1450 drive shaft length ?

clint · #1 06-08-2009, 12:15 AM

Does anyone know the length of the drive shaft on a cub 1450 ? I'm finishing my drive shaft up, decided to go back with stock parts as far as the rubber disc etc, however I will be using a Stainless bearing shaft 5/8" diameter, I was going to splice it, however I have decided now to just put it back in one piece.... As always hind sight is 20/20, if anyone has the length I would really appreciate it. I measure mine, which I think is correct, however I did cut it, but left a "edge" that should give me the total length, I came up with 18.75", just want to double check stainless bearing shaft= $$

Thanks, Clint

RChristensen · #2 06-08-2009, 01:48 AM

Clint Here is a picture taken back in 04 when I was doing some drive shaft work. The early model 1450 had a measurement of 18 5/8 inch and the later model 1650 had a measurement of 18 7/8 inches total length.

It's been a long time and I don't remember for sure but I think the 1450 had an indention in the rear on the drive shaft for a centering bearing and I don't think the later model 1650 had that.

Normally when I build a drive shaft I bolt the engine in the tractor and mount the couplers both front and rear and then take my measurement and cut the drive shaft to the correct length. I always use two rubber flex couplers front and rear and then they last forever. It may take a little extra time to mount the engine but then I get an exact measurement.

clint · #3 06-08-2009, 11:12 AM

Great info, thank you !! I plan to take a ball nose end mill and make a small relief in the rear for the ball. This is on a 77 model 1450, I'm already in the middle or I would have used the two flex couplers front/rear, if I ever have to rebuild it again I will either do that, or use u-joints.

Thanks for the pictures, and the info, maybe I can get a pic when I'm finished.

aagitch · #4 06-08-2009, 08:52 PM

Clint, how many flex discs are you using. I know a 1650 calls for a total of 3 per the parts manual. If you only use one on each end that may not last very long.

clint · #5 06-08-2009, 09:05 PM

My 1450 just had one flex disc in the front, and one in the back, I confirmed this with partstree schematic. If I had known before I started about using 2 on each end I would have done that.

Can anyone confirm factory 1450 how many flex disc they came with ?

RChristensen · #6 06-09-2009, 02:31 AM

Clint The number of flex discs on a 1450 may depend on the year. I have an early 1450 that I purchased from the original owner and I know it had never been apart, and when I pulled the engine to do the rail mod it only had one disc both front and rear. Later models may have come with 3 discs.

If I get this right the first picture shows the original rear coupler on that 1450 and you can see why IH had to go to the large diameter holes in the discs to go over the rear coupling. It makes the disc less sturdy than the early 1XX cubs used.

The second picture should show the same rear coupler with one large hole new style disc and one old style disc hooked together. This makes it much stronger and less flex.

The third picture should be my 169 with only one disc and they used the old style disc with the small center hole because of the different couplers used then. Notice the disc is fairly straight up and down not like the 1450 with only one disc.

The fourth picture shows what happens to the quietline large diameter disc when run single without one of the older small diameter discs to strengthen it. It migrates and puts more stress on the drive shaft.

The fifth picture should be a picture of the two types of discs sold by Cub cadet.

RPalmer · #7 06-09-2009, 06:53 AM

RChristensen,

So he doesn't need to cut the drive shaft only drill a new hole for the coupler's new position?

R Bedell · #8 06-09-2009, 07:01 AM

I took Richard's advice for the drive shaft on my 1450, and I have four Flex Disc Couplers....two on each end. I modified my Drive Shaft to accommodate this. It works well and the double Flex Disc Couplers add sturdiness to the drive line.

RChristensen · #9 06-09-2009, 01:22 PM

Rpalmer I can't make any firm statement on what he needs to do as it depends on if he has the centering ball in the rear coupler and I have seen different lengths of drive shafts. Also since these tractors have probably all been through different owners they may have some unique parts on them.

The best thing is to temporary mount the engine and couplers and take a measurement and go from there.

clint · #10 06-09-2009, 09:45 PM

I'm 99.9% sure all of this one is original, looking at the shaft I'm sure it's never been changed. I should have too before, in progress, and after pictures. The flex disc are the exact same as the ones purchased, hole size and all, so I'm going back with just one on each end, I may regret this later... I got my shaft back together, took two of us, I measured 18 5/8" , so that was good to know, and the info you gave was great.

If I ever have to do this in the future I will rig up some type of jig so I can get the length, holes centered in shaft, and at the correct location (both same position) which was a pain. The ball nose end mill worked perfect for making the recess in the rear of the shaft. I also used a radius tool to radius both ends of teh shaft, just knock off the edge, I had no bushings anywhere except the bushing that goes in the front at the motor that acts as a universal.

Clint