What is this hole for?
 

I was comparing my 1X2s today and noticed that only my 1966 102 has it. The 1967 102 & 122 don't have it. It is on the left rear of the tunnel right in front of the fender. I have seen it on a few, but most don't have it.

That is the inspection hole for the 123 to see the alignment marks on the forward/reverse adjustment.

IIRC, they started making the 123's later in the series run, and then used the same frame for the 102, 122 and 123's.

Thanks, Mark!

That's odd that the older tractor has it and the newer 2 don't. I wonder if PO's had any hands in that? :bigthink: I wish they had put the SN on the frame too.

According to the information that I have, production on the 123's started in June of 1966 with serial number 157490 to 218009.

71, 102 and 122's started in Aug. of 1965 with serial number 127161 to 218009.

This leads me to believe that any of the tractors with serial number 157490 and above (except the 71's) should or could have the hole in question.

Unless you were there, I would guess that no one knows how many of the earlier frames (without the hole) were "in stock" at the time the first of the newer frames (with the hole) were delivered.

HOWEVER, as I have said many times, after 48 years and countless previous owners, Lord only knows what kinds of modifications these tractors have had inflicted on them.

I just read that too. I ran outside to check the SN. It is 156570. Late May of '66. I guess they started getting ready for the hydrostatic a little early or the rear has been swapped out or who knows:biggrin2:

:beerchug:

FWIW dad's 125 has one of those holes.

My 105 and 125 have these holes.

I have 2 102s one has that hole and the other does not.

My 1966 122 does not have the hole....

My 1966 122 does not either.

I wonder if you can access the pins holding the driveshaft coupler from that hole:bigthink:

Lew, that was one of my thoughts too, until Mark learned me. You would need a long roll pin punch! :cool:

Mine fits in a 3/8 socket, add a extension and your good to go.

Good idea Lew.

What Nick said! :beerchug:

the two 102s that i have seen with that hole had a rear pto rear end in them. one had the hole pto and the other just the inside parts but both had that hole

Lew, it doesn't line up with the coupler.

Does any of the PTO linkage come through the hole? I don't think it does. I'm pretty sure Yosemite Sam is right. It is just a hole for hydro adjustment. Apparently they just used what they had when they assembled them.

The 102 pictured was the month before 123 production began, so I think they were prepping for production or PO parts swapping. :beerchug:

Yosemite Sam is right. When you look in the hole on a hydro, there's an arrow on the froward/reverse plate that you line up with the pin for neutral.

I believe they made that hole knowing that 50 years later a bunch of cub nuts would have a great time discussing it on a website. That makes them really smart cause not only was there not websites back then there were no computers.

My former 122 had it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...h_DCP_4894.jpg

Both my 125's have it

OK I want to see a hydro that doesn't have the hole!:biggrin2:

Jeff, your 122 fenders cover half the hole. They are the same as the 102 fenders, correct?

The tractor is the same, the only difference was the engine :beerchug:

My 123 has it, with an inspection cover bolted over it too, but it's hydro so it doesn't count

Someone on a factory line somewhere punched a hole in the wrong spot on the frame during manufacturing. He discussed the issue with his shop foreman and the foreman agreed "screw it let's run with it" making all the frames the same with the mystery hole. :biggrin2: