Newbie intro and hello

[Arthur Dent]

I am new here, thought I would say "Hi".
I have lately been looking over my dad's Cub Lo Boy. From the serial number, I think it's a 1960 (same vintage as me). He bought it about 6 or 8 years ago to mow with (it has a belly mower), but he only played with it a little and parked it in the barn. He got it out and ran it around at least a little bit every year up until about 2 years ago, it has set idle since then.
I can't stand to see it parked in the barn not earning it's keep, so have decided to get it back into shape. The guy he bought it from had it re painted, and claimed that it was overhauled as well. We have only his word of course, no records of any work done.
We pulled it out of the barn a few days ago and installed a borrowed battery and fresh gas... it cranks but no start. A little starting spray in the intake and it will start right up and run until the spray runs out, then of course it dies. Ok, so I need to clean out the carb. I have done carb jobs on motorcycles, so I figure I can do this. I pulled the carb and brought it home to work on this week.
I have been reading through all the threads on the 12v conversion, I have decided that once I get it running on it's own I'll do the conversion. Lots of good info on that in the various threads.
I do have the owner's manual and a service manual, both valuable resources. I notice however, that they neglect to mention some simple but important points. For instance, to gain access to the battery it says to remove the seat. This is the deluxe seat, which does a great job of restricting access to the battery box. So I had all my tools out and was prepared to unbolt the seat from the tractor, when I happened to bump the cushion... and it popped out of the seat frame. Would have been nice if the manual mentioned this.
Also, I don't see anywhere where it tells how to raise the hood. Is there a latch hidden somewhere? I haven't found the secret yet, it will not budge. Of course I have not spent much time with the tractor yet, just a little fiddling around one afternoon. And it's possible that the manuals do mention these items and I just haven't come across it yet.
Anyway, that's where I am with the Cub.

[Bill Hudson]

Welcome, Arthur. As for the hood, get out the wrenches. No latches, brute strength and awkwardness (and maybe a friend) are required. And as we say around here, "Oooooops, the hood is off." Sounds like you are set to have some fun.

Bill

[Bob McCarty]

Arthur, Welcome to the Forum. When you open the carb, pull the halves straight apart or you risk breaking the idle tube which is about 1/8" in diameter. As Bill said, bolts have to come out to remove the hood, along with disconnecting the gas line and opening up the wiring clips along the side of the hood.

Bob

[Arthur Dent]

Oh! Thanks for the information. That explains a few things.

[Barnyard]

Before you start it you may want to prime the oil. They can lose their prime after sitting a spell. Check your oil gaage as it runs and shut it down if you have no pressure after a couple of seconds.

[Mike in Louisiana]

Welcome to the forum.

When you get ready to take the hood off have 2 saw horses or 5 gal buckets to set the hood on.

If you have a lot of gas in the tank hood will be heavy, still best to have a helper.

while hood is off oil fan hub and generator and do a compression check dry and wet if you are not sure on the overhaul.

Also while the hood is off and plugs are out you might look and see if all the valves are opening and closing.

[Papa's Cub]

Welcome to the forum Arthur. It wont be long before your cub will be running like a sewing machine. Be sure you check the oil levels and lubricate all of the grease fittings. Oh, when you get a chance introduce your cub to the forum by posting a few pictures. Good luck, Papa.

[bythepond88]

Welcome to the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Farmall Cub." Read the manuals, and most importantly: Don't Panic!

I notice that you are a fan of the late, great Douglas Adams, as well as Cubs.

[Arthur Dent]

Thanks for all the great tips and information.
I hope to press the Cub back into useful service next year. It's primary job will be mowing, but I would like eventually to use it for gardening as well, if I can find suitable implements. I realize the "finding suitable implements" part might be a bit of a challenge. All I have at the moment are the belly mower and the draw bar, so I have some looking to do.

[Bill Hudson]

Arthur,

You might want to take in Silvey's Winter CubFest in McCordsville, IN on Dec. 7. Less than 250 miles from Dahlgren to a great gathering of very knowledgeable Cub folks. A CubFest concentrates on getting your hands dirty working on Cubs. No need to worry about freezing your pinkies, Jeff's shop is heated -- with gas and lots of "hot air" from the assembled folks. You will get to meet many folks that can help you out. Consider it.

Bill

[PVF1799]

Arthur - welcome to the best forum on the internet. You'll find everything here you'll ever need to know about your Cub. I joined last March when I began the restoration of Rex '48. Without the asistance of all the great folks here I think I'd still be taking things apart. You can see my progress my clicking on the link in my signature line.

Welcome and enjoy.....

Ken

[Arthur Dent]

Update:
I took the carb apart last night, and thanks for the warnings about the idle tube. The bowl was dry, the float valve was stuck shut. It yielded with a little gentle persuasion, the tip and seat both look good.
I sprayed some choke and carb cleaner through the obvious places, and everything seems clear, including the 2 tiny ports in the throat.
When the halves of the carb separated, the gasket remained stuck to the upper half. As I don't have a replacement I am reluctant to try and remove it. Is there anything important hidden behind the gasket? There doesn't seem to be, but I thought I would ask. I don't want to make the trip to the farm and everything then have to take it all back apart again.
Thanks also for the warning about priming the oil pump. I looked that up and am prepared to do that as well.
Hopefully this weekend will see the Cub running around the farm under it's own power.

[Barnyard]

In a pinch you should be okay with the old gasket as long as it isn't broke. While you are at it, and if you haven't already done so, remove the metering jet and run a thin wire through the orifices and flush with som carb cleaner to get any gunk out of it.



Good luck with it this week end!

[Arthur Dent]

Will do, thanks!

[randallc]

Welcome to the forum from Arkansas. Sounds like you got the carb cleaned, which is usually all it takes, maybe a little float adjusting. You may like the standard 6 volt once you get it started and running. Plows and disk and cultivators are not really that hard to find, maybe location. Of course, you need a cub for mowing and another one for gardening and etc. They are contagious little fellers.