to buy or not to buy

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Stevos_loboy

Active member
I'm a newbie here … so hello all and thank you for having me!
I have been eyeballing the Cub lo boy series for quite some time now, to purchase and work on. We would like to put one to good use on our property to cut grass. Also, I am looking for a project and would consider myself lucky to have one my shop to work on and maintain. I am mechanically inclined and can feel I can fix just about anything, as long it's not sitting on top or below deck of an aircraft carrier!

Soooooooooo …… here's the recent scoop on what I'm looking at: A gentleman has one for sale sem-locally (bout 3 hours away) for a reasonable amount of coin. I can fix stuff, but what he told me sounded like this may be a discouraging opportunity. Not because of lack of mechanical know how, but from what I understand, sometimes parts for these machines are very expensive and can be cost prohibitive to repair. CAN THIS BE FIXED?

"Engine ran great before the clutch mounting flywheel at the trans axle broke and wedged itself against the frame rail"

So obviously there something very wrong with the tractor and wanted to ask experience / hands-on patrons about this before going any farther.
I have attached a photo that the seller forwarded me -

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
 

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Welcome.

What is the asking price? Any equipment? Creeper? 3 point hitch?

Heck we can fix anything. Just takes time, money, and parts. So, the problem can be fixed, cost and parts unknown until disassembled and inspected.

I own a 154, a standard Cub, and a couple other tractors. The numbered Cubs are pretty good lawn mowers. The standard Cubs are also pretty good lawn mowers, plus there are more available implement options for them. Of the two types of Cubs, suggest a standard Cub or the standard Cub low-boy.
 
The problem I see with standard Cub or even standard Lo-Boy is height. If he's mowing under anything that's a big deal.

I'm half looking for a certain configuration of 184 Lo-Boy. It doesn't seem many of the number series come up in your neck of the woods. If you're willing to go to Indiana, Ohio or Pennsylvania there are a lot of number series Lo-Boys with mowers and turf tires available.
 
H Eugene and MiCarl. Thanks for the response. I became a member here specifically knowing that I would some day soon own a lo boy 154 or 185, I know about the 184, but there is something about the 184 that is just not quite as appealing to me …. maybe its because I've owned red cars & trucks my whole life :)- ….

The 154/185: I want one but would rather spend less $ and fix it up for my needs VS spending max $ dollars on a machine ready to go, and yup, same story bout the poor man whom took his wife to McDonalds to buy a steak dinner!

Any whooooo, when talking to the seller he explained the "breakage" in a little more detail, he was mowing with the unit in question and heard what he described as a mechanical snap then saw sparks flying for a brief moment. The motor is fine, according to him, and there doesn't seem to be any other damage other than the shaft with the hub attached to is now off-center and jammed into the frame … WTH?

He is firm @ $500.00. The tractor comes with no attachments and no 3ph. He's being stin-gee with the woods belly deck that he had mounted at the time of the incident and says he won't part with it, magine that. I would say the tractor is in fair shape but its all there. Tires are good. Motor good. Anyone have any idea what needs to fixed based on the photo and text written?

MiCarl, property is flat with several large trees throughout, trees too big and tall to be a problem. If I could fit a 72" deck under the Cub I would do it in heart beat …. perfect tractor for this size lot, with a little over 3 acres, 80-85 percent mowable!

Thanks again guys
 
I wouldn't buy it without an implement unless I already owned the implement for the tractor. It is too easy to buy an implement that is missing parts that are difficult to obtain. There are lots of mowers available, but can you find a mule drive to fit a 154? If buying an implement, (other than 3-point equipment) I'd take the tractor to the implement and mount it on site. Don't leave or finish the transaction until the implement works.

Regarding the picture, it is difficult to see what has failed. You probably need to review the parts diagram to see what is in that area of concern. For pricing ideas, you might look at HamiltonBobsCubs.
https://hamiltonbobs.com/cart/search/drive-train-c63/ih-m13/154-cub-lo-boy-mm4
Worst case scenerio is you have to replace it all. The Complete Clutch Setup package and a main transmission input shaft would probably cover most of the parts there. Maybe add the driveshaft coupler, driveshaft pins and clutch brake buttons since you are already there. So this is about $600 in parts.

Can you buy a running tractor for $1100 with no mower deck?
Suppose you find a great deal on a mower deck for $400 that fits the tractor. Perhaps finding a running, mowing tractor for $1500?

If you are willing (and able) to do the work, $1500 doesn't seem like a bad price. You might also look for a Farmall A or Super A with a 72" deck. I mow 3 acres and it takes about 2 hours with a numbered lowboy and 60" deck. (I have very few trees to mow around)
 
I would pass on this tractor. Reasons, no implements. Repair cost unknown. Complete, work ready Cubs, with mounted mower decks sell in the $1500- to $2500- range.

A 72 inch mower deck could be, probably is, to large for the Cubs.

Suggest looking around your local for a tractor that you can inspect and operate before purchase. I would also consider makes of tractors that were popular in your local 50 or so years ago with standard, live PTO.
 
I agree with the general sentiment: $500 for a busted tractor without the mower is too much. If you're willing to take a road trip you should be able to get a 154 with mower, push plow and chains for under $2500.

As far as my interest in a 184: That's the style "modern" IH tractors had when I was on the farm as a teenager. I don't want to mow with it though, I need AG tires and 3 point hitch for playing in the dirt. That configuration is rare and tends to get pricey. There is also the problem that I'm out of tractor space. There was one near here a few months ago with the belly mower, 3 point and back blade for $1,900. I resisted the urge to snap it up.
 
Welcome! Looks like you're already getting some good advice.

Take some time and read through a few threads to acquaint yourself with the Forum:

Now that you have 2 posts, you can access all the free PDF downloads in the Manuals section. They are located via "Quick Links" in the upper left corner of your screen. Hit that and a pull-down appears where you'll find "PDF Manuals". Through that link, you'll be able to download an Owner's Manual (very strongly recommended) and any service manuals that interest you. Implement Manuals are also available.

Might also enjoy reading through this thread: What to do with a Cub you just brought home

Glad you joined us.
 
Stevos_loboy":79fet6s1 said:
Does the 185 have an alternator / starter also?
Click to expand...
No. The 154 and 185 have a starter/generator. The starter/generator is one unit and requires a voltage regulator.
 
So does that also mean the 154 / 185 do not share the same engine block as the 184? What other differences are there between the 184 and the others? There is a nice 184 with a 3 point hitch but does not have the reverser gear for the pto and no belly deck or front blade, but very nice tractor nun-the-less. Unfortunately its located in PA and way too far!
 

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There were changes to the block along the way. There were some changes to the 154 (early vs. late serial numbers) that changed the intake and moved to a zenith carb. (I think the dipstick and dipstick tube were lengthened as well) When the 185 came, not much changed with the block, but most of the guts to the engine were updated. The governor springs increased the RPM range, pop up pistons, wider connecting rods, and some crankshaft updates happened.
When the 184 came along, there was a block (and frame) update to make room for the starter. The starter-generator was replaced with an alternator and a separate starter. The crankshaft was drilled for a pilot bushing. The big changes happened behind the engine. Clutch was moved to the engine flywheel. PTO clutch was changed to electric and moved up to the left side cover.
 
Regarding that 184 pictured, there are some extra handles shown on the right side of the tractor. Maybe it is an auxiliary hydraulic block?
Those 3-point lift arms are from another type of tractor. Those are longer in length than the factory ones.
 
All the number series share the same basic C-60 engine. Evolution made for minor changes and increased the RPM and horsepower. The 184 has an electric PTO clutch which has proved to be more reliable than the mechanical unit. On the 184, they also move the drive clutch back to the engine flywheel, similar to the standard Cub, also more reliable. For my money, the 184 is a far better machine!
 
You might want to watch this one being auctioned. Its a 185 with 3-point hitch, hydraulic selector valve, and a mower deck. Looks like the mower deck has a home-made skid on one side and a missing skid (ski) on the other. Also missing left side panel. The description describes needing to be choked when mower deck is engaged. This is probably a carb adjustment that is needed (idle-air adjustment).

https://bid.basicequipmentmi.com/auction/59/item/international-cub-lowboy-185-2989
It just might end up being a running machine with a mower deck under the $1500 price.
 
Thank you for the explanation of factory changes to the lo-boy @ the motor! Too bad they never upgraded to a hydro transaxle before discontinuing the model. Good to know stuff like this. And yes indeed there is a remote hydraulic control block mounted on the right - see pic. I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about at this point concerning this hydraulic remote but it appears to have 2 levers that would control 2 different cylinders, one for the rear hitch and the other for the mid deck? But the tractor should have the ability to control raising and lowering the deck through other pre-existing controls …. could this be a dual function valve box for other cylinders, 3 point hitch and ? I would love to have dual remotes mounted at the front of the tractor with raise and tilt functions for a front blade to push snow in the winter. Those lift arms look completely out of sorts, probably for cat1.
 

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