New Cub Owner - serial number question

[VinceD]

I just purchased my first Cub and am glad I found this forum. I can't believe how much good information is available. I hope I can make a contribution in the future.

I do have a question: The identification plate is missing from my Cub. There is a number stamped on the block, to the right of the carb. Is that the same number as the serial number?

Thanks in advance.

VinceD
in the Missouri Ozarks

[Kirk]

Vince,

Welcome to the best forum on the planet

Springfield Mo is my hometown Where you at

[Hengy]

Welcome to the forum, Vince!!

You will find wonderfully knowledgeable people here. The nice thing is that there are no flame wars, so you can keep your flame retardant suit in the closet while surfing here!

Best of luck on your Cub!!

Mike in La Crosse, WI

[Matt Kirsch]

To directly answer your question:

The engine serial number MIGHT be close. If the Cub is a very early one, then it might even match. IH made power units based on Cub engines, Cub-engine-powered balers, and replacement blocks. All these were in the same serial number line as the Cub tractor engines, but the Cub tractors themselves were on a different serial number line. As the years went by, the serial numbers got farther and farther apart.

If the serial number plate is gone, the hope of finding the original serial number of your tractor is slim. Unless you can trace the tractor back to its original owner or dealer, and the original owner or dealer still has a copy of the original bill of sale, you'll never find the right serial number...

Use the casting codes to determine the year of manufacture.

[Soldner]

Congratulations, on your purchase!!! The people on this site are such knowledgable folks. Welcome aboard!!

[Rudi]

Vince:

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

You asked:
The identification plate is missing from my Cub. There is a number stamped on the block, to the right of the carb. Is that the same number as the serial number?

Matt answered:
If the serial number plate is gone, the hope of finding the original serial number of your tractor is slim. Unless you can trace the tractor back to its original owner or dealer, and the original owner or dealer still has a copy of the original bill of sale, you'll never find the right serial number...

Use the casting codes to determine the year of manufacture.

One of the best answers yet Matt... and you are absolutely right. Even the casting codes may not do it justice. If the Cub had some major parts replaced, even the casting codes will not match up... but that is a stretch. The best you can do without finding the original Bill of Sale to the Original Purchaser is use the casting codes to get you close. Have a look at Tom's really good page on How To Identify Your Tractor. It explains it all quite nicely.


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

[VinceD]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the good info.

The casting code on the block (4-19-S) indicates this is a 1949 Cub. I think it is in very good condition. The only thing that requires immediate attention is the brakes. We live in the Ozarks - lots of hills - and the brakes simply do not work.

I have found several good posts about the brakes and look forward to starting on that project.

I will try and get a picture posted in the near future.

Although this is my first Cub, I have a Farmall H that belonged to my grandfather.

Thanks again to all,

Vince

[Buzzard Wing]

Welcome Vince... you will like it here! Enjoy your Cub!

[DuxburyFarmall]

Welcome to the greatest form Vince!

Chad