Starting at the beginning...
 

Well, I'm new to this forum but am an active member on others, such as MTF, GTT, and WFM. I'm mainly a JD guy, my main garden tractor being a '73 140 H3. I stumbled upon this little guy a month-or-so ago, and decided that I would like to have a smaller machine for lighter-duty work, such as pulling a trailer or just carrying me around when I'm feeling lazy. :biggrin2: It is a 1961 Cub Cadet "Original", and I believe the serial number (9679) dates it to May of the previously stated year. It has one of the original collared spindles, and one from a later Cub, with a bolt holing it on. I have replaced some of the parts and made a few modifications to make it more functional. It took me an entire day to just get that one spindle out and loosened up. :bash2: I plan to do a mechanical restoration and a few modifications to make it my own, although nothing that will make the "purists" cringe. It has a K-161 on it (545520?), that was missing 90% of its parts. I got it running tonight and found out really quickly that it smokes... I am going to buy another engine, that is more complete, this weekend to drop into it. I am very excited to get this machine going, but am taking my sweet ol' time because I don't want to mess anything up and want to enjoy it. I guess I'll just use this as my project thread. Now, onto the pics, starting from when I got it, until present!

Welcome to OCC! Good luck with your O!

:Welcome2:

Congrats on the O! Looking forward to your pics!

Thank you. Im 16, and still doing school work, and other chores but I get out to work on my tractors once in a while and I really enjoy the alone time. Thats why Im taking my time getting parts and actually putting it together. I may repaint it in the future.

Nice purchase. You'll quickly discover that the IH machines are vastly superior to anything green you've owned. :biggrin2:

Congrats on the O and good luck! Keep posting the pics looking good so far!

Well any cub but the O, they are different to any other cub IH made and the weakest designed one in my opinion. I think they were a great start but the newer frames added a ton of reliability but I work my equipment no lazy days for them! I think they are very awesome to collect and look at though!! Here's what it should look like when your done!!

I have to disagree with that. I owned a 149 a year-or-so ago and didn't like how jumpy the hydro was. I just couldn't get it adjusted. :beatdeadhorse: I don't like any one brand more than another, but the 140 is just the strongest machine I have ever owned and I have no plans to sell it in the future.

My frame seems sturdy enough for what I plan. As I said, its going to be a light-duty machine. I might install wheel weights on it, but that will most likely be the only "attachment" and only to keep traction on some of our hills. I might also make a weight for the front out of a scrap block of steel. :bigthink:

Take a close look at the tabs where the frame meets the rear end!! They are not weak machines just not as strong as other cubs because of that location tends to be stressed or be bent/broken if over worked.

The OCC may be the weakest of the cub cadets, but there is something special about them. Can't put my finger on it, but nothing like just putting around on an Original!






Randy

Agreed!! Totally cool to ride around on!

I cant wait to drive it around... Anybody on here ever add hydraulics to an original?

Welcome to OCC.
To address your 149 being "jumpy" was most likely due to the trunion being out of adjustment. Most likely worn and needed some mantenance.
Yes the "O" was avalable with hyrdaulics. I've seen a loader was avalable as an option on the tractor.

:Welcome2:

That pic looks like it was taken in my back yard.:biggrin2: I've done the just have to wrap up the install of it.:NailBite:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=16692

And my two restore thread. Adam aka ajcombs makes a great wing man on these restores!

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=16833

Thanks Methos!

Your welcome!

i spy a John Deere 140 with V61s and Ag tires! gotta pic of that?

and i must agree the JD 140 is probably the greatest garden tractor they made.

at a tractor show a while back i saw an Original with a narrow frame hydraulic lift on it....wish i got a pic was pretty cool. i always loved originals they look so vintage along with a JD 110 round fender.

Here is Keiths loader, he is a member here and lives a couple of hours from me.

Please post pics of it in general section of the site.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/f...splay.php?f=24

My avatar. :BangPC:

Got the other engine. I think its from an original, but was put into a 70, as it has the Mech clutch, but also has the Carter N carb... Hmm... I'm hoping I can make a good one from the two.

Can anyone tell me how to get this clutch off? Also, is this the correct engine, with the smaller Dip-Stick, or should it have the tube like the one that came on it? Thanks

Congrats on getting the other engine. It looks funny with the huge air cleaner on it. Whats the serial and spec number of the engine? There's a video on youtube that shows how to take the pto off. FYI there are two set screws in each hole for a total of six. and PB blaster is your friend.:beerchug:

The red one is the one I just got. The yellow one hasa carb from my K-181 that is on my JD 110.

A little more work today. The carbon in this engine was hard as rocks. I got it pretty much cleaned up. The head on this engine is cracked, so I'm going to inspect the other one to see if I can use it. I need to get a head gasket and order a carb-kit, then I should have a running engine! :beerchug: I put an oily shirt on it to hopefully keep the rust and dirt out.

Good job! Thanks for the update.

More update pictures! It lives! I really like the look of the John Deere muffler... I might keep it... I need to get the wiring made up, buy a battery, and find another front wheel... I'm really excited to get it running! I had no idea how far you actually sit back on these things... Wow! Does anyone have a wiring diagram, and possibly the lengths of the wires? Thanks!

Looking good Dane!

Glad you got the O running, and thanks for the update. :beerchug:

Thanks guys! I'm really excited about this!

Okay guys, she is moving under her own power now! Does anyone have a picture of the throttle setup? There is about 1/8th in. between idle and WOT... It runs well, but hiccups... I believe I need to clean and set the points. I tested out the clutch trying to pull my ATV uphill with the brakes locked. 1st and 2nd will spin the tires, while 3rd slips the clutch... I think I need to clean up that entire assy. Thanks. I will try and get pics up tomorrow.

Awesome! Looking forward to your pics.

Sorry guys, had a band concert last night and wan't able to get the pics up. Well, here they are!

Thanks for the pics. The O is looking good!