New to 154 Lo Boy

[Iupgt445]

We were just able to come across and purchase a 154 lo boy for an awesome price. The tractor itself seems to be in very good condition and just while picking it up the motor sounded outstanding. The deck on the other hand needs some work and parts. Does anyone have useful information on the deck and any other tractor related maintenance items that we should be looking at before working it? Thanks (I’m trying to figure out how to post pics on here sorry new at this)

[mozer71]

Price is relative to what have need for. I payed near $2000 for mine. That was over 15 years ago and a wise investment. It ran well enough to improve it. It was a prettied up with thick new paint. The owner was a bodywork type fellow and very good. The deck was another matter and basically shot. Sure I rebuilt the deck and went on mowing. Over time I learned more about these 154s and this forum is great help.
The deck needs identification before specific assistance because there were at least 5 which could be there.
Insofar price: There is a story behind that. It is like a lot of things where people move around and take certain things with them. This fellow had the 154 stored in a barn out Shenandoa way . He trailered it east and kept it tarped when he wasn't painting. It was a rainy evening and it started up and ran fine. I was driving my box truck then and had ramps. It went right in there, it went back home.

[Eugene]

One more post and you will be able to access the free manuals, top left of page, Quick Links. You will find maintenance information in the Operator's Manual. There are manuals for some of the mowers mounted on Cubs/Numbered Cub Low-boys.

Post photos of the mower deck, perhaps we can identify.

[boomer632]

I just bought a 154 as well and will be tinkering...

[sjm32157]

Congrats on getting a 154. Bought mine off of my neighbor 4 years ago for $900. It was in decent shape but needed the rear oil seal. This forum and TLT fixed me up with a quality retainer and seal. Mine has the 3160 mower deck and it cuts fine but if I ever need to replace, I will probably look for a Woods L59. Depends on what is available. Just finished rebuilding my clutch PTO pack. It was a little confusing but lots of good info here on the board and parts from Hamilton Bob's did the trick.

[mozer71]

I wish you well. It is a tight package of great mowing capacity, over irregular terrain.

[mozer71]

The other thing is that it fits between the fender wells of a 1 ton box truck. The deck and snow plow needs removed but it went to a place of dead and dieing mower tractors. They couldn't handle what the 154 can do.

[IndyFord2]

Referring back to previous post. there are several decks. The IH looks good, has a "kinda" complicated lift system, lifts straight up, height control is on tractor. Woods is simpler,(also triple blade) hinges in back, lifts in front. Height control is at attachments at rear (rarely used) and sleeve/spacers on front wheels. They also make a "bush Hog" type single blade rotary mower. I have all 3, with out a doubt, prefer the woods. Bush Hog don't do worth a crap in tall grass, IH is nice & mows good, but it hangs off the tractor (has anti scalp but!) like a cheep mower, tire pressure can effect mowing. Woods sits on the ground, you can have (almost) a flat front tire and not effect the mow. I can raise the deck by changing the sleeves on the front wheels (of the deck) and mow my 1 acre pasture, then lower and mow my back yard. BUT every one has there opinion. Good Luck, and for sure a LoBoy is a sweet machine to mow with.

[aparnell572]

The 154 that my dad owns was in very poor running condition since it hadnt had a tune up in 30 years. Didn't run, then when it did run would stall every half hour. Then the Pto clutch failed.

The Pto clutch was shot, ignition, carburetor, throttle cable, steering, fluids, linkages.

After hours of reading on here and tinkering it runs fantastic, think you'll get 45 years out of a home depot special? You will enjoy mowing your lawn, they ride nice and leave a great finish

[mozer71]

That is what is so cool about these tractors. I mean we have to call them tractors even though used for mowing. They went out to pasture decades ago but They did the work before then.
I read you. I went through the same stuff. We can sense the improvement by every positive connection that was wonky. Every little thing matters. Don't get cocky. Pure oil and filter, carb, linkages to governor. Stuff but there was a reason when they worked really well. We get back to that.

[wagonmaster]

I HAVE 3 154S AND A 184 all with different decks. One is a woods, one is a 3260 and I have no idea what the other two are. Can someone post pics of the different decks so I can identify them. I am non skilled enough to navigate the internet to find it myself . My apology .

[mozer71]

There were many used under the 154. I remember a road trip to the Valley years,decades ago before Rt. 66 turned into a super highway. There were 154s and the earlier LoBoys cutting stuff. Weeds and which couldn't be done by larger tractors with tow behind/rear decks. I passed right by them. Something had cut that and it was them.
We never see them now except the owners right here. There was a time of many but that is over. I still remember an incredible truck that a fellow tech drove from a county way away from where we worked. I already checked it out by side view but I had to look at it closer.
He gave me a tour of this neat truck and it was an International from 1950's. It had a two speed rear. International had it going on but mother rust takes it away. Takes it all away back into the soil But that was some truck. He would load some vehicle/tractor on it. Go all the way through 4 counties to bring things back.. to where they belonged.

[mozer71]

Dang! I think the 3260 is grand because when it is hooked up close to right, it is fine. The major support comes the rear arms which are attached to the finals area. The deck is of thick gauge to be pounded out but certainly.. When everything is apart, scrape clean the underside. Coat that with whatever is current now. It isn't what you see topside. Really, the underside can have grass and seemingly insignificant stuff which rots them all.