Not sure what I might be getting into but ........

T

taiterhead

Active member
Now that 5+ Cubfests and Tim's wrenching has given me back 3 working Cubs, I have been using them for just about everything around the farm. What I constantly notice is that I would like to go slower than 1st gear but with full RPM's. After a little research, I now realize that I am not the only person over the decades of Cub production that had this wish, and the problem was addressed by Howard and Auburn in conjunction with certain implements. I certainly understand the "collector" value of having an original Howard or Auburn, but what I am wondering if anyone in the Cub universe has ever considered reverse engineering and/or developing a modern alternative to achieve a slower speed at max RPM's? Any thoughts?
 
Sometimes on the flail it would be nice but after going around a couple of times in the same spot and lowering the mower or anything to get the first round I just half swath. You shopuld have thought of this 50+ years ago. Ever hear of M&W Gear? Some of the things they made were aftermarket parts for Farmalls. Dad had an H originally able to burn distallate with M&W pistons & sleeves which upped the compression and thus HP. M&W throttle levers which got rid of the constant replacement of parts due to worn teeth and an M with their 9 speed transmission. I googled them and they they were bought out but looks like some stuff is available. Now if you can get enough intrest maybe you could get an under/over drive to satisfy all. Or a hydro trans. A much easier build would be to build a pto speed increaser then use less than full throttle. This would reduce of course the cub's already low HP. Maybe now a turbocharger for turbo normalizing? :D Vern Afterthought. AC made a hand "clutch" on their WD45 so it could be stopped to discharge the bales from their small (80 lb) round baler since the WD45 did not have live pto. This simply declutched one side (left I think) of the axle and let the trans spin. You used the foot cclutch to change gears however. Could YOU build a system into one final drive which would reduce the speed to the axle and let the trans spin to take up the difference? Much like it does in a turn? It would of course have an easy to operate lever to switch back to standard gearing. So many options so little money.
 
Bob, you’re looking for a Hub City reverser/reducer. Not sure what the model number is, but someone will be along with it.
 
Bob McCarty said:
Do you want to slow the tractor or the PTO?
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I'm sure he's wanting the ground speed slower on the Cub. That has always been something I also wished for too. If only the Cub had a 4 speed transmission like the Super A.
I know whenever I'm mowing with my sickle bar mower, I wish I could travel at a slower speed especially along fence rows.
 
Don McCombs said:
Bob, you’re looking for a Hub City reverser/reducer. Not sure what the model number is, but someone will be along with it.
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No need to reinvent the wheel? These are somewhat hard to find and not cheap. A Google search makes it appear Hub City is still in business. Try and get enough people interested and see if they would make a new run? No, I will not volunteer. Vern
 
ricky racer said:
I'm sure he's wanting the ground speed slower on the Cub. That has always been something I also wished for too. If only the Cub had a 4 speed transmission like the Super A.
I know whenever I'm mowing with my sickle bar mower, I wish I could travel at a slower speed especially along fence rows.
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This comment is exactly why I am interested in slowing down my ground speed without slowing down the engine RPM's. The sickle bar mower is wonderful, but it would seem to cut much better and be less stressful if I had more time to react to objects in the culvert, fence posts, etc. Also, the Woods 59 would seem to be "more sitting and less adjusting" if I were able to crawl at full throttle. My research was pretty clear that the Howard option was collectible and expensive if you could even find one, so I was wondering if the Cub braintrust ever developed a non-collectible alternative to operate in a crawling gear?
 
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Bob,
You need two (2) speed reducers, one on each side. This is Rondel’s (sp) Cub LoBoy with a 6’ Mott Mower. Extra wide front and rear!
Dave Wiles has them on his Cub for the rotavator tiller attachment. Thought I had a photo of his set up, but I can’t find it.
1784746671895.jpeg
 
the "too fast" first gear is what makes cubs useless to me!! --- still tryin to find the right hydro motor and pump to put inside the tube and make them hydro drive.
 
Looks like my toungue in cheek musings were closer than what I thought. A modern version would use a hydro drive. This would be nice. I would then be able to run at a speed between 1st and 2nd. A Howard reducer should be able to do this also if I could find/afford one. Might be cheaper just to get a modern compact tractor. The cub has plenty of other uses where speed isn't so important. Vern
 
When I lived back in New York my 57 Lo Boy had a Howard reducer and a C-2 mower. It work great mowing golden rod in the pasture with just 2 passes.
Wm
 
SONNY said:
the "too fast" first gear is what makes cubs useless to me!! --- still tryin to find the right hydro motor and pump to put inside the tube and make them hydro drive.
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the issue with that is Hydro drives are about 75-85% efficient while straight cut gears are 95+% efficient typically so you might have to go slower than you would think due to power losses in the drivetrain... but of course a modern cub reimagined wouldn't be under 10hp either unless you were really stuck on the C-60 engine.
 
This looks like a tractor that I own. Dual Howard despeeders, reversed final drives for longer wheelbase, deluxe seat, 18” steering wheel with H.D. Tierods. Mine has a non-adjustable front axle.
 
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