Dual purpose/location blade

[Steve in Mo]

I am now the proud owner of a 1958 Cub. It came with a sickle bar and I would like to find a blade. I am told that one is avable that will both front and belly mount. My question is how do I know I am getting the right blade and not just one or the other? If the seller has all the parts for both mountings that will work, but what if some parts are missing?
Thanks for the help.

[Bigdog]

Steve, take a look at the series of pictures here:
http://www.tm-tractor.com/gim/blade54a_001.htm

They show the blade mounted both ways. It should give you an idea of all the pieces.

[Matt Kirsch]

I don't think it's just "certain" blades that will do both. Any Cub blade can be mounted belly or front with the right hardware.

What if parts are missing? Well, what if they are? That's a decision you need to make, quite frankly. Do you want to buy the blade as-is, and attempt to locate or fabricate the missing pieces, OR do you pass on the blade and look for one that's complete? Can't answer that one for you... What I can say is that the chances of finding a complete blade aren't that great, and if you do, you're going to pay for it. Dearly...

[Rudi]

Steve:

The pics BigDog linked at TM Tractor are a good assist in identifying what you need. Also, I would recommend that in conjunction with the pics that you have a look at the Cub-Grader Blade Manuals on the Cub Manual Server. These will assist you in identifying the parts that you need.

There are dimensioned drawings in the works which will be available in the very near future detailing some of the most common pieces that are either missing or used to upgrade to the 54-A variant.

Do yourself a favour. If you have access to a McCormick-Deering Leveling and Grader Blade or a Cub-54 or even a Cub-54-A Leveling and Grader Blade setup, grab it even if it is missing parts.

As Matt said, complete blade assemblies IF YOU CAN FIND THEM will cost you dearly.