Creeper gear from 154 to 184

[ford141]

I'm looking at picking up a rough 154 for parts. The only good part about it is that it has a creeper gear that I'd like to swap into my 184. I know I will need the correct driveshaft to fit my 184 with the creeper, but is there anything else I will need to complete the swap? Has anyone else done this swap?

Attached is the current state of the 184. I'm slowly getting all of the components painted one by one and reinstalling them. It's a slow process since I need to use the tractor for mowing every week.

[MikeEyre74]

The driveshaft from the donor machine won't fit? I'm not up on the nuances of the 184's...

[outdoors4evr]

The 154 driveshaft will not fit. You can either shorten and machine the 184 driveshaft (requires cut off, turn down the end, cut a slot for the snap ring, and a woodruff keyway cut) or you can purchase a new short driveshaft from HamiltonBob.
https://hamiltonbobs.com/cart/product/1 ... lo-boy-mm5

You will have to drill a hole for the creeper knob to reach through the seat support by your left knee. It's about a 1" hole. I recommend a grommet. I have a piece of rubber hose over the creeper handle shaft to keep it from rattling.

[ford141]

The 154 driveshaft will not fit. You can either shorten and machine the 184 driveshaft (requires cut off, turn down the end, cut a slot for the snap ring, and a woodruff keyway cut) or you can purchase a new short driveshaft from HamiltonBob.
https://hamiltonbobs.com/cart/product/1 ... lo-boy-mm5

You will have to drill a hole for the creeper knob to reach through the seat support by your left knee. It's about a 1" hole. I recommend a grommet. I have a piece of rubber hose over the creeper handle shaft to keep it from rattling.

Thanks. I have limited access to machining equipment so I’ll probably buy the new driveshaft. My clutch splines are worn anyway so a new driveshaft would be a good idea.

[ford141]

The driveshaft from the donor machine won't fit? I'm not up on the nuances of the 184's...

The clutch setup is completely different on a 184. While the 154s and 185s have the clutch at the transmission like the cub cadets, the 184 has it on the back of the motor like a Farmall Cub. There are other differences too, like a toothed flywheel with a conventional Farmall style starter instead of the starter generator, electric pto, etc.

[ford141]

Got the donor tractor for my creeper gear. I was originally planning to part this tractor out, but it is complete and everything seems to be in relatively good condition. My plan is to pull the creeper gear for my 184, then get this one running and operational and sell it as a complete tractor. Currently doesn't run but it seems to have good compression and turns over good, just needs the ignition system gone through. The deck is rusted badly but I have another deck to swap on. It would make someone a nice machine.

[outdoors4evr]

So you are going to buy two driveshafts? One new short one for the 184 with a creeper and one long one for the 154 now without a creeper?

[ford141]

So you are going to buy two driveshafts? One new short one for the 184 with a creeper and one long one for the 154 now without a creeper?

I forgot to mention, I have an extra driveshaft from another 154 that I parted out along with the clutch brake bracket. I think I can make this 154 complete with zero money invested and get it running for nothing more than normal tuneup parts (plugs/wires/points/carb rebuild). I can't see parting it out unless I find major issues with the engine.

I will still have to buy a driveshaft for my 184, but I think I can resell this 154 for enough to cover my initial investment plus some extra for the driveshaft.

[mozer71]

Seems like a good plan. You are like most here. Had to rebuild machines to working condition then find a donor for a few organs of it. Turns out to be too good to justly part out when it is usable. Often the sum of the parts is worth more than the machine but there is point where it doesn't make sense.

[ford141]

Seems like a good plan. You are like most here. Had to rebuild machines to working condition then find a donor for a few organs of it. Turns out to be too good to justly part out when it is usable. Often the sum of the parts is worth more than the machine but there is point where it doesn't make sense.

Yes. Actually my 184 was a real wreck when I got it, but I got it very cheap. The motor was blown up (all main and rod bearings wasted and crank damaged badly), hood was wrecked, nose piece busted, deck rusted, loose steering, dryrotted tires. I ended up finding a fairly nice 154 to use as a donor for many of the parts (motor, tires, steering parts, some cosmetics). The 154 was a much nicer tractor than my 184, but I decided that the 184 would make a better tractor in the end given the better clutch setup, better starter/alternator setup, etc, so I swapped the motor into my 184 and started rebuilding and painting it along the way. Since then I've added the 3 point hitch, liquid in the rear tires, and picked up a straight 184 hood and undamaged nose piece. The creeper is the last piece to the puzzle, since a large portion of what I mow is on a steep back with lots of turns involved, and 1st gear is just too far to negotiate at full throttle without beating the tractor up, and throttling down affects the cut quality. It'll probably be a winter project to get it swapped, but in the meantime I'll have fun getting this latest 154 up and running and ready to sell.

Could I have bought a nice, running 184 with a creeper and 3 point hitch for what I have in mine? Maybe. But I wouldn't have the satisfaction of building and restoring it along the way. It also would probably take a few years to run across the right tractor for the right price. Sometimes if you want a certain setup, you just have to build it yourself.

[ford141]

Got the 154 running yesterday. I had to prime the oil pump to get it to build oil pressure (has been sitting for a long time) and file the points down, but I did get it to start. The motor seems healthy, clutch works good and the pto works good. I think she'll make someone a good tractor. Now just need to get the creeper out (which also works good) and get the deck swapped. I'll also do a general tune up on it and replace a few wear items.

[mozer71]

That seems good to me. I was going to say that certain things like tires, hubs, wheels are all worn together a certain way. That appears to be what is on the 154 project. Nobody wants to buy one used thing like that but if they all hold air, they may last another 5+ years to the buyer. Sure he'll tinker and lube stuff. Get into what a fine mower( and other things) it is. He will find something that makes it run even better.
I mowed years with my basic 154 .

[outdoors4evr]

The nice thing about building what you want is getting what you want!
Don't forget to change the HyTran oil in that creeper gear case. The creeper has to be removed from the 184 tractor to drain or it has to be be sucked out with a pump if installed in the tractor.

[ford141]

The shop is stacked with Lo Boys now. Got the 154 fully pressure washed and started tearing into the creeper last night. Although I only got the rear fenders off and throwout bearing support off before I had to go in to start the bedtime routine for my 3 kids. Hopefully I'll have it out by this weekend.

[outdoors4evr]

Great looking shop!
On the 184, the right hand brake has a return helper spring missing or broken (under the foot platform). Maybe steal the one off the 154 or order a new one from HamiltonBobsCubs.
https://hamiltonbobs.com/cart/product/d ... lo-boy-mm5

Also, order a pair of new gas caps for both tractors. Those old design caps are not safe & fires are bad for shops.
https://www.ihgascap.com/index.aspx