Picked up 1973 149 from Texas

[jrob33]

So I posted first back a month or so ago, and last night picked up the 149. This is the one I grew up on driving with my grandad. It is gonna need some work, and TLC, but that is why I now have it. I was also able to get the Operator's manual and in that is a lot of note taking in my grandads handwriting. This tractor was delivered new 3/15/1973 to the original owner, but my grandad bought it from him 2/19/1976 in Arlington, TX.(I was born in '77), and it has been in the family since then.
The Serial numbers are:
Chassis: 2050047U442349, Engine: 4243580 model 321A spec 601660. If any of these numbers are significant please let me know.
Additional implements I picked up are a model 1A tiller ID# 1A U1111, 48-inch deck ID# 483 U1111, a Brinly plow (I have to measure to see what size) and a box blade.
Now the fun / money spending begins.
Here are some pics of it in it's new home, the 3rd bay of my garage.
Jrob

[Methos]

JRob that's in pretty good shape! I'm glad your keeping it in the family. Nice list of attachments as well. Keep us updated on your progress.

[bignastyGS]

That tractor was built between August/Sept of 72 and delivered in March. That's neat you have the original paperwork and got it with so much documentation as well as a family item. Great score!

[Cub Cadet 123]

Great opportunity to relive great memories!!! Nothing like a cub with family history. Glad that you acquired it and of all of your cubs over the years, that one will be your treasured one---at least that is the way it is with my dad's cub that I acquired after his passing. Again, nice goin'.

Cub Cadet 123

[ACecil]

Congrats on your 149! It's nice having a tractor with a family connection. I look forward to your progress pics!

[ihnick]

nice 149. the story behind it is awesome. congrats on getting it back

[Diz Jr.]

Glad you were able to find the 149.
Neat that you know so much of its history

[jrob33]

The 149 has sat for 2-3 years maybe more. I do know that it had an engine overhaul in 1999, and has less than 50 hours since then. New coil, points, condensor, spark plug and spark plug wire at the same time.

So far I have removed the assembly that attached the mower deck to the lift (not sure the actual name), removed the drive for the tiller (the 90 pulley in the rear), drained the engine oil, drained the hy-tran fluid from the transaxle and removed the old filter. I have found lots of sludge in the transaxle.

What is the best way to remove the sludge? How bad is this really? Other than the sludge, I think it looks ok in there, but this is my first rodeo looking inside here.

Here are some pics of the axle and the sludge.

Thanks for your input, Jrob

[Matt G.]

That's fairly typical sludge. You can wipe out all of the chunks with rags, and then do the final cleaning with brake cleaner. Considering how horrible that is, I'd be tempted to remove the rearend and remove the axles and axle tubes, as there's probably a quart and a half of nasty Hytran trapped in the axle housings. You'll need new gaskets for the axle tubes and new axle seals, but I think it'd be worth it, and you're halfway there already.

[jrob33]

So brake cleaner, not engine degreaser?