77 Cub Final Drive Part Number Missing

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Been away for awhile, but can't stay away from my Cubs for too long. Long story short I want to find a replacement final drive casting for my 77 Cub to have on hand in case the thread repair on the original casting doesn't go as planned. Looking in the parts book the last version of the final drive casting is R5. But on both my finals (original to the tractor....I asked the original owner I bought it from) there are no part numbers. The date code is 4-19-A in big letters on the one side pad, but the other pad that should say 350806R5 it's blank. On both. Underneath each pad is the little circular IH logo. Nothing's covered by layers of paint, as paint is original and the numbers should be raised.

I realize finding castings with the exact date code will be challenging, so I'll get as close as I can, but I want the right casting. My problem will be when I ask vendors if they have one they're going to ask me the part number........which isn't cast into these castings. Guess I'll just ask if they have any castings without a part number on them, right?. Anybody else notice this anomaly on the last Cubs. I assume it was this way to the end of production, but can't confirm. So if anyone has a 77-79 Cub (not Lo-Boy), can you take a peek at your final castings and tell me if the part number is there? I can post pics if you think I'm nuts. And if there was a casting change after R5 is anyone aware of that? Seems kind of weird IH would completely leave off the part number on these guys, but I understand it was a weird time at IH back then. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

thanks guys,
bob

[Crimson Tim]

I have a ‘77 (serial number 251xxx).
It would seem to confirm what you are saying.

I know nothing of the history of this tractor before I got it.
The left final appears to be original, With date code A.

The right is obviously a replacement AND welded up; date code W, R3, wrong color yellow and red underneath.
For that matter, isn’t there supposed to be an exposed planter drive gear? I guess this used to be a left final, originally.

The date codes were in the same location on both finals. However, I only found the part number on the older, right side final. As you say, where the part number should be on the left one, there is only blank space. I need to flip my wheels around to dish out soon. I will clean them up and take another look then to see if the number moved someplace else.

You can see the blank plate and screw heads in the casting where the part number used to be on older iterations. Strange that they stopped showing the part number.

Checking TM tractor’s page for casting code locations, there is only the one example of a final drive, which shows the date code and part number in the expected locations.

[Jim Becker]

I took a look at my '79. With Fast-Hitch, can't see half the markings. On one, I can see the date code of 8-31-B ('78). On the other, I could see a blank area about like you described. The blank space isn't quite smooth. I wonder if the part number wore off the master form. Once in a while, part numbers got relocated to different spots on some parts. That may be what happened to this part. Before I would assume there is none, I would have to look the rest of the part over for a number.

As far as I know, there was only one version of the final drive housing for tractors with the toggle brakes (R5).

[Glen]

Hi,
Yes, the right final drive should have a seed plate drive. It is probably one from the left side.

If you have a W year code, and it is an R3, it is probably from 1951, it probably has the first style brake, and the holes for the brake rod smaller than the left side has.

[Crimson Tim]

As far as I know, there was only one version of the final drive housing for tractors with the toggle brakes (R5).

If you have a W year code, and it is an R3, it is probably from 1951, it probably has the first style brake, and the holes for the brake rod smaller than the left side has.

So I should have one of each style brake? Never noticed that before. That might explain part of why one side (the ‘77 side, no less) doesn’t work at all.

[Jim Becker]

No. You should have toggle brakes and R5 castings on both sides. Glen was just explaining what you probably have if you do (for some reason) have an R3 casting.

[Glen]

Hi,
Both final drives on a 1979 Cub originally had the large brake rod holes, and the newer style brakes.
IH started using the newer style in mid 1953.

Below is a pic from TM Tractor of the newer style final drive, and brake.

I sent you a PM.

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for checking.......I was hoping I wasn't going crazy. Jim, I looked at the blank plate area on both finals and don't see any signs of even faintly cast numbers, they're flat and blank. I also looked all around the castings for the PN maybe being in a different location and found nothing. But I'll pull the wheels this weekend to make sure I didn't miss it. I tried to post some pics but FLIKR no longer supports my browser.....so I need to sort that out.....and I'll get some pics up.

Thanks again,
Bob

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Here are some pics showing blank pad and date code.

regards,
bob