Newbie buying 1954 Cub, need advice

[JohnL (BlackJeep)]

I'm new here and new to tractors, so please forgive my lack of knowledge.

I'm buying my neighbor's Cub from his wife, he passed about six months ago. I've always had a thing for tractors, in fact anything with a motor works for me. I have good mechanical skills, I've re-built boats, motorcycles, cars and airplanes. But NEVER even sat on a real tractor.

This machine is in good condition, I last saw it run around March when he was plowing his drive. At that time he was having a hydraulic problem lifting the blade. His wife thinks he fixed this problem, but it's not clear.

Before I try to fire this machine up, what should I check? I plan to put the battery on a charger the night before. I'm also not familiar with the controls any tips would be helpful. I plan to order the operating manual and service manual to help me restore the Cub to it's original beauty.

Can't wait to be a member of the "club".

Thanks for your help,
BlackJeep

[Jim Becker]

Read the ATIS Cub FAQ (both pages) before you go to start it up. Pay particular attention to question 10.

Nothing special to check on it before starting that you wouldn't on anything else unknown that has been sitting for a while. Engine oil dipstick is on the left, attached to a vent cap. Fuel strainer under the tank has a shut-off valve. When closed, you can remove and clean the sediment bowl. When opened, you should open it all the way to keep it from leaking at the stem.

On the dash, the rod with a loop on the left is the choke, similar on the right is starter. Ignition is push/pull switch in center of dash. Try setting the governor control lever (lever on quadrant, left of steering support) about straight up to start it.

[Rudi]

First, to the greatest forum on the internet, and to the Cub Family. You will find that all the folks on this forum are kind, helpful and just full of Cub info and knowledge. They also happen to be the finest folks I have ever met

Jim gave you a good heads up. The Cub FAQ's are really helpful

Ok, so here is the spiel :

I would suggest that you read this thread: New Members and Visitors, Please READ Prior to Posting. There are many great links to informative pages such as the ATIS FAQ's 1 and ATIS FAQ's 2, The Best of H.L. Chauvin who has written very interesting articles on troubleshooting common problems with your Cub.


Also, you might want to visit the Cub Manual Server as there is tons of info on servicing, maintaining and re-building your Cub. In addition to this basic information, there are also a number of other useful tools available on the server. There is the Specialty Services page which has contact info for neat stuff like getting your seats recovered, buying quality Decals, Serial Number tags and a host of other neat items. Also there are the Parts Pages - both Used Parts Suppliers and New Parts Suppliers pages with links to quality dealers. I am always looking for YOUR favourite dealers for New and Used Parts to include here. These are intended to complement the businesses who support FarmallCub.com Website.

I would also recommend that you visit Binder Books and purchase the three most important manuals you can own for Maintenance, Repair and Rebuilding your Cub. These are the Owner's Manual, the GSS-1411 Service Manual and the TC-37F Parts Manual. Although they are available on the Cub Manual Server, it is better is you also have your own paper copy. Binder Books is the only Authorized IH Publication Reprint House and they have the best quality manuals available. Most other's are not of the same quality. Just a personal thought here, the I&T Shop Manuals, although helpful in some areas, really are not sufficient for the job. If you wish though, they are good additional reference works.

IF you really want to get the skinny on all things Cub, might I suggest you get a copy of Ken Updike's Farmall Cub and Cub Cadet's . Along with Guy Fay's Letter Series Originality Guide, these are two must have's in anyone's collection.

In addition to the above information, don't forget to check out the various articles that are available to help with your Repair, Restore, Rebuild or just your Maintenance Projects. There are a number of sub pages such as Electrolysis or Rust Zapper's, Maintenance Tips, Jigs and Techniques, Implement and Part Sketches and of course the Paint, Decals & Other Finish Questions which has the Paint Chart and the Paint Committee Decisions links.

I truly hope that you enjoy your Cub and that you will be a frequent contributor to the forum. Again, to the Cub Family

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Regarding the lift problem, if he adeed fluid to it but there is no sign of a leak the pump may have a bad sela and leaking fluid into the crankcase. If so the engien oil will be overful. If that is the case, replackng the sela or o'ring (depends on whether early or late pump) should be an ealry priority once you get it, Hytran fluid is not really reccomended for engines.

[Mac from NS]

Welcome to the forum. Just a thought I had and it has never happened to me but I keep it in mind if the cub sits for a long time sometimes the oil pump will lose it's prime so check your oil presure when you start it.

[DuxburyFarmall]

Welcome to the forum BlackJeep.

Everyone on here is awesome. Don't be afraid to ask any questions. As it has been said "there is no such thing as a stupid question."

Chad

[JohnL (BlackJeep)]

Thanks for all of the responses and links. I've already downloaded the Owner's Manual from one of the links, printed it and read it. At least now I know what the levers do!

As far as dumb questions, I'm sure I'll think of one eventually and it'll be a whopper.

BlackJeep

P.S. I'll put some pictures online when I get her home...

[beaconlight]

blackjeep The only dumb question is he one you thought of but did not ask.

Bill

[Buzzard Wing]

You may want to check the coolant too, it is always well below the filler neck. But a good idea to look if you run it for a time.

A real good investment is the owners/operators manual. The service manual and parts manual are invaluable if you ever decide to tear into something. Probably about $80 for the complete set of those 3 manuals. Before you spring for em, ask the nice lady if they may be around somewhere.

Welcome to the 'club'!

['Country' Elliott]

Hey Blacksheep...WELCOME to the Cub Family! You're just starting on a GREAT ADVENTURE, so GIT ready...GIT set...GO for a ride on the FINEST little tractor EVER PRODUCED! GIT-R-DONE with an INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER FARMALL CUB!

[sviennadan]

Oh, and if you didn't already notice....................this IS the best forum on the Internet, bar none!!!! Welcome!!!

[400lbsonacubseatspring]

BlackJeep,

There are no stupid questions; only stupid people like me who endeavour to answer them