New 1955 Cub Owner!

[ChicagoCub - Ray Pelelas]

Hello Forum,

I inherited a 1955 Farmall Cub that hasn't seen daylight in 16 years. I discovered it in the back of an old barn at my in-laws Farm in southwest Michigan. It was Grandmas. She is 94 and told me in Greek to take it and laughed!

Last week I was able to clean up the barn and push it out into the daylight for a much needed hose down. Got the discs detached. I got the cobwebs and massive dirt off of it fairly well and ready to proceed in getting this thing restored and moving. I found this website and forum last week and Happy to become a member! Looking forward to reading all you're experience and information. I'm thrilled to be part of this group. I just ordered the operators manual and parts manual. I have not been able to find where to get the service manual. Overall the tractor seems an excellent shape. Not much rust. But does have a torn back tire. The tubes did inflate however and able to roll. Thought I'd begin with the electrical replace the 6V battery. And wondering if anyone had advice on next steps. Thanks again for getting me started and looking forward to connecting with all of you. Ray. Chicago Illinois.

[Bob McCarty]

Welcome to the Forum. Under "PDF Manuals" in the tool bar above, you can read and download manuals. The service manual is the Blue Ribbon GSS-1411. It should be available from TM Tractor (Forum sponsor with link to website at the bottom of the page). Binderbooks.com also carries a good selection of manuals. For future questions, I'd suggest posting in the "Cub" subforum. When you go to start up, make sure the oil gauge registers after 20-25 seconds. If not, you can search for how to prime the oil pump, or look it up in the manual. Let us know if we can be of any help.

Bob

[Bill Hudson]

Bob has you covered. Looks like you have a '55 "No-Holes" hood. Not many of those around. Doesn't make it more valuable, just unique. More info on the hood is here: http://www.savethecub.com/buttons/55hood. Scroll down the left side of the page to the "55 Hood" button and click on it.

Bill

[ChicagoCub - Ray Pelelas]

Thanks Gentlemen!

Bill, checked it out and seem to own the "unique" no hole Cub. Bob, I'm knee deep in manuals -thank you. I will head to the Cub subforum.

Ray

[staninlowerAL]

In addition to what advise has been suggested, take a look at this: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91765
Also lots of good info and tips in the "HOW TO" Subforum: viewforum.php?f=11
Good Luck and Enjoy the experience!! Stan

[Trent M]

Hi Ray! I got the PM you sent to the Illinois group. I was going to respond by telling you to post here!

Man, that tractor looks nice and straight. I would LOVE to find that thing buried in a barn!! My first step would be to do a complete ignition system tune up. I'd do it all. You can find all kinds of stuff about it searching around on here.

While you're out there getting familiar with it, go ahead and look around for the plow, and fertilizer unit, probably planter and/or cultivators. There are signs of all of them on your tractor.

[Eugene]

Welcome.

Tractor sitting for 16 years. Valve(s) probably stuck and dry oil pump.

Prime the oil pump, then conduct compression tests before trying to start engine.

[pickerandsinger]

You could change all the fluids in the tractor also….Anything you do to "fix er back up" you'll learn from, which as an owner, you can guess it'll come in handy down the road…Thats a nice looking tractor and coming from Grandma, it puts a nice piece of history with it…..Welcome to the forum and good luck…Dave

[John(videodoc)]

Welcome aboard, I too got your message. But the guys on here got me beat. I am just a couple hours south of you.

[Stanton]

Is it my imagination or does both Ray AND the Cub have a big smile on their faces?

Anyway, welcome to the forum! Glad you're here. Sounds like you're already getting some solid advice. It's great to get a family Cub; extra special.

Let us know how we can help.

[nwfan1]

Sweet! Congrats on your new ride.

What is the serial number?

[ChicagoCub - Ray Pelelas]

Men this is fantastic. I'm getting a better welcome in this forum than the host of a late night TV show. Yes that smile on me and the tractor are for real and really excited to be living the CUB dream with you guys.

I agree the valves are probably stuck and fluids very empty. There was no fuel I the tank and doesn't look rusted at all. I want to be very careful not to rush to start her up. I'm a mechanical guy but certainly no pro so all you kind words here are helping. I was up late reading manuals and eager to dirty my hands on "Big Red" this weekend when visiting from the big city downtown Chicago.

Is there a better degreaser I can use without losing anymore paint? It's pretty thick. Cleared out the mouse nest in the radiator. Tires holding 10-15 psi just fine.

I think I know where the plow is. Standby. Serial is 191318.

You guys are great. Ray

[Don McCombs]

Is there a better degreaser I can use without losing anymore paint? It's pretty thick.

I use full strength Purple Power and then power wash. May take several iterations to get through the heavy stuff. Keep the power washer away from the tractor serial number plate and the starter and generator ID plates.

[staninlowerAL]

Is there a better degreaser I can use without losing anymore paint? It's pretty thick.

I use full strength Purple Power and then power wash. May take several iterations to get through the heavy stuff. Keep the power washer away from the tractor serial number plate and the starter and generator ID plates.

AND the wiring harness and fan belt/radiator fins. Stan

[ChicagoCub - Ray Pelelas]

Thanks Don. Went searching for purple power today. Seems only Walmart carries it which isn't in the city. Headed to Amazon.com.

Thanks guys for the tips on cleaning and priming the oil pump. I'm prepping for this weekends barn staging, proper lighting, and good music. What better way to spend the 4th of July weekend with my family, little Teddy, working in Yai Yai's barn on "Little Red" as my wife has coined her and a few beers with BBQ. Dave, your'e right. A great piece of family history. And the Farmall Cub is as USA as they come. There's nothing more patriotic than this and I will make sure to get a flag on her this weekend. I also changed my username to the more appropriate "ChicagoCub". I believe they are now 3/1 to win the World Series after 103 years or so. But who's counting.

The smiles have been extended from the Cub, to Ray and to little Teddy.