IH Cub Lo-Boy mower deck

[Sterff89]

I plan on attending an upcoming auction with several IH Cub Lo-Boys for sale. There is a 154 and 184 with the IH 3160 belly mower and also a 154 with the Woods 59 mower. If the tractors are in comparable condition is one mower deck better than the other? Anything special to look at on the 154, 184?
I have a regular cub and some A's, just never been around the Lo-Boy models. Thanks.

[Eugene]

Opinion. If the tractors are equal condition, I would purchase the 184. Reason, the Clutch and PTO on the 154 are, my words, sort of floppy.

I own a 154 with 3260 mower. It does ok mowing if the grass is not to tall or tough. I prefer mowing with my standard Cub and Woods 42. The smaller deck will slug it out if the grass gets ahead of my mowing.

[Gary Dotson]

Given equal condition, I’d value the 184 nearly double the 154. Either deck will mow quite nicely.

[staninlowerAL]

Just FYI, here's a quick ID overview: the 184 loboy tractor was the last of the number series loboy tractors that were produced. It has some features that were only available on that model. The offset INTERNATIONAL CUB LOBOY preceded the number series, early production was red, then red and white, then yellow and white. Some industrial tractors were yellow or could be obtained from the factory with special order color.

Offset Loboy 1955-1968

154 Loboy 1968-1974

185 Loboy 1975-1976

184 Loboy 1977-1980

[Sterff89]

Alright I'll have to look the 184 over when I get there. The 184 is a 1978, the 154's are a 1971 and 1974. The 184 does appear to have 3pt as well.

[Don McCombs]

If the 184 has a 3 point, that’s a no brainer. That’s the one you want. Of course, the best option is to buy all three.

[Sterff89]

Id like them all but, there are over 10 cubs at this auction so I could get into trouble. I'm actually going for something else but, a 184/154 would be a bonus.

[SONNY]

check the frame and make sure its not broke!---3-pt kills these frames if they have been abused! Got a 154 here that way!

[outdoors4evr]

Things to check:
184: Make sure the PTO engages. At least turn the key on and engage/disengage the PTO switch. The electric clutch should click pretty loudly when engaged / disengaged.
154: Make sure the PTO engages. This is mechanical so engage it and try to give the PTO a twist. It should put up a fight and try to turn the engine.
Make sure the drive clutch functions. Verify you can put it in gear without grinding gears when the engine is running and clutch is depressed. Clutch brake buttons will likely have to be serviced

Since two 154's are there, the older one will probably have one brake pedal and the newer one probably has two brake pedals.
Order of preference: 184, then newer 154, then older 154. The 184 will probably command a higher price.

Since the 184 has the 3-point, look for 3-point implements that are built for the 184. The model 15 tiller or a Mckee Sno-Lander snow blower are quite rare.

[Sterff89]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Sterff89]

Well, I didn't end up buying anything. I went for a 1951 Super C ( sold for $2200) and a 1950 C with corn planter ( sold for $2500). I thought the prices were too high for the condition and money I would have to put into them. Also passed on all the Cubs. Here are the prices of some if interested. 1978 184 $3000 (not pictured), Cub Lo-boy with 1000 loader $1500, Lo-Boy 154 $700, Lo-Boy 154 $800, 2 more Cubs $1550, and $1700. Also the BN on the end was $1800 I believe. All were supposedly runners buy, the gas in them smelled bad.

[ibdilbert]

"check the frame and make sure its not broke!" <-- For sure! I put a 3 point on a 154 that never had one and it had a cracked frame. For sure a weak point. I welded it up, and to my surprise it is still holding up and I use it to rototill.