New Cub?

[mrdibs]

The cub I just restored is going back to the family property up in the Poconos where it's needed, but I really like having one for myself. Do the later models have significantly more power, or is it not worth the difference?

[Boss Hog]

Some say there is not much difference , If you buy an older one that will leave more of the newer ones out there for me to find
Boss
PS I think there is a big difference in them

[gitractorman]

Technically, no, there is not a huge difference, 9hp to about 15hp, mostly done by increasing the engine speed, but maximum torque is still achieved at a lower overall RPM, so the horsepower at the peak torque is just about the same.

Operationally, there are some big benefits, 12v-negative ground, alternator, distributer, key start, etc.

I have owned several older Cubs, and one late model, 1977 Cub. I would have sworn that it had more power and started easier than any of the others I've had, until the 1951 that I just restored. It is all original, 6-volt system, 9-hp engine, and I would bet that it would give my 1977 a run for it's money. The down side of the 51 is all of the positives noted above, 6-volt instead of 12, starter/generator, etc.

Basically, I think it comes down to preferance and what you can find. I actually think that a well tuned older Cub will perform just as well as a newer cub, and most folks would never know the difference if you blindfolded them.

[ntrenn]

If you have a choice and all other things being equal, the newer one will probably have less wrong with it because it's been worked less.

The 6V population is about 10 times the size of the 12V population and the domed piston higher hp population is smaller still. They were near the end of the run and were made on the same tools, but more worn out than when they made the earlier tractors. By the time Boss is done, he'll have scooped up all the 12V domed piston models.....

[Rudi]

Only comment I am going to make is that a Cub of any year is worth having ... there, I said it

[Joe Malinowski]

I have 2 newer yellow cubs both 12 volt and a 1953 original 6 volt. They all start great the 6 volt sat for 3 months and fired right up. I don;t see much difference in power. I have the 53 for sale just want to stick with the 12 volt systems.

[RUSSALL]

By the time Boss is done, he'll have scooped up all the 12V domed piston models.....

Not mine!


Russ

[Yogie]

By the time Boss is done, he'll have scooped up all the 12V domed piston models.....

Not mine!


Russ

Yep, I done spoke for the one Russel owns.

[RUSSALL]

Yes you did, Yogie.


Russ

[Yogie]

Yes, there's a night and day difference between the two cubs power wise and a few other features to boot.
Dome aluminum pistons, different cam, lighter governor weights and a larger port manifold with Zenith carb all added up to make the later model more powerful.
Myself, I think in the later cub years IH focused on building a mowing tractor with a need for more power. A good running early cub must be running it's best to operate a large belly mower and even then it'll struggle when compared to a late model.

Sounds like the 77 cub mentioned may need a rebuild also or at least a good tuneup.

[mrdibs]

Thanks guys. I don't care about age, or 6 volt so much. Whatever I end up with will be torn down and restored like I did with my '48. I've heard the older ones struggle with the belly mower, and that's something I'd be interest in using. That and a plow. Been using the sickle mower with my '48, and it's perfect for that. Hydraulics would be nice though.

[Matt Kirsch]

Who has the dyno results from that Cub Tug a few years ago? IIRC the numbers really weren't all that spectacularly different from old to new.

[bythepond88]

If you are going to rebuild the engine, you should have no problem with running a belly mower on any year. If you plan on mowing regularly, you should be able to run a 59 inch finish mower with no problem. If you plan to only mow when the grass gets long, you would be better off with a 48 inch.

My '59 runs a Woods 59 inch mower. Except for the first few mowings in the spring, when the grass grows especially thick and fast over the septic field, I can mow in second gear without straining.

[raystractors]

Here is a chart that shows the horsepower and torque. You can see that the hp goes up with the rpm, but the torque begins to fall after a point.