New Guy

[DRaymond]

When I was 12 years old (lots of years ago) I saw a toy model of what I was to later learn was a Farmall Cub. I thought it was the cutest ugly tractor I had ever seen! All lop sided and spindly looking.

Well the years passed by and in 1997 I made the mistake of going to my first and only heavy equipment auction - TOYS EVERYWHERE for playing in the dirt! Hiding between lots of stuff there it was - FCUB 13747 a 1948 Farmall Cub with a custom belt driven hydraulic pump, roll cage, draw bar, chains and a IH 54" snow plow on the front. My eyes glazed over as a wild hare jumped on me and after a severe bite I started bidding for it....and won the bid? Hey the guy bidding against me just wouldn't stop. Well then I said to myself......WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! Geeze I hope the couch is comfortable. I now owned a tractor...I paid too much (I now realize the price was a pretty good number).

Well with the auction over, my pockets emptied and the vision of my darling wife making up the couch I went and got a friends car hauler. I fired up the tractor - running good - loaded it up and headed for home. Of course, in a state of self delusion, I attempted to justify the purchase to myself with a rationalization that I believed that some day I would put it to work maintaining the access road and cutting field grass on the 3 acres left to me by my Dad - god rest his soul. But like many of its cousins it was put away in the storage building on the property after giving rides to my grandkids (it was way cool) and then life happens. Well I have now lived long enough to retire from the County and a flying career in the Army Reserves.

Several years ago I was exercising the little Cub and found it impossible to start after the engine was warm. I Put it away and it sat again for two years. Well its time to grade the access road and cut the field grass (I have run out of neighbor's horses to keep it cropped short).

Like the guy deciding to cut firewood for his fireplace to save money and who began by buying a pickup I purchased a car hauler, loaded up the tractor and brought it home. Well it is down to 5 major parts: Engine, clutch housing, transmission case and left and right Rear Axle Housings; and three 8' foot work benches full of stripped and primed pieces and parts. After getting a boat load of stuff I am getting ready to replace the seals and gaskets, re-ring the engine and grind the valves, replace the clutch and brake linings, add a touch control, rebuild the magneto, generator and starter, and rewire. This is only a small description of what I intend to do. Really there were just some seals seaping but I figure the best way to learn about this tractor is to tear it apart and touch and clean every intimate piece of it. What an education! Ever try and pull the front axle extensions out of the front axle tube?

One disappointment is the lack of information on the process used to change the various seals referring to the Service & Shop Manuals, Parts Catalog and Operator's Manual. Believe me these are only starting points of the education process. This site is really valuable and I have learned a great deal from all of the contributors addressing various issues. The internet and other related sites are also a treasurer trove of information. Hopefully I will be able to make some contributions. Hey vinegar and band aids are a big help.

Well I have bored you enough. Looking forward to my journey with this little Cub. Oh and by the way I just purchased two more 48 Cubs. Hey one had a Cub-22 Mower, draw bar and touch control and the other came with a Cub-193 Moldboard Plow using a Master Control Lever. Both have been in museums and were later stored in sheds where I found them (10 minutes from my house!!!!!!!!!!!) Wooooo Hooooo! Who'd a thunk.

DRaymond, Spokane, WA

[dgrapes59]

Welcome to the Forum!

Best of luck with your project(s)!

[staninlowerAL]

Welcome to the FORUM from the Deep South. Stan

[Bob McCarty]

Welcome to the Forum. You might want to spend a few minutes in the "How to" forum. Lots of good information with pictures. Let us know if we can be of any help.

Bob

[Bill Hudson]

Welcome to the forum.

Bill

[Mike in Louisiana]

Welcome to the forum.

[Stanton]

Welcome to you in the great NW. Post some pictures when you can...

[randallc]

Welcome to the forum from Arkansas. Be sure to ask specific questions if you want. Someone on the forum will answer you. Agree with Stanton. When you get a chance post some photos of that part of the Country.

[DRaymond]

I will see what I can do although, being technologically challenged, figuring out how to post pictures seems more daunting than timing a magneto. Right now I am heading back to the garage to continue working on the transmission case and differential assembly. Remove paint, prime and change seals.