Farmall Cub

I have had my loboy 154 for two years now, and for the most part I LOVE IT. Except for the PTO maybe. After I fell in love with my loboy I learned of the down sides of the 154 clutch/PTO set up (odd size pto shaft, runs backwards and too fast). Last summer I rebuilt my pto shaft the long part was broken and halfway repaired when I bought the tractor. Now it is going bad again. I was thinking, is it possible to swap in a pto shaft from a Farmall cub so it sticks out of the transmission. In my head it looks possible.

Well... Really, not practical. Guessing anything can be accomplished. Couple of considerations.

The main transmission shaft in the numbered Cub Low-Boys do not have a provision for a power take off shaft bushing. Machine shop work, boring the main transmission shaft and installing a bushing.

You would need to figure out how to operate the standard Cub's PTO engagement lever. Due to the fact that the seat and sheet metal cover the top of the transmission/differential.

Thanks, I just was not sure. I was told the transmissions were the same, but after looking at some pictures I can see they are similar but not the same. I was also thinking maybe swap in a cub tranny and weld on brackets to mate it to the frame. BUT... is the input shaft the same size in diameter? As in use the short input shaft from the 154 and put it in the Fcub tranny. Probably a linkage set up for engage/disengage. Just thinking out loud here. Or should I just shut up and buy a Fcub. But I really like my 154.

Even if you could drive the PTO from the transmission, I don't think you'd want to. Your current setup is a live PTO. The Farmall Cub does not have this. Anytime you push in the clutch, the PTO stops turning. Also, when you push in the clutch, the PTO run-on continues to drive the tractor until the implement stops.
For a primary mowing tractor, this is not a very desirable change. Order a good used shaft from HamiltonBobsCubs and be done with the issue. These tractors have been mowing and using that PTO for many many years.
Fix it right the first time.

Thanks for the helpfull insight fellas. Like I said, just wandering if possible to do. I do use it mostly for mowing but I would like to use it on a post hole digger and maybe run a PTO driven generator I have (I have heard of some oiling issues there though). It is a great little tractor, I just don't want to overtax the current PTO setup. Again thanks for the advice.

You can convert your "too fast and backward" PTO to a standard PTO using a Hub City PTO Reducer. It gears down the PTO and reverses the direction of travel.
The reducers are pricey, but so is modifying your tractor. Note: The Cub PTO also turns "too fast and backward".

Other options include using a belt to run the generator so you can adjust the output shaft RPM's by selecting the proper pulleys. I think there are a couple of pictures on the forum of PTO Generator projects.

Hey thanks. Never heard of that reducer, but I'm still new to the cub world. I'll have to look into that.

You can't really "overtax" the PTO. The PTO is stronger than the engine.
Example: A tiller or a snowblower can stall the tractor engine without the PTO slipping.

One habit you should have though is to have your engine just above an idle when engaging the PTO. Once the PTO is completely engaged, then increase the throttle to perform the work.

Going to an FCUB PTO is a step backwards. I agree that the PTO is stronger than the engine. It is made of clutch discs and can wear over time. It may just need to be adjusted, check the bearings.

Alright, you guys have talked me out of it. I guess I'll stick with the original setup. I lust assumed that the clutch would be the weak spot. Also did not know that an Fcub PTO ran CCW. Would have been an expensive disappointment.

I think where I went wrong on the last PTO "rebuild" was where the needle bearings ride was not hardend, just mild steel. On top of that there are only bearings on either end of the shaft allowing some degree of flex at the clutch. I thought you would want one in the middle somewhere. I had a hard time eyeballing it straight. Guess it does not need to be super duper strong if it was designed as a big mower.

One more thing. What is the difference in the two pto dtive shaft lengths. They are both the same price. Is it one is for creeper drive? If so which one.

Not to "dissapoint" you, but the PTO on your 154 runs counter clockwise and has all the same characteristics just like the standard Cub PTO. It also runs at engine speed and the shaft is not the same size diameter or teeth arrangement as a standard 540-rpm PTO on modern tractors. Basically, you can run only PTO driven attachments that were designed and built specifically for the lo-boys, and nobody makes any other PTO driven attachments for it, other than Woods mower decks.