Hello from France

[Premlal]

Hi, I'm from France, I'm 34 and ... do not own a Farmall...yet!

I live in Brittany which is in the west of France. Up until a few month back I've mainly been interested in cars and mostly british ones at that. I own a couple of Land Rover, Jag and some -to some extent- unusual models as an RX8 (for the rotary engine obviously), a military cab over LR (101), a 3 wheeler (Reliant), a Xantia Activa (active anti-roll system).

I have to admit I have a bad habit of starting a small -sometimes unnecessary- job on a car and turn it into a lifelong mission . Hence, most of the cars mentioned above are on axle stands...

Anyway, I come to you for advice. I store my cars in a 4000sq.ft hangar on a 0.5 acre patch of land. Undoubtedly to US standards this is probably minuscule but over here, for the use I have, it is quite big. The patch of land is currently untended and unused which is a shame. For my birthday I got offered one of those which is a great idea and probably perfect for the job... but for a few months now I had been toying with the idea of getting a small oldish tractor to take care of this bit of land. I won't lie, my first thoughts led me toward a David Brown but I felt they were too big and didn't really catch my attention.

That's why I'm here, I quickly discovered the Farmall Cub and I just loved the look of it. Then, since it's meant to be a tool, not a museum piece, I felt like it'd be close to be perfect for the jobs I have in mind (which currently is only trimming the tall grass).

So what do you guys think? Would a Cub be a good tool to mow a 0.5acre overgrown bit of land ? Then I was thinking of plowing parts of it (partly to grow but mostly to use the tractor to be honest) and then find other stuff to do.

Thanks for your time and help

[Pap]

Welcome Permial.
I think a cub would be great for the job. And I am sure some of the other guys here will have something to say about it. I think you are at the right place to learn about Cubs. And I hope you have good luck with whatever you decide to go with.

[Bob McCarty]

Welcome to the Forum. There are members in England, Ireland, Denmark, and France. Some have US Cubs and some have French Cubs. If you find one in running condition, it will be a big head start. At the same time though, you may want to make a list of the implements you'd want (other than a plow) and see if they are available. Small parts can be shipped from the US if unavailable over there, but shipping on anything of weight can be a large expense. I have a 1979 RX-7.

[indy61]

I think a Cub is a poor choice for 0.5 acre patch of land. The turning radius is terrible and I think you will have a very hard time finding a mower deck.

[Mike in Louisiana]

I think a Cub is a poor choice for 0.5 acre patch of land. The turning radius is terrible and I think you will have a very hard time finding a mower deck.

But if you really want a tractor a cub is small and easy to work on.

Welcome to the forum.

[Premlal]

Hi everyone, thanks for the feedback!

Welcome to the Forum. There are members in England, Ireland, Denmark, and France. Some have US Cubs and some have French Cubs. If you find one in running condition, it will be a big head start. At the same time though, you may want to make a list of the implements you'd want (other than a plow) and see if they are available. Small parts can be shipped from the US if unavailable over there, but shipping on anything of weight can be a large expense. I have a 1979 RX-7.

I'm not surprised they've made their way in a few places, they look like great no-nonsense little machines. It was nice to discover that they used to be manufactured in France too (although, not so surprisingly, it's a bit saddening to see what it has become).
I am currently looking at 2. Both are running, one has been restored and is advertised for 3,500€ (~4,200$) and the other one is a bit scruffy but running at 1,400€ (~1,700$). Both are sold with a working sickle mower. I've linked the ads if you wish to have a look despite being very french . My main issue is that 90% of the ads are on the other side of France which kind of bums me out.
Regarding implement as you may have guessed I'm completely new to the agricultural world. In all fairness, I'm probably chosing the Cub as much for the machine as for what it can do for me (or rather what I need it for). My only requirement for now is mowing wild grass so I'm looking at a sickle mower and then a mower deck for when it's not so wild. From there I would like to cultivate part of the land but I know absolutely nothing, my only point of reference is Clarkson's Farm on Amazon so that'll be for later.
Good point about the parts, aside the shipping cost what's the status ? Are they mostly readily available and at reasonable cost or is it a treasure hunt each time ? I'm not talking specific rare items/implements obviously but basic maintenance and care and maybe a rebuild.
An RX-7, that's definitely quite nice, and an early one too, good on you. Is it running ok? I do have a penchant for the RX3.

I think a Cub is a poor choice for 0.5 acre patch of land. The turning radius is terrible and I think you will have a very hard time finding a mower deck.

Well that's definitely good to have in mind. The terrain is flat and completely rectangular plus I do have a brush cutter (one on wheels, not sure how it's actually called) which will allow me to do the edges and around the few trees around the plot.
Also, as said above, it's quite likely that I just want a cub and am trying to find excuses for owning one than really needing one . Still, I'd be interested in knowing what you'd think be a better alternative taking account that I'm not interested in getting "new" stuff.

[Stanton]

Welcome to the Forum, Premlal! It sounds like your heart is already leaning toward a Cub--they do have a magnetic personality.

I've used a plow and two gang disc on a very, very small garden before, so it can be done. As for the two choices before you, I'd say the second one for 1400 Euros (about $1600) would be better, if you're just wanting a working Cub. It already has its work clothes on and you won't worry about scratching it all up. You could always paint it up later if you decide to do that.

You might use the Search box in upper right corner of screen and type in "France"; quite a few threads come up that may be of interest to you.

In the meantime, you might read through a few threads to acquaint yourself with the Forum:

• Welcome Wagon
• How to Upload Pictures to a Post
• Forum Picture Posting And Other Interesting Things You Can Do
• Using the Forum

Now that you’ve logged your 2nd post on the Forum, you'll have access to the all the PDF Manuals on this site. There’s a few ways to do that:

• From a desktop or laptop, go to "Quick Links" in the upper left corner of your screen. Hit that and a pull-down appears where you'll find "PDF Manuals".
• You can also go to “Cub Info” in the upper toolbar, then hit “Rudi’s Manuals”. From there, you can access a variety of information.
• If you're using a phone, go to the "Links Directory" (second category down the main page). Once in "Links Directory" , scroll down to the second section "Tractor Parts & Manuals" and you'll find them there.

You'll be able to download an Owner's Manual (very strongly recommended) and any service manuals that interest you. Implement Manuals are also available. Downloading and start reading the Owner's Manual will get you acquainted with the Cub.

Might also enjoy reading through this thread (even though it’s for a Cub, much can be applied to any tractor just brought home): What to do with a Cub you just brought home

There are a lot of good threads dealing with Cub repair and maintenance in the How To Forum. Located here: http://farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=11

We’d encourage you to take the Safety Test located in the Safety Forum: http://farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=68084

Take some pictures of your tractor when you get it and post them, we’d like to see them.

Remember:

• Pictures are limited to 500 KB file size. Use an image reducer app or program to downsize pics.
• When you have a specific question, start a new thread in the appropriate sub-forum.
• Before posting, use the Preview button before hitting Submit--it'll show you exactly what your post will look like, including pictures.
• When adding your comments to a thread, be sure to look at the date of the last poster. If it’s more than a 6 months old, the posters are probably not going to see it. Consider starting a new thread.

Glad you joined us.

[Eugene]

Welcome.

Suggest seaching this site for what folks use their Cubs for. I use my Cubs mostly as mower tractors and towing a small trailer. Anyway, I'm sure you will find a number of uses for your tractor.

[Premlal]

Welcome to the Forum, Premlal! It sounds like your heart is already leaning toward a Cub--they do have a magnetic personality.
As for the two choices before you, I'd say the second one for 1400 Euros (about $1600) would be better, if you're just wanting a working Cub.

You might use the Search box in upper right corner of screen and type in "France"; quite a few threads come up that may be of interest to you.

Hey, thanks for your advice, I was leaning toward the 3,5k€ previously but a friend of mine submitted the other one saying it may be a better idea. Looking at it since then I start to think it looks indeed like a better deal.

Now I have had a look at the library of PDFs and I have to admit I'm flabbergasted! I always thought Land Rover literature was aplenty (and it actually is, I have all the workshop manuals and parts manuals in physical form so that's pretty useful) but I've never seen it as well arranged and as plentiful as it is here. Hat's off for that, it's really impressive and it definitely deserves a donation even though I don't have the tractor yt!

Welcome.

Suggest seaching this site for what folks use their Cubs for. I use my Cubs mostly as mower tractors and towing a small trailer. Anyway, I'm sure you will find a number of uses for your tractor.

Well, I guess I'll follow in your steps I guess I'll probably spend quite some time showing it off to friends

[Dale Finch]

WHEN you buy your cub, take lots of photos..."before & after". Also, as you work on your cub, those photos will be very handy in documenting the work done on it, as well as assist in reassembly!

Enjoy your search...it is probably the MOST fun part about owning a Cub!!!

[Stanton]

And by the way, a 4000sf hanger is much larger than most of us have. Consider yourself fortunate!

[Glen]

Hi,
Below are the Cub implement owner's and operator's manuals at Rudi's Manuals, which is at the top of the page at Cub Info.
You can look through them, they have pics of the implements.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... index.html

The Cub 22 Mower is the side mounted sickle bar mower made for the Cub. The manual for it is in the group above.
The Cub 22 Mower manuals on the left side of the list don't work, but there is 1 on the right side that does work.

There are 1 or 2 parts places I remember people in Europe with French Cubs talking about, I don't know how many places there are. You can look online there.
This one below is in the Netherlands, I think.

https://histoparts.com/en/tractor-parts ... ub-h-m-bmd

[Premlal]

Hi everyone, I've got my Cub!

It's neither from the 2 ads I shared earlier but one right in the middle which is what I was actually looking for. I'm glad I found it in the right timing (was about to buy the "cheap" one and had another look around a week before viewing was due). Here's the ad which is still up for now : https://www.leboncoin.fr/materiel_agricole/2033856913.htm.

So it's 1956, pretty much all original and in good used condition in my view. It comes with a sickle bar, a plough and a home made platform. The platform is not original but really very well made. The seller told me they used to make genuine ones but I haven't heard or seen anything like it.

Unsurprisingly it's a french built one as shown -if I'm not mistaken- by the exhaust running under the belly and the obvious french VIN plate (Model name FFCUB, for French Farmall Cub) and Solex carburettor. It's got its number plate front lights but is missing the rear light (usually fitted on the same bracket as the number plate) and has no rear working light.

The engine has apparently been refurbished 5 years ago. I have no proof of that (no paperwork came with it) but it starts beautifully and runs great. There are a few leaks here and there the major one being the sediment bowl seal which I've temporarily replaced with a similar size o-ring to move the tractor around.

I had a go with the sickle bar but it kind of choked (not sure of the term) quite quickly. My guess is that the blades are not that good anymore. Can those been sharpened? I've been told they can't and need to be changed (not that I mind, but if it still has some use in it I don't want to thow it away).

On the short term I'll do the basic maintenance fluids/filter/seals change and then see what I can do with it.

Enough with the talk, here are some pics :



[EDIT] @Glen, thanks for the links!

[Eugene]

What was the platform used for?

Knives on the sickle bar can be sharpened. New ones are still available at most tractor dealerships or farm stores.

[Bob McCarty]

What was the platform used for?

Trimming hedges.