'48 Farmall Cub

[diulin]

Hello,

I am new to Farmall and tractors in general, but I'm looking at a Farmall Cub that I'd like to use mostly for plowing (snow), rough mowing (in some areas only once every three years), and general work around my property. The asking price is $3,200, and I wondered what Cub experts think of this. Here is the description: "Second owner of 1948 cub tractor. Lovingly maintained and used in family since 1948. Comes with cub-189 Moldboard plow,direct connected One-bottom,Two way with owners manual. Cub-54A and L-54 Leveling and grader blades including manual. Two tractor manuals, one owners copy, one dealers copy-Original. Wood-44" belly mower with spare blades. 44" disc drag set. 44" spring harrows. Corn grinder."

Thanks in advance,

Don

[Slim140]

Depends on what condition the tractor is in mechanically. I personally don't see one bringing that much unless it's restored correctly, not just "fresh paint".

[diulin]

Thanks, Chipmaker. I haven't seen it and don't know how I would evaluate it, besides listening to the engine and driving it a bit to see how it runs. He says it was recently rebuilt, but was not entirely clear about what that means. (He said, rings, etc., so I guess it means an engine rebuild; don't know if there was more.) What would you look at specifically, or what questions would you ask?

[Slim140]

Check the antifreeze, look down in the radiator. The level should be just below the big pipe you can see in there (upper radiator pipe). Check the oil, smell it make sure it looks clean, look at the finals on both sides for any welds or stripped holes (the 5/8" holes for mounting implements to), look at the transmission especially on the left side underneath to make sure it hasn't been broken. Look at the front end for any welds, the steering housing under the radiator for welds/repairs. Check the tire condition. Ask more details on the engine rebuild. Rings etc. leaves a lot of room. If it had rings, bearings & a valve job that's okay if everything was in spec. but the only person who knows if it was in spec. is the person who done it. I'm sure others will add to this list.

[clemk]

Welcome to the forum. Chipmaker has you pretty well covered. You can also look in the, In the Library section of the Cub Book of Knowledge. It's at the top of the page under Cub Info. Anything you read in there is a little something to keep in mind when you look at it. Good luck! Let us know how you make out!

[Eugene]

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 11&t=48032

Edit: Above link on what to look for before purchasing a Cub.

Had a computer hang up.

[clemk]

Something else to think about is Cubfest. Take a look at the calendar here on the forum. There's one coming up in NY. It looks like it's about 3 and a half hours from you

[clemk]

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=48032

Edit: Above link on what to look for before purchasing a Cub.

Had a computer hang up.

Thanks, Eugene! I couldn't make a link work. I had to settle for giving directions

[indy61]

I don't know if this is the same tractor but the description is identical. This tractor has no hydraulics and I think that would reduce value considerably. Touch Control is almost a must when plowing snow.
http://classifieds.rennug.com//classifi ... ex=4402834

[Slim140]

This tractor has no hydraulics and I think that would reduce value considerably. Touch Control is almost a must when plowing snow.

I just sold a complete handlift and I mean complete from front to rear for $100 and that was at a major tractor show (5 days long) and close to the end of the show is when I sold it. Adding hydraulics isn't cheap, it's best to find a Cub with hydraulics already on there that way you can check it out before purchase.

[Eugene]

There is quite a number of attachments listed for the tractor. If the attachments have all their parts and in good condition, they would add a considerable value to the basic tractor.

Missing attachment or damaged/worn parts are sometimes hard to find or expensive.

Before you purchase a tractor, make a list of the things you want it to accomplish. Cubs have their advantages and disadvantages. Do a lot of research before purchasing a tractor.

[inairam]

I think you would by buying a lot of farm equipment that it does not sound like you plan to use and the L-54 is for a different tractor. If you are up for selling all of the farm equipment it may not be a bad deal

If you plan to cut a field every few years the Wood-44" belly mower and the club for that matter may not be up to it. I use a rough cut pull behind mower on fields I am trying to keep from going totally wild.

[T-Mo]

I don't know if this is the same tractor but the description is identical. This tractor has no hydraulics and I think that would reduce value considerably. Touch Control is almost a must when plowing snow.
http://classifieds.rennug.com//classifi ... ex=4402834

I would say it's the same tractor.

Being new to Cubs myself, I can't really give a legitimate value, but that is quite a list of implements/attachments. That said, without the hydraulics, it may be on the high side.

[staninlowerAL]

Evaluate condition/power by running the tractor with a load on it, example try mowing some tall grass and see if it has power to do the job. There's quite a difference in just listening to an engine run and running under working load, determining if it will do the job you want it to do. Based on the description of the work you want to do, I believe you will be better satisfied with more hp and 3pt hitch with hydraulics.
EDIT: To quote inairam in a post above, "When you only have 9 horsepower you need to know the names of all of the ponies!"

[DRaymond]

Lot of good tips. To get to the value of the tractor I suggest that you price out all of the implements separately complete with the necessary fittings and attachments. If this tractor does not have a fully functioning touch control system (hydraulics) I would price out a system complete with the necessary fittings and attachments for their use. That would leave the tractor alone to evaluate. Out here a cub can bring about $1,000 just parted out. I have seen a bare cub with hydraulics, wheel weights, crank, steel seat, a runner going for $350. I paid $1,995 for an operational cub (no touch control system) with snow plow, operated by a well done custom belt driven hydraulic system, wheel weights and tire chains. Having admitted this now and with the knowledge I have gained doing a ground up bolt by bolt restoration I would evaluate a tractor only without attachments that was in running condition, had wheel weights with a touch control hydraulic system and passing inspection points mentioned previously in the forum with an asking price in the range of $600 to $1,200 to be worth serious consideration to purchase. I would separately evaluate the price for the attachments needed to perform your immediate job requirements. This could be a big help in at least making a more rational decision and help fight off the BECAUSE I WANT IT syndrome (ask me how I know about this affliction!)

I am afraid if you do as I initially did making a purchase barely knowing one end of a cub from the other, you will wind up spending A LOT OF MONEY, after the purchase, getting it into the shape it should be for safe and reliable operation. I wish I had known about Farmall.com before I made my purchase. This forum has been a god send for me and made my very expensive and rewarding education about cubs worth it. I am getting close to completing my current bolt for bolt ground up restoration of "Marie" a 48 cub working tractor that will have a belly mounted grader blade. That will leave me with two more 48s to go, one will have a sickle mower and the other a belly mower.

Good luck and best wishes for a successful aquisition.