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difference between 154 & 184

IH CUB Lo-Boy Series - 154, 184, 185 Forum -- Questions and answers to all of your Lo-Boy related issues.
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harryo
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difference between 154 & 184

Postby harryo » Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:05 pm

my uncle bought a number low-boy tractor and the numbers on the hood are not viable and the tag is missing. so i was trying to find the visual differnces between the 154 and the 184 can anyone help me in this ?????

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gitractorman
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby gitractorman » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:46 pm

You are going to be further confused by this. The simple answer is that 184s are all red/white like this:

Image

There were two tractors, prior to the 184, the 154 - 15-hp Early and late model with different stripes, yellow and white, and the 185 - 18-hp yellow and white.

The early 154: Image

The later 154: Image Note the blue stripe in this photo is quite faded in the photo above.

And the 185: Image

If you have the serial number, you can check it against this list to see what year/model you have :

Image
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SONNY
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby SONNY » Sun Oct 04, 2009 10:25 am

The right side of the list is cut off,-----cant read the #'s. thanks; sonny

harryo
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Tractors Owned: 1952 farmall cub
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby harryo » Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:24 pm

well the difference between a 154 and a 185 ? can some one help me with this??? the tractor was yellow.

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gitractorman
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby gitractorman » Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:51 pm

The biggest difference was that the engine was upgraded from 15hp on the 154 to 18hp on the 185. That is just about it. In reality, all that they really did was start to use domed top pistons, and increased the engine RPM rating by a couple hundred to achieve the higher horsepower. Otherwise, the tractors are virtually identical, with the only cosmetic change being that the fiberglass grill on the 154 was painted yellow, and it was painted white on the 185.

The 184 (red) included several cosmetic changes, a different grill and dash, an electric PTO clutch, which was a HUGE improvement, and maintained the 18hp engine. The electric PTO clutch was a great thought, however many have found that it was increadibly weak, and became an expensive maintenance item. However, the older PTO clutches on the 154 and 185 were much simpler, but are also a very expensive item to maintain.
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby outdoors4evr » Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:24 am

The engine changes between the 154 & 185 also included a new intake and carburetor.
There also were several material changes to some internal engine components to deal with unleaded fuels.

For the 184, the starter-generator was upgraded to a separate starter and alternator configuration.
The 184 has the clutch relocated behind the flywheel instead of at the front of the transmission.
184 had smaller rear rims with larger "balloon" turf tires. (note sure if this change came with the 185)

I don't understand why anyone would see the 184 pto as weak. Mine will easily stall the tractor while running full throttle. Neither the clutch nor the belts slip. There were at least two designs of the electric PTO clutch for the 184. Perhaps mine is the latter version. I can see the electric clutch pack being expensive, though not mechanically complicated.
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1948 farmall c
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Location: PA,Volant
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby harryo » Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:49 am

i heard that the 154 had only 1 brake peddle & the 185 had 2 peddle's i was hoping that there was a visual difference between the two. with out tearing the motor apart because it runs good except for the mower deck. when you turn the mower on with the pto the engine will quit running its like the governer is not engaging.there is no serial # plate on the tractor. but i got the block casting # and it say's its a 1974 but its got the bigger carburator on the engine. so im a little confused.

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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby BigBill » Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:58 pm

The 154 and the 185 had the option of dual brake pedals. I have one 154 with factory dual brake pedals and two 154's with single brake pedals.

I'm seeing a mix of upgrades and orginal condition 154's since i have 3 now. One has the 184/185 engine hp upgrade with the dome pistons and the larger carb.(1971 due to the "20" on the serial number list here) Another still has the orginal IH carb on it(1968). My other 154 has the domed pistons and the zenith carb(I'm guessing 1968 the tag is missing too but it appears the same as my other 1968). The PO's did some upgrades during the rebuild/repower/refresh i'm thinkin.

Now the only problem i'm ruinning into with the different years between them is the driveshaft and pto shafts are different lenghts. I have also noticed the return line on the hydraulics is different too. The later 1971 154 has the return line on the tranny shifter cover (on the top of the tranny) while the older 154's has the return line connected to the suction line on the bottom of the tranny. The older ignition switch has screwed on terminals while the newer '71 has the push on wire block on the ign wires. The final on the right side has two vertical 1/2" bolts into the spacer between the tranny and the right side final drive on the '71. While the older 154 has only a round spacer with no bolts but it has a block welded to the frame between the spacer and the frame to take up the gap thats on the older 154.

Newer 154;
Hydraulic return line on the top of the tranny cover.
Wiring with push on terminal blocks.
Final spacer on the right side has two 1/2" bolts on the top of the frame.

Older 154;
Hydraulic return line on the bottom of the tranny.
Screwed on wiring.
Just a round final spacer with no raised boss for the bolt holes.

This is most of the differences between the 1968 and the 1971 that i can see. I hope I helped a little.

BTW; I think there are two different thermostat housings on the older and the newer too one is straight while the other is on an angle for the radiator hose on the top of the engine. I used the word thermostat so you know the location i'm talking about.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.

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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby maybeacub » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:18 am

Hi All,
After reading the differences and similarities I have to ask.....does it really matter which of the numbered cubs you buy? I see plenty of 154s for sale with the 185s second most then a few 184s. Prices all about the same range. Is there any major reasons to buy one over the other? Knowing nothing about these tractors makes it difficult to make an informed decision. Also I saw one(185 I think) with a loader but the tires and hoses are shot. Are the loaders a worthy option on these smaller tractors? I can see tires and hoses getting expensive to replace. Appreciate any input.
Thanks
Greg
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby Eugene » Fri Oct 20, 2017 8:46 am

184, because it has a separate starter and does not use the starter/generator utilized on the other 2 numbered Cubs. That's assuming all 3 models are in the same working condition.

Loaders. I have 2 skid steers. One is an 1816 Case, about the same size as a numbered Cub, which is termed as a motorized wheel barrel. Worthy option, perhaps, depends on intended usage, if you don't expect to much.

Numbered Cubs are pretty good lawn mowers/estate tractors. They are not farm tractors.

If you purchase a numbered Cub, make sure it's in good working condition and the tires are at least in fair condition. Tires are expensive, but unlike vehicle tires, they will last for quite a number of years.
I have an excuse. CRS.

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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby BigBill » Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:04 pm

I like the numbered cub because of it’s live pto and the creeper tranny.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.

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ShawnAgne
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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby ShawnAgne » Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:50 am

What was the creeper tranny designed for? Was just reading around and saw it had this and thought that would be a nice feature on a Cub much like the TA on my 300.
Shawn Agne

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Re: difference between 154 & 184

Postby BigBill » Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:22 pm

The creeper tranny on the 154 was designed for the snowthrower and tiller. I’ve used it low range with the slowplow. She does push snow with heavy chains and wheel weights.
I'm technically misunderstood at times i guess its been this way my whole life so why should it change now.


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