Farmall Cub

Used Missy to grade the road today. After about an hour the clutch wouldn't release, so I crawled under it and proceeded to adjust the clutch fingers higher (I had checked before using it, and Bud had them adjusted correctly). Found lots of metal shavings in the bottom. Used it about another hour and the pedal free travel had increased about an inch. I guess I'll have to get one of the neighbors help me split it and replace the bearing. The bearing is one of the ball bearing types,that are commonly referred to as Bates bearings. This one came from J.P. Tractor, not Bates, but I believe it was made by the same company that makes them for Bates. Needles to say, it will be replaced by an original type.

My aftermarket one is still working good and I use it allot.

A few years ago I bought an aftermarket t.o. bearing, and went through 3 of them in 14 months. I bought one from the dealer that has been going strong for several years, but thought I'd like to try one of the new style. Well I tried it, now it gets replaced.

John:

Your experience with Missy and the fact that I have yet to hear back from Bates Corp in ref to my email on what kind of problems/fixes are there with the Bates TOB, confirms my decision to go to CaseIH for my new TOB.

Good enough for the first 50 or so years, should be good enough for the next 50

John, Join the club. I'm so sorry Missy has to be split again.I was surprised you went with the bearing type after hearing of our troubles. I quess we just try to get the best for these tractors.We end up doing more work. Go figure. I ordered my graphite T.O.B from C&G. John from now on we keep it simple. and original.As I drain my touch control again

RedNed, when everyone started reporting trouble My bearing was already purchased and setting in Mississippi. I almost sent it back and ordered a graphite one. Wish I had. One good thing about a hand lift, I don't have to drain it, or even disconnect it.

If I lived closer John I'd come right over and give you a hand.

I paid $108Cdn. plus tax of 15% for a graphite TOB from my Case\IH dealer for the '67 Lo. which is still in pieces.

Hard to get at that project once the warm weather hit, lots of other things to do. What is the problem with the newer type bearing? Too weak to handle the job?

It's starting to sound like the bearing cannot handle the side thrust.

I don't have mine out yet, but I suspect Bigdog is correct. When this type bearing first became available everybody was happy with them, but lately it seems there is a big problem with them failing. I wonder if they went the way a lot of things go, When they were introduced a lot of care went into manufacturing them, but with a little time shortcuts started being taken.

I also have had problems w/ the "Bates" style bearing. They were real nice and sent me a replacement- within 5min of running time I could see metal being shaved off of it- soooo, I split the tractor again. I put in a Graphite style last weekend. Seems to be ok, nothing coming out of inspection hole (I hold a clean piece of cardboard under it while my kid stands on the clutch).

I hope this solves it, as I am becoming expert on splitting a cub, and I've got lots of grass to mow.

Sorry to hear about the TOB, John. I only hope Dad's doesn't give us trouble. I have got a couple of good OE style TOBs we can use if it does.

Is there any difference in the auburn vs. rockford clutch that would cause this? Just wondering why some people have trouble and others don't?

Neighbors son came down and helped me split Missy. Face of bearing was worn off and the pressure plate fingers are scored. Bearing seems to be stiff. I think that in this instance the bearing wasn't turning freely enough and the fingers were spinning on the collar instead of the bearing turning. Called John Hargus about it and he was going to call the manufacturer ( not the same one Bates gets theres from) and see what they had to say. He did say the only one he had ever had a problem with was used on an Auburn clutch, but the bearings were designed for the Rockford clutch. Mine originally had an Auburn clutch, but it was changed to a Rockford during the rebuild.

John
I had exactly the same problem and thought that mine turned too stiff and wasn't spinning too, I returned it to JP tractor which they promptly replaced it with one that spun very freely and the second one started doing the same thing and I know it was spinning..on the third split I installed an IH graphite bearing, Kinda gives you a sick feeling when you pull the inspection cover off and get a handfull of metal dust..Gary L.

Hey Guys: Sorry to hear about all the problems with the ball bearing type TOB. Don't forget that your original graphite TOB can be milled flat and be good as new for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Of course that is assuming it is not totally worn away.

Think I'll go put a pump or two of grease in mine now.