Farmall Cub

This is the cub I bought two weeks ago and saved from the scrap yard.



I am not sure if she will ever run again because my mechanic skills are limited. I am not even sure if it is 12 volt or 6 volt. There is no battery. Anyway since I am a fan of the "it didn't happen without pictures" movement, here they are.





The tractor was stuck in 1st gear so I removed the cover to the trans and sprayed the forks with PB Blaster. A little coaxing through a few gentle taps with a hammer and the forks lined right up in neutral.

The only thing I missed when I purchased the tractor that I saw today and it broke my heart was all this JB weld below the radiator. How can I ever fix that?



Anyway, I am hoping that I can learn to work on tractors by working on this one. If not I can use the hood on my 48.

I cannot make out the serial number yet but all the casting dates indicate a "50

Ken

Nice find...That tractor can be brought back to life...I would love to find one like that....don't part it out......

kpaine wrote:The only thing I missed when I purchased the tractor that I saw today and it broke my heart was all this JB weld below the radiator. How can I ever fix that?

Ken,
The mess on the front of the bolster is the well intended, but horribly executed repair of a freeze crack. Usually when that part is damaged from the water freezing inside, it will buldge the casting up, cracking it across the front like yours is. Or, it will literally blow the bottom of the housing out. To fix it, you can grind all that mess off of there, then grind a groove across the same crack, and fill it will brazing, then shape it back down to what it originally looked like for proper grille fitment. Or, you can just replace the casting with another used one. I'd personally fix that one it it were mine. I'd leave it as is for now until you determine the condition of the tractor as a whole.

There is also an engine SN stamped into the block that you can find here: http://www.tmtractor.com/id/id_003.htm
I've seen worse shined up like a new penny! Good luck with it and let us know if you have any questions!

Good find, and I betcha you can get it running. When she runs, do like Raymond said, or if your not a hand with a torch or welder, change out the Bolster with a used one, and use the old one to practice your welding skills on. A very good investment to learn on. Lot of good clean entertainment ahead of you. On second thought, not sure about the "clean." Thanks for sharing and remembering to take the pictures. I keep forgetting.

You sure that's JB weld? Looks like plain old weld to me.

To fix it is easy: Replace with a good used one. Though, it may be fine just the way it is. Ugly, but fine. Stuff like that gives the tractor character.

I too would love to find a Cub like that. I like the idea of putting on a used bolster and properly fixing the one that's on it. Please keep us informed with pix and narrative.

Nice find. Some of mine looked pretty much like yours. Getting it to crank for the first time(again) is what I enjoy the most about our addiction.

Keep us posted.

kpaine wrote:The only thing I missed when I purchased the tractor was all this JB weld below the radiator. How can I ever fix that?

For right now, I would leave it alone. The cooling system is not pressurized so the bolster probably doesn't leak.

If and when you are ready, try grinding down, smoothing up, the excess JD Weld. When you remove the radiator and clean up the inside of the lower radiator housing/bolster - check the crack. Then try sealing the crack from the inside.

The bolster on my Cub, a work tractor, has been brazed.

I think it would be fitting to put an 8 by 10 framed glossy on the wall from that one. Nice, very nice.

Take our word for it. If you are truly addicted, hearing this one run for the first time will give you a bigger thrill than buying a new one. You can do it and you have a great bunch of experts here to help you.

I was looking at the tractor some more this morning. How do I know if the electrical is 6 or 12 volt. How would one tell the difference between a generator and an alternator? Here is a photo.



Also, PO said carb was replaced just before the tractor was parked. Can someone identify the carb and is it the correct carb. I see they didn't use the normal breather pipe.



Thanks,

Ken

I would say that is an alternator tucked up under the hood, which would mean its 12v. The Mag coil also looks like it has been bypassed with a regular coil. Look for it tucked up under the hood as well.
The carb is a zenith, which is ok, but not original.

kpaine wrote:I was looking at the tractor some more this morning. How do I know if the electrical is 6 or 12 volt. How would one tell the difference between a generator and an alternator?

From the photo it appears to be an alternator mounted upside down. Generator will look something like the starter on your tractor. Alternator will look similar to the one on your car.

Alternator, more than likely 12 volt. But there are 6 volt alternators. Only way to know for sure is to get the hood off.

Can someone identify the carb and is it the correct carb.

Zenith. Not original to tractor but will work.

Ray has posted. Same information

Ken:

Very nice save. I have a couple that were in that shape or worse. 1 a 55 went to Mass, 1 is in pieces in my barn and 1 is being rehabilitated. So yeah .. yours needs to be fixed up. Ifn I can do it, anybody can. I had next to no mechanical abilities when I started. I had wrenched on my 442's a bit, and minor mechanical stuff on pretty much all of my vehicles but I is not a mechanic. However, with help from the guys on the old and this forum, I have been able to get both my '48 and my '47 running as well as solving problems on a few others. So you can do it.

Looks like the internal coil in the Magneto probably has failed and they decided to use an external. May be 6v and may be 12v - as others have remarked, you will have to pull the hood. That will lead to lots more stuff.

Read the owner's manual's maintenance and lube section. That will give you an idea where to start. I would start there and see what is happening with this Cub. Going to need some TLC but you already have a good start. You got it on the trailer - the wheels turned that is a good thing. Slow and steady progress and by the time you are done with this Cub your wrenching skills will have improved 10 fold

I have to say that your new Cub is really sweet. These old tractors are not that hard to work on. Get yourself a manual, I think most are on this site. Start reading, and ask questions. Start with some easy things, and then gradually get deeper. It is nothing but nuts and bolts. Please keep us posted as you make progress.