I picked up a new Cub this past weekend and it came with what I thought was parts of a later blade set up. I tried to mount what I had on my '49 and it looked like this.
The range on the up/ down was hardly noticeable so I got out the tape measure and went to take some measurements on the one I already have. I then went on the TM Tractor Parts website http://www.tm-tractor.com/gim/blade54_001.htm looking for clues and was surprised to find out I have the Cub-54 Leveling and Grader Blade 1949 to 1952. I presently have the other with pressure spring set up and wasn't familar with this model. The rear lift rod in the photo I guessedto be about 27" long to me and I figured that red tie rod assembly acting as the rear lift rod was too short at 21 1/2". I drilled two holes in a length of 1 1/4" square tubing and spaced them at 27". This proved to be just as bad as the blade needed to be about 12" in the air in order to install the tubing. I tore it apart and went back to tape measure. I then drilled a new hole at 23" and installed the tube again. It now lifts about 12" off the ground which is far better up than my other 54 blade. I was going to sell this one to offset the purchase price of my new Cub but now I might sell the other.
Brian
My blade has some problems.. as in the front mounting hardware is bent. Gotta fix that this summer. You will like the Cub-54 but the 54-A is superior in a number of ways from what I understand. So far I have had the yoke and spring assembly fabricated along with a few other parts to bring the 54 up to the 54-A style. Still missing one part and that will be expensive. I now have two Cub-54's so one will remain as a 54 and the other will be a 54-A.
