14559
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: Rochester, NY
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
They are about the same speed wise as a Cub, since they use the same transmission and final drives as a Cub. You'll be mowing at 3.2MPH taking 59" swaths, which in my experience is just a bit slower than a 46" hydrostatic lawn tractor.
One big advantage to the numbered Lo Boy is the live PTO, meaning the mower deck continues to spin when you press the clutch, so you can spool up the mower deck before putting the tractor in gear, AND its momentum won't push you through the garage door or into a tree.
It's biggest advantage is also its biggest weak point. The live PTO is a crude design, using belts. If the belts break, you have to split the tractor to replace them.
As far as a tillage tractor, it might be limited due to limited ground clearance and limited availability of Category 0 implements.
One big advantage to the numbered Lo Boy is the live PTO, meaning the mower deck continues to spin when you press the clutch, so you can spool up the mower deck before putting the tractor in gear, AND its momentum won't push you through the garage door or into a tree.
It's biggest advantage is also its biggest weak point. The live PTO is a crude design, using belts. If the belts break, you have to split the tractor to replace them.
As far as a tillage tractor, it might be limited due to limited ground clearance and limited availability of Category 0 implements.
-
- Team Cub Mentor
- Posts: 20336
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:52 pm
- Zip Code: 65051
- Circle of Safety: Y
- Location: Mo. Linn
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
The 154 is a good lawn mower. Would be a better mower if the tractor had a creeper gear.
Also didn't see a diverter valve in the photos or listed in the advertisement. Without the diverter valve you have to lock out either the mower or 3-point, depending on which you want to use.
Big problem is that implements are hard to impossible to find.
Also didn't see a diverter valve in the photos or listed in the advertisement. Without the diverter valve you have to lock out either the mower or 3-point, depending on which you want to use.
Big problem is that implements are hard to impossible to find.
I have an excuse. CRS.
- pickerandsinger
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 1501
- Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2012 3:23 pm
- Zip Code: 13143
- Tractors Owned: 1957 Cub Low Boy w/ FH Mott Flail Mower
1953 Cub w/ sprayer and 54A blade (Chompers)
1954 Cub w/fast hitch (Ira)
1948 Cub ( Papa Paul)with Henderson loader..
1951 Mutt mix Cub (BattleAx
1950 Farmall Cub (basket case demo)
Cub parts tractor
2019 " KuB"ota 2601 loader and roto tiller
1951 Ferguson TEA 20 (parts)( Uncle Rusty)
F/H Disc Harrow for cub L-38
C-22 Sickle Bar Mower
IH C2 and C3 mower
Universal tool attachment with disc hillers..Rear cultivators (various tips
York Rake for Cub home made
Single bottom Plow for Cub F194
Gravely 5660 12 hp/ w snoblower.rototiller,bush hog - Circle of Safety: Y
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
My Lo Boy is a 57...It has a 59 in mower and I mow about 2.5 acres of lawn in second gear...It works well..Before I put a fast hitch on a regular cub, I plowed with it and have a york rake rigged up with a fast hitch point and I used that with it...Now it just mows..I think it all depends on how much of a Cub fanatic you are ...Personal choice as far as whether to buy a diesel dependable tractor, or Cub...I don't know a lot about yellow numbered tractors but the lo boy is a great mowing tractor IMHO, and a lot of people think thats all you can do with them...I'm not one..But thats only my 2 cents..Seems to me to be a lot of coins for that tractor, but the last cub I bought a couple years ago I paid 800 dollars for and refurbished it nose to toes and put a 350 dollar henderson on it that needed a ton of work...I don't add up the parts and labor ..hahahahaha....besides it keeps me out of trouble..kinda...Dave....
In Memory of 58,286
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 1:28 pm
- Zip Code: 49546
- Tractors Owned: 1951 F-Cub, 1964 Cub Cadet 120, 1985 Kubota B7200D
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
I really don't understand the comments above about implements being hard to find? There are a bunch of CAT 0 or CAT 1 implements on Craigslist or at your local TSC that work just fine on these tractors.
You will not find powered implements due to rotations and size of pto, maybe that's the limitation? In practical use, the tractor doesn't have the power to drive those anyways so it's not a big deal. Unless you really want to run a tiller?
That's a really nice tractor, but you're paying a premium for the "looks". At that price, I'd definitely trade a creeper gear and some implements for something a little rougher looking. Just my opinion.
You will not find powered implements due to rotations and size of pto, maybe that's the limitation? In practical use, the tractor doesn't have the power to drive those anyways so it's not a big deal. Unless you really want to run a tiller?
That's a really nice tractor, but you're paying a premium for the "looks". At that price, I'd definitely trade a creeper gear and some implements for something a little rougher looking. Just my opinion.
- SONNY
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 4086
- Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:26 pm
- Zip Code: 61722
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
You really don't want to here my firsthand use/ownership of the 154 or 185 mowers.--1; lack of power 2; ground speed too fast , now, IF you get one with the 6 speed, (they call it creeper gear), THEN you got a real bush-hoggin unit!!----As far as ground plowing/tillin/etc.---They will not do it.--
Summin it up,-- go buy the diesel sub and never look back!!---You would NEVER be satisfied with the lo-boy's!! My 0.2, ( you asked,-- I told as honest as I could) thanks; sonny
Summin it up,-- go buy the diesel sub and never look back!!---You would NEVER be satisfied with the lo-boy's!! My 0.2, ( you asked,-- I told as honest as I could) thanks; sonny
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 2783
- Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:44 pm
- Zip Code: 48370
- Tractors Owned: 184
- Location: Oxford, MI
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
So nobody really created a good comparison for your options. Mowers are compared by how many acres per hour it can mow (open field with no obstructions comparison).
The 154 with a 60" deck will mow regular lawn in 2nd gear at 3.8mph This means 2.07 acres per hour with a 10% overlap.
The 154 with a 60" deck will mow regular lawn in 1st gear at 2.9mph This means 1.58 acres per hour with a 10% overlap.
Compare this to your other options. If I were swimming in $$$ I'd buy a new diesel compact with a loader and mower.
The 154 with a 60" deck will mow regular lawn in 2nd gear at 3.8mph This means 2.07 acres per hour with a 10% overlap.
The 154 with a 60" deck will mow regular lawn in 1st gear at 2.9mph This means 1.58 acres per hour with a 10% overlap.
Compare this to your other options. If I were swimming in $$$ I'd buy a new diesel compact with a loader and mower.
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 7388
- Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2006 5:02 pm
- Zip Code: 00000
- Location: in northern usa
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
I mow two acres in 45 minutes non stop. With a 154/60" in 3260 deck. My local lawn repair guy calls the 154 a mowing machine. I paid $800 and it was missing the drive belt. I rebuilt the pto, 3260 mower deck. It was cake to work on.
The earlier 154 to replace the pto twin belts you move the engine forward, with the later 154 the drive shaft is removable. I own both 154's.
The earlier 154 to replace the pto twin belts you move the engine forward, with the later 154 the drive shaft is removable. I own both 154's.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:16 pm
- Zip Code: 45325
- Tractors Owned: IH 184
- Location: Farmersville ohio
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
I have a 184 with 3160A deck. It has mowed the same 4.2 acres since 1976. Takes about 2.5 hours as long as I can go in 2nd gear. Two years ago I got a deal on a Ferris 3100Z, 60" deck and 36hp. There is absolutely no comparison. It takes less than 1.5 hours since it mows at 12mph. I love my 184 but it can't come close to a good ZTR for cutting grass. The 184 is a good mower, sprayer puller, aereator puller, trailer puller, spreader puller but the Ferris is a great mower but poor at pulling things. $00.02 worth.
-
- 10+ Years
- Posts: 7388
- Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2006 5:02 pm
- Zip Code: 00000
- Location: in northern usa
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
You missing the fun factor mowing with the 184.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:16 pm
- Zip Code: 45325
- Tractors Owned: IH 184
- Location: Farmersville ohio
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
Actually the Ferris with 4 wheel suspension and 36 hp it has a lot more fun factor. You can't power slide the 184. Sometimes when I am in a real hurry I just power slide the turns.
-
- 5+ Years
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:31 pm
- Zip Code: 29407
Re: Cub Lo Boy for mower?
I went up to the house we are buying over the weekend for a home inspection. While there I met the present owners and they are moving to Boston of all places, to be closer to family, which I understand. He has no need for his zero turn so we arrived at a price and I purchased it, so now I am not in need of a mower. I think I will pursue a small diesel tractor that has a mid mount PTO, so in the future if I wear out the zero turn then I can purchase a belly mower for the diesel. I'm guessing I want something in the 35 to 40 HP for my needs which may be overkill for mowing, but not for discing and cultivating. Nobody ever said boy, I wish I had less HP.
Return to “Lo-Boy Series - 154, 184, 185”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests